Parish Autonomy Under Pressure: The Struggle to Preserve Established Governance

By Special Correspondent

As the governance crisis at Saint Sava Cathedral continues to unfold, a critical question emerges: What is the proper balance between diocesan oversight and parish autonomy? This question, which lies at the heart of current tensions, carries significant implications not just for one parish but for the entire structure of Serbian Orthodox governance in America.

The Historical Foundation of Parish Autonomy

When Serbian Orthodox parishes were established across America in the early 20th century, they were founded on a model that recognized the unique challenges of maintaining Orthodox life in a new land. The parish structure that emerged included significant local autonomy in administrative matters while maintaining liturgical and spiritual connection to the Mother Church.

"Our Church's Constitution and Bylaws were carefully crafted to maintain this balance," explains a longtime observer of Serbian Orthodox governance. "Parishes were given the right to elect their own leadership and manage their own affairs within an established framework that preserved unity with the broader Church."

This was not an American innovation but a practical application of Orthodox conciliar principles that have always recognized the importance of local community participation in Church governance. This structure was formalized in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, particularly in provisions regarding parish board elections and operations.

The Current Challenge to Established Governance

Recent actions affecting Saint Sava Cathedral appear to represent a significant departure from this established governance model:

1. Rejection of elected board members without canonical justification

2. Failure to follow established procedures for addressing vacant board positions

3. Attempts to impose board members not selected through proper parish processes

4. Issuance of directives that extend beyond traditional episcopal authority

"What we're witnessing is not just a disagreement about specific board members but a fundamental shift in the governance relationship between diocese and parish," notes a concerned parishioner. "When proper procedures for board elections are disregarded, it undermines the entire system of balanced governance that has served our Church for generations."

Legal and Practical Implications

Beyond ecclesiastical concerns, these governance questions have practical and legal dimensions. Parishes like Saint Sava operate as nonprofit corporations under state law, with specific requirements regarding board governance and fiduciary responsibility.

When established governance procedures are bypassed, it creates potential legal vulnerabilities. Courts generally avoid intervening in ecclesiastical matters, but may become involved when:

• Established bylaws are violated

• Nonprofit governance standards are ignored

• Property and financial stewardship concerns arise

• Members' rights within nonprofit organizations are infringed upon

"The American legal system has historically respected church autonomy in internal governance, but this respect assumes churches will follow their own established procedures," explains an observer familiar with church legal matters. "When these procedures are set aside, it creates a governance vacuum that potentially invites outside intervention."

The Broader Pattern: Other Parishes Facing Similar Challenges

Saint Sava Cathedral is not the only parish experiencing these governance tensions. Similar situations have been reported at other parishes within the Eastern American Diocese, suggesting a broader shift in governance approach rather than an isolated incident.

In previous decades, the Serbian Orthodox Church in America maintained a governance culture that respected proper procedures for parish boards while preserving appropriate episcopal oversight. The current pattern of governance decisions appears to represent a departure from this historical balance.

Preserving the Orthodox Understanding of Community

At the heart of this governance struggle lies a deeper question about the Serbian Orthodox understanding of community. The Serbian Orthodox Church has always valued the concept of sobornost—a spiritual understanding of communal unity that respects the voice of the faithful while maintaining hierarchical structure.

"When parish governance procedures are bypassed, something essential is lost," reflects a parish elder. "It's not just about administrative procedures but about our Serbian Orthodox understanding that the Church includes all the faithful, whose voice matters in the life of the parish community."

This understanding is reflected in a letter from Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) of the Orthodox Church in America, who wrote: "Authentic conciliarity involves mutual consultation and genuine dialogue among all—bishops, presbyters, deacons, and laity—for the well-being of the entire church."

The Path Forward: Restoring Proper Balance

Resolving these governance tensions will likely require a recommitment to the established norms that have guided Serbian Orthodox parishes in America:

1. Adherence to constitutional and bylaw provisions regarding parish board elections

2. Respect for the voice of the parish assembly in selecting leadership

3. Proper procedures for addressing any legitimate concerns about elected board members

4. Transparent communication between diocesan and parish leadership

"We're not seeking to diminish proper episcopal authority," emphasizes one parish member. "We're simply asking for adherence to the established governance procedures that have guided our parish for generations and are enshrined in our Church's own constitution."

Looking Toward Resolution

As these governance questions await consideration by the Holy Synod in Belgrade, Serbia, the Saint Sava community continues to hope for a resolution that preserves both proper episcopal oversight and the legitimate autonomy of parish governance.

"Our parish has faithfully served the Serbian Orthodox Church for over a century," notes a longtime parishioner. "We seek only to continue this legacy of faithful service through governance structures that honor both our hierarchical tradition and the proper role of the faithful in parish life."

Editor's note: This article explores historical and contemporary aspects of the Serbian Orthodox parish