Pope Michael

Teresa Louise Stanfill Benns

popemichael — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:08:29 +0000

I met Teresa Benns through my mother in1983, although we did not formally meet until August, 1985. Teresa was always promoting the election of a Pope, except for a short time when she was associated with Martin Gwynne and John Daly. Gwynne and Daly attempted to convince Teresa that we cannot elect a Pope. She later condemned their proposition: “even God could not produce another pope,” as heretical and rightfully so. When I became convinced on September 8, 1987 that we needed to elect a Pope, she was one of the first I contacted. She immediately got busy about organizing a Papal Election and we cooperated on this project until the job was accomplished on July 16, 1990. Towards that end we collaborated on Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century? After the election Benns promoted the Papacy to all who would listen.
On November 30, 2006, Teresa Benns committed heresy by writing and privately circulating Necessity of Canonical Fitness in the Ordination of a Lay Pope. The basic proposition and heresy was that a Pope, who has not been ordained is subject to his electors for judgment. This contradicts the doctrine of the Faith that the Pope is not subject to any human authority from the moment of his acceptance of election. She was warned about this in December of 2006 and again on March 30, 2007, when she tendered her formal resignation from the Church. She stated in this letter that she could see no earthly way I could be Pope, and that I had insisted that post election heresy in a Pope is proof of pre-election heresy. She also presented a 60 page notebook, which eventually formed the basis of her website from May of 2007 until July of 2008, when she pulled it all down We had noted to her and her webmaster that her site was libelous, which it indeed was. She restored her website and began again publishing articles, including a very libelous and calumnious article Cults of Catholicism. In May of 2009 We again notified her of her crimes and she again pulled the whole website down. To date, none of the calumnies have appeared on the website, although We have received notice of them from individuals who have heard them being circulated. She did restore Cults of Catholicism, but removed all references to Us, as Pope Michael or David Bawden. Over the years We have refuted Benns’ various claims.
We have addressed the reason for Our dismissal from the seminary in Armada, Michigan in order to refute various stories which are circulating, which are quite erroneous.
We have declared the facts of the election on July 16, 1990.

Was Marcel Lefebvre Truly a Bishop

popemichael — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:54:50 +0000

In Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century? it was proposed that Lefebvre was not a valid Bishop, because Achille Lienart, who ordained and consecrated him was not a valid Bishop. Lienart was alleged to be a high level Freemason. In 2008 it was recommended that the whole case should be reviewed. The evidence against Lienart all traces back to an article in 1976, which Archbishop Lefebvre commented on and admitted to be true, while confusing the facts. The evidence is circumstantial at best.

Let us first consider Archbishop Lefebvre’s statements in Montreal in 1976. He stated he had seen the article and admitted that Lienart was his bishop, in that he had ordained and consecrated him. He also stated that there was a picture of Lienart in his Masonic regalia, when in fact it was a picture of a Mason, not Lienart. No, this is not a sign of senility, but rather evidence of the stress Archbishop Lefebvre had been under. On Thursday May 27, 1976 Lefebvre gave his speech about Lienart. On Monday May 24^th , Lefebvre had been presented rather graphic evidence proving one of his priests was into hard core pornography among many other evil things. This was after conferring Confirmation to two groups, one on Saturday, May 22, 1976 and the other on the next day. He gave his sermon in English, which would also have been a burden. Further on Saturday three Mexican priests discussed the election of a Pope with him, suggesting he should be elected to restore the Church. This is most likely why he misspoke concerning the picture.

Even if Lienart was a Mason, the most this would do is invalidate Lefebvre’s ordination. His consecration would certainly be valid, because of the two co-consecrators. Pope Pius XII specifically decreed that the co-consecrators should perform every action with the intention of consecrating a Bishop at an episcopal consecration. Although it was originally thought that priestly orders are required for the validity of episcopal consecration, it has been discovered that several men have been consecrated as bishops without previous priestly ordination, including Pope Nicholas the Great and a lector consecrated by Saint Augustine. Thus the information in Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century? must of course be amended.

Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century?

popemichael — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:54:11 +0000

This book was begun by Teresa Benns in April of 1989 and sent to the printer on December 12, 1989. Benns reported at one time on her website that she wrote two thirds of the book, which is an accurate assessment. She also edited it through several proof readings and edited the entire book and is therefore quite familiar with its entire contents.

