Author: ROEA Solia
October 15, 2011
ROEA 2011 Episcopate Congress
Excerpts (re: ROEA-ROAA merger-unity)
Graciously hosted by St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Church in Chicago, IL, the 79th Annual Episcopate Congress program of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America took place from September 29 – October 1, 2011…
Source and full text: http://www.roea.org from the Solia, Sep-Oct 2011 edition.
Archbishop Nathaniel convened the Congress Meeting in the ballroom of the Holiday Inn Hotel, beginning with the service of Invocation to the Holy Spirit. Following the Roll Call and Verification of Mandates, Fr. Lazar confirmed the presence of 118 eligible clergy and lay delegates. The Session was called to order…
Archbishop Nathaniel then presented his Address to the 79th Annual Episcopate Congress in which he summarized activities over the past year in and outside of the Episcopate. One of the major themes focused on the Episcopate’s history, Church order in North America, and the purpose of the newly-formed Assembly of Bishops…The assembled delegates offered a standing ovation following the Address…
Extensive discussion arose in relation to the External Affairs report. V. Rev. Dr. Remus Grama, the Episcopate’s External Affairs Representative, ably replied to questions related to the actions of the Mother Churches to create Assemblies of Bishops in regions of the world where Church administrative order is incomplete (i.e. North America). Archbishop Nathaniel completed the discussion by explaining the meaning and practical results of administrative unity of the Orthodox Church.
Following a break for lunch, the Congress reconvened and discussed the report of the Joint Dialogue Commission (JDC). Fr. Laurence Lazar explained that the work of the JDC was to negotiate a framework under which a potential union could take place. The next step involves the due diligence studies being done. The JDC has nothing to do with that work, other than to continue to monitor the situation and maintain communication with the ROAA. Psa./Attorney Mary Lynn Pac-Urar summarized the activity of the Due Diligence Committee (DDC). She explained that the Congress voted to have this committee because the Proposal seeks the legal merger of two corporations, and the Episcopate has a fiduciary duty to engage in due diligence. The DDC does not deal with ecclesiastical or policy issues. The DDC has received some responses from the Archdiocese. The DDC needs to analyze what was received and what needs to be done to go forward. Lastly, a pro-forma plan on how a new Metropolia would function financially would have to be drawn up…
In other New Business a motion was made and passed: That the JDC and DDC of the ROEA meet face to face by Nov. 30, 2011 to decide the remaining issues pertaining to the unification, and that the ROAA committees should be invited to participate…
Special thanks to Fr. George Ursache and Parishioners of St. Mary Church, Chicago for hosting this year’s Congress with warm hospitality and generosity…