+++BATES TO THE ICCEC: “You Did Not Choose Me”

From +++Bates, the newly-minted Patriarch.  It’s quite a moving letter…very heartfelt and hopefully the sign of good things to come.

I don’t know why he didn’t take a name like the Pope does.  Perhaps, Patriarch Randolph Adler II?  Actually, on second thought…perhaps not!

SOURCE:  CECHOME.COM

From Bishop Craig Bates, Patriarch of the ICCEC

You Did Not Choose Me

click for larger image

I have just arrived home from Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida. Sunday, the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus, I had the wonderful opportunity of preaching at the Church of the Messiah and spending some time with their Rector and Rector’s Council and their wives. These men and women are phenomenal leaders and humble servants of our Lord. I am thankful that I had the time in my schedule to be able to be with them and the people of Messiah, Jacksonville.

I want to thank everyone who has sent email and notes of congratulations on my election. I am grateful to be part of such a fellowship of believers. Our Lord is leading us and as the people of God we will continue to listen to the voice of the Lord and when we hear we will obey.

Many have said to me “let’s forget the past and move forward.” I understand what they are saying and what they mean by that statement. But to totally forget our past would be foolish and dangerous. I want to acknowledge today, and will continue to do so in the future, the faith, courage, and boldness of Archbishop A. Randolph Adler. This man of God was willing to be obedient to the Lord and continues to be obedient. Bishop Adler was chosen by the Lord in the midst of defending the rights of the pre-born to speak the word of the Lord concerning what we now know as convergence or three streams. Making visible the void was not spoken in the comfort of the pews but in the streets and jails of Los Angeles. Bishop Adler for over three decades has spoken prophetically and pastorally to the good people of St. Michael’s Church and since 1992 has spoken to the nations of the world. He has prayed for us, led us with a spirit of humility, has been a giver and not a taker, and has raised up men and women around the world who will carry on the vision. I am not worthy to step into his shoes and I need each and every one of you to stand with me, in a unity that will be given by the Holy Spirit.

And, I stand today and honor Betty Adler. There are not words that can express our appreciation for this more than gracious woman of God. Few know the sacrifices she has had to make over the last decades. How she had to often stand-alone while her husband was traveling and facing the demands of leadership. How she, along with Bishop Adler, had to face personal sacrifice. How they model faith during the death of loved ones. We honor and love Betty.

Our prayers are that after some well-deserved rest they will once again be among us in giving voice to the love, mercy, and forgiveness of the Father. We want the wisdom the Lord Holy Spirit has given to both of them. It is a wisdom birthed not only in obedience but also in suffering.

Our Church is Pro-Life. John Paul II was not only the spiritual father of the Roman Catholic Church he was a spiritual father for a whole generation of believers. He, more than any other, cried out against a culture of death and for life. He was not only a voice for the innocent who continue to be brutally murdered but also a voice for life from conception to natural death. He was a voice for peace and justice. Though we still live in the un-happy state of division in matters of ecclesiology and theology we stand in unity with our Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant brothers and sisters in calling for justice for the least among us, particularly the pre-born. And, we continue to pray and work for a Church that will one day be able to claim a visible unity to the world on all matters of faith and morals. This is the heart and prayer of our Lord Jesus.

It is my plan to join Fr. Terry Gensemer and the youth of our Church on January 20-23 in Washington, D.C. for the March for Life and the annual gathering of CEC for Life. I hope and pray that many of people, particularly leadership will be with CEC for Life and me at this event. Fr. Frank Provone, in an article on the Priests for Life website, explains to us how we are winning the fight to end abortion in America. Join us on this victory march.

It is hard to believe that it has been four years since we gathered in Manila, Philippines for our second international convocation. Who can forget the wonderful hospitality shown to us by Archbishop Hines, the Bishops of the Southeast Asia Province, the people of the Province, and especially the people of the Cathedral in Manila? Remember the Banquet, the golf outing and boat trip during a double typhoon, and the glorious worship and pageantry of the Cathedral? Cathy and I often look at the book that was published and rejoice at being part of our communion. Now the mantle of the Convocation falls to the people of Florida and Bishop David Simpson.

Bishop Simpson has formed a working group of people around the United States. It is the best of the best that will be putting together this event. During the Convocation we will hear from Dr. Simon Chan. I have read and re-read his books and am so looking forward to meeting this theologian and teacher. I know this time together will help us articulate more clearly the theological foundation of convergence worship.

