[JTO Editor Note: This Press Release was issued only a short time after the alleged rape of the Stephens girl)
Priest-monk Is Defrocked for Sexual Misconduct
SNAP
July 2, 2009
http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2009_press_releases/070109_priest_monk_is_defrocked_for_sexual_misconduct.htm
[letter from Metropolitan Joseph]
Church Hierarchy Can't Shut Down Wisconsin Monastery
Clerics Are Linked to Notorious Now-Closed Monastery in Texas
Support Group Says “Vulnerable Teens and Adults May Still Be At Risk”
SNAP Urges Victims & Witnesses to "Come Forward, Get Help and Call Police"
An Eastern Orthodox priest has been defrocked because of credible allegations that he molested a teenaged girl in the 1990s in Wisconsin.
In March, Metropolitan Joseph Bosakov of the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia ousted Archimandrite Simeon Gitlis from the priesthood. Gitlis was also removed as abbot of a monastery in Boscobel, Wisconsin (between Dubuque, Iowa and La Crosse, Wisconsin). A woman who had lived at the monastery in the late 1990s, when she was in her late teens and early twenties, had made a written complaint to the bishop alleging that Gitlis had sexually molested her.
"We're grateful that this dangerous man has been ousted from the priesthood, but fear he may still be at this facility so children and young adults may still be vulnerable," said Melanie Jula Sakoda of Moraga, California. She's the co-founder of SNAP Orthodox and of a website called Pokrov.org, dedicated to helping those who've been victimized by Eastern Orthodox clergy.
Sakoda urged victims or witnesses to call SNAP, the nation's oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. "I want to let victims know they are no longer alone, that they are supported no matter how they choose to start their healing journey, and that despite the pain, there is hope," she said.
In an April letter, notifying the victim that Gitlis was defrocked, Bosakov noted that the monastery was owned by an independent non-profit corporation. The Bulgarian diocese has since removed the monastery from its website, but the bishop cannot stop the group from operating independently. As a result, leaders of a support group called SNAP fear that vulnerable teens and adults may still be at risk at the facility.
The Boscobel monastery, called St. Isaac’s Skete, is an offshoot of Christ of the Hills Monastery (COTH) in Blanco, Texas. In 1999, a boy filed sex abuse charges against two Christ of the Hills monks. In response, the Russian Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), to which both monasteries belonged at the time, ordered COTH to disband. The Blanco monks refused. ROCOR removed COTH from its jurisdiction, but could not shut it down because the monastery was owned by an independent non-profit corporation. In solidarity with COTH, St. Isaac's Skete left ROCOR, later joining the Bulgarian Diocese. Additional allegations of child sexual abuse at COTH were made by other boys in 2006. The new charges resulted in convictions for four Blanco monks (one of whom was also convicted in 1999) and the suicide of COTH?s founder. The Blanco monastery is now defunct.
SNAP strongly suspects there are others who saw or suffered similar abuse by Gitlis, either as teens or as adults. The group is urging victims and witnesses to come forward, get help, call police, and contact independent sources of support.
Boskov and his diocese are based in New York City.
Founded in 1989, SNAP has more than 8,000 members and 65 support groups. Most members were molested by Catholic priests, nuns, bishops, and seminarians, but a growing number were abused by religious figures in other denominations. SNAP has a nation-wide toll-free hotline, 1 877 SNAP HEALS. The organization's web site is SNAPnetwork.org
Do you really think for one minute that Metropolitan Nicholas will do anything to defrock Mathew Williams until his is absolutely forced to do so. Charges were filed weeks ago, he now sits in jail... Not a Peep out of the Metropolitan or his step and fetch boy Mancuso
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThere goes Nathan protecting the hierarchy again
ReplyDeleteThat’s what you got out of this?
DeleteI think Anon @ 9PM was being humorous.
DeleteThose are the comments he deleted. He's afraid of something.
DeleteHe specifically removed two comments condemning Nicholas and Mancuso
DeleteJTO does not allow vitriolic ad hominems such as "fat drunk" and "garbage humans", no matter to whom they are referring. Such comments will be deleted. Try again by practicing civil discourse. See the 27 articles in which JTO "condemns" the hierarchy's actions. Commenters who resort to using playground insults might consider starting their own blog. BTW, "you're ugly and your mom dresses you funny" is this editor's most memorable childish insult. You may borrow it.
