ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Exarchate of Parishes of Russian
Tradition in Western Europe

Communiqué No. 09-08 of the Council of the Archdiocese

Meeting of 17 June 2008

The Council of the Archdiocese met on 17 June 2008, with His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel in the chair. Among the topics discussed were:

1. Archbishop Gabriel’s visit to Finland

Archbishop Gabriel told the Council about his visit to Finland, which took place from 7 to 10 June, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia, head of the autonomous Orthodox Church of Finland, which was celebrating its sixtieth anniversary. On Sunday, 8 June, Archbishop Gabriel took part with other bishops in the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St Nicholas in Kuopio, where Archbishop Leo was the chief celebrant. The following day, he made a pilgrimage with Archbishop Leo to the Monastery of the Transfiguration at New Valamo.

During the celebrations Archbishop Gabriel had meetings with Archbishop Leo, with Archbishop John of Presov (Czech and Slovak Orthodox Church), as well as with Bishop Mark of Egor’evsk, deputy chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, who was representing the Russian Orthodox Church at these festivities.

2.   Report on the Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) of the Archdiocese
The general opinion of the members of the Council was that the meeting had gone well, in an atmosphere judged to be calm, serene and constructive. The requisite quorum was achieved thanks to the numerous clerical and lay delegates who attended, especially those who came from the provinces and from abroad, who made great efforts to come. During the General Assembly all the delegates who wished to do so were able to express themselves on the project under discussion, and to offer their comments, their criticisms or their suggestions. During this exchange of views, some detailed answers were given relating to the current status of the project. An amendment proposed by the teachers at the Orthodox Theological Institute of St Sergius was introduced into the text of the resolution that was finally adopted (see the minutes of the EGA). A very clear majority voted in favour of the motion put to the meeting (124 for, 11 against, 1 spoiled ballot).

The Council expressed their particular thanks to the administrative staff of the St Sergius Institute and to the students for their help in ensuring the smooth running of the EGA (organisation, lunch, sound system).

3.   Plans for the St Sergius Foundation
The Council of the Archdiocese considered the comments made by the representatives of the French civil authorities concerning the plans for the Foundation and also the legal regulations that permit or otherwise the recognition of the Foundation as being of public benefit.

The Council of the Archdiocese also considered the state of progress in the work undertaken by the Diocesan Administration and the ad hoc commission of the Academic Council of the St Sergius Institute regarding the possible ways in which the future foundation might function, as well as of the next steps needing to be taken with a view to its creation.

4.    Nice
The Council of the Archdiocese considered the recent defamatory statements put out in the media and on internet websites. It agreed unanimously to denounce in the most vigorous manner this wave of slander and untruths with regard to the leadership of the Parish of Nice, and particularly its rector, Archpriest Jean Gueit, to whom Archbishop Gabriel and all the members of the Council emphatically expressed their complete support (available here).

5.     Recruitment and training of priests
The Council heard three presentations, each followed by discussion, on the theme ‘Recruitment and training of priests’. These papers were presented by Archpriest Jean Roberti, rector of the Parish of Sts John and Nectarios at Rennes and a member of the Council, Fr Christopher d’Aloisio, rector of the Parish of Sts Cosmas and Damien in Brussels, and Fr Jivko Panev, rector of the Parish of Notre-Dame-Souveraine at Charville and a lecturer at the St Sergius Institute.

In the course of these discussions, the importance for priests of both theoretical and practical formation was emphasised. This training should be acquired especially in liaison with the St Sergius Institute, which offers different types of courses (a full academic cycle, correspondence courses, and accelerated pastoral formation over one year), as well as alongside already experienced priests.

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DECLARATION BY THE COUNCIL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE

The Council of the Archdiocese has studied the defamatory statements that have recently appeared concerning the leadership of the Parish at Nice. It observes with regret that as the date approaches for the trial relating to the title of ownership of the Cathedral of St Nicholas at Nice, personal – and false – attacks against the rector of the cathedral and the elected officers of the parish are proliferating on the part of certain people, generally outside the parish. These are being spread through the press and on internet websites closely linked to the Patriarchate of Moscow and to the Russian Federation, which is a party in the case.

Faithful to the line always followed by its ruling bishops, in the past as well as today, which consists in abstaining from vain disputes, the Council of the Archdiocese does not intend to enter here into polemic with its detractors, whoever they be, but it does emphatically denounce in the most vigorous terms this base campaign of insinuation and lies aimed at destabilising the parish of Nice and the whole diocese.

Such behaviour is unworthy, deplorable and inadmissible. It has personal implications for the Christian conscience of those who resort to it, both before the judgement of God and before the judgement of human beings. It is not acceptable that lying and slander should be used in the Church.

The Council of the Archdiocese also emphatically expresses its total support for the rector of the Cathedral of St Nicholas, Archpriest Jean Gueit, for the important work he has achieved towards renewal of the life of the parish of Nice, both spiritually and pastorally, as well as on the level of management and administration.