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Greek Orthodox Stewards of America - June 27, 1999

     NEWS

Anonymous faxes accuse GOAL of bribing Patriarch

Note from the Editor of the Stewards' Website: According to GOAL, the two documents reproduced below were anonymously faxed to parishes around the country. The Stewards obtained these documents from the VOITHIA website. GOAL apparently has interpreted these documents as alleging that it attempted to bribe the Patriarch (see June 23, 1999 GOAL press release). GOAL has denied this allegation. The faithful will have to decide where the truth lies.

SEND LETTERS AND FAXES
OBJECTING TO THE "RESIGNATION" OF THE VERY
REV. FR. GEORGE PASSIAS AND SUPPORTING ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON

On June 15, 1999 the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Father George Passias, "resigned" from his position. On the surface this act may seem to be simple and innocuous but it goes much further than that. For the past 2 1/2 years there has been a fierce and desperate campaign to remove Archbishop Spyridon. The first step was to begin pecking away at his senior staff. A campaign of character defamation and financial corruption was launched against top aides of the Archbishop. This eventually led to the resignation of the Director of the Archbishop's Office 8 months ago, and now the resignation of the Chancellor. If inundating the media with false accusations and rumors isn't enough, now they make use of their direct link to the Patriarchate to carry out their own agenda. As you can read in the media, just prior to the Chancellors resignation, many trips were made to the Patriarchate by individuals who do not support the current administration of the Archdiocese, delivering large sums of money. Take your pen and write to the Patriarch expressing that you do not appreciate underhanded measures being used by fellow Orthodox Christians to get what they want accomplished in the Church at our expense. In your letter you may include the following points:

• The Greek Orthodox Christians in America are outraged that Father George Passias resigned and that his resignation was accepted by the Patriarchate.
• We support Archbishop Spyridon and want the Patriarch to restore Father George Passias to his position as Chancellor of the Archdiocese. Father Passias served the Archdiocese with honor and integrity and brought to the Chancellery new standards of competence, accountability and professionalism. His deep love and devotion to the Church, his commitment to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and this Holy Archdiocese are exemplary.
• Denounce GOAL, Inc., a schismatic group, that has repeatedly asked for the resignation of Archbishop Spyridon and Father George Passias.
• GOAL members continuously send faxes, letters, lavish gifts and large monetary donations to influence the decisions of the Patriarchate. Inconceivable to most but shortly before the resignation of the Chancellor, a gift of $300,000 was presented to the Patriarchate asking for the removal of the Chancellor.
• The Proini and the National Herald report that a million dollars was given to the Patriarchate and delivered by Fr. Alex Karloutsos. Then, prominent Greek-Americans bragged how Archbishop Spyridon was being ousted. These actions are abhorrent and should be stopped.
• June 18, 1999, Dimas loses second suit brought against Archdiocese. Judge rules in favor of Archdiocese. Dimas' claims of financial irregularities are considered by the court as "mere allegations." There is insufficient evidence for the court to force the Archdiocese to subject its books to broad inspection. The house contract in Rye concerning the purchase of the Archbishop's house is judged as a moot point, since the funds covering the deposit were replaced.
• Is the Archbishop next? And the Patriarch too? GOAL does not only ask for the resignation of the Archbishop and the Chancellor but preaches autocephaly. They want to separate from the mother church and run their own tailor-made church of America. When is enough enough? This must be put to an end!

As we speak rumors about the removal of Archbishop Spyridon are being written in the newspapers of Greece and the United States. Successors are already being discussed.

Write and fax today to express your views and emotions. Don't let the true voices of Orthodoxy be drowned out by the voices of influence and money. The Patriarch must know that there are people in America that love the Orthodox Church of America the way it is.

"YES"
TO ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON
AXIOS!
IS ORTHODOXY IN AMERICA FOR SALE?

• Individuals who are past archdiocesan council members and former employees of the Archdiocese have made several recent trips to the Patriarchate delivering large sums of money.
• According to the National Herald, Rev. Alex Karloutsos, who delivered the money, acknowledged that, "a million dollars was given by Mr. Spanos as a restricted gift in honor of Patriarch Bartholomaios for a Patriarchal residence..."
• Proini has also reported that, "A Greek American bragged about Spyridon being ousted..." and that "another businessman has sent a million dollars to the Phanar. The check was delivered by Fr. Al. Karloutsos..."
• Michael Karloutsos, Simos Dimas and George Kapotis sent a presumptuous "open letter" to Archbishop Spyridon calling Him anaxios.
• GOAL leaders meet with Patriarchial staff in America.
• Rumors about the removal of the Archbishop are being written in Greek and American based newspapers. Is another underground war resurfacing?
• Jerry Demetriou and Simos Dimas slander and malign the Archbishop and senior staff members at "OPEN FORUM" meetings and misrepresent information about the Archdiocese while silencing opinions contrary to their own including the Director of Finance of the Archdiocese.
• Reports such as ones given by the 6th largest accounting firm in the world, BDO Seidman, and college accrediting associations, as the NEASC and ATS, which refute GOAL's allegations are disregarded as not credible by GOAL leaders.

WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?
HAS GOAL'S PROPAGANDA AND THEIR FINANCIAL CLOUT
SUCCEEDED IN BUYING THE CHANCELLORY?
HOW MUCH FOR THE ARCHBISHOP?

[ Greek Orthodox Stewards of America
  www.gostewards.org/news/n99062702.htm
  June 27, 1999 ]