Statement by Pastor T.L. Barrett Jr.

Co-Convernor of the American Clergy Leadership Conference

Pastor of Life Center Church of God in Christ – Chicago

An Open Letter Concerning His Grace Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo: 

During the historic “We Will Stand” tour which promoted Rebuilding the Family, Restoring the Community and Renewing the Nation and the World, Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo of the Roman Catholic Church made the courageous decision that he should take a bride and enter into marriage. His participation in the Holy Wedding Ceremony was inspired by the teaching of the Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon.

Since taking that stand he has diligently sought to communicate with the Vatican. We witnessed first hand the Archbishop’s certified letters sent not only to the Vatican but also to the Papal Annuncio in Washington, D.C. and at the United Nations requesting communication with the Holy Father. Recent news reports have stated that the Vatican could not reach the Archbishop. This is not the case for he has been in touch with their offices via mail and phone. He continually professes his love for his beloved Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Father and has and will continue to seek understanding, love and communication with the Holy Father.

The Archbishop’s profound purity and spirituality and gift of healing ministry is widely known and respected in Italy and has become legend in Africa. He has received great honor and respect from the Holy Father. In the past some at the Vatican tried to condemn him for his healing powers and great power as an exorcist. Yet masses rally for him both in Africa and Italy. Now he is calling for reconciliation and healing for the priests who were called by God to marry. We want to raise concern that if the Archbishop was not from Africa he would not be treated this way. This raises grave concerns for us.

We are here at this time to call upon all Catholic laity, Priests, Bishops and Archbishops to openly express their true sentiments on this issue. In America, a strong majority of Catholic laity want to see the priests given the option to choose celibacy or marriage. We believe that a great majority of priests feel the same sentiment but cannot express it. We call upon all to seize this moment in history and open the issue for dialogue and review, when the former Archbishop of Lusaka who has official status with the Roman Catholic Church is taking a stand to call for the church to give the priests the option to marry. The same rights that they give to Lutheran pastors who are accepted into the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church. They are allowed to function as married priests.

We call upon all people of faith to stand up with this Holy Man of God who proclaims that the full image of God is most completely reflected when man and woman are joined together in Holy Matrimony. Stand with your Archbishop and lead the beloved church into the new Millennium which as Archbishop Milingo says calls for us to proclaim that celibacy has fulfilled its purpose and is now to be consummated in Blessed Matrimony.

The American Clergy Leadership Conference and it’s 14,000 clergy say, “We Will Stand”, with Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.

Pastor T.L. Barrett Jr.

Co-Convener,
American Clergy Leadership Conference

Pastor,
Life Center Church of God in Christ

| top |