Source: Orthodox Church in America OCA Holy Synod holds Spiritual Court in case of former Archbishop Seraphim of Canada WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CN [OCA] On Monday, October 19, 2015, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America convened a Spiritual Court at Saint John the Divine Church, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, to hear the case of Archbishop Seraphim, retired Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada. The Holy Synod of Bishops will render a decision in due course. [subscribe2]
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] On Thursday, February 6, 2015, the Court of Appeals of the Province of Manitoba affirmed the conviction of Archbishop Seraphim on one count of sexual assault. Archbishop Seraphim has begun his eight-month prison sentence imposed by the trial court in this case. The process leading to a spiritual court will commence as mandated by the Canons of the Orthodox Church and by the Policies on Sexual Misconduct of the Orthodox Church in America, the latter of which require that clergy who have been convicted of child sexual abuse be deposed by the…
Source: Winnipeg Free Press A former high-ranking Orthodox archbishop should serve a year in jail for violating his position of trust and sexually molesting an altar boy in Winnipeg in the 1980s, prosecutors say. That’s was the Crown’s position as Seraphim (Kenneth) Storheim, 68, appeared for sentencing in the Court of Queen’s Bench Wednesday. “The hallmarks of this case are the abuse of trust, the abuse of a child and the historical nature,” Crown attorney Breta Passler told Justice Christopher Mainella. The Crown is seeking the term of real jail in hopes of sending a firm message to the general…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA]- In response to recent questions and comments that have been directed to the Orthodox Church in America by the media, victim advocates and members of the Church with regard to Archbishop Seraphim [Storheim], the following clarifications are in order. The Holy Synod of Bishops, at its spring session held at the OCA Chancery March 18-21, 2014, retired Archbishop Seraphim as Bishop of the Archdiocese of Canada, effective immediately. In a Statement issued by the Holy Synod, dated March 21, 2014, communicating this and related decisions, it was noted that “the Synodal Commission is directed…
Source: Orthodox Church in America Originally posted on January 24, 2014. SYOSSET, NY [OCA] – The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has received information regarding Archbishop Seraphim (Storheim), who is on suspension from his position as Archbishop of Canada. In court proceedings that took place earlier today—Friday, January 24, 2014—in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Archbishop Seraphim was found guilty of one count of sexual assault. He also was acquitted of one count of sexual assault. Sentencing will take place later this year. He remains free on bail. Separately and apart from the court proceedings, Archbishop Seraphim remains suspended,…
Source: CBC News Kenneth William Storheim on trial for alleged abuse involving boys The sex-abuse trial of Canada’s senior Orthodox Church cleric began Monday with a former altar boy accusing Archbishop Kenneth William (Seraphim) Storheim of inviting him to touch his private parts. Storheim has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault involving two pre-teen brothers who were members of the church more than 25 years ago, when he worked at a parish in Winnipeg’s North End. Storheim is the highest-ranking cleric in the Canadian diocese of the Orthodox Church in America. The first witness at the trial…
Source: Orthodox Church in America SYOSSET, NY [OCA] On Saturday, January 21, 2012, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America released the following statement concerning His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim [Storheim]. “The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has been made aware that His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim, the suspended Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada, appeared in a Winnipeg criminal court on January 18, 2012. Archbishop Seraphim is a defendant in a matter involving allegations of sexual abuse toward a minor or minors. The case has been committed for trial. “Archbishop Seraphim originally was…
WINNIPEG — A high-ranking former orthodox archbishop, who has pleaded not guilty, must wait until the new year to learn if he’ll go to trial on historical Manitoba sex abuse charges. Seraphim Storheim appeared in a Winnipeg courtroom this week for the start of his preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. A court-ordered ban prevents specific details from being published. Defence lawyer Jeff Gindin told the Winnipeg Free Press the evidence was presented on Thursday and Friday but the case has now adjourned until Jan. 18 for lawyers to make final arguments.…