Orthodox Church May Have More Per Capita Scandals than Catholics
To the Editor:
The headline of your September 26th edition of “Greek Priest arrested for child porn” was distressing enough. But why you even describe this socalled priest as “Greek” is beyond me. He was born in Michigan. Not in Greece. His last name is Greek, but, that does not make him Greek any more than the name Smith makes someone British. The correct title should have been “Priest of a Greek Orthodox Parish is Accused of Child Porn.”
Also, while we’re on the subject of priests being accused of various crimes, is it my imagination or is it true that we have had more scandals than the Catholic church, if you adjust for the size of the church and the number of parishes?
Just last week a priest in the Midwest was accused of skimming off the top. Then the priest in Texas, accused of child molestation. Before that, Paisios in New York. Then the monastery in Arizona, with the young man committing suicide. Before that the priest in Vermont. And there are more. Some parents are saying that they will not bring their children to church because they are concerned for their safety – in, of all places, church!
I was under the impression that this was the Catholic church’s problem, due to the celibacy of their priests. How wrong I was. I totally agree with one of your reader’s observations that the priests accepting tips for mysteria, on top of the more than $100,000 salary that many make is wrong and immoral. Maybe with the salary for our priests being so high, we have attracted many that consider the priesthood a career that pays well. If they enter the priesthood solely for the pay, without having the calling, then they are prone to all kinds of sins.
Our Orthodox church is withering. Sunday attendance is way down. Weddings are half of what they were 10 years ago. Weekday liturgies are not attended by more than a few people, if any.
With these scandals, it will be next to impossible to attract youth.
Something has to be done.
Lambros Karpodinis
Brick, NJ