http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=4656
08 May 2008, 17:43
Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin spoke in favour of "true collegiality"
Moscow, May 8, Interfax - Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate
Department for External Church Relations Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin spoke
against attempts to transfer the church hierarchy to laypeople, which he
believes to be a destructive step.
"I am a convinced opponent of the slogan "All power to laypeople!" In this
world corrupt with sin, and in our social and political situation, such
slogan shall mean only one thing: all power to business tycoons and
bureaucrats," said Fr. Vsevolod at the round table meeting in Moscow.
Fr. Vsevolod believes, that if the slogan "All power to laypeople!" is
implemented, "it is business tycoons and bureaucrats who would appoint
priests, bishops and patriarchs."
"This cannot and should not happen in the Church. The full power in the
Church is and should be with bishops. It is a guarantee of the Church
independence of mundane elements and the high and mighties," said the
priest.
At the same time, he has "a strong belief that discussions of all critical
decisions related to the Church need to be held in the spirit of
collegiality and in the spirit of episcopate conferring with the clergy
and
the church members."
"It is through such conference, and true collegiality, that we could reach
the fullest possible participation of all our Church in the decisions
made,"
said Fr. Vsevolod.
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