wfn.org | ARCHDIOCESE STATEMENT ON CASE OF ORPHANED CHILDREN

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA

8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 * Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax:
(212) 774-0237
www.goarch.org    - Email: communications@goarch.org

> Contact: PRESS OFFICE
> Stavros Papagermanos
> pressoffice@goarch.org

> January 12, 2010

ARCHDIOCESE STATEMENT ON CASE OF ORPHANED CHILDREN

NEW YORK ? In recent days, misleading statements distributed in the
press on the case of two orphaned children in the Democratic Republic
of Congo, whose relatives in the United States approached the Saint
Basil Academy for assistance, require that the Archdiocese of America
set forth the following factual information.

In June of 2009 Saint Basil Academy in Garrison New York, received an
inquiry as to whether the institution could be of assistance in
bringing these two children to the United States and accept them into
the Academy family. The relatives of the two children were advised
that under present US immigration law, the Academy, as a residential
facility and no longer a school, could not legally sponsor the
children to come to the United States. The family was also advised to
consider options only available to them that would allow the children
to enter the U.S.  Under those circumstances, the Academy would be
able to provide interim accommodations with a view to a more permanent
placement once permanent guardianship status by the U.S. relatives had
been established.

Saint Basil Academy never refused to accept the children and has been
in communication with the family over the past seven months. There was
never any question of financial resources in accepting the children.
The Academy has been informed by the family that they are currently
working toward securing guardianship of the children in order for them
to be placed at Saint Basil. Both the Archdiocese and the Academy look
forward to receiving Kostakis and Demetris as soon as possible.

To portray the Archdiocese of America, His Eminence Archbishop
Demetrios, or Saint Basil Academy as being anything but willing and
eager to assist this family is irresponsible and reprehensible. It is
a shame and shameful that anyone would exploit the tragedy of any
child, especially ones orphaned of a parent, through exaggeration,
misstatement and accusation.

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