Pastor of Saint Miriam Responds to Attack by Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Blue Bell, PA — April 23, 2010: On April 14th 2010, The Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan, Vicar for Clergy for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia, sent an email (see below) to all clergy of their diocese regarding my parish of Saint Miriam and our associate pastor, (The Rev.) Father Harry Richards. In it, Father Sullivan claims that we are a schismatic church and that Father Richards has no ability to function as a priest. He further suggested that the parishes of the diocese might wish to print the narrative in their weekly bulletin to clear confusion and that would be helpful for the people of your parish to be informed of this matter. We concur completely.
It is of note that we are also pleased that Father Sullivan called us a church. This is especially enlightening since in 2007, Pope Benedict declared the primacy of the Roman Church, stating that, Christ ‘established here on earth’ only one church,” and that other Christian communities “cannot be called ‘churches’ in the proper sense” since they don’t have what’s known as apostolic succession that is, the ability to trace their bishops back to the original 12 apostles of Jesus. He went on to say that “Christ ‘established here on earth’ only one church,” reasserting the primacy of his church over others. Therefore, since Pope Benedict declared that other Christian communities “cannot be called ‘churches’ in the proper sense” (Ref: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56612) and since Father Sullivan called us a church, schismatic at that, at least we are making progress. Additionally, we wonder if an Orthodox Catholic or even a Protestant church opened, would the diocese go to so much trouble in their attempts to discredit their mission, too?
While the Philadelphia Diocese has no jurisdiction, there are a few issues we still disagree with, and since this memo has now been published in several churches, we feel it our right to respond publically:
First, Father Richards priesthood is not determinative upon Romes recognition. The archdiocese is simply angry that one of their own priests has left their fold to follow his conscience and serve his priesthood in a loving and caring community of God. In June 2009, their own leader, Pope Benedict, declared the year of the priest. He stated that without the priest, there would be no Eucharist, no mission or even a church. Perhaps the pontiff would remind the archdiocese and himself that Jesus was not a Catholic priest, nor was Jesus a Roman Catholic. In fact, Jesus was not Catholic at all, he was a Jew.
The clericalism that has risen since the Resurrection has resulted in many sad divisions within the greater church and the church at Rome seems bent on its continuing. Father Richards incardinated into the Old Catholic Church and, therefore, does not need any Roman authority to function as a priest. His priesthood is of God, not the Church at Rome. The archdioceses declaration that he is not able to participate in a Roman Catholic Church would be the same as saying he cannot celebrate the Eucharist within a Methodist Church! His priesthood is intact and valid and under the authority of our Archbishop within the Old Catholic Church.
Second, it might serve us to note that the Old Catholic Church split from the Church at Rome after Vatican I when the church, in another moment of self-serving and self-righteousness, declared the pontiff infallible in 1871. This term, Old Catholic, was first used in 1853 to describe the members of the See of Utrecht who, as with all of the earliest of Catholic communities, did not recognize any claimed ‘infallibility. As the groups that split from Rome in the 1870s had no bishop, they joined Utrecht forming the Union of Utrecht. Our church continues that tradition and lineage. Therefore, we are what Father Sullivan claims, separated from the Roman Church and proud that we are so.
Thirdly, we find it ironic, if not even a little sad, that with all that is currently ugly and under investigation within their Roman Church, that they would find it necessary, or even have the time, to attempt to thwart our mission of love and care. Is it not biblical that one should remove the log from ones own eye, before attempting to gouge out the splinter from anothers? The Roman Catholic Church might well be better served if its leaders would concentrate on what is wrong with their church before trying to harm another church that has not, in its history, ever harmed a child, nor had even an allegation of abuse let alone tried to thwart their vision of church.
The Roman Church continues to present itself as the only Catholic Church. The below memo continues this unpleasant truth of their own arrogance and falsehoods. It believes that it controls all things Catholic. Pride is such an ugly sin. As long as Rome continues to believe that they have a lock on the word Catholic and the word Church, we all suffer; their people suffer. It is time that others know the truth.
The Eucharist, mission, and even the Church existed long before the priesthood, and certainly long before anyone ever thought of the Roman Catholic Church. Maybe it is time we all grow up and get back to the work of serving God and Gods people?
Saint Miriam has two main services each week, Thursday at 6:30PM and Sundays at 10:30 AM. They also honor the Rosary on Thursdays at 6:00PM and a monthly Charismatic prayer group. The services are Catholic, but inclusive and inspiring with a mix of music from old and new, modern touches and incense smoke that finally warms the heart, as well as the senses!
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