The Assembly of the Diocese of Alaska

Holy Resurrection Church
Kodiak, Alaska

October 30, 1998

Holy Resurrection Church
Kodiak, Alaska

Your Grace, Bishop INNOCENT, Reverend Clergy, dearly beloved:

In reviewing my address to last year’s assembly, which convened in Anchorage, I was struck by how much has changed in less than a year. The basic tenor of the report was challenging and optimistic. This report will attempt to continue maintaining a positive tone in light of the fact that this past year has been a very difficult one for our diocese.

Last year I spoke about a new beginning for the Alaskan Church and how this new beginning was reflected in the consecration of Bishop INNOCENT and the appointments of a new diocesan chancellor and dean for Saint Herman’s Seminary. I believed then and I believe now that our diocese continues to be in a transition stage. However, what I did not realize then was the tremendous test of faith that would be required to sustain this transition and to see it bear the good fruits we all desire for the building up of the Church in Alaska.

Over the course of the last ten months the diocese has had to struggle not only from the dark forces that attack the Church from the outside, but also with those dark forces that have emerged from within. Here, we need to seriously reflect on these dark forces which have weakened the credibility of the Church.

Mistrust among some of the clergy has replaced the bond of brotherhood and mutual respect. The result has been nothing resembling the beautiful and living icon of concelebration. From mutual distrust has come division. From this division the Gospel—the world of Truth and Life—has become less convincing and compelling to those seeking the life in Christ in our towns and villages.

In addition to mistrust there are clergy who have been tortured by the diseases of alcoholism, depression and sexual misconduct. Hidden beneath the veils of shame and guilt, clergy of our diocese have driven themselves into an exile that has harmed themselves, their families, and those entrusted to their spiritual care. Unable or unwilling to find a confessor as well as putting off counseling until it is almost too late to turn around, has led some of our clergy into a dark secret life. In this darkness they have been tormented. In this darkness they have tormented others.

I cannot stress enough how it is the responsibility of both clergy and laity to cease protecting or ignoring this dark and destructive life. No excuses can cover up the fact that the diocese has been plagued—almost from the beginning—with clergy in need of healing. We — you and I— are now responsible for developing a program that will treat the diseases I have referred to in order to restore the healer to his proper place in the local parish.

Yes, we are responsible for developing a program that treats the wounded healer. This means that there must be a program that is not only put on paper but into action. And this requires, dear brothers and sisters, the involvement of all of our clergy and faithful in Alaska. The type of program we need to develop demands a moral and financial commitment from each of us. Only with this kind of commitment can we begin to heal our clergy, our parishes and our diocese.

Last year I stated that Saint Herman’s Seminary continues to serve the Alaskan diocese. I stressed that after a period of reorganization and adjustment the seminary had achieved a measure of stability that would allow it to carry on its mission to prepare candidates to serve as priests, deacons, counselors, teachers and choir directors in the diocese. I am sure everyone here is aware that since our last assembly Saint Herman’s Seminary has had to deal with its own internal struggles. At the last meeting of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees I accepted the resignation of Archpriest Michael Oleksa as dean of the school. Accepting Father Michael’s resignation was not an easy task. Yet, I am confident that the Board of Trustees will conduct a comprehensive dean search which will provide the Seminary with a leader who will develop the kind of infrastructure necessary for securing spiritual, academic and financial credibility.

Since the time of its founding by Protopresbyter Joseph Kreta, I have looked to Saint Herman’s Seminary as an institution vital to the life of the diocese. Within its formative years Saint Herman’s Pastoral school earned the respect and recognition of the Holy Synod. Consequently Saint Herman’s received the distinguished title of “Theological Seminary.” Through the combined talents, courage and determination of Protopresbyter Joseph Kreta, the school’s dean for 23 years; Archbishop GREGORY (Afonsky), the schools distinguished Rector; and the many faculty and staff who unselfishly labored here, the priceless gift of theology was offered to every student. Because of this noble offering, Saint Herman’s Seminary gained the respect and love of clergy and faithful throughout the entire Church in North America.

Contrary to the rumors about the school’s closing for this academic year, Saint Herman’s Seminary remains open. And even though it is currently operating on a limited basis, I want to stress to every one here that it is my intention to see that our diocesan school resumes offering a full curriculum for the building up of the Church in Alaska. Our celebrating the Seminary’s 25 years of service to the Church should not be understood as a token expression of appreciation for work done in the past. Our celebration must enact a rededication to the school’s present, upon which depends its future development.

Indeed the past ten months have been very difficult and demanding. But thanks be to Almighty God who in the midst of division, confusion and blatant scandal has given our Church dedicated men and women, an auxiliary bishop, clergy and laity, who have expended personal time, energy and expense to aid the Church in continuing its mission in and for Alaska. To His Grace, Bishop INNOCENT, to Archpriest Nicholas Molodyko-Harris, Chancellor of the Diocese of Alaska, to Archpriest Michael Oleksa, and to many other extraordinary people—who through (in the words of Saint Basil the Great) “ignorance and the forgetfulness of names” I am unable to list here—I offer my heartfelt thanks, and encourage you to inform others about the needs of the diocese and to involve them in the good works you are offering. I also wish to recognize the labors of Protodeacon Eric Wheeler who, at personal sacrifice, has made multiple trips to Alaska as my emissary.

The time has come for all of us to lay aside past mistakes and difficulties, to forgive one another, and by the Grace of God to move forward, begging God to bless us and deal mercifully with us. We humbly beseech this through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, through the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, through supplications of Saint John the Baptist and all the saints, especially our beloved intercessor before the throne of God, Herman, Elder and Wonderworker of Alaska.

The Diocese of Alaska covers a vast area. It possesses a diversity of people, climate and terrain. The life here is truly difficult. Yet this difficulty can be put to good use. Why? Because it forces us to wake up to the fact that to survive and grow here we are dependent upon God and each other. This dependency is what will sustain the diocese. This dependency on God and each other will enable us to faithfully serve our Lord and his Gospel. For it is by the ministry of our Savior which continues through His Church that we proclaim his desire to have “all men be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4) .