Author: johnkersey

Educationalist, musician and clergyman.

Congratulations to the new Society of St Pius X Bishops

On By johnkerseyIn News, San Luigi Gazette

Warmest congratulations to the new Society of Saint Pius X  Bishops!

Please accept our deepest congratulations on your current episcopal consecration. It is a time of immeasurable grace and deep joy to see the traditional fullness of the priesthood transmitted to serve the Church and protect the sacred inheritance of Tradition.

In a time of spiritual necessity, your readiness to march forward and shepherd the faithful is rightly inspiring. We extend our prayers for your apostolic passion, strength, and continued leadership in preserving the Catholic faith and for the salvation of souls. May the Blessed Virgin Mary protect and guide your ministry, and may God richly bless your work for the glory of the Holy Catholic Church.

The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), is a traditionalist Catholic group created by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (1905-1991), in 1970 in reply to reforms started by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) that he and his followers viewed as a departure from Catholic tradition.  The society is known for its anti-modernist stance and its emphasis on the Tridentine Mass and pre-Vatican II liturgical practices in Latin.

On the First of July 2026, the feast of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, at the Seminary of Saint Pius X in Écône, Switzerland, His Excellency Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, assisted by His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, conferred episcopal consecration on four bishops – one American, one Swiss, and two French – to serve as auxiliary bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X.

The grace of divine ministry rests solely on the mercy of Jesus, by which “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost,” (Titus 3:5). We are required to “feed my lambs” with the same love which Christ demanded of Simon Peter (John 21, 15-19).

Our understanding is that owing to exceptional conditions these consecrations had to be conferred without the authorization of the Holy Father. This situation is common not only to the Society of St Pius X but to Old Catholics who likewise uphold the traditions and faith of the Catholic Church while not being in full communion with the Holy See. Furthermore, the Society regrets that their superior-general was not allowed the opportunity to meet directly with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to discuss the serious reasons which made the ceremony necessary.

We pray that the SSPX’s newly-consecrated bishops grow strong in good works and are supported by divine grace. May they now strive to use all their powers in this new ministry. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Holy Theotokos, and Mother of priests, protect and guide their ministry. May God richly bless their ministry for the exaltation of the Holy Mother Church. May Almighty God sustain them unwavering in proclaiming and living the Gospel and for the great glory of God. We offer our passionate prayers for their apostolic zeal, strength, and continued guidance in preserving the Catholic faith for the salvation of souls.

The office of bishop is an office of love, service, and self-sacrifice. The bishop gives his life for the salvation of souls.

Apostolic Episcopal Church Professed Brother earns bachelor’s degree from Pontifical University in Rome

On By johnkerseyIn Apostolic Episcopal Church, News, San Luigi Gazette

Brother Johnbosco (left) with Brother Paul

Brother Johnbosco Mario Onyedikachukwum Michael Okwor, OFES, has recently successfully defended his project to fulfil his requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome.

He is a professed brother of the Apostolic Episcopal Church (The Holy Eastern Catholic and Apostolic Orthodox Church), Province of the West, USA, and Diocese of the West, USA.

Brother Johnbosco is a brother of the Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist Secular (OFES) and a member of the Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist, Inc’s., Board of Directors and Council.  He is Founder of the Franciscans Friars of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Third Order Regular (FSHJ-TOR) Nigeria, West Africa. They are ambassadors of the poor and live their lives for the poor and the downtrodden. FSHJ-TOR has an Ecclesiastical Affiliation Charter with the Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist (OFE).

New book: A Spiritual Life for Anyone by Bishop Thomas Gore

On By johnkerseyIn Apostolic Episcopal Church, Catholicate of the West, News

The Most Revd. Dr. Thomas Gore of the Apostolic Episcopal Church and the Catholicate of the West has written a manual on how to begin a life in the spirit, from his experience as a psychiatrist and a bishop, presenting the reader with a scientific understanding of the brain, a psychological understanding of the mind, and a theological understanding of the spirit or soul.

Unlike many modern-day psychiatrists, Dr. Gore believes in the importance of the immaterial soul and mind in human life, and in a holistic way presents the union  between soul, mind, and the body’s brain.  He stresses how good mental health is impossible without spiritual health, and how the latter depends on a life of prayer.  In chapter after chapter, he shows the way prayer works in the spiritual life.

In the book’s Foreword, Archbishop John Kersey says, “Dr. Gore addresses the integration of body, mind and soul not only through theory but through practical action, so that a path is clear for the reader to begin or continue their exploration of the spiritual life. The key is the decision that a person makes to turn to God. The guidance offered in this book will enable the start to be made, and provide encouragement through a sound Scriptural basis to seek and find God and to enjoy the richness of a life that He has blessed.”

