Hatewatch Tweets
Hatewatch is managed by the staff of the Intelligence Report, an investigative magazine published by the Alabama-based civil rights group Southern Poverty Law Center.
Radical Traditionalist Catholic Group in NH Bars Gay Couple
On May 13, Jason McCann’s nephew celebrated his first communion at the Saint Benedict Center (SBC) in Richmond, N.H.
McCann was not in attendance.
He wanted to be there. But Brother André Marie, Prior of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a religious order based at SBC, was firm in his refusal to allow McCann to worship at SBC’s chapel. In a May 9 letter explaining his decision to McCann, he wrote that McCann’s “sin ranks, along with willful murder, oppressing of the poor, and defrauding working men of their wages, as one of the ‘sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance.’”
McCann’s so-called “sin”? The 25-year-old Boston man is openly gay and has declared himself in love with his partner, Earlon Smith.
The Saint Benedict Center has long had troubled relationship with the mainstream church. Though served by a priest who is in communion with the Vatican, it is not a regular diocesan organization and it establishes its own rules for membership.
The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a “radical traditionalist” Catholic religious order founded by Leonard Feeney, an ultraconservative and anti-Semitic priest who was excommunicated in 1953. Feeney, who in 1958 wrote that “the Jewish race constitutes a united anti-Christian bloc within Christian society, and is working for the overthrow of that society by every means at its disposal,” reconciled with the church before he died. But after his death, his religious organization split into factions, with the most radical setting up shop in Richmond, N.H.
McCann spent eight months as a novice with the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary after attending SBC’s high school for three years, during which he was taught that the moon landing was fake, that the question of whether Earth is at the center of the universe remains open, and that this planet is just a few thousand years old.
In an E-mail to Hatewatch, Bro. André Marie stated that the SBC does not have a policy banning opening gay congregants or guests per se, but that McCann is forbidden to worship there because he “caused a scandal when he rebelled against his Catholic Faith and chose to live in a homosexual relationship with another man. His words and actions were harmful to his family, who worship here, and to the peace and concord of this small Catholic community.” Noting that he has offered to hear McCann’s confession, Bro. André Marie continued: “[W]hen he confesses and stops living in homosexual cohabitation, he would be welcome once more to come to any functions we have here at our Center. I made it clear to him that these conditions were imposed because of his actions, not his sinful inclinations, or ‘orientation.’”
That seems like a distinction without a difference, as McCann is effectively barred from SBC unless he leaves his partner and renounces his identity. His only “action,” aside from coming out of the closet, was to request permission to attend his nephew’s first communion.
In an April 25 letter to Bro. André Marie – one of several imploring the prior to repeal his ban – McCann wrote, “Earl and I are rational people, despite what you may think of our morality. We are reasonable. We are not trying to change doctrine or dogma. … We don’t want pro gay sermons to be preached. We don’t need gay marriages to be performed in your church. We strongly believe that every religion has its rights to its beliefs and practices. What we do want is to be treated with dignity and respect.”
He continued: “Allowing public, extended family, and the occasional public sinner into the church is an age old tradition. We are not asking to receive sacraments; we are not asking to change custom. We are asking to come to mass from time to time and worship God. God who knows our sins, knows our hearts, and will judge us accordingly.”
The SBC’s refusal to allow McCann in its chapel is not in keeping with the mainstream Catholic Church’s teaching on ministry to LGBT people – which is hardline enough as it is. The Catholic catechism states that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,” “contrary to the natural law,” and can “under no circumstances … be approved.” But it says also that “men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies … must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”
The Diocese of Manchester, N.H., stressed the importance of “respect, compassion, and sensitivity” in a March 26 letter to McCann, who had written seeking assistance in his efforts to persuade Bro. André Marie to soften his position. Describing SBC’s ban on LGBT people as “troubling,” Diane Murphy Quinlan, chancellor of the diocese, wrote: “The United States Bishops have said that faith communities should serve as a foundation for spiritual support for those with a homosexual inclination by welcoming them and encouraging their participation.” She wrote that she would share McCann’s concerns with bishop’s liaison to SBC, but reminded him that ultimately, SBC “is not a diocesan institution, and it establishes its own rules for membership.” Meanwhile, she wrote, McCann is “welcome” to attend Mass at a local parish of his choosing.
