The CEC House of Bishops meeting has just concluded in New Paltz, NY. The usual blah-blah-blah write up on cechome except for this little gem:
The HOB was joined today by the Most Reverend Ramzi Musallam, Archbishop Metropolitan of the Arabic Catholic Church. Archbishop Musallam was invited to be an observer to meetings, and he gave a presentation about the Arabic Catholic Church, which included their history and beliefs.
Sounds really lofty, doesn’t it?
Click here to go to the Arabic Catholic Church’s website. From what I can tell from their website, this is one church in Pennsylvania run by an archbishop who is 30 years old (Click here for the biography of the guest archbishop). Archbishop Musallam “gave a presentation about the Arabic Catholic Church, which included their history and beliefs” which probably took all of a few minutes as their communion is just one year old as of August with no real churches to speak of. You can click on the Chancery Office page to see the same telephone number for each department run by the same 4 or 5 people. The ACC website basically shows this group to be an offshoot by one priest formerly with the Polish National Catholic Church. The words “archbishop” and “church” seem a bit extravagant considering that there are no other bishops and churches under Archbishop Musallam.
The CEC turned a corner with +++Bates at the helm. To Archbishop Bates’s credit, I’m sure that the CEC organization could not have survived under a different leader following Archbishop Adler. Why this direction backwards instead of opening dialogues with actual churches and archbishops?
So, as other bodies grow from strength to strength (Anglican Church in North America for example attracting people like Dr. Rick Warren, Metropolitan Jonah and Bishop Todd Hunter in common ministry), the CEC seems content with cementing itself with a place of obscurity in the Body of Christ. Could it be because of the company the CEC wishes to keep?
Gone are the heady days way back when … back when the CEC was “in talks” with Rome via Phil Zampino and Randy Sly.
The article ends this matter with this statement:
The House of Bishops agreed to be in prayer about developing a further relationship with the Arabic Catholic Church.
I’m wondering what the CEC will gain other than another mitre and pallium by inviting the Arabic Catholic Church and its archbishop to common ministry. The Arabic Catholic Church might gain some legitimacy outside of its one church, one archbishop and one deacon operation in Pennsylvania.
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October 17, 2009 at 9:01 pm
anon4cec
Thanks for doing this research! Looks like just another vagante trying to work the network.
BTW, did you see this quote:
We should be reminded that the American Church is less than 5% of the total membership of the CEC. The vast numbers of the churches are in the Global South and Asia.
Has anyone seen the latest census report to see what these numbers are?
October 17, 2009 at 11:23 pm
cechealing
It wasn’t very difficult to do the research other than just googling this organization to find out that there isn’t much there. I think this archbishop has much to gain as far as finally having some bodies underneath him besides the folks he has now.
Not a shock that 95% of the CEC is outside of the US. Who knows when a census will be made public.
October 18, 2009 at 12:40 pm
frjim123
Since the CEC’s “shadow mission” involves amassing power (in various forms) for its leadership, the hope of the CEC aligning with ACNA is thin. Even this anemic organization has some power and prestige, so linking with them gives some PR bennies – especially the weak connection to something “Orthodox.”
If 95% of the CEC is outside North America, the situation is worst than I thought. The scandals of the past few years – and the abuses of power that still have some tentacles in the organization – portend a bleak future in the USA and Canada for the organization.
-Jim+
October 19, 2009 at 2:18 pm
cechealing
Fr. Jim-
I don’t think CEC will align with ACNA. It’s just interesting that the ACNA is able to draw the “heavy hitters” these days and the CEC is taking who they can get.
Way back when, Dr. J.I. Packer attended a service at St. Michael’s in San Clemente. That was quite a coup and it seemed like at the time, the CEC was gaining recognition from outside the camp. Looks like re-trenching into obscurity to me.
October 19, 2009 at 6:33 pm
anon4cec
A couple of years ago, my back-of-the-envelope calculations put the CEC at about 3200 men, women, and children in the USA. The 5% figure thus points to a worldwide membership of 64,000. This is a far cry than the 700,000 figure that was tossed around a few years ago. I’m surprised that the percentage isn’t smaller, actually.
