Reply To The Posting By Constantine Vaporis

Voithia - July 22, 1997

By Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos

I fully perceive and understand the deep anger of Professor Constantine Vaporis. He is right in that the problems of Hellenic College, Inc. go back years, in fact they are fundamentally rooted in the failure of the hierarchy, the Board of Trustees, and Admininistrators of the two Schools to observe the institutional policies and procedures which alone can be the foundation of a viable academic community free of arbitrary interventions.

I shall not attempt to reply on behalf of others. But insofar as Constantine Vaporis refers to me [as "one who was related to my father," and as one together with others failing "to raise a finger or say anything to try stop this reprehensible action" (i.e. Fr. Michael Nomikos Vaporis' requested retirement at 70 according to the Manual of Procedures)] he does me injustice.

First, I acknowledge a relationship with the late Fr. Vaporis, including not only disagreements but also many more agreements and warm experiences ranging from family get togethers, to mutual participation in Bible Studies, to watching football games on television.

Secondly, on the point pertaining to retirement at 70 according to the policies and procedures, which was indeed discussed between us several times, I honestly chose to disagree amicably with him. My premise was and is that, Hellenic College, Inc. featuring a limited number of faculty, we all should retire no later than at 70 according to the policies and procedures in order to allow of new academic blood in the institution.

Thirdly, as far as the civil law cancelling out the institutional polices and procedures on the age of retirement, and the decision of Fr. Vaporis to go to civil court on that basis, I forthrightly wished him well and encouraged him to follow his conscience on the matter.

Fourthly, to counter circulating talk that I was responsible for Fr. Vaporis' and Dr. Holmberg's expulsion from a meeting of the faculty with the Episcopal Oversight Committee sometime in January 1997, I declare that I did the opposite: I momentarily left the conclave just prior to the start of the meeting and privately asked the responsible administrator to allow Fr. Vaporis and Dr. Holmberg to stay in the meeting- Christ as my witness!

Therefore, I am sadly obliged to respond to Constantine Vaporis posting. In fact, I would welcome a blue-ribbon commission to investigate all matters past and present, in order to ascertain the truth and render deserts to any and all "self-serving men who shame the church." I am also open to forgiveness, reconciliation and healing of hearts by the grace of the Lord.

(Signed) Fr. Stylianopoulos

ed: Fr. Stylianopoulos can be reached at Holy Cross, Tel: 617-731-3500, he does not have an e-mail address so far as we know.

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Prof C. Vaporis has written a reply to both this and a letter from V. Karras, it has been appended to the reply by V. Karras dated July 24. Having been told by V. Karras and Ft. Stylianopoulis that they have no further commetary on the matter for this address, Voithia does not seek further commentary on this topic.

[ Voithia - www.voithia.org/content/qmpreplvap1.htm - July 22, 1997 ]