Friday, May 22, 2020
PRESS RELEASE
Today, the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox
Bishops of the United States of America met via video conference and
determined that a direct appeal to several Governors be made to insist
on the equitable treatment of religion in the reopening of certain
States.
In the appeal, the Hierarchs of the Executive Committee noted that
the “founders of our country wisely protected the free exercise of
religion precisely because of the vital role played by communities of
faith in providing their members faith, hope, and comfort, and their
communities love, service, and charitable outreach during times of trial
such as these.”
They also noted that “religious institutions provide for social and
emotional cohesion, important rites of passage, and participation in the
mysterium of human existence that expresses meaning and purpose,
and are as vital to the common good as the reinitializing of the
economic engines that provide the means of material life.”
Finally, they appealed that “religious institutions of all faiths be
given the same consideration that those economic engines are being
given, as guaranteed by the Constitution, and that our rights of
assembly be commensurate with those of the businesses, associations,
establishments, and other societal institutions that are engaged in
reopening at this time.”
The letter concluded with an assurance to observe “all recommended
public health best practices, as well as all legal requirements that
pertain to the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Members of the Executive Committee who convened today:Chairman, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
First Vice-Chairman, Metropolitan Joseph, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Treasurer, Archbishop Michael, Orthodox Church in America
Secretary, Metropolitan Gregory, American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA,
Bishop Irinej, Serbian Orthodox Church in North, Central and South America
Metropolitan Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas
Metropolitan Joseph, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia
Bishop Saba, Georgian Apostolic Church in North America
Metropolitan Tikhon, Orthodox Church in America