A Summary Of The FMW/ROCOR Matter

Thanks to this JTO Anonymous Commenter for summarizing so adequately the JTO coverage of the Father Matthew Williams/ROCOR matter. This commenter was able to wade through the myriad of emotions and comments to clarify the issues as presented on this blog. The JTO Editor would welcome the commenter to submit future articles to be highlighted here. (Please contact: journeytoorthodoxy@gmail.com)

In summary, the 2004 rape allegations against Carole Stephen’s daughter have become a focal point for understanding how Matthew’s alleged abuse has been allowed to persist and why the current situation has escalated into a broader reckoning for the Church and its handling of abuse cases. And whom suppressed and covered for him.

1.Unresolved Allegations:

• The rape allegations from 2004 appear to have never been fully addressed or transparently resolved. This lack of resolution has left a shadow over Matthew’s character and ministry.

• The failure to hold Matthew accountable at the time created an environment where his behavior was not scrutinized, potentially allowing further abuse to occur.

2. Impact on Credibility:

• These past allegations have resurfaced in light of the current accusations of sexual and pastoral abuse. They add to the perception that there has been a pattern of harmful behavior that went unchecked for years.

• Many are questioning why someone with such serious allegations in their past was allowed to remain in a position of spiritual authority.

3. Erosion of Trust:

• The parish community is grappling with the knowledge that Matthew was allowed to continue as a priest despite such serious allegations, both past and present, which has eroded trust in the Church’s leadership and accountability mechanisms.

• The lack of transparency surrounding the current allegations has fueled anger, gossip, and speculation, contributing to the current climate of division and distrust.

4. Connection to Current Accusations:

• The resurfacing of the 2004 allegations has prompted many to see a pattern of abusive behavior, tying Matthew’s past actions to his alleged abuse of his children and parishioners.

• These connections have intensified calls for accountability, both for Matthew and for those who allowed him to remain in ministry.

5. Church Leadership’s Role:

• Questions are being raised about whether the Church’s leadership failed in its duty to investigate the 2004 allegations thoroughly and take appropriate action.

• This perceived negligence has contributed to the current crisis, as it suggests a broader failure to protect vulnerable individuals and address misconduct.

Comment Profile on Father Matthew Williams

The following comment is worthy of profile:

Unknown commented on "Source: "Fr. Matthew Is Severely Bipolar""

The situation of a woman enduring alleged mental abuse from her priest husband for 27 years, while he remained in ministry, raises serious ethical and moral concerns. While no one can fully understand the complexities of her circumstances, it’s important to reflect on why allowing this to continue unchecked was deeply problematic—not just for her but for the broader community.

"First, the priesthood is a position of immense trust and spiritual authority. If someone is abusive in their private life, it is reasonable to question their ability to lead others with integrity and care. Abuse in any form—mental, spiritual, or otherwise—can deeply harm the victims, and allowing such an individual to remain in ministry risks enabling further harm to others.

Second, enduring abuse silently, though often a result of fear or manipulation, can unintentionally enable the abuser to continue unchecked. In this case, the alleged victim’s silence meant that her husband’s abusive behavior could extend beyond their home and into the lives of parishioners. This raises the question of accountability: was there an opportunity to seek help or intervention that could have prevented harm to others?

Finally, transparency and accountability are essential in the Church, especially regarding those in positions of power. While it’s vital to approach such situations with compassion for the abused, it is also necessary to advocate for the protection of the broader community. Failing to address abuse—whether through silence, fear, or systemic inaction—can lead to widespread harm and erode trust in the Church’s leadership.

This situation underscores the importance of creating safe avenues for victims to report abuse and ensuring that leaders are held accountable. Abuse, whether in the home or in ministry, must never be tolerated, and the Church must prioritize protecting the vulnerable and ensuring that its leaders embody the virtues they are called to uphold.

Carole Stephens Comment

 

"The fact remains that Elizabeth and Matthew harassed my daughter at college to keep them safe once I found out about the assault and began my own investigation to pinpoint where to make my police report before the statute of limitations expired. This was twelve years ago. Elizabeth herself sent my daughter home crying and told her that no one should ever find out about this attack. Bipolar disorders are real, I guess, but also an excuse for bad behavior. Does that give a person license to shoot up a restaurant or a movie theater? Position is what she wanted to protect at great cost to my family. Had I found out after the event and still within my parental rights I would have prosecuted. It sounds like she didn’t protect her own children for the sake of position. What are you defending ? I knew them as newlyweds and five years before the assault on my child. Betrayal at its worst!"

Notable Commenter Exchange on Father Matthew Williams

 

A Monk Once Said...

 

Let those who weren't bitten advocate for those who were. 

Take time to heal.

Source: "Fr. Matthew Is Severely Bipolar"

From a verified source close to the situation:

Fr. Matthew is severely bipolar, diagnosed and medicated in 2004. He went off those medications in 2022, beginning a downward spiral at that time.

The present situation is caused by victims having flashbacks and remembering childhood events, not recent actions.

These accusations were known to the Metropolitan in Mid-September, by Fr. Matthew's own confession (The family of course made their own reports, and were thorough). Action was not taken until the first week of December despite much pressure from the family.

