IL - Offending bishop may be returned to ministry
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims has learned that sexual misconduct accusations against a Chicago bishop have been deemed “credible” by Orthodox church officials, but the bishop may be returned to active ministry later.
Leaders of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, want him to be permanently ousted.
Orthodox Church in America (OCA) officials have determined that misconduct allegations against Chicago Bishop Matthias Moriak are ''credible." However, despite this finding, the OCA will consider returning Moriak to active ministry after treatment and a period of “mentoring” by another bishop.
A written complaint was filed against Moriak on August 24, 2012, alleging that text and email messages he sent to a woman were inappropriate. The bishop was placed on a leave of absence, and a “response team” was formed to investigate the allegations, which Moriak denied.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-31/news/chi-bishop-of-orthodox-church-placed-on-leave-pending-investigation-20120831_1_metropolitan-jonah-orthodox-church-church-investigation
http://tinyurl.com/b8ygw63
"While there was no allegations of physical contact in this case, when clerics violate professional boundaries there is always the chance for grave harm, even when the victim is an adult," said Melanie Jula Sakoda of SNAP. "Not that long ago, another adult abused by an OCA priest took his own life. It is reckless and callous of the OCA to put other vulnerable adults at risk.”
http://pokrov.org/display.asp?ds=Article&id=455
SNAP’s Cappy Larson added, “Moreover, it concerns us that Bishop Matthias still does not appear to accept responsibility for his own actions. I’m just not sure that a round of therapy and mentoring will be able to teach the bishop appropriate boundaries when he apparently has not absorbed this lesson during the first 63 years of his life.”
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director