I think the real question is, given the small fraction of the membership who are Americans, why is the predominance of the bishops and clergy located in the US? Is it that there are still a few well-heeled Americans willing to finance the worldwide operation? Or is the current regime afraid of becoming irrelevant by ceding control to a foreign See?
Now that it seems that the CEC in the US is running out of cash, it should be interesting to see if a vote of no confidence in the American leadership develops. The CEC seems to be vibrant and thriving everywhere except in the USA.
October 19, 2009 at 8:36 pm
papaz
If, in fact, the CEC outside the United States IS indeed thriving.
Are real numbers (outside of the Philippines, which seem still to have a strong organization) even available? Or believable?
October 19, 2009 at 8:59 pm
therestofthestorynow
It seems there are 97 parishes and missions in the US. If that is 5%, then there are approximately 1940 parishes and missions worldwide. Brazil is rapidly growing, as is Africa. Most of the growth is coming from very poor countries so the majority of finances must come from the US as far as missions is concerned. The Brazilian church is self supporting, as is Asia, and the Bishops in Africa. If you want to know what the exact figures are, ask the administrator for the ICCEC. The contact information is found on CECHome.
October 19, 2009 at 9:31 pm
therestofthestorynow
From what I have heard, this man came to the CEC looking for a relationship. They simply afforded him the courtesy of meeting with him. According to Canon 10: On Catholic Concord, states, “It is the desire of the Charismatic Episcopal Church to have dialogue and fellowship with all Christian bodies everywhere, and to enjoy inter-communion with those bodies which hold to the Catholic faith.
It seems the CEC is moving slowly until they know more about the person and his church. Which seems the right thing to do. The final decision rests with the Patriarch’s Council which is composed of Bishops from Africa, Asia, Brazil and Pakistan as well as some American bishops.
The CEC is unable to formalize a union with anyone until the entire church speaks. The one concordat they have with the Episcopal Missionary Church, was signed way before the CEC became an international church.
I imagine the Bishops from Brazil and Africa, some of which were Anglican to begin with. left the Anglican Communion over a variety of issues and may not be too keen to get into a relationship with them.
The CEC has an informal relationship with CANA and two members of the CEC Ecumenical Committee, Abp. Woodall and Canon Mark Pearson, met with their missionary bishop well over a year ago. Dialogue continues with them and other Anglican groups.
It’s interesting to check the church statistics of several denominations who were missionary minded in their early years and you’ll see there are more churches overseas than stateside.
I know most of the people who read this blog delight in hearing when there are difficulties in the CEC and I would venture to say some of you are praying for it to fail. May I suggest you take Paul’s advice in Philippians 13 and get on with your life or get some serious counseling for your inability to just let go of your critical spirit, anger and hurt feelings and let God heal you.
October 20, 2009 at 12:34 am
cechealing
therestofthestorynow- thanks for your contribution. You may have missed the point of my post. To say that this self-styled archbishop is in control of a Christian body is overstating matters. In most places, when you have a parish, you are a rector or a pastor. Archbishop is a stretch especially when there are no bishops or churches under your charge. Perhaps the CEC and the Arabic Catholic Church are deluding themselves thinking of themselves as bigger than they really are.
I’m guessing that the CEC won’t be branching out in any meaningful communion with other reputable bodies. CANA is a long shot. As much as I like +++Bates, I don’t see him kissing the Archbishop of Nigeria’s ring. Or, +Martyn Minns ring for that matter.
I’m guessing you meant I Cor. 13 – the love chapter. Because let’s not forget that St. Paul wrote that with my blog in mind as well as anyone else who might dare speak out against the CEC.
I’d be lying if I didn’t get some bit of glee when there’s a setback in the CEC. But, I don’t spend my time praying for its failure. Again, let’s not think too highly of ourselves.
Someone in the CEC isn’t doing their job if they find this blog to be of help in either trying to figure things out about staying, in needing resources to leave or trying to make sense after one leaves.
Thanks always for the tough love you offer as well as everyone else who has tried to help along the way.