McCann does attend Mass – in Boston, where he lives. His partner, Earl Smith, attends too.
In a recent interview with Hatewatch, McCann emphasized that he and Smith still do not take communion. They feel it would be hypocritical, because, in the eyes of the church, they live in a state of sin. “But I still like to pray. I like to get as close to God as I can because I don’t think I have all the answers and I don’t think the church has all the answers,” he said. But, he added, “I do love my faith and I do want to practice it.”
Part of McCann still misses SBC. Aside from being his home church, two of his siblings are members of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and most members of his family, from whom he is now largely estranged, attend services there. But he says he does not respect the group’s position.
“It’s very much ‘hate the sinner’ – they’ve gotten so concerned with rejecting the sin that they’ve sort of thrown the baby out with the bathwater,” McCann said. “I think they’re teaching the children a much more damaging lesson by saying the sinner shouldn’t be allowed in church. … They’re saying [to LGBT people], ‘You can’t come hear to hear God’s voice, to get direction.’”
It was with heavy hearts that McCann and Smith brought their story to the media, for the two men do not see themselves as activists.
“I don’t hate the members there; they are my friends and family. And I was raised up in this kind of theology, so I … have a perspective on where they’re coming from,” McCann said. But when Bro. André Marie wrote that McCann could not set foot in the SBC chapel unless he was there to confess and do penance and that Smith was not allowed on the property at all, “It was like they said, ‘For you, Earlon, Christ’s arms are closed.’ That’s where they stepped over the bounds.”
“We want to do this for the people who are in the pews” at SBC, he said. “We want to do this lovingly.”
Echoing this sentiment, Smith, who was recently baptized in Boston, told Hatewatch, “We don’t want to march at the front of the parade, but we do know hate when we see it.”
on June 3rd, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Is it disturbing that I’m sort of hoping for an Interdict here?
Not that it would ever happen…
But I definitely plan to go and protest as Manchester (no, not ‘ass cheater,’ iPhone) is fairly close by.
on June 3rd, 2013 at 6:28 pm
“Bisexuals and Transvestites.” God help us.
on June 3rd, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Poor Catholic church. Caught between the rock of their intransigence and the hard place of their hearts.
on June 4th, 2013 at 12:50 am
It’s very disturbing every time I hear any Christian group throwing insults at our Jewish community, especially when the very Prophet they love was himself Jewish.
But it’s further disheartening when they take such a strong stand and work so diligently at alienating Gay and Lesbian members of our communities, especially given that the Catholic Religion was not always an accepted practice and had to be practiced underground…
I believe they have forgotten their history and the persecution and alienation they themselves historically had to face at the hands of those who looked down upon them as they have chosen to do to others.
They accept some of the most atrocious monsters that walk through church doors or that have worn the sacred cloth of priesthood, and yet they still allow those who openly practice bigotry all the while pointing fingers at the alleged sins of others. It appears they have also forgotten that when you point a finger at someone else you will always have three pointing right back at you.
on June 4th, 2013 at 12:52 am
“I think they’re teaching the children a much more damaging lesson by saying the sinner shouldn’t be allowed in church. …
I agree and with that lesson they should all get out of church every single one of them, then and only then will the church be sin free.
on June 4th, 2013 at 2:16 am
Although there is a nonsanctioned Gay Catholic group called, I believe, “Dignity”, I do not look for Rome to accept us anytime soon. This church is not unusually radical, it is merely following Roman Catholic doctrine. These people would be welcome in Episcopal, Lutheran, more Light Presbyterian, and some Baptist (not Southern Baptist) churches. There are even some Charismatic, “Word” churches where we are welcome. You may have noticed that Jesse Duplantis and Creflo Dollar have stopped their snide remarks on TV. Jack Van Impe never made any snide remarks about us. Oral Roberts’ nephew is openly gay. The Pope, John Hagee and nut politicians are the only ones I ever hear still pushing their ignorant hate toward us, although all three of them make some interesting points about other subjects at times.
on June 4th, 2013 at 4:36 am
I really feel sorry for these guys (the couple). They’re still in a kind of “Stockholm Syndrome” w/ the Roman Catholic Church (of which the “Saint Benedict Center” is only *slightly* more extreme).
