A group of dissatisfied Orthodox lay leaders have demanded the removal of the head of the U.S. church in a growing dispute that has involved the Istanbul-based head of the worldwide Greek church. The unprecedented clash in the mystical, ancient faith pits clergy and lay leaders in a struggle over decision-making authority.

More than 400 lay leaders have called for the resignation or reassignment of Archbishop Spyridon, the spiritual head of the one million-member Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the United States. The church's internal dispute over the role of their highest leader in America has reached a new pitch, as Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew declined to respond to their demands by May 1 as requested.

Members of the coalition Greek Orthodox American Leaders (GOAL) came from 28 states and met March 20-21 in Chicago to voice concerns and to devise resolutions. GOAL formed last November to address the crisis, maintaining that Spyridon has diminished the role of free lay participation in church life and accusing him of heavy-handed decisions and cover-ups since his appointment in 1996.

Bartholomew, the "first among equals" of the heads of the 15 autocephalous Orthodox churches, appointed Spyridon, who has his share of supporters. GOAL members have been careful to voice their support for the patriarch while disapproving of the actions of his appointee. The patriarch heard complaints on his 16-city U.S. tour in November (CT, Dec. 8, 1997, p. 75).

OBJECTIONS PROLIFERATE: GOAL's concerns stem from the firing of three priests at the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, in June 1997. Many members believe the archbishop fired the clergy to cover up a sexual harassment incident at the seminary.

Members ...