David Bawden wrote a third, staring with Jurisdiction, During the Great Apostasy, which was originally written in November of 1985. Benns commented in 2005 that she could write the book at that time and reach the same conclusion with far better sources than were cited in 1989, and this assessment is accurate. Any research done since 1989 has only proven the conclusion that the election of a Pope was not only possible and necessary, but that the July 16, 1990 election was most certainly valid.

Actually the idea of a Papal Election went back into the 1970′s, although not much was written on the subject until 188, when Benns and Bawden collaborated in assembling a series of articles to promote a Papal Election. They each wrote a portion and used the articles of others. This was partially published and circulated world-wide in order to promote the election of a Pope.

After dealing with several heretics in late 1988 and early 1989 it was decided that it was necessary to write a book in order to present the case, as well as to refute many heresies common amongst Traditionalists. Thus Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century? was born.

Benns was the principle author and compiler and read everything contained in the book several times. She also wrote the pivotal sections on the necessity of the election of a Pope, which are as valid today as they were then. Bawden had little control over the final book and did not see a copy of the final work until January of 1990, when it arrived by mail and was already printed, although he had asked for a xeroxed copy of the final camera ready text.

Originally Benns wanted to publish under pseudonyms, but Bawden insisted that this was our Profession of Faith and that it was essential to put our own names on the book. The book was published as authored by T. Stanfil Benns and David Bawden. Inside Teresa Louise Stanfil Benns introduces herself and explains why she did not use her full name on the front cover. Bawden took a stand on another issue, that of the proof that Angelo Roncalli was a heretic prior to election. Benns wished to rely on the proposition of Martin Gwynne, that heresy after apparent election as a pope is proof of heresy prior to the election. Bawden insisted that pre-election heresy must be proven and Benns wrote the chapter entitled, The Beginning of Sorrows.

On January 25, 1990, Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century? was officially published with copies being sent to every sedevacantist organization world wide, including all of the Thuc-line Bishops, in order to call for the election of a Pope. Many had been contacted by Benns, Bawden and others in the late 1980′s.

The book also discussed the fact that Bishop Peter Martin Ngo-Dihn Thuc himself had called for the election of a Pope implicitly in his 1982 declaration that the Papacy is vacant.

Benns insisted on inserting a section on the proposition that Archbishop Lefebvre was not validly ordained or consecrated, because Achille Cardinal Lienart was a high level Freemason. At the time this was inserted a man in the Netherlands had promised a copy of an official document in a similar case, declaring invalidity. He never produced said document. Bawden reasoned privately that Masonry could be considered apostasy and that apostates cannot have the proper intention in the administration and reception of the Sacraments. This position has been reversed based upon the principle that presumption must yield to truth.

What must be thought of Benns’ claim that the book is flawed? In 2007 Benns wrote an article Do Not Read This Book, claiming that the conclusions in Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century? is flawed. In the summer of 2008 Pope Michael challenged Benns by registered letter to present a scholastic refutation of the book. None has ever materialized. Her claim that the various articles she has written set aside the book is without merit, for to be a proper refuation the various parts of the book Benns believes are now in error must be addressed and the error in reasoning be pointed out. Benns knows that she cannot refute the evidence presented, so merely presents a new case based upon different evidence, ignoring the original irrefutable evidence. Benns states in her current article (2009): “Obviously I no longer believe that a true pope can be elected in the present circumstances, seeing that no certainly valid members of the hierarchy currently are available.” This statement denies the doctrine that the Church shall last as Jesus Christ constituted it until the end of time, since hierarchy is an essential part of the Church. She also implicitly denies that the Catholic Church is a perfect society with the ability always here and now to provide itself with a head, during a vacancy.

On March 25, 1989 David Bawden takes a vow to elect a Pope, which Teresa Benns also made later on and published in the book. Logically, since she now believes the papacy to be vacant, she is bound by this solemn vow and to fulfill it.

Vow to Elect a Pope

popemichael — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:16:33 +0000

On March 25, 1989, I made a vow to elect a Pope. It is substantially the same as the one published in Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century? When Teresa Benns heard about this vow, she requested a copy in order to make the vow herself. She rewrote it slightly to polish it for insertion into Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century?

