bout time somthing was done,here is an open letter first sent to Rocor-L
An open letter to Bishop Kyrill (ROCOR)
Archbishop Kyrill is bishop of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia (ROCOR) . Pokrov sent this letter on June 15, 2005.
www.Pokrov.org
Protection of the Theotokos
For victims of abuse in the Orthodox church
1621 Haight Street #3
San Francisco, CA 94117
June 15, 2005
To: The Most Reverend Kyrill
109 6th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
Your Eminence:
Christ is Risen!
Over the last few weeks we have sent you three emails and two phone messages. Since we have had no response from you, or the Diocese, we are sending this open letter in an attempt to get some answers for the parishioners in Alaska.
It is our understanding that over the last ten months people from one of your parishes -- St. James the Just in Anchorage, AK -- have been trying to get help from you regarding the actions of their priest, Fr. Kenneth Bracy, but have not received any response from you or help. Finally these people turned to us at Pokrov.
We have received numerous emails and phone calls on this situation. We had hoped that you could help us clear things up. We think the faithful deserve to know:
What is the official status of Fr. Kenneth Bracy?
If there is a change in Fr. Kenneth Bracy’s clerical status, will it be announced?
Was an investigation done on Fr. Kenneth Bracy's background before he was accepted into The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia?
Did the OCA Bishop offer any indication as to why Fr. Kenneth Bracy was leaving that jurisdiction?
Will help be sent to Alaska to help start the healing process for the community?
We feel that disclosure on Fr. Kenneth Bracy's status is important because, when people do not know the real truth in a case like this, information and disinformation just gets hurled around and causes a lot of damage.
Also, many of the Faithful in Alaska want to know what the church plans to do about this situation because people have been hurt and this will not go away on its own.
Fr. Kenneth Bracy was given a position of trust over innocent parishioners. He violated that trust. The silence from you is only adding to their pain. As Bishop, you assigned Fr. Kenneth Bracy to the Church in Alaska, so the responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders.
Sincerely,
Cappy Larson, Greta Larson and Melanie Sakoda
Co-founders of Pokrov.org
Cc:
Metropolitan Laurus
75 East 93rd Street New York, NY 10128
Western American Diocesan Office
598 15th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94118
Rt. Rev. Nicolai (OCA)
PO Box 210569 Anchorage, AK 99521-0569