BOSTON – The special teleconference of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council called by Archbishop Demetrios of America on Monday afternoon November 26, limited its discussion to the construction of the St. Nicholas nave and National Shrine at Ground Zero in Manhattan.
The Archbishop stressed the need that 38 to 40 million dollars should be raised for the completion of the project. As previously reported, the construction was halted one year ago due to lack of funds.
Exclusive information obtained by The National Herald says that the Archbishop was forced to call this special teleconference because the Authorities of New York, the Port Authority and the Governor, corresponded with the Archdiocese asking about the status of the St. Nicholas project. The Archbishop replied that everything was going well – even though construction has not yet resumed.
During the conference call, no mention was made of the correspondence with the New York Authorities. The Archbishop only emphasized the dire need to gather the sum of 38 to 40 million dollars as quickly as possible. According to reports, 20 million will be used for the completion of the outside of the structure, while 18 to 20 million will be used for the inside.
The Archbishop reportedly said that he will ask some good people to contribute money, that he is setting up committees, and that the project must continue.
The Archbishop also said that the Archdiocese took some millions from the coffers of St. Nicholas to pay some of its debts, but that those amounts were returned to the St. Nicholas accounts.
No mention was made about his meeting with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew last week in Geneva as The National Herald exclusively revealed on Tuesday, November 20, during which the Patriarch requested from the Archbishop to submit his resignation on his own. It is reminded here that it was the third time Patriarch Bartholomew did something like this. The two previous times he urged the Archbishop to resign willingly but the Archbishop ignored the Patriarch.
The Executive Committee is comprised by the following:
George S. Tsandikos Vice-President of the Archdiocesan Council, Elaine Allen Treasurer, Catherine Bouffides-Walsh Secretary and Legal Counsel, Lazaros (Louis) Kircos (Chair of the Finance Committee), Constantine Caras (Chair of the Administration Committee), Maria Stefanis (Chair of the Audit Committee), George Behrakis, Louis Roussalis and Theofanis Economidis. His Eminence also noted that Bishop Andonios of Phasiane as Chancellor and Fr. Soterios Baroody as CFO, are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. Of course, all of the Metropolitan members of the Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese are also de facto members of the Executive.
The post Archdiocese Exec. Committee Discusses St. Nicholas Nave, Shrine appeared first on The National Herald.