Beyond this one decision, this "pastoral" letter, like Metropolitan Herman's self-serving address to the Metropolitan Council last week, reeks of the same mindset that allowed the corruption to occur in the first place. "It was everyone else's fault, and we came to the rescue." (Just count how many ways +MH refers to himself in his address to the Metropolitan Council. I'm sorry to have to point this out, but this posturing must stop!)

Now the Synod admits it was wrong to chalk up the allegations to "personal animosity." How about an apology to Protodeacon Eric Wheeler, whose name they dragged through the mud both within the Synod and outside? How about an apology to Archbishop Job, whose character was assasinated by some bishops while the rest watched?

In addition to apologies, where is the thanks to Protodeacon Eric Wheeler? Where is the thanks to Archbishop Job? Where is the acknowledgement that without these two men, Fr. Kondratick would still be Chancellor and money would still be draining to who knows where?

If we are to take our cues from our archpastors, apologies and thanks are clearly not necessary in the Christian walk.

And now the Synod admits it was incapable of investigating the allegations without professional help. "We", they write, secured the services of Proskauer Rose. Ummm, this is a nice re-write of history, but PR was hired against the kicking and screaming of several members of the Synod, and certainly not by "we" bishops. According to Metropolitan Herman's address to the MC, he acted alone -- there was no "we" in the hiring of PR.

The reality, of course, is that PR was not hired because of some altruistic motive on the part of either the Synod or +MH himself, but becasue of the legal threat that was realized after 8 lawyers informed +MH that he could be held liable if he did not act. It would be nice if they would just admit this. How about a "thank you" to the Orthodox lawyers rather than continuing to pat yourself on the back?

Even now, the recommendation of the MC is received and touted by the Synod, yet where is Metropolitan Herman's apology for trying to stifle this same report less than a week ago?

And still, the blame for pain is placed everywhere but where it belongs. They "pastorally" write: "Much has been said or written during this time that has added temptation, pain and suffering to so many." So once again, it is the people who speak and write against abuse that are blamed for causing so much pain.

Where is the admission that without those of us who speak and write, the problems would still be with us? Where is thanks for Mark Stokoe and his writers, without whom Fr. Kondratick would still be Chancellor, and charity funds would still be flowing to who knows where?

To the hierarchs of the OCA, I am sorry, and I am hurt, and I am disillusioned, but your letter is hardly "pastoral." It is not comforting, it is not edifying, and it rings hollow on many levels.

You conclude by inviting us "to join you as our Archpastors." Believe me when I say that there is nothing I would rather do more. Perhaps a few missing sentences might just help the rest of us do that. Perhaps we might actually be able "join you as our Archpastors" (as you say) if you include these in your next "pastoral" letter:

"We hierarchs are so sorry for our repeated inaction when the allegations first came to light."

"We hierarchs are so sorry that we tolerated the defamation of good men and women of the Church by our brother bishops, and for even participating in this defamation ourselves. We have no excuses for such un-Christian behavior. We are particularly sorry for the treatment endured by Protodeacon Eric Wheeler and Archbishop Job."

"We are so thankful that people like Protodeacon Eric Wheeler and Archbishop Job had the courage to bring these devastating charges to light, and that they had the fortitude to press for the truth even while we hierarchs shamefully tried to stop them."

"We are so sorry for abandoning you, the faithful of the Church, at your hour of greatest need. Our inaction and silence are inexcusable."

"We are thankful that through Mark Stokoe's persistence in exposing the truth, even when painful or embarassing to us, and the persistence of those who contributed to his website, the truth was revealed, and that this truth has helped begin to clean up the mess in our Church."

"We are so sorry that we have failed to lead, that we have only acted when pressed to do so, that we who were supposed to be shepherds and leaders abandoned our responsibilities. We are sorry that nearly all the leadership in this investigation has come from the laity and priests. Not that this is bad in itself, but that we failed to join the rest of the Body until we were pressed into doing so is inexcusable"

"We are so sorry that we have consistently refused to hold our brother bishops accountable for their sinful, vindictive, and unkind words and actions. We are sorry that we have acted like kings rather than servants."

"We are so sorry that we have wasted so many opportunities in America by being concerned with image and pomp, and have forgotten our calling to be a missionary and charitable body."

Perhaps with a few more sentences like these, and a few less litanies taking credit for what others have pressed you into doing, and we just might be able to do that which we so desperately want: to join you as our Archpastors.

Priest Christopher Wojcik
Clayton, Wisconsin