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Bishop also issues warning to woman claiming to be Virgin Mary
MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico (AP) – A Roman Catholic bishop here has excommunicated members of a communal sect whose leader allegedly claims to be a manifestation of the late Pope John Paul II.
Sect leader Edwin Gonzalez Concepcion and his followers can no longer receive communion or participate in church activities, according to the order issued by Mayaguez Bishop Ulises Casiano Vargas.
Gonzalez, a former firefighter in the town of Aguada, has told his followers that he became a manifestation of John Paul when the pope died in April and that Pope Benedict XVI is the “antichrist,” according to the order, which priests in the diocese read to their congregations Sunday.
Members of the group couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
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Tuesday, December 13, 2005; Posted: 4:04 p.m. EST (21:04 GMT)Sect leader Edwin Gonzalez Concepcion and his followers can no longer receive communion or participate in church activities, according to the order issued by Mayaguez Bishop Ulises Casiano Vargas.
Gonzalez, a former firefighter in the town of Aguada, has told his followers that he became a manifestation of John Paul when the pope died in April and that Pope Benedict XVI is the “antichrist,” according to the order, which priests in the diocese read to their congregations Sunday.
Members of the group couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.