On Wednesday evening of the Convocation I will be enthroned as the second Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. It is my hope that Bishops from around the world will be able to be in attendance to once again express liturgically what is true about our communion. We are an international church! And, my hope is that as many of us as possible will be able to be present.

Thanks to a working group on communication we have two new websites – cechome.com and cecida.com. As you can see by visiting the sites there will be regular updates from around the world. Very soon you will be able to make your reservations for Convocation on line. We encourage you to do so quickly. Let’s fill up the Wyndam Resort in Orlando and gather for three days of fellowship, teaching, and worship of our Lord Jesus.

I want to thank Archbishop Hines for his leadership during the time of transition. He made sure that we remained in prayer and fasting. He led us spiritually as only a good father would. He kept us focused and attentive to the task of hearing from God. And, over and over again he assured us that if we trust in the Lord we will be safe and secure. Archbishop Hines is a stellar leader and I am comforted to know that he will stand in the ICCEC and continue to articulate the vision together with all the Bishops.

Please keep our brothers in Kenya in your prayers. Bishop Bernard Njoroge, who is the Secretary General in Africa, has assured us that peace will come to his country. We appreciate the sacrifice he made in leaving not only governmental duties, but also his dear wife Helen in the midst of a dangerous national crisis. The people of Kenya are a strong people who yearn for peace and democracy. They are a people of deep faith in God and are a people of prayer. Join with them in praying for Kenya.

Bishop Prakash Yahanna, the Bishop of Pakistan also left a crisis situation to be part of the election process. I know all of you are in prayer for our Christian brothers and sisters in Pakistan. As I was getting ready to process on Sunday morning at the Cathedral Church of the Messiah, a Bishop from another convergence communion, told us of a priest from his communion who was just this past week executed by extremists in Pakistan. He told us a ‘nut’ was left warning others and demanding that priests and pastor stop evangelizing. Bishop Prakash Yahanna daily ministers in this most difficult and dangerous situation. We pray for peace in Pakistan. Peace is really the heart of the vast majority of the people of Pakistan. We pray for Bishop and his wife Merriam and their children. They trust in the Lord’s protection and provision.

Archbishop Adler and Archbishop Chuck Jones have prophetically spoken of a Tsunami anointing of God’s love coming upon the earth. This word has been spoken not only by them but also by prophetic people throughout the church. God is pouring out His love and mercy everyday. We are, through prayer and worship, to earnestly seek God as He seeks us. Brazil is evidence today of a spirit of revival and renewal. To sit with Archbishop Paulo Garcia is to be encouraged to press on and see that even in the midst of post modern humanism God still moves drawing people to Himself. I know in the future God will use Archbishop Garcia, and indeed the Bishops of the South Hemisphere, to work with the Bishops of the West in walking close to the heart of God.

There is a spirit of unity and cooperation among the Bishops of the West. I know each of them is eager to get to work and build the Church. It is no longer time to describe our wounds it is time to seek healing for our wounds. The American Church has gone through hard times – much of which we inflicted upon ourselves. We made mistakes, often had poor judgment, and in so doing we not only offended but hurt many. We have asked forgiveness. We intend amendment of life and will implement necessary corrections. But more than anything we will move forward in articulating the vision God has given us. We will move forward with loyal and faithful men and women who have weathered hard times. We will move forward knowing we will make other mistakes and face difficult times. We will however move forward knowing that the Lord will not leave us or forsake us. We will move forward not with political agenda but being led by the Spirit.

I have hit the floor running. I will try to answer as much correspondence as possible. This Friday and Saturday I am in Portland, Maine meeting with the great clergy of Maine. On Sunday, I head of to Washington, D.C. and then the following Sunday-Monday I will be gathering with some administrative types to begin looking at not only the transition of leadership but the creation of an infra-structure for the entire communion. When things begin to get into place I will try, through our website, to keep everyone informed of our progress.

Please pray for me. I yearn to be among you as one who serves. I am humbled by this task and humbled by the love and support so many of you have already offered. I am humbled to follow such a good and godly man. Please pray for the Cathedral Church of the Intercessor, as it becomes the new See of the ICCEC. The faithful people of St. Michael’s Cathedral will tell you what a difficult job it is to be out front. They did a phenomenal job and our hearts will always be drawn to them. Now we pray for them, as they get about the new phase of their life together as a family. Pray for my family particularly Cathy. Those who know Cathy know you are around a special person when you are in her presence.