Unicorn in the Sanctuary

popemichael — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:48:48 +0000

Below is a quote from Unicorn in the Sanctuary. We choose this section, because Shantivanam is quite near me. I recall when I read this book, I was reading along and came to this. Since I am currently exiled within this diocese, I paid particular attention. Then it came to Easton, Kansas. I thought a moment. That name sounds familiar and then I recalled having driven through there a few months before after dropping my mother off to visit with her sisters near Leavenworth. On another trip over that direction I drove by and found this pagan enclave. Edward Hays has now retired, and the retreat house is run by the Sisters of Charity, who have become quite liberal and New Age. I know this personally, since I have a relative in the Sisters of Charity.

We should not think, however, of this phenomenon of priests becoming gurus as only happening halfway around the world. We have our own priest-gurus here in the United States. One is Fr. Edward Hays, who is widely recognized as an expert on prayer. Formerly a parish priest, he was sent on a year-long pilgrimage by his archbishop. Fr. Hays had requested a few months off for prayer in a Christian monastery, but his bishop, now Archbishop Ignatius Strecker of Kansas City, Kansas, had other ideas. He suggested that Fr. Hays take a year off to travel in search of new ideas. Fr. Hays was advised to go also to the non-Christian religions in his quest for freshness in spirituality. The Archbishop hoped that Fr. Hays would found a “house of prayer” upon his return. He traveled to the Middle East and the Orient as a prayer pilgrim seeking wisdom. For more than sixteen years, Fr. Hays has run his Catholic-Hindu “house of prayer,” which is financially supported by the Catholics of Archbishop Strecker’s archdiocese.

The name of his retreat house is “Shantivanam,” the same as the name of Bede Griffiths’ ashram in India.

The chapel at Shantivanam is a tiered, octagonal room with a decidedly Eastern flavor. We interrupt a young man’s Yoga meditation as we enter the chapel. The altar (an old wooden horse manger) stands on bare earth facing neat rows of oriental prayer rugs. Lit by candles and sunlight, and scented with incense, the room is a museum of religious evolution.

Fr. Hays’ system is pure syncretism. He blends Christianity with the other religions and puts Jesus in the same class as “Buddha and the other holy saviors. ..” In a layout reminiscent of the Stations of the Cross, one side of the chapel holds a shrine to Shiva, Hindu god of destruction. Next on this wall is a Buddha, followed by a copy of the Scriptures, the Tabernacle of the Blessed Sacrament, a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and finally, a crucifix. The purpose is to give due honor to each progressive revelation. The large windows wrap around one end of the chapel to give a beautiful panorama of the forest and fields.

With the wide assortment of gods available here, a worship-per could get confused. Nevertheless, the goddess of Shantivanam receives her due, because the goddess of Shantivanam is Creation. Nature is the theme that claims the field of vision here: the expanse of windows and the altar dug into the dirt. This is creation-centered spirituality.
Hays is typically Eastern in his teachings. He recommends the use of a mantra, proper breathing and special sacred places for meditation” Speaking of our “new spirit of sexuality,” he says: “We must trust our inner voices even when they assert that there is goodness and beauty in what past ages have called evil and dirty.”
See how this inverts the words of Isaias (5:20):

Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
In his newspaper columns he has done the same thing: Turn the Scriptures (the Christian Bible) upside down. Most often it is the Oriental scriptures which he quotes, and then with earnest reverence. In one story, Fr. Hays portrays a king who refuses Heaven unless God lets both his dog and his unbelieving family into Heaven with him. The stubborn king wins out, and God praises the king’s faithfulness as He allows them all in. Once again the truth is the exact opposite, for Our Lord said: He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. (Matt. 10:37, 19:29).

While the flavor of the East dominates Shantivanam, the Western pagan traditions are not ignored. A former staff member has related that, “On occasion, ancient festivals of the Celts or Saxons are remembered and members dance round a may pole or a fire pit in the fields or forest. “ Even a druid or a witch could feel at home in a place like this! But pagan idols and Celtic festivals aside, business at this archdiocesan “house of prayer” is quite good. Shantivanam can barely accommodate visitors from outside the Archdiocese.

