Mesazhi i Kryetarit te Vatres, dr. Gjon Bucaj per Bishop NIKON/
Propozimi i ditës së djelë për nji takim me Janullatos të hanen në mbramje, u refuzue si i padobishëm nga organizatorët e protestës, mbasi protesta nuk mund të anullohej. Si erdhi deri tek takimi me përfaqësuesat e Kryepdshkopit mbasi ishte refuzue fillimish? Zoti Mark Gjonaj, antar i Asemblesë së Shtetit të New York-ut, me njoftoi me telefon të hanen rreth drekës, se Vatra kerkohej qe te vinte ne nji takim ne zyren e tij, ku do te jete Bishop Nikon, përveç tjerësh. Aty mendova pa mëdyshje se Vatra nuk mund te refuzonte takimin me kete prelat të lartë shqiptar, të cilin e respektojmë si udhëheqës të Kishës Ortodokse të Nolit në Amerikë dhe i jemi shumë mirenjohës per pjesëmarrjen e tij ne kremtimet e 100 vjetorit te themelimt te Federatës. Ai i prini Lutjes Nderfetare me të cilën filloi Konferenca Shkencore, bashkë me udhëheqësit tjerë ma te lartë të besimevet tona. Atij na duhet t’i shkojmë në takim pa pyetje dhe pa kushte. Tue u ndodhë larg dhe i pamundun të shkoj vetë, iu luta nënkryetarit, zotit Asllan Bushati, të shkonte në takim dhe t’i sjellte përshëndetjet e Kryesisë së Vatrës me nderimet ma të mëdha. I sigurtë se tema dominuese e takimit do të ishte rreth protestës së përgatitun kundër Kryepeshkopit Janullatos, i rreshtova në letër disa prej arësyeve pse shumë shqiptarë do të protestojnë kundra kreut të Kishës Ortodokse Autoqefale Shqiptare në mbramjen e ftoftë të së martes me 28 shkurt 2014, përballë Fordham University në Bronx.
Letrën, të shkrueme anglisht, ia dhashë zotit Asllan për Hirësinë e Tij Nikon, si argument për mbledhjen nga Vatra. Ja mesazhi:
Your Grace, Bishop Nikon,
We believe that it is appropriate for VATRA to list the concerns of those Albanian Americans who have decided to take part in tomorrow’s rally. We consider ourselves honored by being invited and obligated to take part at this meeting and contribute to the clarification and exchange of information that the given situation requires. For this purpose, we feel that is necessary conveying some of the
issues that we believe are at the root of the concerns of many Albanians here in the Diaspora and in the Motherland:
His Excellency, Janullatous, was sent to Albania to rebuild the Orthodox Church that was left in devastation by the communist regime in terms of churches, clergy, and the spiritual condition. While he met the qualifications to head the church, many took issue with the fact that he was not an Albanian by blood and language as required by the Church Statute which remained in effect until destroyed by the communist party, suffering the same fate as other religious institutions and communities. Another issue that is continuously kept alive in discussions is enthroning the head of the Albanian Autocephalous
Church could not have been valid if there were any dissenting voices during the process. Being that many dissenting voices were raised during the process, the governing body moved to another location where dissenting voices were not allowed in. At that time Janullatos was chosen as a temporary custodian but recently Janulltos stated that ‘we are all here temporarily’ insinuating that he had no intention of leaving his post.
In Greece Chruch and State are not separate, therefore he is considered a high official of the Greek State. This is perceived by many as a conflict of interest. This is illustrated by two examples:
Janullatos publically spoke out against the military and humanitarian intervention of NATO saving the population of Kosova from Serbian genocide and ethnic cleansing.
On the occasion of an anniversary, Chams in Albania asked all religious leaders for an interfaith prayer for souls of victims of genocideand ethnic cleansing suffered by Muslim Chams at the hands of Greek military in 1945. Jannullatos refused to take part in that prayer while leaders of other faiths in Albania did in fact join in prayer.
Albanians give much importacve to the fact that Fan Noli’s image, founder of the Autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Albania, is nowhere to be seen in churches throughout Albania.
The language of the liturgy translated by Noli and used in masses and other liturgical functions has been changed by Archbishop Janullatos.
Additionally, many churches are being renovated or rebuilt entirely in the greek style as opposed to the traditional Albanian architectural design.
Some churches in the traditional Albanian style are left do decay like the ones in Qesorat, Polican and others.
There are many other concerns, seemingly unimportant, but they all add up and give an impression, rightly or wrongly, that the Autocephaly is being downgraded and gradual helenization of the South is subtly taking place.
We believe that this meeting and Your Grace showing interest in addressing the issues of concern, will help clear the air from confusions and contribute to resolving the factual issues, thus bringing harmony and peace that all appreciate and desire.
We at VATRA treasure the memory of Your Grace leading the Interfaith Prayer at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Federation. We will always try our best to contribute in preserving and strengthening the religious harmony among Albanians, as a cornerstone of the foundation of our common house, our beloved nation.
27 January 2014