October 20, 2009 at 4:20 am
therestofthestorynow
No, I still meant Phil 13, the part which says to forget those things that are behind… You, and most of those who visit and comment, have left the CEC. Some have been gone for several years. The interesting thing is it’s always the same people making negative comments. About five folks come here often hoping to see the latest negative gossip about the CEC. I check the site simply to be a voice of reason among the voices of anger and criticism. I really should give up but like St. Jude, I take up hopeless causes and hope for a positive outcome. I know for a fact the CEC is not trying to hurt anyone. Anytime a person comes into a position of leadership, no matter how hard he tries, he/she will eventually tick someone off. When that happens, the hurt party will do their best to discredit the one who has offended them. It’s much easier to do that than it is to follow the Scriptural injunction which states if you have anything against a brother, you should go to him and seek to resolve the situation. (I know that’s not a verbatim quote but I believe you get the gist of what I am saying).
The CEC is going through the same thing every new denomination goes through. People who have different agendas eventually rub each other the wrong way. Rather than iron sharpening iron, they end up going their separate ways. That’s why there are between 25 – 40,000 denominations out there. every denomination out here, including the Orthodox and roman Catholic churches have undergone problems and splits, and will continue to do so until Jesus returns. Why? Human nature. It’s that simple.
I believe the CEC will survive in spite of the naysayers. The reason I say that is there are some really great people in the CEC who love the Lord and are doing their best to build the Kingdom of God. Most of the churches in AMiA and CANA were viable congregations before and after they left TEC for their respective new body. The CEC received a lot of clergy who had little or no people, they were simply Evangelicals and Charismatics on the journey towards convergence worship. Granted there were a few stable groups of people, but they were few and far between. St. Michaels in San Clemente a small charismatic church in Tucson and a small home mission in Sacramento were the three “founding” churches of the CEC. So 17 years ago there were two churches and one mission station. Today there are 97 parishes and missions in the US. So in 17 years there has been growth. Right?
Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to be a voice crying out in this small patch of wilderness you call CECHealing. May God help the five of you get the deliverance you so desperately need from your sarcastic and angry spirit. And I say that in love!
October 21, 2009 at 3:12 pm
anon4cec
The truth of the matter is that I view the CEC as a sort of Frankenstein’s Monster that I helped create through my dedication of many years of my life and tens of thousands of dollars. The CEC has left a tremendous body count behind in terms of shattered dreams and lives, many of which are still undergoing (or in need of) professional therapy, and I feel partially responsible. So, I keep tabs on this creation as it lurches from “vision” to “vision”, hoping that it will evenually weaken and lose its ability to wreak more harm.
I know a number of people who are still trapped by the CEC, pouring their time and treasure into keeping the sinking ship afloat, living dysfunctional lives while the leadership continue to try to make names for themselves in the pitiful little world of fringe Christianity. I really feel for them, because I was once as trapped as they are. I just want to see the CEC go away before more people get hurt.
The CEC may not be trying to hurt anyone, but like a bull in a china shop, they can’t seem to stop it. BTW, I have followed the Biblical injunction, I was rejected, and now I am treating them like the tax collectors — warning others and waiting for God to save His people from injustice.
October 22, 2009 at 12:55 pm
therestofthestorynow
Dear anon4cec:
Please understand I do not want to minimize your feelings concerning what may or may not have happened to you. I have been around the CEC for many years and have seen people come and go for a variety of reasons. Some were on a journey that included the CEC as a wayside until they reached the two original churches. Not upset with the CEC, just not where they felt they were destined to be. Others left because their agenda, or expectations were not met. They were not ordained fast enough, or at all. They had personal prophecy that did not come to pass. (I know of several who left because they felt +Adler had prophesied they would become bishops. Others left because of indiscretions on their part that they did not want to face correction for. Some left because the CEC was too Catholic, others because it was not Catholic enough. No doubt some left because they were truly hurt by real or perceived actions on the part of someone in leadership. Regardless of the reason for leaving, what one has left needs to be left behind instead of being dwelled on day in and day out.
Every church has had its problems: Problems with leadership, problems with outright sin, problems with focus, finances, property, etc. People leave these churches every week. One church loses folks and another gains them, or they give up on church altogether. One can choose to be a victim and wallow in self pity or they can get the help they need, whether it be counsel or inner healing, and get on with the task of living for Christ and becoming a productive member of his church.
