Abuse of Authority
 |
| Hieromonk Paul, mowing the lawn |
Authority Comes with Responsibility
The recent scandal revolved around
Penn State University's assistant football coach have brought to light an
ugly secret. The sexual exploitation and abuse of children seems to
have reach epidemic proportions in our society, and the arrest of a
respected university football coach should be a wake up call for all of
us.
As the whole world watched with horror the revelation of a major cover up by officials of Penn State, who placed their football team's reputation over and above the welfare of children, we were reminded of the same cover up that took place around the world involving bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, who moved child molesting priests from parish to parish, without letting parents know their children were in danger, and refraining from notifying local police agencies. Some years ago a similar cover up was reported to have taken place in the National Boy Scouts of America, as they, too, tried to protect their reputation.
The problem isn't just with regard to children, since positions of authority, be they in the role of priest, coach, police officer, teacher, scout leader, or psychologist, require integrity and responsibility. Recently, a doctor on our own Vashon Island lost his medical license, and was forced to close his clinic, because he had been molesting adult female patients.
When people are hurting, and seeking professional help, they are vulnerable, and the trust they place in the professional makes them particularly open to exploitation. This is why we must have institutions and lines of authority that hold professionals accountable. We can not allow anyone who is vulnerable, be they a child, or an adult, to be exploited.
The bottom line is that we are all fallen, and in need of redemption. None of us is beyond reproach, for we are all broken, and many in leadership roles are just as broken as those who seek out their help. The Church, as a living, healing, organism, is the place wherein we can all be healed by Christ, the Great Physician of our souls and bodies. If we but humble ourselves, can be made whole.
For those who hold positions of authority, be they police officers, teachers, physicians, psychologists, coaches, troop leaders, clergy, or just the friendly old neighbor; all must guard their hearts, knowing they will one day stand before the Great Throne of God, and give account. And, pity the one who would do harm to a child.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
As the whole world watched with horror the revelation of a major cover up by officials of Penn State, who placed their football team's reputation over and above the welfare of children, we were reminded of the same cover up that took place around the world involving bishops of the Roman Catholic Church, who moved child molesting priests from parish to parish, without letting parents know their children were in danger, and refraining from notifying local police agencies. Some years ago a similar cover up was reported to have taken place in the National Boy Scouts of America, as they, too, tried to protect their reputation.
The problem isn't just with regard to children, since positions of authority, be they in the role of priest, coach, police officer, teacher, scout leader, or psychologist, require integrity and responsibility. Recently, a doctor on our own Vashon Island lost his medical license, and was forced to close his clinic, because he had been molesting adult female patients.
When people are hurting, and seeking professional help, they are vulnerable, and the trust they place in the professional makes them particularly open to exploitation. This is why we must have institutions and lines of authority that hold professionals accountable. We can not allow anyone who is vulnerable, be they a child, or an adult, to be exploited.
The bottom line is that we are all fallen, and in need of redemption. None of us is beyond reproach, for we are all broken, and many in leadership roles are just as broken as those who seek out their help. The Church, as a living, healing, organism, is the place wherein we can all be healed by Christ, the Great Physician of our souls and bodies. If we but humble ourselves, can be made whole.
For those who hold positions of authority, be they police officers, teachers, physicians, psychologists, coaches, troop leaders, clergy, or just the friendly old neighbor; all must guard their hearts, knowing they will one day stand before the Great Throne of God, and give account. And, pity the one who would do harm to a child.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
 |
| Sadly, we lost two of our hens to dogs, yesterday. (click to enlarge) |
Sunday July 1, 2012 / June 18, 2012
4th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone three.
Apostles' (Peter & Paul) Fast. Fish Allowed
Apostles' (Peter & Paul) Fast. Fish Allowed
Synaxis of All Saints of Pskov-Pechers (movable holiday on the 4th Sunday of Pentecost).
Martyr Leontius, and with him Martyrs Hypatius and Theodulus, at Tripoli in Syria (73).
New Hieromartyrs Nicanor, Basil, Alexander, Basil and Sergius priests (1938).
Venerable Leontius, canonarch of the Kiev Caves (14th c.).
"Bogoliubov" (1157) Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Reverence list of an "Bogoliubov" Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos: "Zimarovsky" (13th c.), Moscow (1157), "Uglich" and "Iur'evsk".
The Meeting of the "Piukhtinsk" ("At the Source") Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1946).
Venerable Leontius, clairvoyant of Dionysiou Monastery, Mt. Athos (1605).
Martyr Aetherus of Nicomedia (305).
St. Marina the Virgin of Bithynia (8th c.).
Finding of the relics (1997) of New Hieromartyr Victor, bishop of Glazov (1934).
St. Erasmus, monk (Greek).
St. Leontius the Shepherd, monk (Greek).
You can read the life of the saint in green, by click on the name.
THANK
YOU, to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support
of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have
impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate,
have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and
kindness.
Abbot Tryphon
Abbot Tryphon
Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
Romans 6:18-23
18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 8:5-13
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
Father: I read your blog daily and have never posted a comment until now. I find your omission of Orthodox Clergy among the sexual abuse rather suspect, especially since it common knowledge that the Russian (OCA) Archbishop in Canada is up on charges, not to mention various other Clergy over the years for some of the larger Jurisdictions...I hope you take my observation in the spirit it was pointed out...God knows we Orthodox Christians have a lot on our plates as well...Kyrie eleison!
ReplyDeleteYohannes