Appeal To His Eminence NICHOLAS

 

His Eminence NICHOLAS

Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York,

First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Your Eminence,

Your people are hurting. It is partly due to the spiritual failures of your predecessor who ordained sexual predators even with much evidence of the nature of their character. It is also partially due to ROCOR's existing Sexual Abuse Policy that leans heavily toward protecting the clergy rather than the victims of sexual abuse in your churches. Rebuke, rewrite and retrain. This systemically flawed design in dealing with sexual predators in your ranks has trickled down to the clergy on every level. Those who would report the perpetrators of sexual abuse are met with obfuscation, intimidated and threats. Surely this is not what you want. Surely you can be the Shepherd who puts in place biblical principles regarding this leaven in the body of Christ and truly protect your sheep.

Your people are hurting. Lives are being destroyed, and souls are being lost under your watch. What will you now do? I appeal to you to take this matter out of the hands of those to whom it has previously been delegated and personally direct ROCOR toward true holiness.

I appeal to you to publicly confess the failures of ROCOR (regardless of what your attorneys or advisors may tell you). Be transparent/public in announcing a plan to correct this failure. To do otherwise at this juncture will assure that ROCOR continues its rapid trajectory toward civil humiliation and accountability.

"Come to an agreement with your accuser quickly, while you are with him on the road to court, otherwise your accuser may deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will absolutely not get out of there until you have paid the last quadrans."

Respectfully,

Nathan Lee Lewis

JTO Editor

NOTE: Public letters, such as the one posted here, have a better chance of bypassing the gatekeepers that are in place in such religious institutions. Those who have been personally affected by past or recent sexual abuse events in ROCOR may consider contacting:

Eastern American Diocese

140 E Ridgewood Avenue

Ste 415, S Tower

Paramus, NJ 07652

Diocesan Telephone: 201-940-7340

E-Mail: office@eadiocese.org

It is recommended that a second contact be made if there is no response, then a third, then a fourth...if need be.

"And he spoke a parable to them about the necessity for them always to pray, and not become discouraged. He said, “In a certain city there was a certain judge who did not fear God and showed no regard for people. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ And he would not for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard people, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I say to you, that he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find trust on the earth?”