The Shameful Cover-Up Continues -- The GOA and the Defrocking of Fr. Barrow
By Paul Cromidas
Well, there it is: a brief, innocuous listing in the May 2005 issue of the Orthodox Observer, the official newspaper of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The listing, in the “Clergy Update” section, reads:
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[b]“Returned to Status of Layman Barrow, V. Rev. Gabriel – 02-22-05”[/b]One could almost think that Fr. Barrow had decided to leave the priesthood and his request was then granted by his superiors! Nothing was said about Fr. Barrow having been defrocked by Patriarch Bartholomew. Nothing was said about the reason for the defrocking being allegations of sexual misconduct. Nothing was said about a Spiritual Court having made the recommendation to defrock. Nothing was said about how Fr. Barrow was accepted by the GOA after having been suspended by the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. Keep it as quiet as possible.
That’s the GOA way.
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