Bishop Gabriel, Secretary of the Synod. Photo: www.fatheralexander.org

The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia declares that what lamentably occurred at the Holy Transfiguration Skete in Mansonville on November 9/22, 2001, was a direct violation of the directives given by the Sobor of Bishops for the resolution of the difficult situation that arose as a result of the removal from the premises of the Synod of the retired elder, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Vitaly by a group of irresponsible and openly antagonistic persons.

The Sobor of Bishops during its sessions decided that in this matter it was necessary to act solely by peaceful methods, through calm and quiet conversations and persuasions, and absolutely not through the use of any type of physical force with the assistance of official or private police personnel.

The Synod of Bishops has already opened an official inquiry into what occurred in Mansonville, with the goal of making clear all of the circumstances. Pending the conclusion of the inquiry, the Right Reverend Bishop Michael is relieved from the administration of the Canadian Diocese, and sent to reside at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville. The temporary administrartion of the Canadian Diocese is delegated to the Most Reverend Metropolitan Laurus, in its Eastern part, and to the Right Reverend Kyrill, in its Western part.

The Synod of Bishops declares to its flock that all of the right reverend archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia categorically condemn and distance themselves from all actions that use force or duress regarding the person of the retired Metropolitan Vitaly and consider them to be totally unacceptable.

The Synod of Bishops hopes for the return of Metropolitan Vitaly, of his own free will, to the premises of the Synod of Bishops, where he will be provided with life-long care, worthy of the dignity of his high office, and continues to strive toward the healing of the schism that has been created and the pacification of all who have enmity.