Some commenters remind me of the political pundits on election night in 2016. A lot of blowhards until Trump won.
Will these JTO commenters who defended Matthew Williams now say, "I was so wrong"? I doubt it. These comments shared here are nothing compared to what Carole Stephens had to endure from priests and bishops, and naive' parishioners, who all circled the wagons in an attempt to discredit her.
If the woman in question is now saying that nothing happened, isn't it quite possible that nothing of the sort alleged actually did happen? Also, in Scripture we have a clear rule: "Do not receive an accusation against a presbyter except from two or three witnesses" (1 Timothy 5:19). At a minimum, I think this would mean we need a victim actually making a charge, and some sort of corroborating evidence, but here you have an alleged victim denying the charge. Given that, how do you expect the Bishops to assume a priest is guilty when Scripture and the Canons say more is required? The idea of due process is a concept based in Scripture, and even priests are entitled to it.
Anonymous12:42 PM
A not-so-former Baptist tries to slander one of the kindest priests in ROCOR. Go take your nonsense somewhere else.
Do you know Fr. Matthew Williams? He is a kind man and a good soul. When I read these emails, I see nothing but crazed hysteria and slander. This is a disgusting article
Fr Matthews is a saintly priest. St Nektarios was accused of raping nuns, several early desert father's were accused of impregnating prostitutes, but in the end (like this story); we see the same "one" is behind these baseless accusations
Fr Matthew will be expulcated either here or the hereafter. This is an attack from the same "one" who baselessly accused St Nektarios of raping nuns and a particular desert father of impregnating a prostitute. Fr Matthew is a saintly priest and anyone who has known him can attest
Anonymous8:20 PM
I met Fr Matthew in 2023 for a friends wedding at his parish. He let me stay in the room at the church for a weekend. He would come to visit me and chat, making sure I had what I needed. Never a weird feeling and I have good instincts from experience. A kind and saintly man. I think these allegations are baseless. I watched him with his Matuska and children, and his parishioners. Slander and persecution are to be expected for men who are going the work of God. We should keep him and his family (and the girl and her mother) in our prayers 🙏🏼
Unknown Commenter. Comments with ad hominems will not be posted. It is not "your right!" as you claim. I encourage you to read Rape and the Holy Man in its entirety. "The person who gives an answer before he listens— foolishness and disgrace belong to him."
ReplyDeleteMatthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
ReplyDeleteFor all those believing he is a “saintly priest” this passage befits him more.