[No Truce With Kings]

This is a sad case, especially for ROCOR. Please note, however, that unlike other church peodifilia scandals, ROCOR did act once they learned of the problem, attempted to discipline the malefactors and cut this group off from the church when they disobeyed. From what I know of the case church officials reported the criminal aspects to the local authorities, and cooperated fully in the prosecutions.

Several ROCOR priests I know were involved in the church's investigation. They are still shocked, saddened and disgusted with the behavior of the monastary and its officials.

[No Truce With Kings]

A sorrowful Orthodox bump. I not posting this because I glory in it, I am posting this because I believe it important for as many Orthodox as possible to understand the circumstances surrounding this case, and because I want the rest of the world to see that Orthodox do not cover up molestation cases -- they prosecute them.

Spare me any accusations that this was some kind of a witch hunt. The original investigators were Orthodox (from ROCOR) and honest and honorable men and women. The last thing they wanted was for the accusations to be true. Having discovered that the mare's nest existed, they did the right thing -- reported it and acted on it.

[Bogie]

This sort of thing (sexuality problems)is much more common in an abbey than the general public realizes. Due to people like Augustine the Catholic Church seems to have developed its character with an eye to the role that sex plays in the distortion of human intentions. True for sure, but the over concentration on matters of sexuality, not only detracts from the very real struggles that take place in the world, struggles that need an injection of good theology,but also seems to attract people with sexual disorders to the church, and especially to an abbey.This is what one notices at the graduate level in psychology. Some of the students are searching for something.

The approach of the church then starts to look rather shallow and somewhat absurd.

Flame away!

[js1138]

Enough to make stones weep. (This is not a flame).

The answer to all these cases is not simply to prosecute, but to remove opportunity. This means no private moments between adults and children with doors closed. Etc.