DeleteI am glad to hear you had no issue with thr Word coward. It accurately describes both men, Mancuso and Nicholas.
DeleteAnon 8:13 I might call them "cowardly" as I am sure the whole of their character is not that of a coward. However, there is something much more disturbing going on than their cowardly acts. They are protecting their cabal and their power base and hiding their sin. This is intentional design. They are sinning against the Church of our Lord Yeshua and our Father Yahweh.
DeleteHow in the world do you see him posting pictures of all the men in the hierarchy that have aided and possibly abetted Matthew Williams as protecting the hierarchy.
DeleteYou people are all over the place with your arguments. One minute he’s a heretic who’s not even in the Orthodox Church that seeks to destroy it, the next he’s “ protecting the hierarchy”
Anon@ 11:20 You noticed that did you? Kind of makes one dizzy.
DeleteWhat are the acceptable terms to describe your friends?
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:21 Ad Hominem. “Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
Delete― Mark Twain
https://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/05/another-drive-by-comment-debunked.html
No more indulgence.
Has the Stephens girl pursued the matter with the civil authorities? From what I read here it seems that the clergy she spoke to covered it up? I don't think the civil authorities can do anything unless a victim comes forward. Rocor seems rotten to the core, God have mercy.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to her over 20 years ago, she was just a kid. I am not sure if there is a time limit on filing charges with civil authorities... And I am pretty sure all of it took place in yet another state. So much destruction over such a long period of time. May God help us all!
DeleteIt has been over 20 years since he raped that child. I am not sure she can even pursue legal charges at this point. She was just a kid, and he squashed her as did other Clergy. It is all so very disturbing.
DeleteThere is no statute of limitations on rape or child molestation in Georgia.
DeleteHow much did the Williams financially offer her family? What price tag did they put on rape?
DeleteI believe she will come forward when she is ready. Doing so will be healing to her and will bless her mother, who has fought so valiantly for justice on her behalf. Her coming forward with a statement will also expose the Orthodox Clergy and others who have lied and engaged in the cover-up. The Stephens girl must know that there are so many who fully understand why she has not gone public and would fervently support her. She was just 15 at the time. She wanted to forget and feared being the subject of public attacks such as what you see in the comment section at times on JTO. She must know that what happened to the other girls are not her fault. They are the fault of Matthew Williams and his complicit wife.
DeleteThe suggestion that individuals with knowledge of abuse were complicit is deeply unsettling. As an advocate for victims' rights, I must emphasize that such assertions reflect a profound misunderstanding of abuse dynamics.
DeleteResearch indicates that wives are disproportionately affected in serial abuse scenarios. For instance, studies have found that women are far more likely than men to be victims of coercive controlling behavior, which involves ongoing degradation and frightening threats—key elements of coercive control . Additionally, approximately 22% of U.S. women have experienced intimate partner violence during their lifetime, yet less than 40% actively seek help, often due to obstacles such as healthcare reporting and distance from state resources .
If Matthew exhibited such behavior toward his own children, it is harrowing to contemplate the extent of abuse his wife may have endured. This aligns with patterns observed in serial abuse cases, where the spouse often suffers the most prolonged and severe mistreatment.
Your focus appears to shift blame onto the victim, a stance that not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes but also suggests underlying issues with perceptions of women.
Anon 10:02 nice AI
DeleteHowever both truths can coexist. She may have been abused and she may have harmed others.
This comment—while misinformed about the use of AI—raises a critical point. It is likely that a serial abuser would utilize other victims to act on their behalf.
DeleteAny person who knows Matthew is aware of his hyper-controlling behaviors. Extending those behaviors to what we now know of his predilections, a complete picture is painted.
“I knew better than to let a young girl in my house.”
DeleteOr how about “I can’t play with any of my friends because my daddy won’t stop hurting little girls.”
"Quotes" provided by people with public animus so not form a complete or sound argument. They are the tools of an angry mob, not conscientious people who act in good faith.
DeleteDismissing all critical voices as an ‘angry mob’ can be a way to deflect legitimate concerns.
DeleteRecognizing Matthew’s controlling nature is crucial—it helps explain the environment of fear and coercion he created. But explaining behavior is not the same as excusing it. If Elizabeth chose to silence or pay off a victim, that’s a serious action with real consequences, regardless of the pressure she may have been under. Abuse can distort judgment, but it doesn’t erase responsibility. There’s a pattern here of Elizabeth deflecting blame onto others instead of confronting her own decisions. Victimhood and accountability can coexist, but denying one to avoid the other serves no one—least of all the people Matthew harmed.
