OCA Holy Synod discusses Town Hall Meetings, Special Investigating Committee, during teleconference
On Tuesday, August 5, 2008, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America held a teleconference to discuss several matters current in the life of the OCA.
Preconciliar Commission Chair, His Grace, Bishop Nikon of Boston, New England and the Albanian Archdiocese, gave a report on the progress of the Town Hall Meetings being held in preparation for the OCA’s upcoming 15th All-American Council in November. All hierarchs will be provided with a complete report on the meetings, including a full set of notes from each meeting. The Holy Synod also began a discussion on how to best apply the insights gained at the meetings into the life of the Church. In particular, they discussed the upcoming All-American Council and ongoing work on its agenda in light of information received at the meetings.
His Grace, Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West, who chairs the Special Investigating Committee charged with further examination of past financial mismanagement in the OCA central administration, informed the Holy Synod that the Committee’s report will be ready for the special joint session of the Holy Synod and the Metropolitan Council that is taking place from September 3 to 5, 2008.
Bishop Benjamin also updated the Holy Synod on progress in the Diocese of Alaska in dealing with the transition of leadership there.
The hierarchs also heard several other updates of pending and current matters and agreed to have a second fall meeting October 14 to 16, 2008, to further address issues related to the All-American Council and the wider life of the Church.