Pssst, guys, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”! As you are, AS a same-sex couple! You’re welcome to receive Christ in the Eucharist, and you only need to confess your sins (as YOU perceive them) to God!
on June 4th, 2013 at 5:44 am
while all of these Christian right groups would never admit it (and indeed they seem to expend much of their energy fighting each other over whose particular set of beliefs is the one that will save you from an eternity in the Lake of Fire) they ultimately wind up sounding very similar to each other. Indeed they often wind up sounding very similar to the Islamic right, the Jewish right, the Hindu right, the Atheist right, and somewhere there is probably a Satanist right who is busy railing against homosexuality as a major sin and an afront to Satan (and of course burning their Judas Priest records as gay propaganda).
on June 4th, 2013 at 7:41 am
I would like to thank the Southern Poverty Law Center for putting our hearts on paper, the same hearts God already knows.
We continue to pray for the folks at the Saint Benedict Center. Unconditional love is no easy task; but many moons ago, there was a man, who was beaten, and puncture wounds covered his body, and He looked out at those who assaulted Him, and He loved them, unconditionally. I hope one day, we can find the strength He has, and act accordingly.
on June 4th, 2013 at 9:19 am
Jason & Earlon,
God Bless you for standing up & speaking out!!!! Praying for you both! Jesus Himself ate and hung out with the sinners while on earth….. I’m sure His heart is broken over the actions of His “church”. We share a common friend, and I am glad she posted this! I can’t wait to meet you & thank you in person!
-Miranda
on June 4th, 2013 at 10:51 am
Earl and Jason,
Thank you for sharing your story! Not all Catholics are such douchenozzles. I hope you both find peace.
on June 4th, 2013 at 11:29 am
That’s a wonderful way to look at it Earl, but in order to get things done in this country, we need to give civil rights violators a good Judicial Bass Kicking.
They need to be brought before a judge and take responsibility for their continued abuse of the civil rights of their country men and women.
We should have no tolerance for this type of behavior.
on June 4th, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Trying to find the difference between the SBC and the WBC in this…Maybe shining a mirror on their intolerance will wake them up to their hypocrisy. Let’s hope.
on June 4th, 2013 at 5:42 pm
Jason and Earlon,
It takes tremendous courage and diligence to love those who have rejected you, and I am so honored to have witnessed the spirit of love for them in the face of this unbelievable violation of your peace, your love for each other, and your trust in them.
Jason, I am honored to know you. It takes so much faith to understand the difference between God and the rhetoric which was used to brainwash you. It also takes a courageous heart to stand in who you are when your own family & church places you in the position of losing them for loving who you love.
Remember always, you have gained the man God made you, your loving partner (my friend) Earl, and a new family.
Bless you both!
on June 4th, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Jason and Earlon,
How proud I am of you both for so rationally, gently, eloquently, and lovingly bringing this shameful injustice (which would and have brought others to flaming fury and hateful retaliation) to light. Your humility, grace, and ability to love in the face of outright hate render you role models, and dare I say heroes. Thank you. And thank you to the Southern Poverty Law Center for giving these men a venue for their voices. This is how progress is made.
on June 5th, 2013 at 3:34 am
I just can’t fathom people pining for the time in our history known as the Dark Ages. But the thing that really stumps me is, they all seem to have a burning desire to make everyone else join them, in what is arguably the most terrifying and nightmarish time in human history.
