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Greek Orthodox Stewards of America - June 11, 1999

     Opinion Forum

Alexandra Tsiatis Responds to Insinuations by Goal's Dean Popps
that the Archdiocese Has Created a Stealth "Quick Response" Campaign

Dear Mr. Popps,

Your inflammatory and assumptive letter posted on the Voithia website May 26, 1999 insinuated that the Archdiocese has created a Stealth "Quick Response" Campaign. Your attempt to establish a motive between the presence of 4 individuals from Queens, NY, and something you dubbed as a "Stealth Campaign" lacks one key fact. The FACT is that the Archdiocese DID NOT in any way, shape, or form initiate our attendance at the symposium.

Our attendance was initiated by your invitation posted on the Voithia website May 6, 1999, which said "All Are Welcome" to attend the Symposium on May 16, 1999 in McLean VA. We drove down, at our own expense, of our own volition because we were individuals who wanted to find out, first hand, if GOAL/Open Forum, were perpetuating falsehoods. These falsehoods, we were told, were directed against our parish of St. Nicholas at numerous, previous, non-advertised Forums and on the Internet.

When we arrived we walked into a room, sat down for two hours, listened to the lectures, raised our hands to ask questions, were not recognized to speak and returned to our homes.

Your letter made many inaccurate statements. Let me correct some of them.

You state that the Archdiocese has a "secretive quick response campaign" aimed at meetings GOAL had concerning the withholding of funds. The topic of "withholding funds" was NOT listed on your invitation. Therefore, how could anyone know in advance that you would be discussing the withholding of funds?

You state that "various officials attend, with the intent to "intimidate" the host ..." You mean to say, Mr. Popps, that you find the presence of the current Finance Director of the Archdiocese intimidating? It was apparent to all that he merely corrected inaccuracies the former Finance Director made regarding the finances of the Archdiocese during his presentation. It appears that you find the truth intimidating and go on to warn others that these are desperate tactics on the part of the Archdiocese.

You state that the Finance Director traveled with a "team" of Archdiocese staffers and sympathizers from Flushing, NY unannounced. The FACT is NO sign-in sheet was provided nor were we asked to announce ourselves. Who are these, phantom "staffers" and "sympathizers" and why did you not introduce them? After all you did introduce the present Finance Director. The TRUTH is that neither I nor anyone I traveled with work for the Archdiocese.

You state we were scattered when in FACT we were seated together. You then stretch this to say we were trying to create the impression that there were local differences of opinion. We were not called upon to express our views. Therefore, how could you accuse us of creating "the impression that there were local differences of opinion?" The fact is many people in that room disagreed with your opinions and made valid points.

Mr. Popps, when you saw 4 people, whom you did not know, enter a room, you immediately, inaccurately concluded that these people must necessarily be from the Archdiocese. Then, you fabricated an imaginative "stealth campaign", no less. You did not even attempt to confirm or deny your suspicions by simply asking. How you go from mere "suspicion" to stating something as though fact and then publicize it on the Internet is simply irresponsible and illogical.

From your reaction to this situation, it is reasonable to speculate that much of what GOAL says must be invented in a similar manner. The faithful should remember this little incident of how 4 people walking into a room was interpreted by GOAL. We should then continue supporting our Churches with all our energy today, as Christ would want us, to ensure that our children have a strong, united, unaltered, Greek Orthodox Church tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Alexandra Tsiatis
Little Neck, NY

cc: Greek Orthodox Stewards

[ Greek Orthodox Stewards of America
  www.gostewards.org/opinions/l99061101.htm
  June 11, 1999 ]