5 May 2021 3:29pm
Fr Asterios broke the news to parishioners at mass. Some lifted their phones and began to record the message that their church would temporarily close.
The Archdiocese of Australia confirmed the news of the closure of Sts Raphael, Nicholas and Irene in Liverpool, Sydney, in an announcement alleging “unlawful acts and decisions” by the current president. “Now, prompted by the appeals of many parishioners, the Archdiocese has been compelled to act so as to bring unity and order to this Parish Community,” the announcement said.
Pointing to the constitution, the Archdiocese said that the Committee had not convened a general meeting for its members annually as stated in the constitution – alleging that it had been eight years since an AGM had been held. Other criticisms concerned the fact that financial reports had not, according to the Archdiocese, been forthcoming whereas the committee members “filled casual vacancies of their own accord”.