on June 5th, 2013 at 8:28 am
When you long for the Dark Ages, get it out of your system by joining some kind of historic recreation group. A good fight with broadswords every Sunday does wonders for retrograde impulses the rest of the week.
on June 5th, 2013 at 8:58 am
If this Andre chappie wants a congregation that excludes all sinners, he’ll be preaching to an empty church.
on June 5th, 2013 at 10:21 am
Interesting, the St. Benedict Center seems to have violated its own Articles of Agreement filed in August 2001 with the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office:
“Because the purpose of the Corporation is, among other stated purposes, to promote and to defend the doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, religious worship and religious instruction conducted by the Corporation are open to all persons. Those attending the Corporation’s worship services and its other activities shall be expected to conduct themselves in a manner demonstrating a respect for the religious, educational, and charitable objectives of the Corporation, and a respect for fellow worshippers.”
Nothing there about how attendees conduct themselves *outside* the “worship services and … other activities.”
One could also question whether the SBC’s anti-Semitic and anti-scientific teachings are really in keeping with the Roman Catholic Church’s current “doctrines and practices.” Sounds more like the reactionary anti-modernism and obsessive Marianism of Pius X, who has been dead now for almost a century.
on June 5th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
Erika, As a satanist your notion of a secret satanic right is annoying….it is very unsatanic to discriminate based on a person’s sexual preference. please leave us out of all this shit.
on June 5th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
And while not official church doctrine Burning Judas priest records also strikes me as being unsatanic lol
on June 5th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Steven, perhaps you could develop a sense of humor? Erika was so obviously joking, even a blind man attempting to read the screen without Braille would have been able to determine that.
on June 5th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Don said,
on June 3rd, 2013 at 6:28 pm
“Bisexuals and Transvestites.” God help us.
@Don:
Oh no another Don, God help US!
Perhaps you may want to expand Don, what exactly is God supposed to help us with regarding our LGBT brothers and sisters?
on June 6th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Concerned,
I think Don might have been joking.
on June 6th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Steven, if there isn’t some secret Satanic Right out there than who left that little comic flier on my windshield telling me that if i didn’t give my life over to Satan immediately and burn all of my Christian books and record albums i would be cast into a Lake of Fire where i would be tormented by Angels with a bad sense of humor for all eternity???
HAW HAW HAW!
on June 6th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
in all seriousness, everyone knows that the Satantic Right turns to their allies in the Conservative Witches of America,who cast spells on homosexuals causing them to become straight
on June 6th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
My best advise to Jason would have been to go ahead and attend the event. To my knowledge no individual cannot be stopped from attending church events like this. I don’t believe the church will change it’s teachings on the morality of those who engage in an active homosexual life. The church has taught that for over 2000 years and numerous Old Testament stories teach the immorality of a practicing homosexual lifestyle. The bringing up of other negative people who have been in the church in the past has nothing to do with your cause. Jesus taught us to despise the sin but love the sinner. That is what the Catholic church does. Jesus when the women caught in adultery was brought to him asked “Those with out sin may cast the first stone”. When no one stepped forward he told the woman to go and sin no more. The church will not cooperate in these sins but will always welcome and love the sinner as Jesus did and welcome him home in forgiveness when requested by the sinner.
on June 6th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I have never been able to understand how people can claim to be living their Christian ( or Jewish or Islamic) faith by showing hate, intolerance, and discrimination towards others. Everyone of the major Religions of the world teaches the importance of loving and caring for others.
But there do appear to be rabid radicals among those of all religious pursuations and no religious pursuations…those who try to justify and “baptize” their own angry feelings of intolerance and hatred by laying them at God’s feet. Poor God!!
I don’t believe there’s anything in the New Testament where Jesus even mentions homosexuality. The only place where sex is even referred to is when the people brought to Jesus the woman taken in adultry, and wanted to trap Jesus into justifying their stoning her to death. (By the way…ever notice that no man was brought with the woman???…kind of hard to commit adultry alone isn’t it??)
Anyway, Jesus just said that the one among them who was without sin should cast the first stone. …and they all left without even tossing a pebble!
