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Thoughts on Upcoming OCA Emergency Synod Meeting
Few meetings of the Holy Synod have been fraught with import as the one that takes place tomorrow [3/1]. For the first time in the history of our small Church, the world is actually watching what we will do, or choose not to do. [2/28/2006]

Reflections On The Scandal
For too long the administrative infrastructure of the Church has been undermined by cronyism and careerism. If a change for the better is to eventually result then it is up to our hierarchs to steer a course for the Church that leads towards restoring trust in those holding positions of authority and responsibility. [2/28/2006]

Bishop Tikhon Calls Midwest Resolution "Blasphemy/Heresy"
Bishop Tikhon (Fitzgerald): "Don't visit that site or read that soul-destroying resolution unless you are fond of reading heresy." [2/26/2006]

Resolution Calling for the Scheduling of the 15th All-American Council of the OCA in 2008
"The Diocesan Council of the Diocese of the Midwest, at its meeting in Chicago on Tuesday, January 18, 2006, strongly urges the Holy Synod and the Metropolitan Council of the OCA to continue to act in conformity with the Statute of the Church and to convene the 15th All-American Council of the OCA in 2008." [2/26/2006]

Accusations of Misused Money Roil Orthodox Church
The Washington Post - Allegations of financial misconduct are rocking the Orthodox Church in America, whose former treasurer says top officials misappropriated millions of dollars in donations from agribusiness titan Dwayne Andreas, U.S. military chaplains and ordinary parishioners across the country. [2/26/2006]

Seventy (70) Senior Clergy Call For Investigation in Letter to OCA Holy Synod
Seventy senior clergy sent a joint email to members of the Holy Synod, exhorting the Bishops "to take swift action now to restore good order, confidence and trust in the OCA's administration". The clerics called for a commission of Bishops, priests and laity to conduct a full investigation into the allegations of financial misconduct currently roiling the OCA. [2/25/2006]

National Clergy Letter to OCA Holy Synod
"We are writing to you as senior members of the clergy alarmed by the controversy surrounding the OCA’s finances and administration. Sadly, attempts by the Holy Synod to resolve this matter have thus far been inadequate... We exhort you to take swift action now to restore good order, confidence and trust in the OCA’s administration." [2/21/2006]

Orthodox Church Called To Account For Large Grants
A group called Orthodox Christians for Accountability has posted a sheaf of internal church documents and memos on the Internet, accusing the Long Island-based Orthodox Church in America of engaging in a series of questionable financial practices for more than a decade. [2/20/2006]

Midwest Diocese Adds Petition For Integrity
Parishes in the OCA Midwest Diocese have been sent a petition, composed at the recent clergy convocation, which may be inserted in the Augmented Litany. [2/16/2006]

Special Meeting of Holy Synod Called
The Bishops of the OCA were informed on February 13 that a special meeting of the Holy Synod is being called for February 28 - March 1 in Syosset, New York. [2/15/2006]

Bishop Tikhon Calls for Metropolitan, Bishops To Take Action Against Archbishop Job
Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco, Los Angeles and the West has written a letter, dated 3 February, reiterating his conviction that church discipline be applied to Archbishop Job for his "reprehensible actions", "egregious behavior", "unconscionable conduct" and for "expressing rebellious principle" concerning the ongoing financial scandal in Syosset. [2/14/2006]

Bishop Tikhon's Letter to Met. Herman
"It has been demonstrated by the actions of His Eminence [+Job] after he returned to his Diocese ... [that he] could not refrain from expressing rebellious principle. [2/3/2006]

Midwest Clergy Unite In Call For Audit, Investigation
Clergy in the Diocese of Chicago and the Midwest have signed a letter addressed to Metropolitan Herman and all ruling Bishops of the OCA, calling for an audit and full investigation into the finances of the OCA. [2/11/2006]

Open Support For Archbishop Job
My support for Archbishop Job does not rest merely in the fact that he is my bishop, but more so becuase he has shown integrity, courage, and a commitment to truth and honesty, and this in the face of hostility on the part of some. [2/8/2006]

Midwest clergy appeal to Holy Synod
We, the undersigned clergy of the Diocese of the Midwest, gathered around our Archbishop at the Diocesan Clergy Convocation of 6-8 February 2006, express our unwavering support for His Eminence, Archbishop JOB's call for an answer to the question: "Are the allegations true, or false?" [2/7/2006]

OCAmerica in deep trouble
The Orthodox Church in America is having trouble with persistent and documented reports of gross financial mismanagement in the Metropolitan Church Chancery.

