People Are Not Sheep
( even though they are part of the flock
)
In a letter, dated November 22, 1999 to the Ukrainian News, complimenting
them on the publication of an article by Vitalij Karpenko, Chief Editor of
Vechirnyj Kiev, Mr. Victor Babanskyj verbalizes the sentiment and feelings of
many Ukrainian Orthodox faithful, to the recent about-face position of Dr. A.
Lysyj, member of the Metropolitan Council of UOC-USA. Following are translated
excerpts from that letter:
"Prior to the 15th Sobor of UOC-USA, Dr. Lysyj rightfully
and strongly verbalized his thoughts regarding the acceptance of the jurisdiction
of Ecumenical Patriarchate over the UOC-USA and to the proposed changes to the
statutes of UOC-USA. After the 15th Sobor the good doctor has been
totally silent as though, for some reason, the Bound Brook bishops have found
and exerted some unknown pressure. This silence was in place until the
apperance of an article by Dr. Lysyj in the Ukrainian weekly publication
"Svoboda" dated August 27, 1999 "The Ship of Our Church is
Guided by People". In this article the good doctor has finally shown his
true colors when he stated "Yes I went to Constantinople, in a group of
37 people, but all discussions were carried out at the Bishops level, and no
one, other than the Bishops, participated in those discussion". The
first question that comes to mind is " Then why did Dr. Lysyj go to
Constantinople? To hold the incense burner?(кадило
тримати). You, Dr. Lysyj, and
the rest of the members of the Metropolitan Council are elected by the Sobor as
the highest administrative authoritative body of our Church between Sobors. You
are charged with the responsibility to guide, protect and defend our Church.
And in this you have completely failed in your responsibilities. For this you
should tender your resignation."
Further in the article by Dr. Lysyj he states: "As to the acceptance
of the spiritual omophor of the Ecumenical Patriarch, it is obvious to all,
that this act was not done in secret". This is an absurdity. First the
good doctor writes that no one other than the Bishops took part in the
discussions and then we must believe that the act of acceptance was not secret?
And this is written by an educated and knowlegeble person. Does the good doctor
think that people are sheep? That people cannot think, question and investigate
the truth? That people that have read the beginning of your article will forget
what they read in the middle or at the end? Here I feel that years and age have
had a definite effect on the good doctor.
I feel great sorrow to see what has happened to a well-educated, cultured
and knowledgeable, person and to what level he has descended.
One more example of the brainwashing of Dr. Lysyj …..At a meeting with
the Brotherhood and Sisterhood of St. Andrew's Memorial Church, So. Bound
Brook, NJ (after the last scheduled meeting of the Metropolitan Council) the
question was asked of Dr. Lysyj: "Why is Archbishop Antony suing Holy
Ascension Parish in Clifton, NJ". Dr. Lysyj replied that "this is not
a lawsuit but an investigative process". When Dr. Lysyj was shown
actual copies of court filed documents, Dr. Lysyj replied "Well that
is what we were told at the Metropolitan Council meeting".
And this is how a "person" is guiding the ship of our Church?
Signed……. Victor Babanskyj