Omaha archbishop shuts down Intercessors of the Lamb [CNA]

[CNA_News]

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Omaha, Neb., Oct 15, 2010 / 06:35 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Just two weeks after their leader resigned, the group Intercessors of the Lamb ceased to exist as a Catholic entity. Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha formally suppressed the group Oct. 15, announcing that a lack of cooperation in instituting “necessary reforms” left him no choice.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/catholicnewsagency/dailynews/~4/r4dS9CPkDxk

Full article…

 

[Another_Mary]

From the article"
:

“When the association asked to be recognized as a Catholic entity in accord with Church law, it agreed to recognize the pastoral authority of the archbishop and follow Catholic practices,” McNeil said. “In other words, you cannot make the claim you’re a Catholic organization and at the same time separate yourself from the teaching, sanctifying, and governing role of the archbishop.”

:yup:

 

[Dale_M]

The Intercessors have been controversial in the Omaha area for years. But what brought matters to a head was a request to the archbishop for the Intercessors to be advanced from the status of “public association of the faithful” to the status of a religious order.

The Association of the Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb, a contemplative, intercessory, and mixed (lay men, women, and clerics) public association of hermits, was founded in 1980 by Mother Nadine Brown, who was formerly a member of the Sisters of the Cross of the Good Shepherd Congregation.

The association was recognized by Archbishop Daniel Sheehan as a private association of the Christian faithful in 1992. In 1998, it was erected as a public association of the Christian faithful by Archbishop Elden Curtiss. Last winter, Mother Brown asked the newly-installed Archbishop Lucas for help in advancing the group to the next canonical level.

To familiarize himself with the group, the archbishop initiated a canonical visitation of the association, conducted by Father James Conn, canon law professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University. During the visitation, Father Conn found several grave problems with the direction of the group, including concerns among the members of the leadership, the use of “intimidation tactics,” a lack of a clear understanding of the group’s charism, a faulty grasp of prayer and discernment, and problems with the treatment of the Blessed Sacrament.

zenit.org/rssenglish-30673

[Archbishop] Lucas said the board of directors of the Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc., the group’s civil, nonprofit corporation, had impeded him from helping the group make reforms recently identified by a Vatican lawyer.

“What began as a desire for pastoral solicitude and an effort at positive reform resulted in a refusal to accept the assistance and jurisdiction of the church by a majority of the lay board members,” Lucas said in a prepared statement.

Board members refused three times to meet with Lucas to discuss the organization’s finances, why he had [former group leader Nadine] Brown step down and what the group’s future would be, said Deacon Timothy F. McNeil, chancellor of the Omaha Archdiocese

omaha.com/article/20101015/NEWS01/710169943

Archbishop Lucas sent Saint Margaret Mary‘s Rev. Gregory Baxter to the community to try and work with Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc.’s Board of Directors. Rev. Baxter said he was tasked, “to do some spiritual journey with them,” and “to reorganize their structure within the church.”

But he said, “The board decided not to amend the bylaws to come into concert with canon law and so that was a very difficult situation that had to be dealt with because we can’t have this disparity.”

McNeil said, “You cannot have a civil board who rejects the authority of the archbishop over a catholic association. Because of that, he had no choice but to suppress the organization."

wowt.com/news/headlines/Update_Association_of_Faithful_Shut_Down_by_Archbishop_105083884.html?ref=884

 

[Beau_Ouiville]

"A public association of the Catholic faithful has now been suppressed by Archbishop George Lucas. The Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc. lived within a secluded community of Ponca Hills. Friday, after a recent examination of the association by a Canon Law Professor, the Archdiocese of Omaha shut them down.

The community, living under a vow of poverty, has been cloaked in a bit of mystery and secrecy since their beginnings in 1992. They were private then, and they went public in 1998. They have been in controversial positions, while fighting neighbors over expansion, and in achieving tax-exempt status.

The group of lay brothers, sisters and clerics were governed by a civil board of directors. It is that board, said Archdiocese Chancellor, Deacon Timothy McNeil, that was “offended” by the examination this past two weeks, refusing to change certain bylaws to come in line with Canon Law. “We learned a whole lot of weaknesses. Some we were aware of. Some we weren’t aware of,” he said. “Questionable financial practices. I think intimidation tactics to try and control the members.”