The family is in contact with local authorities regarding criminal charges. It is a long process requiring care and discretion. I obviously cannot say more.

The attitude of the hierarchy is that this should be quiet. It was represented to the family that it is their duty to forgive and forget. This is not an option.

A whole lot of people are making huge assumptions on limited information. I understand why they're doing this, but I have seen plenty of plain lies being thrown around. Hopefully this provides useful context.

None of the family are protecting Fr. Matthew. Any indication to the contrary is ridiculous.

I want to add that Matushka [Elizibeth Williams] was investigated for neglect, and was commended on her handling of Fr. Matthew by CPS. Their words: "You did it exactly right".

Biblical Unitarians: Who and What Are They?

Bill Schlegel lived for 30 plus years in Israel teaching Hebrew and Biblical Geography. It is not easy to dismiss him when he shares the plain meaning of the scripture. 

Father Matthew Williams Has "Formerly Resigned"

Father Matthew Williams has reportedly been allowed to resign his rectorship. His family, from which he is reportedly estranged, has been ordered not to attend either of the parishes formerly under his charge.

Even though ROCOR has taken some action in the matter of the alleged sexual crimes and misconduct of one of their priests, they seemingly did so via the current mounting pressure from numerous accusers. One might wonder however, why ROCOR allowed this suspended priest to resign rather than make an ecclesiastical decision to remove him. So, it was his choice? Is ROCOR about to do the RC thing and heal him, restore him, and send him back into a parish as a changed man?

This begs the question: What must a priest do and how many victims must come forward for you to determine that a ROCOR shepherd is a wolf?

In recent communications from ROCOR representatives the word "healing' is often used in regard to the victims of the recent event. (Although they are still deathly silent on the former matter of the alleged rape of the Stephens girl) ROCOR might garner more trust from its parishioners if they were to have said, "Father Matthew Williams has been removed from his rectorship."  ROCOR will only garner the trust of the victims, many of whom hold them accountable for their decade-long lack of action, if they finally say, "Father Matthew Williams has been defrocked and is no longer a ROCOR priest."

The JTO blog is a small media outlet but within the last few weeks has had over 14,000 views from over 40 countries/territories. Other outlets are now picking up the story such as Orthodox Christian Sexual Abuse Facebook Page. The JTO series Rape and the Holy Man was also recently linked on Donald Trump's Truth Social.

ROCOR, the world is watching, but more importantly, our Father Yahweh and his son and our messiah, Yeshua, the head of the church- your head- is watching.

ROCOR, in case you have forgotten, in case you lean more heavily on your tradition or policy in these matters, please remember that the Holy Scripture is the foundation of every tenant of faith and Saint Paul said, "I am writing so that you know how a person must conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

ROCOR, you don't have to guess! Once your "court" determines the validity of the accusations toward ANY clergy, Bishops included, this is the only template for action:

1 Cor. 5

"It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?

Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,

hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.

I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral

or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 

Expel the wicked man from among you.”

"They Look Like Men"

 Full Article Here

"He said that at Protestant churches, the majority of the leaders “aren’t good, strong men”, whereas the Orthodox church leaders are more like “father figures”. He said: “They look like men. They look like fathers, they’re strong, spiritually, mentally, physically... I think young men right now are yearning to follow a good father.”

With the exception of ROCOR which knowingly ordains pedophiles and sexual abusers, and which has a Sexual Abuse Policy that favors the protection of the clergy rather than the victims? 

Father Seraphim, will you enlist some of those masculine men to encourage ROCOR to change their policy and to advocate for the protection of the clergy abuse victims? Apparently, some of their clergy have been allowed for years to be less than masculine fathers and anything but strong, spiritually, mentally and physically whole. ROCOR has a history of ignoring the petitions of the weak and fatherless and those who would advocate for them. Perhaps the ROCOR Hierarchy will listen to men with muscles?

Stand When Others Won't

My first B.A. degree was earned at a Baptist University. We were required to attend a chapel service which occurred once a week.

One such chapel service was honoring the ROTC program and its students. Several faculty and others were seated on the stage, and I was sitting toward the middle of the packed auditorium on the aisle seat.

At one point in the short one-hour service, the ROTC Color Guard, carrying the United States flag, began to process down the middle aisle. I immediately stood to my feet, as is the custom, out of respect and honor of our nation's emblem. A girl sitting next to me stood up when I did. I was surprised when no one else in the auditorium stood and thought that surely, at any second, a member of the faculty would issue the instruction for others to stand. The moment passed and no one did.

So, this left me and my cohort in an unintended act of patriotic rebellion, the only ones standing in a crowd of about 1000 during what seemed to be the longest ROTC Color Guard procession in history. Once the Color Guard stopped, my female friend, whom I had not previously met, joined me in sitting back down in our seats.

For a brief moment, I wondered if I had erred somehow. Should I have sat back down when I saw others weren't standing? I certainly didn't intend to make a statement but was doing what was the right thing to do. I quickly concluded that it was the 1000 students and our faculty who had erred. After the service, one of the faculty made a b-line for me and said, "Thanks for standing. We should have. We missed it there."

The righteous man does good even when no one is watching and sometimes when they are. Are you willing to Stand When Others Won't?

"So whoever knows the right thing to do 

and fails to do it, for him it is sin."