This blurred vision of our current administration is heartbreaking. The lack of contrition for grievous sins against the most vulnerable in our world by those ordained to be their shepherds and protectors is scandalous. The lack of any change in direction is unacceptable.

Metropolitan Herman said that he takes full responsibility for what may have happened during his tenure as Metropolitan, and that he will take whatever corrective measures may still be necessary. I believe, in this case, we must hold our Metropolitan to his word. To be responsible is more that simply trying to cover the past. To be responsible is to accept the outcomes and consequences of one's actions.

We as a Church have been lied to. We were told that the Holy Synod had reviewed the allegations, and that there was nothing to them, and that the matter was closed. This was an outright lie.

We were told that money our faithful and parishes sent to charitable collections would be used to aid those most in need in our world. This was a grievous deception. Metropolitan Herman himself, according to an accountant's report, directed that hundreds of thousands of dollars be diverted from charitable causes to cover other expenses, including no doubt a scandalous external affairs budget.

We have been told to be quiet. We have witnessed the firing and slander of those who showed integrity.

We have seen the continuing attempts at a cover-up of corruption at the highest levels. We know that a videotape exists which in Metropolitan Herman's own words is "damaging," and which witnesses say exposes not only our former chancellor but a whole system of financial corruption. Yet even though Metropolitan Herman viewed the tape, our chancellor was not only not immediately terminated from his position, but even reinstated as chancellor six months later at the last AAC. If the attempted extortion of tens of thousands of dollars intended for terrorist victims, most of whom are children, is not enough to receive Church discipline, it makes one wonder what sins a priest must commit in order to be deposed in the Orthodox Church. Our Lord told us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Perhaps we ought to be just as wary of wolves in priestly clothing.

Many have said that it is time to stop focussing on the past, but to provide solutions for the future. Well, let me be one to share a few suggestions. These are certainly not exhaustive, but are clearly necessary first steps in rebuilding trust and unity.

There is no point in trying to beat around the bush any longer. Many have used euphemisms such as "the removal of people in high office" and the like. If Metropolitan Herman is serious about taking responsibility for whatever may have happened during his tenure, then I will say it straight out, and with all due respect to his high office: it is time for Metropolitan Herman to resign. In spite of his fears that his resignation would cause disunity and confusion, it is clear that his continuing role as Primate is causing more harm to our Church with each passing day. I write this with more pain than anyone might believe, but clearly, this has to happen for healing in the Church to begin. There is simply no way around it.

We need to hold a special AAC soon in order to elect a new Metropolitan, to communicate clearly what has happened in the past, and to set a vision and parameters for our operations in the future. This AAC should not be the blowout, hoopla, "convention-style" AAC of the past, but a working meeting, perhaps at a university or seminary. The audit reports and legal reports must be made available to the whole church prior to this AAC, in spite of any potential embarrassment to the church or its officers.

A re-empahsis on our mission to America and our much-needed attempts to create a unified Orthodox Church on this continent must be at the forefront of our vision. Rubbing shoulders with overseas dignitaries must move to the very bottom of the priority ladder, only accomplished if money is left over after misisons and charities are completely satisfied (rather than the other way around).

Any employee at Syosset in a position of trust must be terminated from his position. I realize that there are some who are only indrectly involved, but the building of trust demands that a whole new culture be set up in that place. This is particularly true since our acting Treasurer has stated that the Chancery is currently full of "spies and thieves." Men and women of integrity should be appointed to fill those positions. (This should not be understood to mean that all those who have worked in Syosset lack integrity, but that we simply need to begin a fresh culture founded on integrity.)

Those clergy directly inolved in the moral crimes against the vulnerable must be deposed quickly. Bishops involved in moral crimes against the vulnerable also ought to voluntarily agree to work out their salvation among the laity.

The new administration should immediatley begin to implemet transparency, and a marked change in the direction and vision of the OCA -- back to missions, charity, and unity. More modest budgets, accomodations, and offices should be hallmarks of a missionary Church.

Cooperation within the Synod of Bishops and between the episcopacy and the rest of the Church must increase dramatically. Boards such as the Metropolitan Council should meet more frequently for the time being.

I'm sure there are other things that could and should be added to this list, but these are the most basic, most obvious, and most foundational changes that must take place for the good of the futrue of the OCA.

Priest Christopher Wojcik
Clayton, Wisconsin