Orthodox bishops issue statement on recent school violence

The hierarchs of SCOBA recently held their four-day conference in Chicago, IL from October 3-6, 2006.

CHICAGO, IL [OCA Communications] — Hierarchs attending the Bishops’ Conference convened by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA] here October 3-6, 2006, issued the following statement concerning recent incidents involving violence in schools.

“We express our sincere concern over the ever-increasing acts of violence that have been perpetrated in the schools of this nation,” the statement begins. “We call upon all civil and religious leaders to address this evil that has caused these tragic incidents. We especially bemoan the loss of innocence of the youth of this nation who have been the target of this violence.

“We express our heartfelt sympathy to the victims and to their families and offer our prayers to the All-mighty God for those involved,” the statement concludes. “Finally, we pray for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives in these tragic acts of senseless violence.”

His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America chaired the meeting. Among the hierarchs representing the Orthodox Church in America was His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman.