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Letters from Metropolitan Joseph Regarding Mr. Theodore Daoud

His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph recently sent the following communications to Mr. Theodore Daoud:

July 25, 2016

Mr. Theodore Daoud

Dear Mr. Daoud,

Blessings and greetings to you in the name of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ.

On March 11, 2016, we sent you a letter informing you of your immediate suspension from the active priesthood. The letter (attached) had specific information on our decision.

Our decision of your suspension was necessary for you in order to concentrate on your repentance and spiritual growth as a priest. However, instead of taking this decision as an opportunity for you to focus on your salvation, you continued to manipulate people including some parishioners of St. Mary Church, Hunt Valley, MD, by calling them and visiting them despite my strict directive to you to refrain from doing so. Furthermore, on July 24, 2016, you visited the Patriarchate of Jerusalem with which we are not in Communion and celebrated a Divine Liturgy at the monastery of St. Elias, Bethlehem, Palestine. Mr. Daoud, you knowingly and completely ignored the decisions of the Patriarchate of Antioch, our directives, and certain Apostolic Canons.

Therefore, after many prayers, reflections, and thoughts about your persistent disobedience, you leave us with no choice except to return you to the rank of the laity (i.e. you are laicized) effective immediately. We pray that you will be close to God and His Church, as you continue your life as a layperson in prayer and repentance.

This decision is a strong medicine. A bishop makes it only as a last resort and for the long term spiritual health of the former clergyman, his former parish, and those who might be affected in the future should he continue uncorrected. The Apostle writes in Hebrews 12:5 "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him." I pray that you avoid these two reactions, and instead receive this stern fatherly discipline for your salvation. The same Apostle promises in verse 11 peaceful fruit of righteousness in the lives of all those who wholeheartedly accept God's discipline.

Wishing you all of God's blessings, I remain,

Your Father in Christ,

+Joseph
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America


 

March 11. 2016

V. Rev. Theodoros Daoud

Dear Fr. Theodoros:

Blessings to you as we prepare for the Holy Season of the Great Fast!

I write to you with sadness to inform you that I have received a very large number of letters and phone calls which have made serious accusations against you and the way that you conduct yourself as a pastor. It has come to the point where it is necessary for me to take action.

Therefore, according to my episcopal authority. and consistent with ecclesiastical law, I am suspending you immediately from the active priesthood. As such, you may not celebrate any sacred services of the Church, you may not have any contact with the people of the Church, and you may not engage in any priestly activity whatsoever. Specifically, you are not permitted to enter into any part of St. Mary's Church at any time for any reason.

This suspension will remain in effect until I complete the current investigation. At that time, a specific decision will be made about your future and that decision will be communicated to you in writing.

I pray that you will humble yourself during this Holy Lenten Season and follow a path of true repentance.

Your Father in Christ

+Joseph
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America

AttachmentSize
2016-07-25 Theodore Daoud - Laicization (PDF)1.3 MB
2016-03-11 to Fr Theodoros Daoud re suspension (PDF)119.26 KB