Bishop shuts down Nebraska religious group (Catholic Caucus)

Today, for grave reasons, I suppressed the Hermit Association of the Intercessors of the Lamb. The reasons for this suppression are noted in a separate news release, principally, the refusal of the lay civil board of the Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc., a Nebraska corporation, to acknowledge my authority in making much-needed reforms in the community. The way of life of some fifty vowed members was in peril due to actions of a handful of civil directors. The vows of the former members have ceased (c. 1194), and they are to set aside the habit and refrain from using the titles “Mother,” “Brother,” or “Sister.” They are no longer considered to be in consecrated life or assimilated to it in the Church. I am providing for the care of the former members in the short-term, and remain committed to helping them in any way I can in the future.

From this point forward, The Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc., is in no way associated with the Catholic Church. As Archbishop of Omaha, and in view of my authority to govern and guard the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church (c. 835 §1), I hereby decree that no liturgical or sacramental celebrations are to occur on any property owned by the Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc., within the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Priests, deacons, and lay ministers are to observe this prescription. The chapel formerly known as the Our Lady of Light Chapel on the Bellwether campus in Omaha is no longer a Catholic chapel. Catholic faithful worldwide should be aware that any alms given to the Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc., are not being given to a Catholic organization. Those who previously had scheduled retreats or other Catholic ministry opportunities there should look elsewhere.

Those who consider themselves “companions” or “associates” of the Intercessors, some of whom have even taken vows, are hereby informed that such vows were never canonically recognized in the Church. Even if such vows were binding in conscience, they too cease in view of the suppression of the Hermit Association of the Intercessors of the Lamb and c. 1194. Of course, Catholic faithful are always welcome, in virtue of their baptism, to associate together and to pray. I would encourage those companions and associates to continue to pray for the former vowed members of the Intercessor community, for the Church, and for the needs of the world.

The following is copied from the Bishop’s press release.

=============================================================FOR RELEASE October 15, 2010
Archbishop Lucas shuts down Association of Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb
Archdiocese to care for 48 displaced members
October 15, 2010 (OMAHA, NE) – Today, Omaha Archbishop George J. Lucas shut
down the Association of the Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb, a contemplative,
intercessory, and mixed (lay men, women, and clerics) public association of hermits.
Lucas suppressed the Catholic association after a majority of lay directors of Intercessors
of the Lamb, Inc., the association’s civil corporation, impeded him from helping the
association accomplish the necessary reforms identified by a recent canonical visitation.
“What began as a desire for pastoral solicitude and an effort at positive reform resulted in
the refusal to accept the assistance and jurisdiction of the Church by a majority of the lay
board members,” Lucas said.
Lucas tried on several occasions to meet with directors of Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc.
to share his vision and hope for the hermit community. The majority of the board refused
his invitations and took steps to undermine his pastoral oversight of the association.
Last winter the newly installed Archbishop Lucas was approached by Nadine Brown, the
Intercessors’ foundress and former director, to request his guidance in determining the
group’s future. In an effort to familiarize himself with the association before advancing
Brown’s goals, Lucas had canon law professor the Rev. James J. Conn, SJ, JD, JCD act
as his delegate in conducting a canonical visitation of the Intercessors.
At Lucas’ request and with Brown’s agreement, Conn examined the association’s
governance structure, in addition to reviewing the doctrinal, spiritual, moral, and
financial aspects of the association. His findings prompted Brown’s resignation and the
appointment the Rev. Gregory P. Baxter trustee of the Intercessors for a period of up to
12 months. Baxter, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha and a former chancery
official, was charged with providing the order, structure and vision that were found
lacking in the association. A majority of the civil board rejected Lucas’ and Baxter’s
guidance, which prevented the archdiocese from moving forward because it lacked the
cooperation of the civil board of directors.
(more)
2
“It was my hope from the beginning that the Intercessors and the archdiocese would
move together on this path to the next step,” Lucas said. “Unfortunately, the canonical
visitation revealed a number of alarming issues. For reasons that they have refused to
share with me, the board of directors does not want to work with the Church to
implement the necessary reforms.”
Lucas further stated the directors’ position is in stark contrast to the members living as a
community at the Intercessors’ Ponca Hills campus. He said the community was excited
when he agreed to help the association chart a new course for the future.
According to Deacon Timothy F. McNeil, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Omaha, all
Catholic institutions and apostolates in the archdiocese must have a connection to the
Archbishop of Omaha. “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.”
Now that the association is suppressed, public worship and the celebration of the
sacraments are prohibited on the Intercessors’ property; priests and deacons are forbidden
from ministering at the property; donors are advised that their contributions will not go to
support the mission of a Catholic organization; Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc, is no longer
affiliated with the Catholic Church; and the chapel on the campus is no longer a Catholic
chapel. Moreover, the vows of the members ceased at the moment of suppression.
McNeil said Catholics worldwide are encouraged to refrain from participating in
Intercessors-sponsored activity.
McNeil said Lucas received the consent of the association’s internal governing council
before suppressing the association. He further stated that Lucas’ decision was also
influenced by Conn’s findings, which reflected negatively on Brown’s leadership.
Conn’s findings included: errors in governing documents; serious disunity within the
community; widespread dissatisfaction with leadership; lack of safe environment
policies; questionable financial practices; violation of its own proper law; use of
intimidation tactics to secure obedience from members; inability of members to articulate
the Intercessors’ charism; disobeying the prescriptions of legitimately issued precepts;
lack of financial transparency; violating norms governing alienation and acts of
extraordinary administration; a flawed understanding of prayer and spiritual discernment;
(more)
3
absence of good human resources; confusion and violation of internal forum and external
forum in formation and governance; absence of adequate economic stewardship;
illegitimate and irreverent custody of the Blessed Sacrament; and confusion over the
administration of Mass offerings.
Lucas said when he assumed governance of the association his primary goal was to use
his pastoral role to help the faithful members associate as a community that was in
harmony with the Church. When the association’s civil board made it impossible for him
to exercise his pastoral function, Lucas said he had no choice but to suppress the
association.
Lucas is now providing pastoral care in a different manner. He provided a bus Friday
morning to transport 48 former members from the Ponca Hills campus to temporary
housing in the archdiocese. He is also providing food and clothing for the 48. “My
concern is for the welfare of the individuals who joined the Intercessors with the intention
of doing the Lord’s work,” Lucas said.
# # #

