Letter to the Editor: Setting the Record Straight on the Bannings in Oak Lawn, Ill.
To the Editor,
The recent articles of Mr. Kalmoukos in reference to some internal disturbances at St. Nicholas Church of Oak Lawn, IL, contain much detail and truth. But Mr. Kalmoukos is guilty of journalistic dishonesty. He leaves out important details, manipulates the information and leads the readers to wrong and unfair conclusions.
In 2007, Mr. Papadopoulos and five other former members of St. Nicholas Church, were banned from the church at the request of many faithful parishioners, through the initiative of the Parish Council and Pastor, and in consultation with and the blessing of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago. They were banned not because “they asked questions about finances,” but for the following reasons:
They defied the decision of the Parish Assembly that ruled that an independent, certified and costly audit was not needed. When the regular audit took place with the supervision of a committee from the Metropolis and the books were found to be in order, they defied the Metropolis and did not accept its final ruling and report. They spread false rumors, divided the community, caused the former pastor to have a heart attack and continued to disturb the congregation. They filed lawsuits against the church and forced the church to spend thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees. These lawsuits were eventually thrown out because they had absolutely no merit.
Shame on Mr. Kalmoukos for suggesting that someone among
the clergy is lying. Metropolitan Iakovos spoke the truth when he said “I don’t know about these things. Speak to Bishop Demetrios.” Bishop Demetrios spoke the truth when he said that he had not authorized the arrest of Mr. Papadopoulos. And I spoke the truth when I said that the banning of Mr. Papadopoulos and the other five was done in consultation with
and the blessing of the Metropolis.
Five of the six former members at least had the good sense to stay away from the church. But not Mr. Papadopoulos. No one wanted him to be arrested, but apparently that’s what he wanted. He refused to heed the pleading of the Parish Council and the warnings of the police. And now, with the expert help
of Mr. Kalmoukos, Papadopoulos has become a full-size “martyr.”
Shame on Mr. Kalmoukos for accusing an honorable and senior Metropolitan of “chasing away the faithful from the church.” With the anti-church and anti-clergy “spin” on some of his stories, Kalmoukos is himself guilty of that sin.
I have always championed openness and transparency in the
Church. Truth, the whole truth, must be spoken and defended. Order and discipline must be exercised, whether it has to be directed toward the clergy or lay members. Above all, the integrity of the Church must be protected. That is why I felt it my duty to write this response.
If Mr. Kalmoukos had bothered to call me back and ask me, he would have learned that the reason I went to court on the day of Papadopoulos’ sentencing was to speak privately to the State’s Attorney and instruct her that we didn’t want him to spend any time in jail. And, of course, he won’t. He was sentenced to six months court supervision and was directed to stay away and leave us alone.
The door of repentance is always open. But none of the six former parishioners have shown any interest in this “primitive concept of repentance.”
Not one of them has said they are sorry for the harm they have caused. One of them has quietly shown some “signs'” of remorse and has already been allowed to return to St. Nicholas Church.
I conclude with this important thought. Without order and discipline (tough love) there will be chaos in the Church. It must always be exercised with fairness and discernment. Where there is repentance, forgiveness and mercy (tender love) are always available. Without repentance, not even God is able to offer mercy and forgiveness. Lent is an excellent opportunity for all of us to do some serious soul searching.
Father John E. Artemas, Protopresbyter
Pastor of St. Nicholas Church
Oak Lawn, IL