When you talk to people in the Church, clergy and laity, who have read about the allegations of financial misconduct within the highest levels of the Orthodox Church in America, most react in a similar fashion: "I don't know if these allegations are true or if they are false, but certainly the Holy Synod will properly investigate them!"

Today, people continue to scratch their heads in bewilderment, that no investigation of the allegations has occurred.

In 1999, when these grave allegations were first raised, no investigation was undertaken.

In October 2005, when Protodeacon Eric Wheeler quietly brought these grave allegations to the private attention of the Holy Synod, no investigation was undertaken.

In November 2005, when these grave allegations were communicated to the Metropolitan Council, and first became public on the (Orthodox) Forum, no investigation was undertaken.

Rather, the Metropolitan told the Church that audits for only 2004 and 2005 --- without noting whether these audits would cover all accounts of the central church --- and the January 1, 2006 adoption of Best Practices For Non-Profits would clean up any problems.

After news of the allegations began to spread around the country, and new allegations surfaced about the failure to account for approximately $285,000 in 9/11 Appeal monies, the Lesser Synod met on January 20, yet no investigation was undertaken.

Days after that Lesser Synod meeting, a senior bishop of the OCA and shepherd of the Church's largest diocese eloquently wrote of the need for an investigation, of the fact that these grave allegations needed to be fairly answered. Yet no investigation was undertaken.

In the past month, new allegations have arisen, supported by new witnesses and evidence.

Nearly 60 clergy of the Diocese of the Midwest signed a letter, respectfully requesting an investigation. Some clergy and laity from around the country have spoken out, respectfully asking for an investigation. Some of these people have been silenced and intimidated. Yet no investigation has been undertaken.

Some major newspapers across the country have taken notice of this mess, and have begun to write about the Church's failure to investigate. Yet no investigation has been undertaken.

Lifelong friends, parishes and priests have been drawn into the debate. In some parishes, annual meetings and parish council meetings are openly discussing this crisis, trying to offer suggestions to solve it, and asking for an investigation.

In other parishes, clergy have forbidden any discussion, and have suggested that those who even talk about the problems are crippling the Church. The very fabric of our Church is being torn apart by the escalating venom of the attacks. Yet no investigation has been undertaken.

People dedicated to the Church have written private letters to the Holy Synod, and others have privately spoken with our bishops, begging them to investigate these grave allegations. Yet no investigation has been undertaken.

Many, many good people have been praying for the swift and just resolution of this crisis. Yet no investigation has been undertaken.

And now enter 70 of the Church's most senior priests.

In a loving and respectful letter to the Holy Synod, these priests simply ask that a fair investigation be undertaken, including audits of all accounts as deemed necessary. These wise leaders of the Church express their concern that the Church is being deeply wounded by the ongoing crisis, and by the failure of our bishops to act decisively to resolve it. They suggest that only a fair and unbiased commission, consisting of bishops and clergy and laity, can investigate this crisis, with a public report to follow.

Look at the names of the 70: these names are among the most respected in our Church, drawn from all over America and Canada. (view letter and signers)

We all know these men. They have been our friends and our pastors and our teachers. They have been leaders of the Church on local, diocesan, and national levels. With at least 20 years as members of the clergy each, these 70 pastors have probably close to 2,000 years of collective experience and service to the Church. Can anyone doubt their sincerity, their collective judgement, or their pain at the developments of the past months?

The Holy Synod has now heard from these 70 senior clergy brothers. Will their plea reach the hearts and minds of the Holy Synod?

Will a fair and full investigation of these grave allegations be finally undertaken?

--- Gregg Nescott, Pittsburgh