He said there was also a problem with “spiritual direction and breaches of confidentiality,” he said. In addition, “Not enough controls about protection of adults being with children, just our safe environment policies,” he said. Though McNeil was quick to add no indiscretions involving children were discovered."

wowt.com/news/headlines/105083884.html

 

[barb_finnegan]

I know someone who is a consecrated [hermit] member of the Intercessors. She made her final vows in 2006. I was very shocked to read about the suppression on ‘SpiritDaily’.

Though I don’t lean in the charismatic direction spiritual-wise *, I feel terrible for the members of the community. I have no idea if the woman I know went with [Mother] Nadine Brown or with the ones who are being housed in a monastery in Omaha. She is a few years older than I am; if she has to go ‘back into the world’, it’s going to be very hard for her to adjust after having been in religious life for ten years. If she does want to stay in religious life, I hope that she can continue as one, though in a different group.

What is [Mother] Nadine going to do now? She’s almost 81 years old-how will she live?

Too bad the lay board did not cooperate with the Archbishop. He had to do what he had to do. He’s the head of the Catholic Church in Omaha. The board was not being obedient in doing what the Archbishop, the canonical visitor and the temporary administrator asked of them, so he had no choice but to suppress the group.

Sad thing all around…and after they built a large chapel, too…*

 

[cyberwolf001]

What will now become of them

 

[Redbaron998]

Hopefully fellow religious orders will open thier doors to them. I cant say I have great compassion for those who were disobediant to the Bishop and I applaud the Bishop in taking a stand.

Yet as the news stories not all were being disobediant and wanted to cooperate and do the right things. Just another case of how a some bad apples can spoil the bunch, or spoil it for them. Hopefully some nice monestaries will open up a quasi fast track to those already in the religious life and looking for new community.

 

[CDNowak]

(from the same article) The Archdiocese’s designated intervener in the matter hopes to re-found the order apart from the civil board: “Rev. Baxter said the Archdiocese will take care of their immediate needs of clothing, food and shelter, “maybe see what we can do to reorganize in a different name, different place, but with a new vibrancy. and a new desire to continue to do service here in the Archdiocese of Omaha.””

 

[the_phoenix]

It’s the Archbishop’s prerogative when to allow an Order or community under his jurisdiction and when to shut one down. The Archbishop is perfectly within his rights to expect obedience, as well as doing his job as a shepherd when it comes to maintaining adherence to Canon Law.

 

[Dale_M]

What will now become of them

News reports indicate that the majority of the religious have been given shelter at a monastery west of Omaha, and that the archdiocese will look after them. However, a plurality have taken residence at a local motel along with the former leader. Because the finances of the organization are independent of the archdiocese, and administered by a lay board which seems sympathetic to the former leader, I suspect the group will be looked after and perhaps reorganize.

 

[Teelynn]

I do believe that only part of the story is being told. Why would the Bishop take such drastic action on this group? Unless I’m all wet, so to speak, that is not the usual response of the Church. Nadine Brown has stated emphatically that she has absolutely NEVER disobeyed the Bishop. Wheather or not that is true is anyone’s guess but? She and her followers have stated they “thought” they were in the process of doing some reorganizing when the Bishop came down on them with a very heavy hand. They said they were beyond shocked. I think there has to be a ton more to this story than what is coming out. Whether or not it will EVER come out…??? Time will tell. This, to me, is a very mysterious situation. I just don’t think we have all the facts.

 

[sojo]

Oh my. I just sort of stumbled upon all this. I think I once saw those teal garments with thought, “what on earth??” but I never expected any of this.

I think we must remember that the Church is fresh off the scandal of Fr. Maciel and the Legionaries, so they are quick to check out any personality cults that spring up among the faithful. They may be right here, they may be wrong… who among us can know?

But I do think we need to pray for the faithful caught in the cross-hairs. So many people so dedicated and who gave up everything to the point that this latest leaves them with nothing but a really weird teal outfit on their backs? I’m at least happy to hear that the Bishop made sure to house and clothe those affected and willing to accept the assistance.

The business about some taking refuge in a motel and relying on their own funds to get through this outside of the Church is troublesome.

I’m praying for all of them!!!