The Culture of Fear, Half Truth and Deception: Part 3
We conclude the series with the revelation of a startling new document that demonstrates how those in power in Syosset have misinformed, misdirected and deceived the hierarchy, clergy and laity of the OCA since 1995. [2/6/2006]

The Culture of Fear, Half Truth and Deception: Part 2
Today, we examine the two year audit currently underway in Syosset. While trumpeted as a 'Best Practices’ response to questions of financial mismanagement, evidence from the Metropolitan Council letter reveals this as a half-truth, at best. [2/3/2006]

The Culture of Fear, Half Truth and Deception: Part 1
A multi-page letter mailed this week to members of the OCA Metropolitan Council and obtained by OCANews provides fresh insights into the fear, half truths and deception emanating from Syosset. [2/2/2006]

Intimidation of Laity Continues
"You can't depose a layman, but I guess there are other steps that can be taken to silence or intimidate him, according to the rules by which the Orthodox Church in America is now operating. Allow me to explain my crushing experience this week." - Gregg Nescott [1/29/2006]

Bishop Tikhon: What OCA Collection for 9/11?
In a shocking response to our story "The Continuing Mystery of the OCA 9/11 Funds" published last evening, OCA Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco, Los Angeles and the West wrote: "I'm having trouble remembering any OCA collection." [1/29/2006]

The Continuing Mystery of the OCA 9/11 Special Appeal Fund
An almost immediate Church-wide call for help for the victims of 9/11 from the OCA generated more than $285,000 in donations. Sources have now come forward with information on how these donations were to be distributed – but weren’t. [1/25/2006]

Lesser Synod Admits Errors, Then Reaffirms Them
The Lesser Synod has publicly recognized, in their own words, “error, lack of good judgement and sin” have indeed occurred. Such candor is refreshing, since until Friday anybody who has dared even to whisper the same has been attacked, dismissed, silenced and/or slandered. [1/22/2006]

Former Secretary of OCA, Paul Hunchak Confirms Allegations
Paul Hunchak, former Corporate Secretary of the OCA (1995-2000) and long-time Assistant to the Chancellor (1993-2000) confirmed in a telephone interview with OCANews.org this evening that the allegations of financial misconduct made by former OCA Treasurer Eric Wheeler are indeed accurate. [1/19/2006]

Full Interview with Paul Hunchak
"After graduating from St. Vladimir's Seminary in 1990, I joined the staff at Syosset as an Administrative Assistant. I later spent several months at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland. From 1993-2000 I was the Assistant to the Chancellor, and from 1995- 2000, the Secretary of the OCA." [1/19/2006]

Bishop Tikhon Attacks the Messengers Yet Again!
Bishop Tikhon (OCA - SF, LA, the West) once again publicly posted more personal attacks and insults directed at Dn. Wheeler and Archbishop Job, while vigorously defending the status quo and calls charges a "fishing expedition." [1/17/2006]

OCA Crisis - Bishop Tikhon Against Any Audits
Bishop Tikhon (OCA - SF, LA, the West) says that individuals asking for an independent audit and full accountability in OCA finances are "wackoes", and states he is against any audits since they are too expensive. [1/16/2006]

OCA Crisis - Bishop Tikhon Attacks the Messengers
Bishop Tikhon (OCA - SF, LA, the West) launches into personal attacks and hurls insults and accusations directed at Archbishop Job, Dn. Wheeler, and everyone else who has asked for accountability, truth, and honesty in this crisis. [1/11/2006]

OCA Financial Scandal - 2005 Developments

OCA Crisis - Archbishop Job Calls for Truth and Accountability
Archbishop Job: "I feel compelled at this time and bound by conscience to offer a clear and concise account of my position on the crisis that now plagues our OCA. Contrary to that which has been stated, this matter is not closed -- far from it!" [11/28/2005]

OCA Crisis - Fr. Jason Warns of Dire Consequences
Fr. Jason: "All of us, can remain completely silent and turn nothing over to any one, but the government can still show up on the doorstep tomorrow. If and when that happens, God forbid, no one of any rank will be able to dodge the questions, even “for the good of the Church.” No one will be able to withhold an explanation. No shred of paper will remain unexamined." [11/21/2005]

OCA Crisis - Metropolitan Threatens Priest into Silence
OCA Metropolitan sends threatening letter warning Fr. Jason to keep silent and not make any public statements about or pursue this financial scandal any further in any manner whatsoever.