Clergy in the Diocese of the South are required to participate in the Orthodox Church in America Pension Plan as mandated by the Metropolitan Council and Confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America.
On January 15, 2025, the Diocese of the South achieved 100% compliance with the pension participation requirement.
On April 9, 2025, with a vote of 84% in favor, 11% opposed and 5% abstaining, the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of the South approved presenting to the Commission on Statute and Canons of the OCA a proposal to amend the Statute to improve the governance of the Pension Board. This proposal was crafted with, and includes, feedback gathered over many months from both critics and supporters of our efforts who are from multiple dioceses, senior leaders from across the OCA, multiple pension board members and lay members who are 100% committed to ensuring the health of the Pension plan, but are nonetheless concerned about, the plan.
Links to Related Resources:
- Archbishop Alexander’s August 6, 2024 letter regarding the participation mandate.
- Metropolitan Tikhon’s Letter to the Holy Synod of Bishops regarding the participation mandate
- The 2024 Diocese of the South OCA Pension Review Task Force report may be found here.
- The DOS Pension Planning Calculators can be found here.
- Governance White Paper (Carol Skinner)
- Briefing Document / Summary of Skinner White Paper
- Explanation of Possible Statute Change (offered for feedback/discussion purposes after our Diocesan Assembly in the fall of 2024)
- The accepted, final Statute Amendment Proposal (from the DOS – Diocesan Council) to be voted upon by delegates to the All American Council in Phoenix