Anybody know what the background is of the whys and therefores this Archbishop reached that decision ?

Apparently, there was a visitation. From the IOL web site ...

10/5/10 - News Release - Foundress of Intercessors of the Lamb resigns

Archbishop Lucas appoints priest to oversee operation of religious organization October 4, 2010 (OMAHA, NE) – On Thursday, September 30, Archbishop George Lucas accepted the resignation of Mother Nadine Brown, foundress and general directorof the Association of the Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb. Lucas appointed the Rev. Gregory P. Baxter trustee of the association. Baxter is charged with governing, managing, and guiding the association

In May, Archbishop George J. Lucas retained the services of a canon lawyer to act as his delegate in conducting a canonical visitation of the Association of the Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb. The Rev. James J. Conn, SJ, JD, JCD, a canon law professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, conducted the first phase of the canonical visitation last summer before returning to Rome. Conn examined the association’s governance structure, in addition to reviewing the doctrinal, spiritual, moral, and financial aspects of the association. The visitation was conducted in accord with the Intercessors’ statutes and in accord with the Code of Canon Law.

Lucas said Conn’s visitation has helped him better understand the unique structure, mission and purpose of the Intercessors. “Father Conn’s preliminary findings, as well as Father Baxter’s appointment as trustee, will help chart a course forward for the community,” Lucas said. “I’m grateful for Father Conn’s good work, and I have full confidence in Father Baxter’s ability to guide the visitation to a successful conclusion.”.

Baxter’s appointment as trustee took effect September 30. The appointment is for an indefinite period of time. Lucas and Baxter met with association members October 1 to discuss Baxter’s responsibilities as trustee and take questions from community members. Baxter, who has an advanced degree in spirituality from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, will remain pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish. He has held key archdiocesan leadership positions, including moderator of the curia, chancellor, and director of vocations.

Founded as a diocese in 1885, the Archdiocese of Omaha serves spiritual and human needs in a 23-county area of Northeast Nebraska. Through its 147 parishes and missions, the archdiocese reaches out to 225,000 Nebraska Catholics. With two Catholic universities, 57 elementary schools, 18 high schools and a parish-based religious education program within its boundaries, Catholic education enriches the lives of some 58,000 young people. The Archdiocese of Omaha is one of the largest private social service providers in the region. Catholic Charities and the Family Life Office lead a network that ministers to the broadest and most fundamental needs of our community. Generous support to the Annual Appeal is symbolic of the collective faith that allows the Archdiocese of Omaha to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. www.archomaha.org

Singularly uninformative piece. Found a bit more a local TV station site:

Omaha Archbishop George J. Lucas has shut down the Association of the Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb. The Intercessors of the Lamb is a contemplative, intercessory and mixed public association of hermits.
In a press release, the archdiocese says Lucas shut down the association after a majority of lay directors of Intercessors of the Lamb impeded him from helping them accomplish necessary reforms. Those reforms were identified by a recent canonical visitation.
Lucas says the majority of the board refused his invitations to meet and even took steps to undermine his pastoral oversight.
Lucas provided a bus Friday to transport 48 former members from the Ponca Hills campus to temporary housing in the archdiocese. He is also providing food and clothing to the 48 former members.[!!???]

One comment at the site seems to indicate someone local knows more about it (too bad he doesn't share it!):

Good to see Lucus is cleaning up the problems before they become disasters. Way to go George!

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