c. 2004 Religion News Service
Lay Activists, Greek Orthodox Church Continue Skirmishes Over Suit
(RNS) Lay activists in the Greek Orthodox Church continue to skirmish with the church hierarchy over a lawsuit alleging the church imposed a new constitution in 2002 that ignores the will of parishioners and clergy.
More than 30 parishioners filed suit in New York on Feb. 3, charging that a charter “imposed” by the overseas overseers of world Orthodoxy in 2003 is substantially different from the one approved by American lay and clergy delegates in 2002.
The court action asked a judge to force the U.S. church to abide by its previous constitution _ adopted in 1977 _ and declare the new charter null and void.
The New York-based archdiocese has filed a motion to dismiss the case, in part by saying the plaintiffs are not “members” of the archdiocese and have no legal standing to file the suit.
In addition, the church’s Archdiocesan Council unanimously approved a resolution April 25 upholding the “absolute validity” of the current charter. It called the plaintiffs “misinformed” and urged them to “reconsider their action” and drop the suit.
The suit is “unacceptable on both canonical and ecclesiastical grounds and does not represent the views or desires of the faithful across the country,” the resolution said.
Lay activists, led by the grass-roots group Orthodox Christian Laity, responded in court by citing a 1999 case that said barring “any provision in the bylaws which distinguish between membership in a parish and membership in the archdiocese, the court must conclude that the two are one and the same.”
They also rejected the church’s argument that civil courts have no jurisdiction in an internal church dispute. They said the case involves violations of New York corporate and contract law.
“Someone has to hold the archdiocese responsible for failing to observe its own rules and bylaws,” said Peter Haikalis, president of OCL. “It’s unfortunate that this had to proceed to a legal action.”
_ Kevin Eckstrom
Methodists Reject Move to Overhaul Social Policy Agency
PITTSBURGH (RNS) United Methodists on Wednesday (May 5) rejected a move to make their left-leaning social policy agency focus solely on alcoholism and temperance issues.
A proposal presented to delegates at the church’s General Conference meeting here would have turned the Washington, D.C.-based Board of Church and Society into a Standing General Commission on Alcohol and Drugs.
The proposal, which was referred to the agency for further study by a vote of 587-307, would have required the new office to “promote … voluntary total abstinence from intoxicants and narcotics,” among other measures.
Critics say the agency, which advocates for a host of progressive causes including gay rights and abortion rights, has strayed from its original mission, when it was established as the Board of Temperance in 1912. They say a 1965 trust directs the agency to use its assets for “work in the areas of temperance and alcohol problems.”
The agency gets much of its budget from rental income on its prime-location headquarters, the United Methodist Building, situated next to the U.S. Supreme Court and across the street from the Capitol.
Gretchen Hakola, a spokeswoman for the agency, said the agency has long been plagued by the “mythology” that temperance must be its only mission. Critics, she said, have launched a “smear campaign” against the agency.
“This comes from people who want to create the belief that where there is smoke there is fire, but really all it is is people throwing smoke-bombs,” she said.
_ Kevin Eckstrom
Rabbi: Jewish Men Should Be Cautious in Airplane Prayers
JERUSALEM (RNS) A respected ultra-Orthodox rabbi has ruled that Jewish men should not pray together in a large group on airplanes if doing so causes a disturbance or safety hazard.
Jewish law requires that when 10 men are present, they should pray together as a group, in a minyan or quorum.
Rabbi Shmuel Vozner, a religious authority in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, gave his response following a question by a liaison between El Al Airlines and the ultra-Orthodox community.
According to media reports, Vozner ruled “there should be no minyan (prayer quorum of at least 10 men) formed in a large gathering (on an airplane) because of the fear of danger, as well as disturbance to proper devotion during prayer and a disturbance to people who pass by.” Rather, small minyanim should be formed in several places that will not cause these disturbances.
Vozner instructed passengers to recite the long Amidah prayer, which is recited silently, “standing at or next to their seats, and not in the middle of the aisles. But if it cannot be said in this fashion, it is better to sit while reciting the Amidah, and this will be beneficial both for proper concentration and in matters of modesty.”