The book is priced at $18.50, with all profits going to fund scholarships for the AEC Seminary and can be purchased through the online store at  tumbleweedbotanicals.com.

Feeding the Hungry Orphan Children Campaign: Turn Hunger to Hope For Kenyan Orphans

On By johnkerseyIn Apostolic Episcopal Church, Catholicate of the West, News, San Luigi Gazette

The Apostolic Episcopal Church (AEC) supports the labors of the Abbey of Saint Mary Theotokos, Inc.’s Feeding the Hungry Orphan Children Campaign: Turn Hunger to Hope for Kenyan Orphans. Its charitable efforts are directed specifically after the devastating impact of  the slashing of US foreign aid. The shutdown led to hundreds of thousands of deaths, including children and has caused catastrophic global humanitarian crises.

The specific purpose of the Abbey of Saint Mary Theotokos, Inc. and its campaign of Feeding the Hungry Orphan Children Campaign: Turn Hunger to Hope for Kenyan Orphans is to relieve the suffering of humanity. The Abbey of Saint Mary Theotokos, Inc., is a California qualified tax-exempt nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the USA Internal Revenue Code. All (USA) gifts are tax deductible.

The Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist (OFE), is  a chartered religious order of AEC and the OFE is the administrator of the Abbey of Saint Mary Theotokos, Inc. The Most Revd. Michael Cuozzo (Mar Francis) is its CEO and President as well as being Primate and Presiding Archbishop of the Order of Franciscans of the Eucharist.

We are dedicated to providing nutritious meals to children at the St. Lawrence and Margarita Dosal School Orphanage, Republic of Kenya. Just $5.00 can provide around 20 meals for orphan children in urgent need.

The St. Lawrence and Margarita Dosal School Orphanage have answered God’s call to labor in the vineyard by administrating a nutrition program for its orphan children. No public funds in the Republic of Kenya provide this.

The fundraiser Project Chair is the Most Revd. Michael Cuozzo (Mar Francis), AEC Provincial of the West, USA and the Project Co-Chair is the Most Revd. Mar Thoma, AEC Provincial of the South, USA.

Contact on this matter may be made with the Most Revd. Michael Cuozzo (Mar Francis), AEC Provincial of the West, USA and/or at the campaign link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/turn-hunger-to-hope-for-kenyan-orphans

Apostolic Episcopal Church Relief Fund

On By johnkerseyIn Apostolic Episcopal Church, Catholicate of the West, News, San Luigi Gazette

The Apostolic Episcopal Church Relief Fund has been established in response to the recent tornado damage in the town of Purvis, Mississippi, USA. Its charitable efforts are targeted very specifically at financial assistance in paying motel expenses for needy families who have lost the “roof over their heads”.  No money will be dispersed to individuals, just to ‘economy’ motels, especially those who offer weekly rates.

The Anglican Heritage Society, the ministry of the Apostolic Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas, which is a registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit corporation, will be the administrator of the Apostolic Episcopal Church Relief Fund. The Society has made an initial donation of $1,000 to inaugurate the fund.

Our goal is to: 1) ease the financial stress involved in securing temporary housing; and 2) to support displaced families with our intercessory prayers, regardless of their religious affiliation. The postal address of the Apostolic Episcopal Church Relief Fund in care of the Anglican Heritage Society is: 4711 Amherst Street. Lubbock, Texas 79416. All gifts are tax deductible, when designated as charitable contributions to, “The AHS for Relief Fund.”

Contact on this matter may be made with the Most Revd. Mar Thoma, AEC Provincial of the South, USA.

Presentation to the Grand Master of the Knights of San Rocco in Rome

On By johnkerseyIn News, San Luigi Gazette

At a ceremony today in Rome, the Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of San Rocco, H.E. Renato Parlato, was presented with the Grand Collar of the Order of the Crown of Thorns by the Grand Chancellor and Grand Justiciar of the Abbey-Principality of San Luigi, H.I.R.H. Prince Prof. Luca Scotto di Tella de’ Douglas di Castel di Ripa, acting on the authority of the Prince-Abbot. The presentation was in the context of the recent wide-ranging partnerships entered into by our respective organizations, recognizing their unity of faith and purpose.

Partnership between the Ecclesia Apostolica Divinorum Mysteriorum and the Real Accademia Palatina di Dalmatia and Serenissima Accademia degli Stemmi

On By johnkerseyIn News, San Luigi Gazette

The Ecclesia Apostolica Divinorum Mysteriorum has entered into partnership with the Ecclesia Apostolica Divinorum Mysteriorum and the Real Accademia Palatina di Dalmatia and Serenissima Accademia degli Stemmi, which are headquartered in Ferrara, Italy and are under the headship of the Sovereign House of Dalmatia (Val d’Ors).