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The National Herald - March 17, 2007

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Our Church Should Insist on Disclosure and Transparency

To the Editor:

It is dismaying to read Theodore Kalmoukos’ articles in your March 10 edition concerning allegations of sexual abuse involving a longtime Greek Orthodox priest. What is equally distressing and alarming is to read, in these same articles, how our Archdiocese may have attempted to hide this alleged crime.

[ ... ]

And if it were not for Michael Jaharis, who serves our Archdiocese at its highest level (as vice chairman of the Archdiocesan Council’s Executive Committee), and who has not hesitated to question and to speak out about the way the Archdiocese has handled this serious allegation, we would obediently continue to follow the decisions and practices of our hierarchical church, and would never question their credibility and fallibility.

The crux of the problem facing our Archdiocese, as National Herald and its publisher, Antonis Diamataris, have brought to light, is that there have undoubtedly been other undisclosed cases of sexual abuse involving Greek Orthodox priests. If it is true that the Archdiocese has spent $10 million in the past five years to resolve or “cover up” these cases, then the fundamental question must be asked: Where is the accountability in our hierarchical church?

[ ... ]

Michael C. and Mary Keller
Grand Rapids, Michigan

[ The National Herald - March 17, 2007 - p. 8 ]

[ The National Herald - www.thenationalherald.com/issue.asp?issue=19084 - March 16, 2007 ]