Under His mercy,

The Most Rev. Craig W. Bates,
Patriarch

talks widen between ex-CECers and Anglican Province of America

In a statement yesterday from the presiding archbishop of the Anglican Province of America carried on VirtueOnline, he mentions “former Charismatic Episcopal Church bishops and clergy” being attracted to their work (emphasis mine): 

Our reputation as a positive witness has gotten the attention of a number of former Charismatic Episcopal Church bishops and clergy recently and they have invited me to come to their next meeting to talk about their possible future with us.

Just a guess but I think these ex-CEC bishops are now part of the Communion of Christ the Redeemer.  (Check their FAQ page where they spell out that they are in dialogue with the Anglican Province of America and the Reformed Episcopal Church.)  So that would be:

+Richard Lipka
+Ken Myers
+Rick Painter
+Don Miles
+Philip Weeks

From the CCR website:

We are currently in dialogue with the Anglican Province in America and the Reformed Episcopal Church (two Anglican bodies that are themselves committed to complete union), as well as with other Anglican churches represented in the Federation of Anglican Churches in America (FACA). We are in full communion with the Igreja Catolica Apostolica Brazilia (The Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil (ICAB). In February 2008 we will consecrate Bishop Alexander Barroso in Cabimas, Venezuela and will be in full communion with the church there. Our desire is to pursue unity with God’s people so that Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17) might come to fulfillment.

In a related note, though this has not been substantiated, there has been chatter over at the ON OUR WAY HOME forum that the CEC would be pursuing some sort of relationship with AMIA and CANA.  Not sure how far that will go considering all the trouble brewing for the past couple of years over at the CEC.

At any rate, the statement from Archbishop Grundorf is in response to his group leaving the Common Cause Partnership.  Full statement:

Anglican Province of America Pulls out of Common Cause Partnership

Monday, January 14, 2008

To all Clergy of the APA and others,

RE: Common Cause Partnership

Over this past year, there has been much talk and discussion and unfortunately argument over the Anglican Province of America participating as a full member of the Common Cause Partnership (CCP). As the Presiding Bishop, I have listened to our bishops, clergy and lay people about their feelings toward how we of the APA should be related to this Body. I have personally gone back and forth attempting to determine where we should be in the midst of the developing Partnership.

As I observe the reaction of the various clergy, there are those who strongly oppose any participation at all, a larger number that believe we should observe and see what develops (an option we may not officially have) and others who believe we should become members and see what happens. At the present time we are polarized at about 50/50. There is no clear majority on any side.

At this point, as Presiding Bishop, I must ask myself the question, is it wise and is it the best course of action to force through a decision to join the CCP with the strong possibility that there will be significant fall out among some of our parishes and missions. As a Church, we have developed a solid reputation as a stable jurisdiction that is outgoing and welcoming. We have managed to attract good and faithful men for the ministry in a Classical Anglican Church that has a balanced approach to the faith. When we have concentrated our efforts upon building up our parishes and dioceses, we have been successful.

At this time, when the majority membership of the CCP has just recently departed from the Episcopal Church and are going through the withdrawal and anger symptoms which so many of our people experienced 30-40 years ago, do we want to be caught up into their present day battles? Many of the membership of CCP are involved in bitter law suits most of which will not be resolved for years to come. We must ask ourselves whether or not we want to get caught up in the internecine struggles of those who are leaving or preparing to leave the Episcopal Church.

The APA has always maintained a positive approach to the mission of the church and departed the Episcopal Church years ago without buildings and property and began on a very modest level building new buildings or renovating places for worship. We made a special effort over the years of not looking back but forward as we have sought to build a positive expression of traditional Anglicanism and not being an anti-Episcopal Church. Our reputation as a positive witness has gotten the attention of a number of former Charismatic Episcopal Church bishops and clergy recently and they have invited me to come to their next meeting to talk about their possible future with us.

Although we have developed a solid reputation and have experienced growth, we are still a fragile flock. There are some monumental issues that must be resolved by the CCP for us to give our enthusiastic support and not jeopardize our own future. What will the CCP develop in to over the next few years? What will the leadership be?

At the present time, we are part of an Intercommunion Agreement with the REC and through this relationship we have formed ourselves into a Federation of the Anglican Churches in the Americas. There are now 6 jurisdictions that are part of this Federation. FACA has requested as a Body to be a part of the CCP.

