Mark Stokoe Dismissed from OCA Metropolitan Council, Midwestern Diocesan Council

Bishop Matthias (Moriak) of Chicago of the American Orthodox Church (OCA) has dismissed Mark Stokoe, editor of the OCA News website that published information leading to the forced retirement of Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) of the OCA and the deposition of Protopresbyter Rodion Kondratick for rampant corruption, from his positions on both the OCA's Metropolitan Council and the diocesan council of the OCA's Diocese of Chicago and Midwestern America.

According to Bishop Matthias' announcement to the Metropolitan and Midwestern Diocesan Councils the dismissal was based on his belief that OCA News "is not a positive force for the Church." The dismissal comes, however, on the heels of an epistle from Bishop Matthias to his diocese on the subject of homosexuality apparently prompted by New York's recent decision to legalize gay/lesbian marriage.

Stokoe was previously dismissed from the Metropolitan Council by Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) of the OCA for inquiring about corruption in the management of the OCA's national finances, but later elected back to that body and to the Midwestern Diocesan Council with the blessing of Archbishop Job (Osacky) of blessed memory. More here.