I am a Catholic and have been for many years. Our Church is not perfect; it is made up of human beings, and none of us is perfect. But I assure you that I do not recognize as “Catholic” any of these teachings or behaviors of this St. Benedict Center.
Jason & Earlon, I admire your tenacity in beng faithful to your Faith, your God, and to one another. Our Faith teaches us that the Greatest and First Commandment is to love one another. Hold on to this!
on June 7th, 2013 at 12:01 am
MORE B.S. put out the Catholic Church through IDIOTS like Brother Andre Marie. There are many fine Catholic people out there – who need to turn a deaf ear to stupid propaganda put out by the likes of Brother Andre Marie (whose very NAME is laughable).
on June 7th, 2013 at 8:43 am
In reading a Facebook thread between Earlon and one of the members of the Saint Benedict Center, who appears to be a sister-in-law to Jason, the member wished Earlon to die of AIDS. The comment was pathetic. While the thread remained civil and even included an email from Earlons mother stating she loved her son, this SBC members comment was disgusting. Honestly, wishing someone death of AIDS? The audacity for her, or anyone of any faith to profess such hate in the name of God is truely the embodiment of evil.
on June 11th, 2013 at 11:01 am
Please do not even imagine that this is the attitude of most of us who call New Hampshire home!
Most of us do not even know this church exists…& wish that we could forget that it does, now that we know of it!
I am not Catholic but I have many friends & even extended family who are & not one of them would treat anyone this way!!
on June 13th, 2013 at 10:01 am
This is Scott, New Media Manager here at SPLC. I apologize for the stoppage in approving comments over the last few days. We’re back on track and will be moderating more frequently.!
on June 20th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
The Church doesn’t condemn homosexual feelings. It doesn’t endorse gay sex, or ANY sex outside marriage. This doesn’t make the Church hateful. This is Biblical Teaching. The Church has canonized many gay priests and sisters over the years, including Father John Newman. The first and largest Aids hospice was founded by the Catholic Church.
on June 27th, 2013 at 11:58 am
A new book was recently published about the Saint Benedict Center in Richmond, NH. It is titled “Deliver Us. . . a religious cult versus Richmond, NH.” For those who live in the Cheshire County area of NH, you can pick up a copy at any Toadstool Bookstore (Keene, Milford, Peterborough), Hannah Grimes Marketplace in Keene or by emailing richmondhistory@yahoo.com The book retails for $14.95 with all proceeds going to the Richmond Historical Society. Quite an eye-opener, indeed!!
on June 27th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
“Noting that he has offered to hear McCann’s confession, Bro. Andre Marie continued:. . . ” this man is NOT a priest, he has NO RIGHT to hear ANYONE’S confession!
“Canon 1221:
Entry to a church is to be free and gratuitous during the time of sacred celebrations.”
Deliver Us. . . page 31.
on June 27th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
Jason,
I just learned about this article and as I read it I cried. As a mom, I can’t comprehend rejecting my son or daughter based on sexual preference. Most of your family is missing out on so much. Instead of being there to share in your joy, they have chosen to isolate you and Earl. My heart goes out to you both.
At the same time, I feel such a genuine sense of happiness for you. You found the strength to come out and, man, that must not have been easy. As your former neighbor in Richmond and a recipient of the wrath of some of the SBC’s members, I have a bit of a sense of what it feels like.
Meantime, I wish you and Earl all the best. I also hope your family will one day realize what they have lost; a loving son who is brave and true to himself.
I hope you never look back, though. When Feeney said, “I Preach Hate” he meant it. To embrace his teachings is incomprehensible. I, for one, would much rather embrace the loving and compassionate persons. You know…Jesus and the Dalai Lama come to mind.
on June 27th, 2013 at 5:40 pm
I agree with Jim (6/6/13) advising that Jason should have gone to the service despite the threat of Bros Andre Marie. Know this: if Jason ever truly wants to return to that creepy place, there are many many Richmond NH residents who are NOT SBC members who would gladly “Rosa Parks” him and Earl though those doors.
on July 5th, 2013 at 11:16 am
To all of you who write your words of support here, Jason and I are grateful. Although it has been several months since this article was posted, not a week has gone by that we do not receive phonecalls, either blocked or from the “603″ area code, calling us “fags” and wishing death upon us. As stated earlier in this blog, Jasons sister-in-law, wished death from AIDS to myself on FACEBOOK. Yes, his brothers wife. It appauls me.