We are thereby in a position as part of this Federation to be observers of CCP as we watch how it unfolds over the next few years. Although personally I would like to be at the table of the CCP, I am well aware that I do not have the necessary support of the majority of the APA to be there. The Theological Statement and the Articles of Federation of CCP have my personal support, but I realize my first responsibility as Presiding Bishop and Diocesan Bishop of the DEUS is to care for that to which I was elected and consecrated.

My position is that I do not recommend becoming partners in the CCP at this time and that we wait, watch and pray that as CCP develops and unfolds, we will have clearer direction as to whether we can be a part of it.

I am well aware that my decisions will not meet with everyone’s approval. I have prayed, sought advice from a number of sources and believe that this is the right thing to do for the good of the APA. I pray that all of you will continue to pray for me and for each other as we seek to build this small portion of the Church to His Glory.

Faithfully yours,

+Walter H. Grundorf

The Most Rev. Walter H. Grundorf, D.D.
Presiding Bishop
Bishop of the Eastern United States

thoughts; comment from papaz

Some thoughts on all that’s happened this week…

I’m hopeful along with the CEC faithful that +++Bates’s election is good news for the Communion.  I believe what has plagued the communion since its inception is the “mom and pop shop” mentality.  Some within have overcompensated by “being too big for their britches”… (“Patriarchal Legate” anyone?)

I was taken aback by +++Bates invoking +Costantino and not even mentioning ++Adler in his message to the Communion.  I think he’s distancing himself from the founder by identifying himself with one of the best things to happen to the CEC and that’s +Frank Costantino.  (BTW, I’m not ready to kick ++Adler to the curb.  He’s a good guy who needs some help.  If we’re in the CEC or even used to be in the CEC, we owe him a debt of gratitude at the very least.)

And, in case you missed it, some thoughtful analysis from papaz from our comments section.  I’m bringing it to the front of the blog for us all to consider:

This was certainly no surprise to me. Who else could they have chosen? Probably 20-30% of the CEC faithful remaining in the country are members of his congregation. I’m not sanguine, however, of any real change. Bates was an integral part of the Adler cover-up. He’s also recently lost two congregations to Orthodoxy — and numerous clergy over the last couple of years, including some fine men I count as good friends. I have grave concerns — very grave first-hand concerns — about his fundamental integrity.

I think what the CEC is likely to see is a re-trenchment with those that remain. Bates is a stronger personality than Adler; he’ll hold the line. There won’t be a lot of room for legitimate theological discussion, much less dissent (or even differences of opinion).

Regardless of my concerns, however, I will continue to keep the remaining CEC faithful in my prayers.

+++Bates’s statement to the ICCEC

I think I’m going with 3 crosses for the Patriarch.  Why not?  I consulted with my imaginary Blog Council and we decided by consensus that three shall be the number of crosses for the Patriarch on this Blog.

In other news, +++Bates issued a statement to the ICCEC (SOURCE: CECHOME.COM).  Read below… 

Statement to the Faithful of the ICCEC

January 10, 2008 – 12:39 pm

Today I humbly accepted the call to serve our communion as Patriarch. My mentor and spiritual father, Bishop Frank Constantino, told me that we sometimes know God’s will by three things: First, it is something that you do not want to do; Second, the task is much bigger than you are; And third, you cannot do it alone.I ask you to join me as we move forward, continuing to build upon the vision to make visible the Kingdom of God on the Earth. We do this by holding together the three historical streams of worship—the charismatic, evangelical and sacramental—and by ministering to the least, the lost and the lonely in Jesus’ name. This is our calling.

We are an international communion. Ninety-five percent of our members reside outside of the West. This is consistent with the move of God around the world: the expression of the Christian faith is becoming more and more influenced by the Churches of South America, Asia and Africa. I am deeply thankful to my brothers and sisters in the Philippines, Africa, South America, Europe, and North America for their perseverance in reaching the lost, establishing churches and ministering to God’s people. The heart of our Church is ministry to the world, bringing Christ to men and finding Jesus in the broken. This is how we fulfill the Great Commission.

We cannot do this, though, without the active presence of God. We are charismatic and are committed to working in the power of the Holy Spirit to see lives transformed and restored. We live with the expectation that the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk, and the dead will rise.

The Patriarch is the symbol of unity and ministry, not of bureaucracy. My office will continue to develop an administrative infrastructure that is transparent, accountable, and that serves the purpose of facilitating ministry in our Church. As the First Father of the Church I want to affirm that all of the faithful are called to ministry. Ministry begins with baptism, not ordination. We must all work together in the ministries to which God has called us.

