Bishop Demetri Matta Khoury

DOB: 9/20/1948

Convicted, Sanctioned

Race: White; Sex: Male; Hair: Brown; Eyes: Hazel; Height: 5'6”; Weight: 240 lbs.

Official Church Photo

Florida Sex Offender Registry

Bishop Demetri Matta Khoury was a bishop in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AA).

In July of 2003 Khoury was arrested for grabbing a woman's breast in a Traverse City, Michigan, casino. The bishop was charged with fourth degree criminal sexual misconduct (a felony) and being drunk and disorderly (a misdemeanor).

In response to these charges, Metropolitan Philip Saliba wrote to the hierarchs, the clergy, the trustees and the faithful of the Archdiocese, saying, ”I have directed Bishop Demetri to seek professional help. He is willing to do that and has already made arrangements for inpatient treatment at a well-recognized facility. Once he receives the permission of the civil authorities, he will be entering a ninety-day treatment program. I have also directed Bishop Demetri not to preach or preside at any liturgical service during the time that he is under treatment, or while this matter is under investigation.”

On February 25, 2004, Khoury pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted fourth degree criminal sexual misconduct. According to newspaper accounts, the bishop said that he had no memory of the incident, but made his plea based on his viewing of the casino security tapes.

Khoury was sentenced to 28 days in jail on April 17, 2004. He is also required to register as a sex offender.

In May of 2004 the bishop was granted an early retirement by the AA, and moved to Florida.

In December, 2008, the Antiochian Archdiocese of Mexico (AAM) announced on its website that Khoury would assume duties as the auxiliary bishop of the diocese in January, 2009. However, Khoury's salary as an auxiliary of the AAM is being paid by the AA.