Delete@ 10:02 “The suggestion that individuals with knowledge of abuse were complicit is deeply unsettling”
DeleteIf someone knew abuse was happening and did nothing, they were, by any fair ethical standard, complicit. Is alleged silencing a victim, coercion, and bribery abuse?
You are right about one thing, it is unsettling.
11:40
Delete“It is likely that a serial abuser would utilize other victims to act on their behalf.”
Matthew: “The demons made me do it.”
Elizabeth: “Matthew made me do it.”
10:02 As a victim advocate you are failing to advocate for Carole Stephen’s and her family in your statement.
DeleteShe is 100% able to pursue charges. Crimes against victims under 16 don't have a statute of limitations on Georgia, nor does rape.
ReplyDeleteNathan Lee Lewis, editor of Journey To Orthodoxy, consistently presents narratives that shift blame onto female victims of abuse, minimize male culpability, and uphold theological positions that exclude women from ecclesiastical authority. His writings reflect a pattern of undermining women's experiences and reinforcing patriarchal norms.
ReplyDeleteVictim-Blaming Rhetoric
“Confronting the Blame Shifters” (May 17, 2025): Lewis asserts that Elizabeth Williams is “both victim and perpetrator,” criticizing her silence regarding her husband's past abuse of her goddaughter. He challenges commenters who defend her, labeling their concerns as “hysteria.”
https://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/05/confronting-blame-shifters.html?m=1
“Letter From Matushka Elizabeth – Commentary” (May 7, 2025): In response to Elizabeth's appeal for mercy, Lewis describes her actions as “hubris” and accuses her of enabling harm to another child, dismissing her trauma as self-inflicted.
https://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/05/letter-from-matushka-elizabeth-with.html?m=1
“A Mother Maligned” (January 23, 2025): Lewis publishes private correspondence from Carole Stephens, criticizing her for not following proper procedures in reporting her daughter's assault, thereby portraying her as negligent.
https://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-mother-maligned.html?m=1
“Another ‘Drive-By’ Comment Debunked” (May 11, 2025): He dismisses critical female commenters as “lazy” and uninformed, avoiding engagement with the substance of their arguments.
https://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/05/another-drive-by-comment-debunked.html?m=1
Theological Exclusion of Women
“Why Few Disillusioned Anglicans Will Join Orthodoxy” (December 6, 2010): Lewis argues that the absence of female clergy in Orthodoxy is due to Christ not appointing women as apostles, a rationale commonly used to justify the exclusion of women from church leadership roles.
https://journeytoorthodoxy.com/2010/12/why-few-disillusioned-anglicans-will-join-the-orthodox-church/
Disparity in Addressing Male Misconduct
While Lewis's critiques of female figures are pointed and accusatory, his discussions of male clergy misconduct, such as in the case of Father Matthew Williams, are comparatively neutral and lack the same level of scrutiny, indicating a gender-biased approach.
Contextual Research on Intimate Partner Violence
CDC – Intimate Partner Violence Factsheet: Reports that about 41% of women experience contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/index.html
CDC – Intimate Partner Homicide Among Women: Highlights that the majority of intimate partner homicide victims are women, with significant racial disparities observed.
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7334a4.htm
NCBI – Intimate Partner Violence: A Loop of Abuse, Depression and PTSD: Discusses how serial abuse escalates both frequency and severity of harm to wives and long-term partners.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8209536/
NCBI – Long-Term Mental-Health Effects of Partner Violence Patterns: Finds that chronic, male-dominated intimate partner violence leads to higher PTSD and dissociation in female spouses.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133447/
Verywell Mind – Warning Signs of Relationships That Turn Deadly: Emphasizes cultural norms of toxic masculinity and victim-blaming that silence women.
https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-that-a-relationship-could-turn-violent-4100203
The content on Journey To Orthodoxy demonstrates a pattern of shifting blame from male perpetrators to female victims, undermining women's credibility, and reinforcing patriarchal structures. This narrative not only misrepresents individual cases but also contributes to a broader culture that excuses male misconduct and marginalizes women's experiences.
