Orthodox Activists in Paris say that Archbishop Gabriel is Uncanonically Barring a Laywoman from Communion

Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas, Nice in France (a photo taken by my Nicky in 1966)

Orthodox activists in Paris consider that the decision of Archbishop Gabriel to bar Lydia Plas, a parishioner of St Nicholas Cathedral in Nice, from communion for an indeterminate period is uncanonical. Mme Plas, the former secretary of the church council of the Russian Orthodox Association of Nice (ACOR), recently wrote an article in the Parisian newspaper Russkaya Mysl (Russian Thought) critical of the pastor and clergy of St Nicholas Cathedral in Nice, in particular, in regards to their Russophobic policies. After the publication of the article, Archbishop Gabriel informed Mme Plas of her exclusion from communion by means of a personal letter.

Nikita Krivoshein, a Parisian translator and journalist, believes that Vladyki Gabriel acted in defiance of all procedural standards and established canonical rights. “In the past, such a harsh punishment was imposed for such egregious behaviour as perjury, apostasy, blasphemy, and intentional murder, and then only if the person involved failed to repent”, M Krivoshein noted in a statement to Interfax-Religion on Thursday.

He emphasised that a bishop or priest can bar a layman from communion “based upon what he hears in a believer’s confession” in order to help their repentance, but, the clergyman cannot publicise the fact of such a ban. If such a ban is a disciplinary action, a bishop must warn the person involved three times, and then bring it to an ecclesiastical court or the diocesan council. In such a case, the accused must be informed of the specific charges and they must be given a chance of reply to them. The parish and diocese of the accused are informed of the essence of the charges against the individual. A ban from communion is imposed only if the accused fails to repent. M Krivoshein stressed that “none of these standards were observed in the case of Lydia Plas”.

Seraphim Rehbinder, chairman of Local Orthodoxy of the Russian Tradition (OLTR), a movement of the faithful of the Paris Jurisdiction in Western Europe, also transmitted a statement on Thursday to Interfax-Religion. He expressed “bewilderment at the decision of the archbishop because it clashes with old established freedoms in the church, always inherent in the episcopal office. Increasingly, one sees signs of authoritarianism in the policies (of the archbishop: Interfax). Any opinion expressed that is not in perfect compliance with the official line of the archbishop is punished. He considers all who voice such opinions as religious illiterates, or more simply, as traitors”. The use of one of the church sacraments “as a weapon” causes “great bitterness”, M Rehbinder noted. “This bizarre decision by an Orthodox bishop casts aspersions on all Orthodox Christians in Western Europe”, he emphasised.

15 May 2008

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=24466

Editor’s Note:

One must reflect on the close ties between the OCA and the Paris grouping headed by Gabriel. Do not forget that Schmemann came out of this body. This situation is all too familiar to those of us in America. Such tactics were not unusual in the “church war” period, and both sides used them, unfortunately. This is why Vladyki Laurus’ stand for ordinary Orthodoxy was so important. Often, his was the only sane voice in that period. No, he could not stop such enormities, but, he stood for the right, and that was good enough.

Again, look at the good trees and look at the bad trees. It is obvious which is which, I would say. Do not forget what Our Lord said of the bad trees. I do daresay that the woodsman is on his way.

BMD