May 3, 2004
The Pious Pastors
of the Holy Metropolis of Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
Christ is Risen!
The Very Reverend Gabriel Barrow, of Houston, Texas, has been suspended and removed from parish ministry by request of our Archdiocese, pending an administrative investigation of allegations received by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Father Barrow has been admirably serving as Pastor of Saint John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, Texas, since the founding of the parish in 1994.
The suspension and removal of a clergyman from parish ministry is in accordance with the normal administrative policies and procedures of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America whenever allegations are made and/or other information is received concerning him whether they are substantial or not.
The Archdiocese policy further requires that such allegations be investigated to determine if they can be substantiated. If so, a clergyman is permanently suspended from service to the church and may be removed from the ranks of clergy of the Archdiocese. If not, the clergyman continues in his assignment or may be reassigned to parish ministry according to the needs of the church.
With Paternal Blessings
in the Risen Lord,
+Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver