On the sixth of October 2016, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America sent a letter to the clergy of his former diocese of the West, informing them that a man convicted of sexual assault would be their new interim bishop. Over a decade ago, Bishop Demetri (Khoury) of Toledo was arrested for grabbing a woman’s breast in a casino. He confessed, was convicted, and retired from active ministry (see here and here). There are unconfirmed reports that His Eminence is reconsidering this appointment, but the fact that it could have been made in the first place is proof that we have a problem. Decisions like this are what happens when the church does not take women seriously. Continue Reading…