Furthermore, upon a recent visit to the cape, an area frequented by open minded individuals of all denominations,ethnicities, and sexualities, we were quite surprised to find an active member of the Saint Benedict Center openly employed at a gay night club there. Jason and I certainlly have no issue with where someone chooses to work at all, but we do find it ironic. Ironic in the sense that Jason was asked to leave because he was a scandal, because he openly came out as gay. Yet another member, who works at a rather “edgy” bar in what many say is the most gay-friendly town in the nation can still be an active member, well that is…contradictory. Perhaps this situation is viewed differently because the individuals parent is an active member of the center, as well as an employee/volunteer at the SBC five days a week.
In closing, let me re-affirm this point. The SBC is, by all means a hate group, and if folks knew all of the actions of this hate-group, well, I would fear for the safety of the individuals of the center, including Jasons family. Therefore Jason and I have to remain silent until which time law enforcement may need to intervene.
Brother-Andre-Marie is a demented man who longs for power, and he gets it through these members who so readily follow his words without any question. It is both sad and sickening.
God Bless those of you who continue to support Jason and I. You are a testament for what Christianity stands for.
Love,
Earl
on July 9th, 2013 at 10:06 am
I, too, support you. I have done my best to try to enlighten the residents of Richmond about this hate group. I have received anynomus threatening calls and letters.
Don’t ever give up the fight!
By the way my wife and I lived and worked on the Cape for many years. We hired many gay people, we had many gay friends, and we spent our honeymoon night in Provincetown, our favorite town on the Cape.
on July 9th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Earl, you & Jason are NOT ALONE in this fight against hatred!! Please email richmondhistory@yahoo.com & get a copy of the book “Deliver Us. . .a religious cult versus Richmond, New Hampshire.” If need be, get SEVERAL copies & get them to whoever you feel needs to be enlightened about this hate group in our midst!!
on July 9th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Dear Earl,
What you have experienced does not surprise me. It deeply saddens me and even frightens me. I, too, have received hate mail, hateful phone messages and called many horrible names from motorists as I took walks along the country roads of Richmond. Many of our friends have experienced the same. All of these anonymous threats have been shared with local and state police, town officials and our attorney. I fear for many of my dearest friends and family members. Will this mad man known as Brother Andre Marie become so enraged in his ego maniacal mindset as to direct his cult members to harm themselves or others? No one knows, but we will always wonder why such a beautiful, quintessential New England community will forever be marred by the arrival of a cult of radical, anti-Semites, whose members would and will continue to shun their own family members in the name of Father “I Preach Hate” Feeney. I do hope you both know you are supported by many here in Ricmond!
on July 9th, 2013 at 8:32 pm
The SBC “brothers and sisters” are not recognized by the Catholic Church. They live communially in expensive homes that are “tax exempt”. They pay no taxes yet when it comes town meeting where the taxpayers of Richmond decide where their taxes are spent, they come out in force to try to eliminate any expenditures, such as the police department and public education, that they oppose. Many SBA members are acknowedged members of John Birch Society and free staters. Buy the book, spread the word, save our town.