I think of the infirm man at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well. The man had all kinds of excuses – people get in my way and I can’t get to the water, no one will help me, etc. Jesus didn’t say “Poor guy, these people around you are horrible. I’ll make sure they suffer for not doing what you wanted them to do.” Instead He says, “Rise, take up thy bed and walk.”
I believe the reason Jesus had him pick his bed up was so he’d not be tempted to go back to where he had laid for all those years.
I know that’s a spiritualization of the passage from John, but it has spoken to me in the past about my attitude. I had to leave another denomination because of an unwanted divorce. I was bitter for quite some time about how unfairly I was treated. All I could think about was how I’d been given the bum’s rush. Through the intervention of some faithful friends, I was shown I had to forgive those responsible for how I was treated if I ever wanted to again experience the joy of the Lord. The denomination I was with had been around for many generations. I wasn’t hurting them in the least with my caustic remarks and feelings of anger and bitterness. But I was hurting me. When I let go of that unforgiving spirit, it was like being born again again. God restored all that had been lost and I once again have the joy of the Lord.
It was in the CEC I found how to let that anger go. It was from the counsel of a loving pastor and others who helped me let go of what was hurting me and let God restore His joy. I urge you to do the same.
As I mentioned earlier in this post, no church has not had its problems. I’d be willing to bet whatever church you are now in has at one time or the other had hurt people leave for the very reason you left the CEC.
God’s Word tells us to pray for our enemies, and it also tells us to forgive those who have done us wrong. Pray for the CEC and please get help to let that anger and hurt be healed.
Humbly submitted, wanting God’s peace for all
October 26, 2009 at 5:06 pm
anon4cec
“God’s Word tells us to pray for our enemies, and it also tells us to forgive those who have done us wrong. Pray for the CEC and please get help to let that anger and hurt be healed.”
This is entirely the attitude that leaves me so baffled and hoping for the CEC’s eventual demise. Imagine that you had invited a bunch of people to sail on your ship. Then, due to the incompetence of the captain and his officers in navigating the ship, half the crew was dumped overboard or jumped overboard to escape being crushed by the loose canons. Finally, as the ship lurches on, the officers wave, “Goodbye! I hope you get some help for your injuries and situation!” I would sincerely hope that the ship would run aground soon before more people got hurt.
I have and I pray that I continue to receive help with the hurts I have received at the hands of those in the CEC. I also watch and wait for the organization that I invested so much in to take greater steps to protect those still on board. To date, I have not seen much of this — only an entrenchment that protects those most at fault. So why is it wrong to hope that the whole organization becomes defunct so that more people are preserved from more harm?
October 27, 2009 at 12:22 am
therestofthestorynow
Whoever hurt you needs to know how you feel. Scripture tells us if we have anything against another Christian, we should go to them and try to make peace. If they refuse to reconcile, then you are to take another brother with you. Then, should it become necessary, contact those who are their elders, and let them know you have tried to reconcile. If you are not willing to do so, regardless of who is at fault, you will never have the closure you need.
I suggest you seek counsel from someone who knows nothing about the situation. Someone who can help you to forgive. There are a lot more of us who chose to stay and address issues then there were those who left. Many people who were hurt, still stayed and saw the issues that they were concerned about both addressed and corrected.
If you want to see the church destroyed, then you are placing yourself above the Lord who prayed for those who had hurt him to be forgiven, for they did not know what they were doing.
Again, I do not deny you were hurt. But for your own sake you need to let go of that anger and allow God to do what He wants to do. If God is against the CEC, it will fail, if not, it will continue to grow. Will its members still make mistakes, most assuredly. Is God still able to do what needs to be done. Again, absolutely.
I have seen people over the years consumed by anger and un-forgiveness. Then I have seen those who had the vilest crimes of all committed against them or members of their family (murder, rape, theft, etc) yet they were willing to turn that anger into forgiveness and restoration.
Although I do not know who you are, I pray for God to enable you to place this whole thing into God’s hands. Whether or not you ever reconcile with the CEC, the anger and hurt you have still must be deal with or it will consume every aspect of your life. It will literally become a cancer of your soul. Do not be a victim when God can enable you to be victorious over all you have experienced.
