More reasons I love the Antiochians
Whether they're (gasp) evangelizing to Americans, or (double gasp) establishing an autonomous synod here, the Antiochians continue to impress me.
Why One Orthodox Church Left the National Council of Churches
(excerpt)
“I always encountered objections from our priests and the rank and file at our General Conventions,” said Scott. “Many of them came from converts who had first-hand experience with the corrosiveness of theological liberalism. I explained that we saw our role as apologist and not as ecumenicist because of our alliance with the other conservatives that still remained in the NCC.”
The disaffection came to a head at the Antiochian Archdiocesan Convention in Dearborn, Michigan, last July. On recommendation from the Interfaith Relations Committee, a proposal was brought to the floor recommending the NCC pullout. The committee’s chairman reported that in his 29 years representing the archdiocese to the NCC, he had seen nothing fruitful that justified continued participation.
The issue never came to a vote. Instead, Metropolitan Philip, upon hearing the report, stated, “Enough is enough,” which was met with near unanimous applause. Antiochian participation in the NCC came to an end.
Orthodox leaders from other jurisdictions were critical of the unilateral nature of the move, including former Orthodox presidents Huszagh (who has privately scolded Edgar for the letter) and Kishkovsky. “It’s true we did not consult other jurisdictions,” Fr. Scott told me, “but that is because we see the NCC as no longer concerned with the gospel as it has been handed down from the apostles. Our commission is to bring the gospel to the unchurched of America and the NCC stood in the way. We decided not to wait any longer.” “We’ll see if others follow,” he told Ecumenical News International.
The Antiochian withdrawal was “particularly alarming” and caused “profound anxiety” to other Orthodox members of the NCC, claimed Kishkovsky, now chair of the NCC’s Membership and Ecclesial Relations Committee. He reported that Edgar’s meetings with Orthodox leaders, including Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America, were reassuring.
The Antiochian withdrawal also caused dissension in NCC ranks, reports the Institute for Religion and Democracy, a conservative Protestant watchdog group. At a recent NCC General Assembly in early November, conservative delegates voiced similar concerns about political activism. Kishkovsky attempted to quell objections. He suggested that the pro-homosexual stands of NCC member denominations contributed to Antiochian dissatisfaction but remained silent on the Antiochian reaction to NCC political stands or the June fundraising letter.
Why One Orthodox Church Left the National Council of Churches
(excerpt)
“I always encountered objections from our priests and the rank and file at our General Conventions,” said Scott. “Many of them came from converts who had first-hand experience with the corrosiveness of theological liberalism. I explained that we saw our role as apologist and not as ecumenicist because of our alliance with the other conservatives that still remained in the NCC.”
The disaffection came to a head at the Antiochian Archdiocesan Convention in Dearborn, Michigan, last July. On recommendation from the Interfaith Relations Committee, a proposal was brought to the floor recommending the NCC pullout. The committee’s chairman reported that in his 29 years representing the archdiocese to the NCC, he had seen nothing fruitful that justified continued participation.
The issue never came to a vote. Instead, Metropolitan Philip, upon hearing the report, stated, “Enough is enough,” which was met with near unanimous applause. Antiochian participation in the NCC came to an end.
Orthodox leaders from other jurisdictions were critical of the unilateral nature of the move, including former Orthodox presidents Huszagh (who has privately scolded Edgar for the letter) and Kishkovsky. “It’s true we did not consult other jurisdictions,” Fr. Scott told me, “but that is because we see the NCC as no longer concerned with the gospel as it has been handed down from the apostles. Our commission is to bring the gospel to the unchurched of America and the NCC stood in the way. We decided not to wait any longer.” “We’ll see if others follow,” he told Ecumenical News International.
The Antiochian withdrawal was “particularly alarming” and caused “profound anxiety” to other Orthodox members of the NCC, claimed Kishkovsky, now chair of the NCC’s Membership and Ecclesial Relations Committee. He reported that Edgar’s meetings with Orthodox leaders, including Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America, were reassuring.
The Antiochian withdrawal also caused dissension in NCC ranks, reports the Institute for Religion and Democracy, a conservative Protestant watchdog group. At a recent NCC General Assembly in early November, conservative delegates voiced similar concerns about political activism. Kishkovsky attempted to quell objections. He suggested that the pro-homosexual stands of NCC member denominations contributed to Antiochian dissatisfaction but remained silent on the Antiochian reaction to NCC political stands or the June fundraising letter.
posted by street theologian @ 1:18 PM
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