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Greek Orthodox Stewards of America - April 6, 1999

     NEWS

Board of Trustees and Board of Corporate Members,
including His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon,
unanimously approve changes to the Bylaws and Policies
and Procedures Manual of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology

On Saturday, March 27, 1999, two separate boards at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology ("School") – the Board of Corporate Members and the Board of Trustees – unanimously approved changes to the School's Bylaws and its Policies and Procedures Manual. The purpose of these changes was to address questions of two accrediting agencies concerning long standing governance documents of the School, including the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures Manual. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon, a member of the Board of Corporate Members, voted in favor of all changes.

It has been erroneously reported on an internet site maintained by critics of the Archdiocese that some of the changes conflict with synodal structure of governance within the Archdiocese. These reports further imply that the amendments will put Archbishop Spyridon at odds with the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese, including the Metropolitans. Specifically, the critics have criticized the inclusion of the following language in the Bylaws: "the Archbishop, by virtue of his archiepiscopal office, is the highest canonical, ecclesiastical and spiritual authority of the Institution, but the Institution shall be governed in all other respects by the Board of Trustees and the Corporate Members in accordance with these Bylaws." This Bylaw change merely memorializes the hierarchal authority of the Archbishop as well as the past practice that has been occurring for decades at the School. To make this an issue now after all these years is a devious and disingenuous tactic aimed at creating tension between the Archbishop and the other members of the Synod.

The erroneous report is aimed at one thing – creating a wedge between the Archbishop and the other members of the Synod, thereby derailing the ongoing attempts at unity and reconciliation. This is demonstrated by the fact that the report conveniently fails to say that Metropolitan Methodios, in his capacity as a Corporate Board Member, voted in favor of the changes. Given this fact, it is clear that Metropolitan Methodios does not believe that the new language negatively impacts the synodal system. The critics are clearly attempting to fuel a fire that they have created and that otherwise would not exist. These critics have some explaining to do to the faithful over these tactics.

[ Greek Orthodox Stewards of America
  www.gostewards.org/news/n99040601.htm
  April 6, 1999 ]