What Would an Orthodox Bishop Say?

A recent headline read:

"Pope Francis Says Accusations Against Him Are an Attack on the Church"

What is an accusation?  "a charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong."

What is an attack? "take aggressive action against (a place or enemy forces) with weapons or armed force, typically in a battle or war...an aggressive and violent action against a person or place."

By definition, an accusation of wrongdoing IS NOT an attack. In fact, Christians have a responsibility to confront those who have committed wrongdoing or a criminal act., be they layman or Hierarch. This would include doctrinal and civil matters.

What would an Orthodox Bishop say to this? Would he agree with the Pope that one should not confront a Bishop with accusations, that it is an attack on the church? Would he consider any accusation an attack? Would he bring his ecclesiastical power to bear on the accuser to shut them up or close them down? Would he threaten to suspend them from communion or to excommunicate them? It might be a little easier for a Bishop to consider doing so if an accuser can be deemed an attacker and an enemy of the church. Then the accuser can be ostracized and the focus be diverted to the character or methods of the messenger and away from the message. 

But...

What if the accusation is accurate? What if the accuser has followed the steps according to the biblical principle:

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, 

#1 go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

#2  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

#3  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

What if the accuser has even followed the rules of a particular Synod in bringing an accusation? Would an Orthodox Bishop still deem him an "enemy of the church", a "tool of Satan?" Would the same Bishop have an aversion to the accuser appealing to a higher authority than he? If the accused Bishop is a Metropolitan, would not the appropriate course of action be for the accuser to appeal to the Patriarch?

Is an Orthodox Bishop above the laws of God or the rules of the church? Is he sinless, errorless, outside the bounds of obedience? Should he not be the first to listen to an accusation, the first to search his own heart, the first to show humility, the first to show forbearance and love toward the accuser? Indeed, he should at least be the last to be defensive or to engage in retribution via his ecclesiastical power. 

A Bishop's power is not his own and the Church he pastors is not his own. It is the body of Christ and all are called to live righteously within it, particularly those who shepherd the flock. What might be the result of a BIshop, rightly accused, who turns his ire on the accuser? Psalm 109 suggests one option:

Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.

Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

What would an Orthodox Bishop say? Whatever it may be, he would be wise to remember that 

The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.