Wow! This is so very helpful to us!! Learning about how all of this was able to continue for so long is very painful to his victims of not just sexual abuse but also those of us who have been mentally and Spirituality abused for years. Thank you fir the information
DeleteAnon 10:33 While I appreciate the time and effort you have contributed to give your opinion, it strikes me as a very Adam Schiff tactic. You make numerous claims and accusations and hope that no one will fact-check you by going to the links you provide. I am working on a more thorough response, but for now, let me say, your research is lazy. I call you lazy not because you are presumably a woman, but because you didn't do your homework and instead resorted to the fallacy called Cherry Picking. You skimmed only some of the content that dates back 7 years, picked what you wanted in order to make a predetermined point and rattled it off here as bullet points. My wife, of 45 years, calls it Kindergarten tactics. Perhaps one or more of our five adult daughters would have stronger words for you concerning your false accusations toward their father. Today Carole Stephens called me a hero. I refuted that lesser female by telling her that she was the hero. I have and will continue to advocate for abused women and girls but will not allow you or anyone else to dismiss so readily the wrong and criminal actions of Elizabeth Williams simply because she is a woman. Her husband raped a 15-year-old girl in her home! She knew, she coerced, she vilified the mother. I would like to think that your intentions are pure, but the numerous and provable false statements you present here reek of callousness toward the original victims of this sordid scenario. Yours truly, Archaic Patriarch Nathan Lee Lewis (Please don't tell my wife I am a misogynist. I am trying to keep that from her so I can have more patriarchal control and so she will keep making me sandwiches.)
DeleteNathan,
DeleteYour response does nothing to refute the documented pattern of misogyny—it simply performs it.
You invoke your wife and daughters as shields, not arguments. You call a grieving mother a “lesser female,” then congratulate yourself for deflecting the compliment. You sarcastically reference patriarchal control and sandwiches, as if mocking the accusation makes it untrue. It doesn’t.
You claim the critique was cherry-picked from seven years of content, yet the majority of the examples come from the last few months. The posts cited were chosen not because of their age, but because of their relevance: each showcases how you consistently vilify women who are victims or advocates, while extending rhetorical generosity only to those who serve your narrative.
You attack the character of Elizabeth Williams more fervently than you ever confronted her husband’s crimes. You demand that women perform perfect sainthood under duress, while men receive the benefit of neutrality or silence. That’s the double standard. That’s the point.
And now, instead of addressing it, you sneer. You make a joke. You posture.
You did not deny that you blamed a victim. You confirmed it—proudly.
Anon 11:58 - It seems you have found a target on which to project your misandry. As previously stated, you cherry-picked from posts, as you admit, from the last "few months". You came to conclusions about my character using links to selected articles, attributing to me quotes I did not say and that do not appear in the articles. You even accuse me of being the one who maligned Carole Stephens in "A Mother Maligned" when the email to which you refer is from a Father Kent and used with Carole's permission- lazy. When I read your retort I ask, "Who is she even talking about?" Not me. You lost credibility at the very start. This is projection. You have been hurt or someone close to you has been hurt, and you have found this opportunity to malign the JTO Editor on your misplaced mission. Have you noticed how many of the subsequent comments refute yours? Many of these have been following this story for years and many are women. Are they misogynistic for holding Elizabeth to account? I hate using the phrase "that is laughable", but when I told my wife (you know, the one I used as a shield) that a commenter said I was being easy on the men, she laughed (or you would call it a "sneer"), Did you even read Rape and Holy Man, posted in 2018? You dismiss the fact that you are leveling accusations at a man with a long and loving marriage and ironically also the father of five daughters. I read the book "Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them." You don't have the market cornered on knowledge of relational issues. My degree in pastoral ministries and subsequent pastoral counseling of countless individuals in various relational dynamics, including sexual abuse, allows me to have at least a smidgen of understanding of the dynamic of the Williams case, but I am always delighted when commenters come along to speak from their knowledge and experience. Know that you are not one who is giving delight as evidenced by the responses you have gotten and your use of erroneous quotes and attributions of my conduct. You are, in fact engaged in manipulation and your tone is that of a narcissistic misandrist. Your words might be true in another setting and with another event, but you flew too close to the sun here. I offer you the opportunity to attempt to set me straight if I am too blind and too misogynistic to see clearly, but because of your propensity to ignorantly promote false accusations, you can't do it here. My email address is journeytoorthodoxy@gmail.com. Dump on me all you want there.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteOne more time out loud for the people in the back.