Vozner added that passengers must adhere to safety instructions to fasten seatbelts “even in the middle of the Amidah. By behaving properly and in accordance with Jewish law, God’s name will be sanctified by us.”
Vozner’s ruling is considered significant due to the large numbers of Orthodox Jews who travel on El Al, particularly to and from Israel. Usually, Orthodox men form a quorum at the back of the plane during prayer times, which makes it difficult for flight attendants and passengers to reach the galley or bathrooms.
El Al, which is owned by the Israeli government, is not permitted to fly on the Jewish Sabbath or to fly over Jewish cemeteries.
_ Michele Chabin
Update: N.J. Governor Won’t Take Eucharist in Public
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) Gov. James E. McGreevey, continuing to clash with Roman Catholic Church leaders over his support for abortion rights, said Wednesday (May 5) he would comply with the wishes of Newark Archbishop John J. Myers and not seek Communion at public Masses.
Myers this week issued a five-page pastoral statement that said it was “objectively dishonest” for Catholics who support abortion rights to seek Communion. While not naming McGreevey, Myers wrote, “On this grave issue, public officials cannot hold themselves excused from their duties, especially if they claim to be Catholic.”
Responding to reporters’ questions in Trenton, McGreevey called Myers’ statement “unfortunate” but acquiesced: “The archbishop of Newark is clearly the leader of the Catholic community throughout the archdiocese. I will respect the archbishop’s request.”
McGreevey said that meant he would not seek Communion in a “public forum.” He appeared to be responding to Myers’ assertion that “the church cannot force” supporters of abortion rights to change their position, “but she can and does ask them honestly to admit in the public forum that they are not in full union with the church.”
McGreevey would not say whether he would seek Communion in private, nor would he say if he has been receiving Communion.
It is unclear whether McGreevey, regardless of his abortion stance, is even eligible for Communion. McGreevey is divorced and has declined to say whether he got an annulment before his remarriage, as required by the church. McGreevey said that matter is personal.
Myers’ criticism is the latest in a series of rebukes from Catholic officials over McGreevey’s support of a number of social issues, including abortion, domestic partnerships and stem cell research.
In response to McGreevey’s remarks, Jim Goodness, a spokesman for Myers, said: “While the church does not single out any specific person regarding access to the holy sacraments, the appropriate behavior that applies to one person clearly applies to us all. The archbishop is encouraged by those who take their faith to heart and who respond accordingly.”
_ Jeff Whelan and Jeff Diamant
New Director Announced for Pope John Paul II Museum
WASHINGTON (RNS) The president of La Roche College in Pittsburgh has been named the new director of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center and museum here.
Monsignor William A. Kerr will assume leadership of the $65 million museum and think tank July 1. He succeeds the Rev. G. Michael Bugarin, who oversaw the museum’s creation and construction for the past six years.
“Monsignor Kerr comes with a wealth of experience and administrative and academic background,” Detroit Cardinal Adam Maida, the center’s chief patron, said in a statement. “He is very well known in Washington and will be a perfect fit for the next chapter in the Cultural Center’s growth.”
Since its opening in March 2001, the museum has struggled with low numbers of visitors. The center is housed away from Washington’s most popular tourist routes in a leafy neighborhood near Catholic University.
During his 12 years at La Roche, Kerr established the Pacem in Terris Institute on peace, doubled the size of the campus and completed a $30 million capital campaign.
Before going to La Roche, Kerr served as vice president of university relations at Catholic University and started the highly successful annual American Cardinals Dinner, which raises scholarship funds for the school.
Maida recalled Bugarin to Detroit to serve as pastor of the large St. Joan of Arc Church in St. Clair Shores, Mich. “He has accomplished wonders in a very short time,” Maida said.
_ Kevin Eckstrom
Quote of the Day: Seventh-day Adventist Leader Michael Porter
(RNS) “Only an `extra-human’ solution can bring peace to this war-ravaged land of Noah, Abraham, Daniel, Jonah and other Bible greats.”
_ Michael Porter who is president for the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work in Iraq, commenting on an early April visit to Iraq. He was quoted by Adventist News Network Bulletin.
DEA/PH END RNS
