Fr Gene Geromel SSC

When he arrived he asked if he could take with him his senior and junior warden to see the bishop but was told he could not. The bishop and two presbyters then emerged from their officers and escorted Fr. Geromel and Fr. Ilgenfritz into the chapel where the Paschal Candle was burning brightly. "The lit candle was for my requiem," he told VirtueOnline. There was a brief pause and then Bishop Leidel solemnly read a statement of deposition talking up his generosity and then moved towards the altar where he formally signed it. He gave a copy to Fr. Geromel turned on his heels and left the chapel.

Fr. Ilgenfritz rose and made a statement in the presence of Fr. Geromel and the Rev. D.O. Smart Mid-Atlantic Dean of the Mid-Continental Convocation of the Anglican Communion Network then met in the hallway with the local press, TV and radio. The Rev. Smart, told reporters, “Bishop Leidel has asked Father Geromel to be disobedient to Holy Scripture and the Tradition of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and to embrace a counterfeit Gospel.”

They then got into their car and headed back to meet three other former priests who have also been deposed by the revisionist bishop. "I celebrated a mass with everyone present," said Fr. Geromel to VirtueOnline.

Asked what it will do for his parish and property, Fr. Geromel said nothing. "We have been an independent parish under Forward in Faith NA. We bought our parish five years ago from the diocese. Bishop Leidel has no power over them [the parishioners] or me.

Asked why he did this now, at this time, Fr. Geromel said he didn't know why. "It was decided unilaterally by the bishop to give me 5 years to come back to the flock. I have publicly stated that under the Eames Commission that were we in impaired communion
With the bishop, and he was always welcome at the altar if he repented his positions. He has never done that.

Fr Ilgenfritz, who accompanied Fr. Geromel told VirtueOnline that the reading of the deposition in front of a lit Paschal Candle was disturbing and deeply symbolic. "I read a brief statement and listed 13 bishops signed with 7 diocesan bishops immediately licensing Fr. Geromel to serve in their dioceses.

"What we are seeing here is a pattern. What Bishop Charles Bennison do to Fr. David L. Moyer and what Bishop Andrew Smith has done to Fr. Mark Hansen reveal that the circumstances are so closely orchestrated it is a obviously a plan," said Ilgenfritz.

"I was invited to diocesan offices by my friend Fr. Geromel and I wanted to be there with him for the sentencing," he said.

Said Fr. Geromel, "I didn’t expect he would be deposing me. He inhibited me in January and it has been five years since my parish left the church. I asked him to transfer my Letters Dismissory to a FIFINA bishop several times and he repeatedly said no. So he
finally came up with a canon to back it up and depose me.

The following Statement was read at the Deposition of Father Gene Geromel, Eastern Michigan on August 4, 2005.

We, the undersigned bishops of The Episcopal Church USA reject as invalid the declaration of deposition by the Right Reverend Edwin M. Leidel, Junior, the Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, against the Reverend Gene Geromel under Canon IV.10 [Of Abandonment of the communion by a priest or deacon]. We reject this deposition on its spiritual, moral and canonical content and find it reprehensible use of episcopal authority by a fellow bishop of this Church.

The inhibition and deposition of Father Geromel pronounced by Bishop Leidel contradicts the expectation of the Primates when a matter has been referred to the Panel of Reference. We find no restraint by Bishop Leidel "to those requesting a stay on any civil or ecclesiastical proceedings." [First Plenary Session -- Panel of Reference] Father Geromel has been deprived of due process, and has not been afforded any manner of appeal, which likewise occurred in the actions of the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania against Father David Moyer, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut against Father Mark Hansen. These actions are a deliberate misuse of Canon IV.10. We believe no credible case has been made that Father Geromel has "abandoned the communion of this church." The pattern of abuse of our canons is alarming.

As a witness to our solidarity with Father Geromel, and in keeping with the spirit of the Windsor Report, and as witnesses against this injustice which compromises the bonds of affection as of August 4, 2005, the Reverend Gene Geromel is granted license to function in each of our dioceses as a priest in good standing, and we welcome him to continue his service as a brother priest of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

The Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy
The Rt. Rev. James M. Adams, Jr., Bishop of Western Kansas
The Rt. Rev. Peter Beckwith, Bishop of Springfield
The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh
The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida (withdrawn)
The Rt. Rev. Jack L. Iker, Bishop of Ft. Worth
The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield, Bishop of San Joaquin

The Rt. Rev. David J. Bena, Suffragan Bishop of Albany
The Rt. Rev. Stephen H. Jecko, Assisting Bishop of Dallas
The Rt. Rev. Edward H. MacBurney, Diocese of Quincy (Retired)
The Rt. Rev. Donald J. Parsons, Diocese of Quincy (Retired)
The Rt. Rev. Henry Scriven, Assisting Bishop of Pittsburgh
The Rt. Rev. William C. Wantland, Diocese of Eau Claire (Retired)

Fr Geromel has been deposed, but not rejected, said the Rev. Keith Acker, Communications Director for Forward in Faith, NA.

END

FiF NA Council Statement on Deposition of Fr Geromel

August 4, 2005

We deplore the unjust and improper actions of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, the Rt. Rev'd Edwin Leidel, and the diocesan Standing Committee, in deposing The Rev'd Eugene Geromel, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, a priest canonically resident in the bishop's diocese. Bishop Leidel has wrongly charged Father Geromel under Canon IV.10 that he has abandoned the communion of the Episcopal Church. The misuse of this Canon is an affront to all those who hold to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church.

Fr Gene Geromel SSC As a faithful priest, Father Geromel has repeatedly demonstrated his adherence to the Biblical and Apostolic Faith of the undivided church, as received and taught by the Anglican Communion. He has worked to maintain the bonds of mutual affection, and in return has been summarily dismissed. In contrast to Father Geromel's efforts to pursue the highest level of unity in his relationship to the Anglican Communion, Bishop Leidel has distanced himself from the worldwide Communion by endorsing aberrant doctrine and practice.

Forward in Faith North America regards Father Geromel as priest in good standing and faithful to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Anglican Communion. We encourage the laity and clergy of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan to remain in communion with Father Geromel.

We call on the Bishops of the Episcopal Church USA to declare this deposition null and void, to license Father Geromel to officiate in their dioceses, and to take action against Bishop Leidel and the diocesan Standing Committee for their abuse of power.

We are encouraged that Father Geromel has filed complaint against Bishop Leidel with the Anglican Primates' Panel of Reference. We offer Father Geromel our support and our prayers during this time of persecution.

For more information, please contact:

The Rev'd Keith Acker
Communications Director
Forward In Faith North America
"Upholding the Faith and Order of the Undivided Church"