Sincerely,
TROTSN
October 28, 2009 at 12:47 pm
therestofthestorynow
A prayer from the Daily Office: God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
October 28, 2009 at 4:40 pm
anon4cec
I did follow the biblical injunction, and I was rebuffed at every turn, including by our bishop. I finally decided that expecting them to actually see the harm they were causing was hopeless and the best course of action was to shake the dust from my feet and move on. I do not regret this course of action for a second, but it does grieve me that so many are stuck in delusion and deception, and the CEC leadership still has not really addressed the endemic problems.
I do not hold anything personally against those still in the CEC (well, maybe one, but we’re working on that); however, that does not mean that I wish the organization to continue on its merry way. Either significant changes need to be made, or the organization needs to fold before more people get hurt. The abuse of power and spiritual influence is too unchecked to allow these self-styled leaders to mess with people’s finances and lives. The “On Our Way Home” Forum details too many examples to list.
Someday I may heal enough to shrug off my experience in the CEC, but I will never speak up in favor of the organization.
October 30, 2009 at 12:54 pm
therestofthestorynow
Dear anon4cec,
If your bishop did not receive you, then you go to his bishop. I cannot believe for one second you would not get a fair hearing. You also have the prerogative to appeal to the House of Bishops or to attend one of their meetings and let your situation be known.
So all of us who chose to remain in the CEC are stuck in delusion or deception (your words)? Really? Then there are a lot of really stupid or gullible people still there, in the US and around the world. Do you really believe that or are you exaggerating to make a point?
Whether you realize it or not, people are still coming to the CEC and loving what they find.
I sincerely hope you have found the one church in all the world that is perfect. Everyone I know of has its own problems.
Enough sarcasm. I apologize. Obviously, nothing I say is going to change your mind so I bid you adieu. I would like to challenge you to notch things up a bit and go beyond what you already have and meet with the House of Bishops. It’s open to all clergy and laity.
I will say this, it has been my experience almost 100% of the time when people tell me they have spoken to those who have offended them and sought resolution they are not being 100% honest. Some are even passive-aggressive and fear actually meeting with someone so they choose to believe the person they have a problem with will not try to work out a solution so they never actually deal with the situation. They choose to leave rather than actually deal with it, then they lam blast the person/group/thing anonymously as that is so much safer. I’m not saying you did that, I’m saying it happens quite a bit.
If that is indeed your situation, I encourage you to man up and confront those face to face you have a problem with and seek resolution. If not, then most of what I’ve said does not apply to you. You did speak personally to those who hurt and offended you. You went as far as you could up the ladder until you reached the top and no one would help or listen to your concerns. Not knowing who you are or exactly what took place, I can only assume. However, from what I have seen thus far, the main reason for this particular blog is for folks to commiserate. Thankfully, there are not that many folks who visit this site with their bad experiences. The few who do seem to feed upon keeping their hurt feelings at the forefront rather than truly letting go, truly forgiving or getting some sort of professional help and getting on with their life.
Let me digress for a moment and just cite one notable example. For decades, a large number of people were sexually abused by Catholic clergy. I’m talking about literally thousands of people. In many cases for many years, these abuses were swept under the rug. For two thousand years there has been one documented abuse after another done by those in the RC church. People were even killed because of their disagreement or differences with those in authority. Yet, the RC church keeps on, trying to right some those wrongs some of the time. And yet on this very blog people are encouraged to make their way to the “safety” of the RC church. The same thing could be said about the abuses in the Orthodox Church. The money and property that has been taken, the complicity of cooperating with oppressive regimes in order to keep their positions of power.
The point is, I don’t care which church there is all of them have deeply hurt others at one time or another. They too have abused their power and committed gross sins. There are blogs and even well formed support groups to assist people who have been deeply hurt by those churches. I daresay there is not one church/denomination in existence today that does not have blood on its hands. Probably the church you now attend has its own skeletons in the closet.
