CHICAGO (IL)
Chicago Tribune
By Manya Brachear Pashman
Chicago Tribune
The former Chicago bishop of the Orthodox Church in America who was asked to retire amid allegations of sexual misconduct two years ago has been serving as a parish priest in eastern Pennsylvania without permission from the national church.
Bishop Matthias, born David Lawrence Moriak, has been serving at the parish in Hermitage, Pa., at the request of another bishop, said a church official. He stepped down from his post as head of the Midwest diocese in April 2013 after the church deemed sexual misconduct what he described as “unwelcome written and spoken comments to a woman that she regarded as an inappropriate crossing of personal boundaries.”
“I do repent of using poor judgment, of using inappropriate words that I thought were being received as humorous,” Matthias said at the time of his ouster. “It was never my intention to cause a complaint of any harm or discomfort. In fact, I was quite concerned for her health and well-being. I am sorry that my kindness and generosity to this person was viewed with suspicion and ulterior motives.”
At the time, Metropolitan Tikhon, leader of the denomination in North America, said Matthias would not return to his leadership post in Chicago. Whether he would be allowed to serve in a ministry role during his retirement was unclear.
“The healing of the diocese and of the complainant as well as Bishop Matthias’ own healing would not be possible should he be returned to the diocese as a ruling hierarch,” the Metropolitan said in a statement at the time. “The Holy Synod offered him some time to reflect upon this action and to plan for his transition.”
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