Statement of Bishop Andrei Concerning Deacon Nicholas Stanosheck

[Fr. Elias Greer, Chancellor]

Just as when a clergyman is ordained, it is a public act, so also,
when a clergyman's service to the Church comes to an end, it must be
made known publicly. This is so that people may know how to interact
with him, and so that they may know that he no longer represents the
Church in any way, nor do his actions any longer have any validity as
a clergyman.

I have received a letter from Fr. Nicholas Stanosheck, in which Fr.
Nicholas has tendered his resignation from the office of deacon,
effective Pascha, 2007.

Just as when a man who wishes to divorce his wife must submit a
petition for divorce and wait for a higher authority to act upon it,
even though he may be separated from his wife, so also a clergyman,
who by the service of ordination is "married" to the Church, may be in
a state of separation from his service, even though he has not yet
been freed from the obligations of his office. We usually call this
time a period of suspension.

Fr. Nicholas' petition is presently going through the appropriate
procedures. He no longer represents the ROAC as a clergyman. It is not
improper to continue to address him as Father during this time.
However, since he is leaving his position by his own volition, I think
it is also acceptable to address him simply as a layman, as he himself
desires.