DeleteThe people who are the loudest are often the people who offer nothing.
If you’ve been to the church you’ll know that the only “man” who had any power there was Matthew. Meanwhile the people who “ran” the show were all women. And all the men were ok with that. So…where’s the misogyny?
Would love to hear back from the narcissistic misandrist.
lol he deleted the 7:59 comment which only meant whoever it is lost all sense in their arguments and devolved to insults. Which only meant whoever they can no longer support their arguments.
DeleteMake no mistake. I am on the Elizabeth needs to be held accountable party and Nathan has deleted a comment of mine for telling another commenter off because they thought I was victim blaming.
Nathan is a fair arbiter of the comments. And if he deletes your comments it’s because you stepped over a very clear line.
Anon12:12 Thanks. JTO tries. I am so glad the JTO readers are smarter than some give credit. Ad hominems are fun and emotionally fulfilling, but not spiritually useful. I must say, however, that I have learned so much about myself from comments directed at my character. For instance, I did not know how much I hated women and that I get my sense of self-worth from the praise of anonymous commenters. I did not know that! Please don't tell anyone. :)
DeleteI have often invited the vitriolically impaired commenters to talk with me by email. I have yet to have one take me up on the offer. They would lose their anonymity. A scary proposition for them.
DeleteI think people would email you happily if you didn't use those emails to try to extract information and publish it. You're very open about this practice.
DeleteSo was Elizabeth a misogynist when she didn’t believe Carole Stephen’s daughter or was recently calling her crazy and an unfit mother?
DeleteIf you are addressing the “not so anonymous source”
DeleteIt has already been shown that duh, he was acting as what Nathan hoped was a credible source. Turns out everything the “source” sent conflicted everything Nathan has seen and it is good journalism to expose the disinformation campaign being attempted to be pushed on this blog.
So either the source had more information than Nathan (likely), or Nathan got mad because he got answers that didn't exactly match what he already believed.
Delete4:20pm
DeleteOr maybe the source got caught in his own lies about him and his mother-in-law knowing Matthew was unstable since at least 2019 and despite his desperate grasp to be the new patriarch of that deeply dysfunctional family, his immaturity still managed to shine through.
Anon 2:20 NOTE: "JTO Always informs those bringing information that JTO reserves the right to use the information in any way seen fit, while attempting to keep the source anonymous if possible. No promises for total anonymity are ever given. In the case of this "source", the 2019 emails will affirm that this "source" was apprised of such. JTO was and is faithful to its word. In this case, the "source" identified himself to JTO and willingly entered into an on-going discourse, with an obvious intent to use the JTO forum to express his views on the current matter. JTO was willing until it became obvious that the "source" was using JTO to disseminate erroneous or incomplete information regarding the activities of the Williams family. JTO shut down that conduit."
DeleteWhere does the source say the mother-in-law was told in 2019? I've seen Nathan claim that a few times, but never seen evidence.
DeleteJTO readers have little reading comprehension. The source contacted the Metropolitan in 2019 over the 2004 accusations. It didn't mention Elizabeth knowing at any point. The editor has let the imaginations run wild with no correction. To what end, I know not.
Delete@4:55. The comment you misread @4:39 doesn’t say anything about the mother in law being told anything? She was married to the man, did she not know he was bipolar?
Deletehttps://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/02/what-did-bishop-nicholas-know-and-when.html?m=1
https://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/02/the-not-so-sourcey-source-lashes-out.html?m=1
Deletehttps://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2025/05/another-drive-by-comment-debunked.html?showComment=1747325162663&m=1#c2466192874407470466
DeleteNathan here says "the family" notified bishop Nicholas.
Anon 5:06 ...but aren't you a JTO reader?
DeleteSeems like Nathan has this hemmed up pretty well.
ReplyDeleteBut I’ll ask another question. Why are people equating Elizabeth as the ultimate victim in this situation? She suffered marital abuse?
So no support towards the UNDERAGE girls that were sexually abused but were gonna give the caretaker of the latest one a pat on the back and say it’s ok? You have your excuses?
Elizabeth is not a victim, therefore, no one has victim blamed.
The people who champion her are the same people who dunk their head in sand when Carole Stephens daughter is accusing “Fr Matthew” of rape. Meanwhile “Matushka” over here has been proven to have been implicit in the cover up of a child’s rape.
