A good friend of mine, and fellow law student has a fascinating op-ed on doubts as to why the Johannesburg Greek Orthodox archbishop was shipped off to Africa.
She has permitted myself to republish her work for the SACNS which I believe benefits.
The Greek Orthodox church while being Apostolic- and having valid bishops and priests is not currently in communion with Rome due to differences on some important theological matters. It is greatly respected by Rome among the churches not in communion.
Below is the fascinating analysis of someone who has had much contact with a bishop of the Greek Orthodox church, who wonders if he was ousted for political reasons:
"Politics seem to be EVERYWHERE!
by Marianna Irene Kalabakas
December 12, 2010
I might not be the most reliable source to comment on this, but, the following is my opinions on the removal of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Seraphim in South Africa.
I knew Archbishop Seraphim, from my school years. He was always at school plays, christmas parties and whenever in church, would ask my parents how I am! Fantastic man he really is!
I will personally admit, as church gatherings at "panigiria," he would annoy me because I would want to have holy communion because I would fast from the night before and would be hungry by 1 o'clock, when communion would be given! The reason for my annoyance was because the service would stop for about 3 hours in which certificates of thanks would be given to numerous people, both dead and alive. But you ended up living with these long processes.
I'm not sure what happened and they removed him from our post. But after the community started being run by a new committee they removed him and a few other priests and sent them to various African countries and one was sent to Cyprus.
Today was the day the new Archbishop Damaskinos was enthroned as the new Archbishop of Johannesburg and Pretoria. To be honest, the church was empty considering, all the Orthodox churches throughout Gauteng where closed. Seraphim, is Cypriot and the Cypriots form a large part of the community down here. The majority of the Cypriots where not even present at this gathering. Personally speaking, I assume they where boycotting this new enthronement.
During the enthronement, the Patriarchi of Africa, did not refer to Seraphim at all, just once. The only person he spoke of was the late Archbishop Peter who passed away many years ago. This conduct, made me wonder whether he had anything to do with Seraphim's removal?
That is a question that I doubt will be answered."
(Greek Orthodox South African blog by a friend of the Editor)
http://marikalabakas.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/politics-seem-to-be-everywhere/
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