 

[Flame_of_Christ]

I do believe that only part of the story is being told. Why would the Bishop take such drastic action on this group? Unless I’m all wet, so to speak, that is not the usual response of the Church. Nadine Brown has stated emphatically that she has absolutely NEVER disobeyed the Bishop. Wheather or not that is true is anyone’s guess but? She and her followers have stated they “thought” they were in the process of doing some reorganizing when the Bishop came down on them with a very heavy hand. They said they were beyond shocked. I think there has to be a ton more to this story than what is coming out. Whether or not it will EVER come out…??? Time will tell. This, to me, is a very mysterious situation. I just don’t think we have all the facts.

From what I understand of the story so far is that it began with the visitation and then the removal of Mother Nadine. The needed reforms are most likely an end to the charismatic activity of the group. In particular, I am sure that they came against speaking in tongues and words of knowledge/ prophecy. If this is the case, then if the bishop said “you need to reform by not praying this way any longer” I can see where the problem lies. You can’t tell a charismatic community to no longer be charismatic and expect them to just easlily say"okay, sure."

The truth is going to come out soon and I’ll place my bet that it is all about persecution of charismatic spirituality. Too bad for those who would blashpheme the Holy Spirit. Too bad…

This is heartbreaking for not only this community for also for the whole church.

 

[Alan55]

Some additional information from the Archdiocese of Omaha website:

archomaha.org/newsevents/pdf/SuppressionRelease.pdf

 

[Dale_M]

In particular, I am sure that they came against speaking in tongues and words of knowledge/ prophecy. If this is the case, then if the bishop said “you need to reform by not praying this way any longer” I can see where the problem lies.

Why do you think so? Are you familiar with Archbishop Lucas views on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal? AFAIK, objections to charismatic activity haven’t been mentioned in any of the news stories so far.

 

[Flame_of_Christ]

Why do you think so? Are you familiar with Archbishop Lucas views on the Catholic Charismatic Renewal? AFAIK, objections to charismatic activity haven’t been mentioned in any of the news stories so far.

well that is true, but there are some hints that seems to point in that direction. One of the comments of the investigator is that he saw errors in regard to prayer and discernment. Those are two of the most important parts of the Intercessors charism and they do both of those things very charismatically.

What the invesigator had a problem with is still vague. I would like to know how a community that pryers so much and discerns spirits and prophecy could actually be accused of not praying correctly. That reeks of persecution of charismatic activity.

 

[sojo]

I think the discerns spirits and prophecy factor is exactly what might have attracted attention and misgivings towards this group. I really have no way of knowing if everything they claimed was on the up and up – never really heard much of them except someone once showed me their habit as being kinda strange.

But I do ask everyone to join me in praying for those caught up in the mess. I’m sure many devoted and devout folks were not only caught off guard, but from the description of the vows they had to take regarding giving away everything to the organization, they are really in a bad way with no job, no clothing, no shelter except for what the Bishop is providing temporarily?

 

[CDNowak]

well that is true, but there are some hints that seems to point in that direction. One of the comments of the investigator is that he saw errors in regard to prayer and discernment. Those are two of the most important parts of the Intercessors charism and they do both of those things very charismatically.

What the invesigator had a problem with is still vague. I would like to know how a community that pryers so much and discerns spirits and prophecy could actually be accused of not praying correctly. That reeks of persecution of charismatic activity.

There are a number of rather specific charges in the press release: financial irregularities, intimidation tactics, violation of interior/exterior forum, illegitimate and irreverent custody of the Blessed Sacrament. None of these are necessarily ‘charismatic’ problems, they are structural and systematic problems in the leadership of the community.

Some additional information from the Archdiocese of Omaha website:

archomaha.org/newsevents/pdf/SuppressionRelease.pdf

 

[ThomasEugene]

omaha.com/article/20101019/NEWS01/710199885

Former Hermits Put Faith in Future

catholicvoiceomaha.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=14559&TM=36817.66

Another touching article.

 

[barb_finnegan]

omaha.com/article/20101019/NEWS01/710199885

Former Hermits Put Faith in Future

catholicvoiceomaha.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=14559&TM=36817.66

Another touching article.

Thank you for the link, ThomasEugene. I’ll make a copy of it.

I know someone who is in the Intercessors. She made her final vows in 2006. I don’t know if she is in the group that is at the retreat center, or the group that is with [Mother] Nadine Brown.

I hope that Archbishop Lucas and Father Baxter will do everything they can to help those who want to continue as religious. This whole thing is so sad for all concerned.