Believe all women, your victim blaming.
Yall have a really messed up definition of victim and are projecting your personal problems on dire situation of a woman not doing anything with the information of child abuse until it suited her.
Bring on your insults and boos, I’ve seen what make you clap.
- A very much former St. Tikhon Parishioner
Anon 11:34 There is so much yet to be exposed concerning Elizabeth's role in enabling her husband throughout the years. Want to know why I am so adamant in exposing her? Because I am privy to things that will make you livid. For now, JTO treads lightly for the victim's sakes. When the victims are ready to talk publicly, those who chose to defend Elizabeth and condemn her detractors will have egg on their faces. Our ultimate goal, however, is not to win an argument and to be proven right, but to see righteousness prevail. The head of the snake is ROCOR, Antioch, OCA, whose priests all played a role in facilitating Matthew Williams' ability to sexually abuse young girls, unabated. One thing is for certain: God is not pleased with His shepherds, and we all should be on the side of protecting His lambs, not the wolves.
DeleteNathan, many parishioners were also unsettled the last few months as witnesses to Elizabeth’s actions and believe your claims hold weight. People outside the church reading these blogs won’t understand unless you have personally experienced and seen the sideshow that was brought upon us by the Williams family.
DeleteAnon 12:10 Keep in mind that my opinion is worthless in light of Carole Stephen's and her daughter's firsthand testimony. Carole is the real champion for enduring the character assassination and abuse from those who are supposed to protect the flock. She fought on even at the expense of the relationship with her daughter. She fought even when her daughter understandably could not.
DeleteShe is believed, and prayed for. She will not be alone as she finishes this, many others believe her and will stand firmly behind her.
DeleteYes, please stand with her when she has to stand at trial and is cross examined on her culpability. When the 12 seem her guilty of harboring this predator, will you flee or shall we also point the light in your direction and see what’s in your closet that demands you support a woman who has helped put so many weak and vulnerable people in a predators sights.
DeleteWell, I was referring to Carol, but I will pray your anger gets in check
Delete6:27 where exactly was that commenters anger shown? Dont be clouded by emotion, it sounds like they were calling for accountability.
DeleteNah, I’ll take the hit, I did think 1:15 was talking about Elizabeth.
DeleteCarol needs to be exonerated of the character assassination, I’ve heard what happened to her, all of it. And she did not deserve what she got in the pursuit of justice and what is right.
That is what I was refering to Carol need to know she is believed and supported.
DeleteIf you have children and are still in ROCOR just think….would Jesus or God approve of how they ordain the mentally unwell and encourage families to suffer abuse in silence? Do you want this for your children? It’s like having a pet rattlesnake and blaming the snake if it bites you.
ReplyDeleteEveryone here agrees that ROCOR is rotten, no matter what else they think.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteThe church is not rotten, the sinful men who are false Sheppards and failed to protect this flock are rotten and must be plucked out. Accountability for these failings of men is what the church has taught us to do. Those who knew and did nothing must be removed from the ranks in the church. They are what is rotten in ROCOR
DeleteWe American Orthodox are done with this culture of silence that exists in ROCOR and other jurisdictions. We know what Fr. Matthew Williams fanboys are trying to do on this board to gaslight the truth to make us out as the aggressors for asking the questions that you all are either too weak to scared to ask or unable to face. We all not be silenced for another second and Nathan should be commended for the courage to speak up when all of you wanted it to stay hidden. If the hierarchies continue to ignore this then we will shine more and more light on them within the modern social dialogue because you don't have a right to allow this within your jurisdictions within North America because that is how it is or was done in the Old World. We are done being quiet and you aren't going to hide behind faith and tradition any longer.
ReplyDeleteMatthew's defenders are gone. Everyone here is simply disagreeing over who else to blame.
Delete“Hide behind faith “
DeleteThis is exactly what they’ve done.
Gossiping and rumors, sin.
Talking about what the “priest” has done, sin.
Questioning who else is culpable, sin.
You are wrong, it is not sinful to tell thr truth and ask for accountability
Delete@9:59 That was @5:43's point. What they are trying to shout down and silence and declare sinful is anything but.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Hierarchy and Mancuso continue to this day to ostracized any one who has spoken publicly about Mathew's crimes and Mancuso's lies. Disgraceful, they should all be ashamed
Delete