Statement of the OCA Holy Synod of Bishops concerning the Archdiocese of Canada

SYOSSET, NY  [OCA] – 26/3/14

On March 21, 2014, during their regular Spring Session, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America made the following decisions.

1. The Holy Synod has retired Archbishop Seraphim of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada, effective immediately. He has been restricted to the Chapel of Saint Silouan, Spencerville, Ontario and Holy Trinity Church, Edmonton, AB, and must follow all restrictions placed upon him by the Canadian authorities as he awaits sentencing following his conviction on January 24, 2014 on one count of sexual assault.
2. In addition, the Holy Synod declared the See of Ottawa vacant and appointed His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, as Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Canada. In due course, a Special Archdiocesan Assembly will be convened for the nomination of a new ruling bishop.
3. His Grace, Bishop Irénée of Quebec City, continues to serve as Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada. The clergy of the Archdiocese are directed to offer the commemorations in liturgical services as follow: “His Beatitude Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Canada and His Grace, Irenee, Bishop of Quebec City, Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada.”

The Synodal Commission is directed to complete its investigation from an internal Church perspective as part of the ongoing canonical process that will lead to the convening of a Spiritual Court.

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