Granted, the CEC leadership made some horrendous mistakes. Granted, some of those in leadership had their own personal agendas. Granted, some feel the money they gave as tithes and offerings were not used to build the church but went to gild someone’s cage. However, the present leadership is doing all they can to make sure there are checks and balances to keep a better reign on those, and other abuses.
The CEC is only 17 years old. Even the early church in its first few years, and nearly every year thereafter, made and continues to make mistakes. It will continue to do so as long as imperfect men are in positions of leadership. So, until He who is perfect returns, that’s what each of us has to deal with.
I’ve rambled on long enough. God’s peace.
November 9, 2009 at 12:27 pm
therestofthestorynow
I was reading the blog of an Army Chaplain stationed at Ft. Hood TX and found the below snippet concerning forgiveness. He is writing about the shooter at Ft. Hood but his subject is germane to the anger and un-forgiveness found here from some folks.
As followers of Christ we are commanded, not suggested, to love our enemies, pray for our enemies and forgive those who have wronged us. Ouch! This is not easy; nor does it just happen. It takes courage, lots of courage, great strength, and time. Nevertheless, it is not an option, we must forgive, love and pray for our enemies (I must admit, it was not emotionally easy for me at church today when Fr. Paul lead us in a prayer for Maj. Hasan). And in His grace, he provides with with everything we need to accomplish the process.
Holding on to anger beyond its role in processing grief will hurt us, even consume us, and rob us of the joys of living. So what does forgiveness look like?
Forgiveness is complex. It may be easier to first consider what forgiveness is not.
Forgiveness is not “forgive and forget”. That sounds more like denial or thought repression. It does not release the one who has wronged us from the responsibility or consequences of his/her actions. People must be accountable for their deeds. Forgiveness does not mean that trust is automatically, or ever, restored. It does not mean that new opportunities are given to the offender to trample on or destroy us or those we love.
Forgiveness is a process. It can be painful because it forces us to acknowledge how we have been hurt, how we have been violated, what has been taken away from us, what we have suffered! It is not something that just happens in our hearts at the moment we want it to happen or when we say the words “I forgive you”. Forgiveness releases the offender of the burden he/she owes you personally. You no longer require or seek for the offender to suffer as a result of what they have done. It also releases us from carrying the burden of revenge or requiring payback. It releases us to continue the grieving process and the healing process—the healing process of our soul and mind.
If we do not grow into forgiveness, our hearts, minds, judgments and perceptions grow clouded . We lose the joy of living and our ability to see the beauty and goodness in creation.
Forgiveness also affects how we will be forgiven. In the familiar Lord’s Prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” (Matthew 6: 12). And just in case we did not get the message he continues after the prayer, “If you do not forgive men their sins against you, your heavenly Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:14)
As Christians we must handle those who are struggling with anger and forgiveness with grace and love. We are to patiently bear one another’s burdens, realizing that each is dealing with these issues carrying different baggage; and each will grow at a different pace.
The goal of this posting is not to solve the complex problem of anger and forgiveness that results from this or other tragedies—volumes have been written on these subjects; but rather to simply open the door toward the eventual journey of healing and restoration. There is hope for our souls to be at peace and for our hearts to be mended. It is not easy and it takes time and effort, but it can happen.
Perhaps you have experienced a deep hurt at the hands of another, or perhaps God will bring someone across your path who needs a patient, loving, grace filled companion on their journey through grief and forgiveness. Whatever the case, God has not left us alone. He has left us with the Holy Spirit, His Word, the Sacraments and yes, each other.
November 9, 2009 at 8:41 pm
xfinenib
I have some news for you and your shallow investigations. Archbishop Ramzi Musallam of the Arabic Catholic Church presides over a growing jurisdiction. He has churches and missions in approximately 10 States, which are not recorded on his website. He has churches(meaning BUILDINGS), a Cathedral in North Central PA, and more importantly, people. His priestly ordination came from the Polish National Catholic Church, and his Episcopate derives from the Brazilian Church. He is a Christlike, humble man of God and in slightly over a year has accrued clergy and parishes that would take 100 years for most vagante groups to acquire. I am sure he did not come to the CEC House of Bishops meeting with his hat in his hands. You need to make complete investigations before you get on the web and malign true men of God. Blessings.