by Fr. Thomas Hopko
“In Orthodoxy, communicants in the sacramental mysteries are not only obliged to be steadfast in the Christian faith and perpetually repentant over their failures, they are also obliged to take full responsibility for the Church’s teachings and practices, and to be ready, at least in intention, to defend them unto death. For this reason, those who publicly affirm and promote homosexual behavior (sodomy), like those who publicly advocate abortion, cannot be sacramental communicants in the Orthodox Church”
Fr Thomas Hopko (Christian Faith and Same-Sex Attraction, 108)
Source: Fr. Peter Preble
About Fr. John Peck
With Fr. Thomas’ words still ringing in my ears I have to ask, when are the bishops going to take action against the very individuals that he speaks of?
That’s an extremely good question, Fr. Peter.
Of course, this is a pastoral issue. In some cases, it is simply a case of poor or incomplete spiritual formation – with time things can change. However, in many cases today, folks let politics inform their faith, not the other way around, and this puts bishops in the unenviable position of having to take action in a case they may not know well, or do nothing until informed by the local priest. A clear pastoral solution IS the solution.