Ex-archbishop Demoted to Monk after Conviction for Sexually Assaulting Teen Boy
CBC News
An ex-archbishop found guilty of sexually assaulting a pre-teen boy has been demoted to simple monk. Seraphim Storheim, 68, was sentenced to eight months in jail last year for sexually assaulting a young boy who lived with him briefly in 1985 in Winnipeg. The boy and his young brother both lived with Storheim when they worked as altar boys during that time. Archbishop's lawyer calls sex assault testimony unreliable Winnipeg priest denies charges in sex assault trial Judge rules on brothers' testimony in archbishop sex trial Storheim was originally charged with sexually assaulting both boys but was only convicted of sexually assaulting one. Now, he has been stripped of his title as archbishop and returned to rank of lay or "simple" monk. The decision came from the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America late last week. A letter to the Archdiocese of Canada said, "the Synodal Court determined that Archbishop Seraphim should be deposed from the episcopacy, removed from the ranks of the clergy and returned to the status of a simple monk." The Holy Synod said the decision was made "with much sorrow" but it was "both for the salvation of the now Monk Seraphim" and the "preservation of the good order and stability of the flock of Christ." The letter went on to say, "Sexual abuse is a sad reality of our fallen world, one that destroys the lives of many victims and is a manifestation of the brokenness of our world that is in need of healing." The letter also expressed love and concern for the Archdiocese of Canada, "which has endured much turmoil over the past several years because of this difficult situation."
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