on July 10th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
While I am certain it is not “news” to any of you who have dealt with “Brother Andre Marie”,( I loath referencing him by anything other than his birth name – perhaps someone could assist with that), he is a blatant liar. I have documents all penned by himself where he flat out lies. Many of this mans lies are around a novena he suggested Jason take part in. For those of you who know about novenas, it is a formal prayer which is suppose to take place for nine days. In a letter penned by this man, he stated he would not eat, wake up at midnight and pray etc, all along praying for Jasons “salvation”. One would thinks since he suggested the novena and placed such a value on it, that he would not lie about doing it himself. While this man is an articulate fellow, he is not up to speed on how a word document works. You see, a word document will default to the actual date you are writing an email, unless you manually go in and change it. This man forgot to do so, and in the letter which he wrote stating he completed the “holy novena” and had gone without food etc…well…he never did so. like i said he forgot to “correct the date” to nine days after he stated he was going to start this holy prayer. funny how technology works, huh?
now , don’t get me wrong, this may seem petty to most – it was a date right? Well, this is from a man who made such a big deal of the novena that it was in the form of a four page letter. So, let me get this right, here he is, claiming to say a holy prayer and stick to the rules which are very strict and he claims to have completed it – you did not, unless he can travel into the future, which well perhaps he can….
if anyone is interested in all of the documents, please let me know and i will find a way to get them to you. again, “brother andre maries” lies are all written by himself, funny how that happens.
let me close with this…I know this is a “jumbled” post at best. I am certain this evil man will read this post and chuckle at it around the table at the SBC, just as he did when Jason was at the SBC. Jason tells me stories of the belittling comments “Brother Andre Marie” would make around the table, about the towns people along with previous articles posted on the internet over the years. Jason heard so many of these first hand while he was at the SBC, and that is the reason he left, well before anyone knew he was even gay. Jason could not believe that a church would go to such great lengths to sue a town, all in the name of God.
Pardon me for the babbling, perhaps this forum is therapeutic in some way as the most recent death threat came Monday in the form of a text. However, knowledge is power and it is so important for there to be a written commentary as to what the SBC in particular “Brother Andre Marie” is all about.
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you all for your support, and please be aware of the evil this man spreads. He has decieved so many, including himself.
There is power in numbers folks, don’t underestimate what we as law abiding, God loving folks can do.
Peace with you all!
on July 10th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
Earl, please “message” me on my FB page. Terri O’Rorke. We’ll go from there.
on July 10th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
Dear Earl,
His name is Louis Villarubia. He is originally from Louisiana.
Stay strong!
on July 10th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
louie villarubia, welcome to our forum. i will never again reference you as “BAM” again. you are not worthy louie.
may god bless your black soul.
on July 18th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Attached below is a cut and paste from the website catholicism.org. Based on the article by Louie the website was a victim of hate. How ironic? This group, who preaches hate with Louie at the reigns, are the victims of hacking?
Really? Perhaps they should invest some of the million plus they received from the town of Richmond in a bogus lawsuit and hire someone to put in a firewall or two.
Below is the statement from the site, which might I add, never did lose access of its’ DONATE TAB.
“Assured by a professional web developer that what happened to Saint Benedict Center’s web site on Friday “doesn’t just happen,” the logical conclusion is that we were the victims of a hacker or group of hackers. The site is back up, and much of the damage is repaired, but some elements of the site are still down, including our sub-sites (ihm.catholicism.org, ora.catholicism.org, and sai.catholicism.org), and some ads. These will, God willing, be restored shortly.
One week before the attack, I received a threat — a quite personal one — from an activist whose identity and affiliation I will not now publicly reveal, though both are known to me.
It could be that the attack on the site was coincidental, or it could be that we were the victims of anti-Catholic “hacktivism.”
I wonder whom Louie considers to be a “website professional”? I am sure he considers himself one as surfing the net and clicking a mouse seems to be the only thing he does throughout the day.
on July 18th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Might I add, If indeed anyone did threaten Louie and “quite a personal one” at that, I do not support such actions from anyone. Louies actions will have consequence without anyone needing to push them along.
Patience.