The Smoke of Satan

popemichael — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:50:55 +0000

Bishop Daniel Dolan is quoted in The Smoke of Satan as saying: “Some claim I left the Society of St. Pius V simply because I wanted to become a bishop at any price, but this is preposterous. The main reason I left was because of personal conflicts with Fr. Kelly. He exercised a strong cult-like leadership. He was a bit of a Francis Schuckardt type-very charismatic and manipulative. And not having a bishop in the Society made the situation especially taxing. But I certainly wasn’t looking to better myself by becoming a bishop. Bishop Pivarunas approached me first with the idea, and at first I had serious reservations about the Archbishop Thuc and Old Catholic background of the Mount St. Michael’s community. I don’t deny that there have been problems here, but we’re not living today under normal circumstances. We’re faced with a vacuum of authority; the papacy has been vacant for more than twenty years now, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Our people need to receive the sacraments, and for this they need priests, and it takes bishops to make priests. And this is precisely the role that Bishop Pivarunas and myself play. We don’t claim to possess any ordination jurisdiction or the power of excommunication. We have moral authority, but we don’t boss people around. We’re sacramental bishops, and traditionalist communities simply can’t survive for very long without sacramental bishops.” (From The Smoke of Satan, pages 101-2)

In 2003 We ran across The Smoke of Satan, while doing some research on a trip away from home. We ordered a copy from the library to delivered home and read it upon Our return. There is a whole chapter devoted to Traditionalists, which quite accurately reports the type of scandals We ourself witnessed prior to departing in the early 1980′s

The Pope and Computers

popemichael — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:43:08 +0000

The Pope upgraded to his first real computer in 199 with a 350 MHZ Monorail computer purchased new. Since that time the Pope has upgraded, usually building his own equipment, when he found this to be more cost effective. And this ability to reformat and maintain his own computers has proven quite useful. In 2005 someone sent the Pope a virus from pope@vatican.va. This virus went right by a brand new install of Norton Antvirus 2005 and soon the computer had to be reformatted. Providentially the Pope had backed all files up prior to building this computer. The construction of computers began in 2002, when the Pope bought a book on how to build your own computer.

The Present Crisis of the Holy See

popemichael — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:58:07 +0000

This Apocalyptic Age contains a short quote from Cardinal Manning, concerning the cessation of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. “The holy Fathers who have written upon the subject of Antichrist, and of these prophecies of Daniel, without a single exception, as far as I know, and they are the Fathers both of the East and of the West, the Greek and the Latin Church—all of them unanimously,—say that in the latter end of the world, during the reign of Antichrist, the holy sacrifice of the altar will cease.” We looked for years until we finally tracked down a copy in a university at the end fo 2006. We paid for them to make a photographic digital copy, which We have preserved in Our own files. This book presents exactly what will happen at the time of Antichrist, which Cardinal Manning feared might be coming soon. In any case, he stated that these things will come to pass at some time in history. All should read The Present Crisis of the Holy See.

54 Years that Changed the Catholic Church

popemichael — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:03:58 +0000

This project began in 2003 with the writing of Truth Is One, which was published in 2004. Thousands downloaded the free ebook. With the exception of a coule of minor errors, such as a missing line from a prayer and a mistake on a reference, no objections were ever received. Several people assisted with Truth Is One and We would like to thank them for their efforts. (They have all requested to remain anonymous out of humility at the time of the publication of Truth Is One.)

With the discovery of new information We decided to great expand and update the book and to publish it on Amazon. This we did as 54 Years that Changed the Catholic Church. We would like to thank all those who assisted on this important project. As with Truth Is One, We welcome constructive comments and will address any issues brought up.

We are providing a free copy here for viewing as well.

The Coming Chastisement

popemichael — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:39:24 +0000

In April of 2012 Pope Michael published a revision of his 1992 piece, The Coming Chastisement. This can be purchased at Amazon.

The research was commenced in 1991 and was an attempt to reconstruct information that had been received in the very early 1970′s. This came from Padre Pio. However, the original document was not found in 1992, so the information was research in an attempt to reconstruct from memory and then expand on the chastisement that will soon strike the earth for her many sins. Padre Pio’s original document was found prior to the recent publication is appended to the book. Also much new information has been discovered in the last two decades and been added. How long until the Three Days of Darkness descends upon the world?