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| Rome stole a march on Jeske. |
Catholic Diocese of Orange Announces Cathedral Name:
Fr. Christopher H. Smith to Serve as Episcopal Vicar
Orange, CA (June 9, 2012) --- The ordination of Catholic priests today at St. Columban Catholic Church in Garden Grove carried additional significance for regional Catholics and other people of faith. As part of an elaborate ordination ritual attended by over 1500, the Most Reverend Tod D. Brown, Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange took the opportunity to acknowledge Vatican approval of the name chosen for the Diocese’s future cathedral and the appointment of Fr. Christopher H. Smith to serve as Episcopal Vicar to Christ Cathedral.
The Diocese of Orange acquired the former Crystal Cathedral campus in 2011. While occupancy and comprehensive use of the property by the Diocese will not be immediate, a gradual transition process has begun. The first significant effort to identify the iconic venue as a Catholic religious center and place of worship begins with the selection of the name, Christ Cathedral.
In his remarks at the conclusion of the Ordination Mass, Bishop Brown noted, “We hold Rev. Schuller and his ministry in the highest esteem. It was important that any change of name for the cathedral itself be respectful of its spiritual legacy while accommodating our needs to clearly define this important facility as a Catholic center of worship.”
The formal process for the naming of a Catholic Church, calls for the proposed name to be submitted to the Congregation of Bishops, the curia in Rome responsible for all matters pertaining to bishops and their churches. Bishop Brown submitted Christ Cathedral as the proposed name and received approval, April 26, 2012.
When considering a name for the future Catholic Cathedral, Bishop Brown’s primary requisite was to ensure a clear Christological reference. “Today, I am honored to participate in the ordination of four new diocesan priests and congratulate them on the fulfillment of their vocation. I am equally pleased to acknowledge a senior member of our clerical staff – Fr. Christopher H. Smith – and to announce his appointment as the first Episcopal Vicar to our new Cathedral, which will be called Christ Cathedral, a clear proclamation of why this Church exists and will be of continuing importance to people of faith across the region.”
The first Catholic liturgy to be celebrated in Christ Cathedral has yet to be scheduled. Bishop Brown also noted, “Catholics throughout the diocese, and all across America, are eagerly anticipating that important day.”
In his new capacity as Episcopal (or Cathedral) Vicar, Fr. Smith will oversee all administrative and policy matters for Christ Cathedral and the adjacent campus. He will supervise a variety of internal departments and be responsible for the liturgical and clerical oversight of the Cathedral campus.
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http://www.crystalcathedral.org/about/urgent-message.php
Dear Friend:
Following Sheila Schuller Coleman’s recent decision to leave the Crystal Cathedral with Jim Penner and the praise music team, lead by Debbie and Scott Smith, the good news is...
...the Crystal Cathedral ministry will continue!
We have been listening to you. Based on your comments, we’re making changes (and will continue to fine tune) to bring you the very best Sunday service and church ministries. On Sunday mornings, we will now welcome Robert V. (Bobby) Schuller and a variety of great preachers, inspiring guests...and Don Neuen returns to direct the Crystal Cathedral Choir! The mighty Hazel Wright organ and most loved hymns will be, once again, part of the great musical tradition at the Crystal Cathedral, supported by guest soloists and groups that you will want to hear.
In mid-February, at the invitation of the Board of Directors, I accepted the position of the ministries’ President and CEO. My most pressing desire is to thank you for your prayers, support, and your heart for God and for this ministry. Today, I want to answer the most-asked questions about Crystal Cathedral Ministries in the form of an “update” on the future of our church.
Why do we no longer see Dr. Schuller in the pulpit? Dr. Schuller has retired from the ministry and is no longer involved in its day-to-day operations. At the age of 85, we respect his decision to slow down, and know he well deserves this time of rest and reflection. He and Arvella are doing well, physically, but due to the ongoing legal cases, etc., they find it difficult to attend the church.
Where is Sheila Schuller Coleman? Over the months, as we received feedback expressing increasing displeasure over the new direction of the music during Sunday services, Sheila and Jim Penner were asked by the congregation and the board to change the format of the service. Sheila felt very strongly about the music and her ministry direction, and she and Jim have moved their ministry, Hope Center OC (of Christ), to another location. We wish them the best in this new endeavor.
Who is now in the pulpit? Will Robert A. Schuller return? At this time, as the board stabilizes the local church and televised service following this change in leadership, Dr. Lawrence Wilkes will be in the pulpit for a few Sundays and then a series of guest speakers will bring their messages of encouragement and inspiration. Bobby Schuller will be a regular guest speaker and has offered his help in rebuilding the best Sunday morning service possible. Plus, now-volunteer Choir Director Don Neuen is back, along with Orchestra Director Marc Riley! Meanwhile, Robert A. Schuller continues to be a supporter of this ministry as he and his talented son-in-law, Chris Wyatt, work on new endeavors in positive, family media.
Now that the Roman Catholic Diocese owns the grounds, how does that affect the church and the Hour of Power? As church member and viewer support continues, the church services will continue and the Hour of Power will remain on the air no matter where the church is located. When it became clear that selling the property would be best for the future of this ministry, the board and Dr. Schuller decided to sell to the Catholic Diocese so the buildings and grounds would always remain places of worship, as they were intended. Though other offers were greater, the campus would not have remained a site for Christian worship.
I hope that these answers have helped clarify any confusing, incorrect, or negative information you may have received. As this ministry continues to reach out to a hurting world with the positive good news of Jesus Christ...to bring hope and healing, despite these challenging times...your understanding, patience, and prayers are much appreciated and warmly welcomed.
May I offer you a personal invitation to join us this Sunday at the Crystal Cathedral? See for yourself how this ministry is returning to its tradition while introducing a revitalized worship service.
This ministry is at a critical moment in its history. The world is feeling the pressures of continuing uncertain financial times, while unemployment and job insecurity remains at all-time highs across America and much of the world. Our message of Hope and Help and Healing has never been more requested and needed and we are responding to this need every week locally and on our worldwide Hour of Power.
Now we need your help to ensure that this ministry can continue, for it is only through your financial support and prayers that we can pay rent on our location and other essential costs which, today, are at an all-time low because of the stringent cost cutting efforts we have made.
We need to move forward quickly or, sadly, the lights will be turned off. Your donation, today, will make all the difference.
God loves you and so do we!
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/09/california-mega-church-cr_n_1583696.html
GJ - The Huffington video post reveals the logical of Schuller's followers. They sold the church property to the Roman Catholics for less than Chapman University offered.
The Catholics gave Schuller three years to get out of the church building. Chapman gave them 20 years.
Chapman's offer was better financially and worth a small fortune in use of the building. The Schuller group favored using the entire campus as a church, a Roman church, over using it themselves for 20 years.
That is the logic of anti-confessional UOJ mainline Protestants. Because they stand for nothing, the Shrinkers consider what is best for their own self-esteem.
Unspoken is the overhead for keeping the church itself - or getting to use it. Many think the congregation is busted, after all the bitter fighting, the lawsuits, and the greed of the Schuller family.
The spawn of Positive Thinking, brother and sister, are running two different and conflicting churches. Son Bobby Schuller, fired, will be back at the CC. His sister Sheila Schuller Coleman (who fired him, via Daddy, and is now fired) will head her own ministry.
The Founder, Robert Schuller, does not attend his own church very often. He featured just about every religion there with his celebrity guest speakers. All religions are the same, since God in His infinite love has absolved the entire world, without the Word, without faith.
Schuller deserves the credit for founding Church Growth - and for being a favorite, bad example of where it leads.