I reaffirm that the Charismatic Episcopal Church is called to a government of councils in consensus at all levels of the church. I enter the office of Patriarch as a bishop among bishops and as a priest among priests. The greatest among us is the servant. Our desire must be to hear the voice of the Lord and in hearing His voice to respond in joyful obedience.

I ask your prayers. I am committed to be among you as one who serves. I pray for each of you that the Holy Spirit draws us closer to the heart of Jesus and in so doing we will encounter the incredible love of our Father. In this encounter we will be made into His holy likeness and will be compelled to live out a life in obedience to the command to love one another. It is then that the world will know we are His disciples.

Under His Mercy,

The Most Reverend Craig W. Bates

Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church

BREAKING: +Bates elected new ICCEC Patriarch

Not that this comes as a huge surprise but +Bates (Bishop) is now ++Bates (Archbishop, Primate and Patriarch) …or is it +++Bates (three crosses?)?  SOURCE: CECHOME

I hope he doesn’t go out and buy blue glasses to celebrate the win.  That’s where all the trouble started the last time around… (well, that’s debatable).

The Most Reverend Craig Bates Elected Patriarch

Orlando, FL – January 9, 2008

The Most Reverend Loren T. Hines, Senior Archbishop of the ICCEC, announced that the Patriarch’s Council, in accordance with the Canons, has elected The Most Reverend Craig W. Bates as the new Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. Press release and full statement to follow.

CEC in the news: Rochester, NY

Click here for this story or see below.  I wasn’t aware there was a “Brotherhood of St. Joseph”.  It does sound an awful lot like the Bridges of America program started by the great late +Frank Costantino.  Article follows…

January 7, 2008

Irondequoit says no to halfway house

Erica Bryant
Staff writer

IRONDEQUOIT — The Irondequoit Zoning Board of Appeals ruled tonight that a home for wayward men being operated at 1280 N. Winton Road was not permitted under town code.

The Brotherhood of St. Joseph, which is affiliated with the Charismatic Episcopal Church, has been operating the home since May of 2007. The property was formerly used as a convent. According to a Monroe County Clerk’s Office deed, the property was sold to the Brotherhood of Saint Joseph for $250,000.

Town officials said they were taken by surprise when the brotherhood began offering housing and rehabilitative services to men who had been in prison or had substance abuse problems.

“It wasn’t anywhere near something that had been approved in advance,” said Supervisor Mary Ellen Heyman. “You can’t just open a business or service like this without letting somebody know.”

In September, the town sent the brotherhood a notice of violation for operating a “halfway house” for as many as 16 people. The notice said that such use was forbidden in an R-1 Residential District. Tonight, the zoning board upheld the notice.

The brotherhood argued that the property was not being used as a “halfway” house.
Rather, the purpose was to offer a long-term residence and spiritual assistance to troubled men who were trying to turn their lives around.

Among goals listed on a brochure promoting the program are “challenge criminal thinking and destructive behavior patterns.”

Around eight neighbors of the property spoke at the zoning board meeting and expressed concerns about having troubled men in their neighborhood. Among them was Jennifer Knebel.

“As honorable as their intentions are, I don’t want it across the street from my house,” she said.

Director of Community Development Mitch Rowe said that the town planned to appear in court Jan. 18 to request a cease and desist order to shut down the service.

thoughts on the podcast…

I’m 21:52 minutes into this podcast playing in the background and I’m just awestruck.  I’m listening to Kevin Barry and others on this podcast basically burying ++Adler as being the “prophetic mantle” and trading up for +THOMAS in Orthodoxy.

Obviously, the premise of this podcast is that Orthodoxy is THE CHURCH.  Fine.  By all means, enjoy yourselves.  But, this was the attitude held by many of us who were once in the CEC.  That we were THE CHURCH when we were in the CEC.

This might seem as though I’m talking out of both sides of my mouth.  But, bear with me.  ++Adler no longer should be the Patriarch of the CEC for a list of reasons cited here and on both of the forums dealing with the CEC specifically.  We all know why he should no longer be in charge.  But, let’s not forget that many of us would still be independent charismatics or Pentecostals were it not for ++Adler and his prophetic teachings that were widely passed around the world on cassette tape in the late 80s and 90s!  Most of us would still be handing out “Chick tracts” on the street railing against liturgy if it weren’t for ++Adler.)

I still love ++Adler through it all.  It’s probably supernatural given the circumstances.  We all realize ++Adler’s failures but let’s not take everything away from him.  At least the good stuff.  Though there is pain in leaving the CEC (I speak from experience), it wasn’t all that bad.