Time reveals all truth, and when truth is revealed, oh what an awakening it will be for the SBC.
on July 30th, 2013 at 3:52 am
Pope Francis said he won’t judge gay priests. “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and who has good will, who am I to judge”
Will the SBC now accept gays into their congregation or continue to refuse people like you?
on July 30th, 2013 at 8:23 am
The following is taken from an SBC website article written by Louis Villarrubia (B. Andre Marie) on March 10, 2013. He states, in part:
“. . . Homosexual acts are clearly condemned in the Scriptures & clearly condemned by God’s Church, the Catholic Church. As one who has known homosexuals, I know the duty to show mercy, compassion and kindness to them. I have been instrumental in converting at least one personally. I have helped & encouraged at least one other to live a Catholic life after his conversion, which he does. Others I have spoken to in very brief conversations. It is my duty to witness the truth to them clearly and, yes, compassionately. I have empathy for the man or woman who unwillingly suffers from same-sex attraction.”
“Homosexuality is a moral disease that is going to lead to our society’s ruin. For believing that & saying it, I have no regrets.”
To read more of what Villarrubia doesn’t regret saying check out this newly released book about what the SBC did to the town of Richmond. It is titled “Deliver Us. . .a religious cult vs Richmond, NH.” It retails for $14.95 with all proceeds going to the Richmond Historical Society. Email richmondhistory@yahoo.com to order your copy today.
on July 30th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Louie/SBC members…just wondering what your thoughts are here on this one????
Exodus 21:7
“When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go free as male slaves do.”
If one is interested in selling their youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7, can they? What would a good price for her be? What if she’s wicked smaht?
Exodus 35:2
“On six days work may be done, but the seventh day shall be sacred to you as the sabbath of complete rest to the LORD. Anyone who does work on that day shall be put to death.”
Many folks insist on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says they should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill them myself or is it okay to call the police?
Leviticus 11:7
“and the pig, which does indeed have hoofs and is cloven-footed, but does not chew the cud and is therefore unclean for you”.
Their flesh you shall not eat, and their dead bodies you shall not touch; they are unclean for you.”
Here’s one that’s really important cause we’ve got a lot of sports fans in Boston. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7 If they promise to wear gloves can the PATS still play football? Can the GIANTS? MIAMI?
Additionally, does the whole town really have to be together to stone a farmer, for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads?
on July 30th, 2013 at 11:05 am
I felt a true sense of joy after hearing Pope Francis speak to the issue of gay priests, especially when he posed the question, “who am I to judge?”
Let’s face it. We all judge in one way or another. Well, most of us do. In our day-to-day lives we experience a variety of sensory stimuli from our natural surroundings, from our family pets, from people we deal with as we run errands, and from friends and family. During those experiences we sometimes make judgements. The clerk at the check out counter at a retail establishment may not smile and some of us may make the judgement that she is unfriendly. Our kids may start arguing and throw a few mean words at each other. We may make the judgement that they are jealous of one another or just plain sick of each other. The family pet may sleep an unusual amount of time one day and we make a judgement this behavior may be caused by potential illness. But those “judgements” do not translate to the depth of a person’s being. Those judgements may seemingly be unkind, sure. But they do not cut to the core of who a person IS.
A black person is black. The black person was born that way and nothing we do or say will change that. It is the genetic make up of that person, born from a black mother or father or one or the other. Who are we to judge this person based on the color of his/her skin? Now, if this person of black skin color behaves one way or another and it effects us, that is where the possibility of judgement comes in. Do not judge this person by the color of skin but by the actions of this person.
If a man is gay he is gay. It is his genetic make up. He did not chose to be gay. With such ignorant, judgemental people in the world, who would make a choice to be treated as less than equal? No one, I am sure. Now if this gay man behaves in one way or the other, that is when the possibility of judgement comes in. We must not judge a person by his/her sexual preference but by the actions of this person.
There are many analogies we can use to support when or when not to judge. And, not all judgements are bad. We may judge the clerk at the store because she smiles every time she waits on us. We make a judgement that she is kind, or happy, or respectful. But what if she was a lesbian? Who would then have a different view of that very person and change the view based on this bit of information?
on July 30th, 2013 at 11:40 am
I guess if you are SBC you can pick and choose which ones you like. Keep them coming Earl!