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Saint Miriam, a parish community |
475 Norristown Road Blue Bell, PA 19422 Phone (215) 701-4781 Info@MySaintMiriam.org |
Press Release
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Contact: Father Jim St. George Phone: (215) 701-4781 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9 A.M. EDT, April 26 2010 |
Pastor of Saint miriam responds to attack by
Roman Catholic archdiocese of philadelphia
Blue
bell, pA, April 26, 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. However, I
suggest that Father Sullivan is mistaken in that the bishops of our church, the
Old Catholic Apostolic Church of the Americas, do in fact, share Apostolic
succession. Perhaps he might want to
check on this further. 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?
I further suggest that Father Sullivan check the root of the word
“church” which comes from the Greek, Ecclesia, the people of God. Does Father Sullivan now decide whom God calls
His own.
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 Rome’s recognition. We come under the protection and
validity of the archbishop of the Old Catholic Apostolic Church of the
Americas. We maintain valid apostolic succession and have no need for Roman
approval.
The clericalism that has risen since the
Resurrection has resulted in many sad divisions within the greater church and
the church at Rome. Father Richards incardinated into the Old Catholic
Apostolic Church of the Americas because he saw a church of love and hope that
was more in keeping with his own personhood. His priesthood is intact and
valid.
We find it
ironic, if not even a little sad, that with all that is currently ugly in the
world that any church 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 one’s own eye, before attempting to gouge out the
splinter from another’s? Did not our
Lord tell His Apostles that if others preach in His name, they are with Him?
The Roman Church continues to present itself
as the only Catholic Church. The
below memo continues this unpleasant truth. 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.
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!
Please contact Father Jim St.
George for more information or visit www.mySaintMiriam.org. Please also feel free to contact our Archbishop, Bishop Julius
Licata at www.Stjudeocc.com.
From:
Kathleen Matela [mailto:KMATELA@adphila.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 12:10 PM
To: Kathleen Matela
Subject: Saint Miriam Church, a Schismatic Church
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
FROM: Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan
Vicar for Clergy
DATE: April 14, 2010
RE: Saint Miriam Church, a Schismatic Church
It
has come to the attention of the Office for Clergy that Saint Miriam Church, a
schismatic church associated with the "Old Catholic Church, has now
relocated to the Blue Bell area. The church was formerly located in the
Roxborough area. Saint Miriam Church presents itself as a Catholic Church in
its materials and advertisements, which has led to confusion for some area
Catholics, stating that it is ". . . a new face on what it means to be
Catholic."
Father Harry Richards, who was ordained for the Archdiocese in 1991, is
identified as the associate pastor of Saint Miriam Church. Father Richards is
not a priest in good standing, however, and he does not have
the faculties of the Archdiocese. As such, Father Richards is not permitted to
exercise any priestly ministry.
The following is a suggested bulletin announcement for your use in the event
that it would be helpful for the people of your parish to be informed of this
matter:
Recently, a church called Saint Miriam has relocated to the Blue Bell area and
has been advertising itself in a local newspaper as a Catholic Church. Saint
Miriam Church is not a parish of the Archdiocese
of Philadelphia, however, and is not in union with the Roman Catholic Church.
Saint Miriam Church lists Reverend Harry Richards as associate pastor of the
church. While Father Richards was ordained for the Archdiocese, he is not a
priest in good standing and he does not have
the faculties of the Archdiocese. As such, Father Richards is not permitted to
exercise any priestly ministry.
For your information and convenience, all Catholic parishes are listed on the
website of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (http://archphila.org/home.php.). You
may also contact the Archdiocese at 215-587-3747 if you need assistance in
confirming the Catholicity of a church.