Back to the podcast, I’m just shocked that people would base their entire reason for coming into the CEC on a second or third hand account of what Fr. Peter Gilquist may or may not have said to ++Adler.  I have my reasons why I left the CEC but it wasn’t over a game of “Telephone” gone awry involving Gilquist+ and ++Adler.

NEW PODCAST: 4 ex-CEC priests & Fr. Peter Gilquist

I’ve not yet listened to this podcast but here it is . . .

True Convergence: Orthodox Podcast #4 (Bishop Thomas & Fr. Peter Gillquist)

By admin ⋅ January 6, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

True Convergence Orthodox Podcast #4

Host:

Jacob Lee — Icon New Media Network

Participating:

Right Reverend Thomas, Bishop of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic

Fr. Peter Gillquist, Director of the Department of Missions and Evangelism, Antiochian Archdiocese

Mark Wallace — Oklahoma City Soon to be Orthodox Priest and Mission Church Planter.

Fr. John Denny Roland —St.’s Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Hot Springs Arkansas

Fr. Patrick Cardine — St. Patrick’s Orthodox Church, Warrenton, Virginia

Kevin Barry — Orthodox Catechumen, St. John the Theologian

Matt Cuthbertson — Orthodox Catechumen, St. John the Theologian

This special show features Bishop Thomas and Fr. Peter Gillquist. Fr. Peter talks about the beginning of the CEC (Charismatic Episcopal Church) and what he did or did not say to then Pastor Adler.

Both Bishop Thomas and Fr. Peter encourage members of the CEC and other Christian groups to finally end their search for the historic church and come home to Orthodoxy.

This show was conducted via skype, telephone and in studio.

 True Convergence: Orthodox Podcast #4 (Bishop Thomas & Fr. Peter Gillquist): Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

ICAB’s association with “Moonies”

Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, Patriarch of ICAB, blessing a meeting convened by Moonies 

The conversation lately has kind of blown up all over the place at ON OUR WAY HOME.  Lots of finger pointing about Orthodox, Catholic, Brazil, Anglican, or perhaps even CEC still being the best possible way.  It appears that everyone is piling on our favorite commenter, Klampert.  My guess is because ++Adler hasn’t posted at ON OUR WAY HOME, there’s no one else to beat up on. 

But, one point seems to have been missed here.  One post went like this:

Guest Posted: Jan 2 2008, 02:47 PM
The moonies and the Brazilian church

Can we talk more about this

OK, if no one wants to take this, I will.  On December 9, 2006, a “Convocation of Married Priests” was held in in Parsippany, New Jersey.  It was convened by an official looking “Archbishop Milingo”.  He was a former Roman Catholic Archbishop who was married at a public ceremony to a Korean woman led by the Unification Church (aka “The Moonies”). 

Look through the pics of the event here (pic of Mendez at the top right hand corner of Page 2 of the photo album).  By the time you get to Page 3 of the photo album, it looks like a full on Moonie event!  (Find out more about this legitimate sounding group Married Priests Now here.)

If you look at the Married Priests Now site close enough, you’ll see the connection to Milingo and Rev. Sun Myung Moon.  Or, you can just click here for this article.

This connection isn’t a “smoking gun” or anything like that.  It appears that the kindly looking Patriarch of ICAB was duped into attending a convocation that looked decently legit.  It also appears that Mendez wasn’t the only one who may have been misled. 

This connection between Brazil and the Moonies exists probably from a lack of due diligence on ICAB’s part for not properly investigating what might not be a wise event to attend. 

So, some free advice for bishops, archbishops and patriarchs everywhere:

Even if you get to wear your vestments at a Moonie-funded event, you might want to think twice about showing up.

NEW SITE: cecexodus.com

Happy new year, one and all!

There’s a new website that I want to let you know about:  CECExodus.com

You will even find a link to this site here under: Evil Blogs  Explanation is found here from their site:

Evil Blogs

Many of us were told by our leaders that the forums were a place where lies about the CEC were being spread (referred to as “dissident blogs” by at least one high-profile priest). Unfortunately, this is untrue. In fact, these forums exist because the leaders within the CEC have not been forthright in disclosing information nor have they allowed open communication within the local parishes or across the denomination. These forums proved to be the only place that people have been able to speak with one another without making a ruckus in their own parishes.

Thanks for the link love, CECExodus.com!