A Bit about Archbishop +Donald Weeks...

Titular of Llanthony

Ribbon for those with Kidney failure. Don't forget to pray for us.

Much could be said by man about this man who has come to a place in life where he has had to go through very difficult times in trudging on the spiritual path in this life... a struggler, according to his nature and degree of ability.

I have personally known this man ever since the 1970's (at least) and know him to have been hot-headed, but as he trudged the spiritual path, in spite of our numerous arguments (much heated, even over the Internet) concerning history and spiritual pursuits, theological differences and more... I know that he has come to a place in life that has made him a "Fool for Jesus Christ"... I say "Jesus Christ" because we all know there is another one, the Anti-Christ!  So I do say, that according to his nature and degree of ability, he has truly been ever more so, a Fool for Jesus Christ in this life for the life to come. 

Although he is not a part of our jurisdiction or even our group, not even our "Orthodoxy" itself... it cannot be helped but to say that while there is much we could learn about the spiritual struggles of those such as Archbishop +Donald Weeks that has brought him to these present times in which we live, it would behoove all to consider the faith once and for all delivered unto the apostles themselves as passed down through time and history to all who truly and sincerely struggle out of pain of heart.  And, I would have to say, Archbishop +Donald has been and continues to be such a struggler. 

Although we both were consecrated at different times by the same Archbishop (+Wallace David de Ortega Maxey) of reposed memory... and much we discussed and lacked agreement on regarding him... one has to admit that Archbishop +Donald has truly attained a place in not only history but also in spirit for many who have relied upon him for guidance in the Old Catholic Church here in the Americas. 

I now ask for your prayers for his health... He is truly struggling with those numerous issues affecting Kidney disorders... Pray with all your strength as though you were sitting with and next to him in spirit and in truth!

As one respondent has so aptly said about Archbishop +Donald Weeks, "Personally, I think right now with his pain and suffering he is living a life of Redemptive Suffering, not only for himself but for all."

+Thaddeus the most unworthy repentant one and fool for Jesus Christ in the vineyard of this life!

"Prejudice Makes Prisoners of the Hated and the Hater!"

(A Self-autobiography as appears at his web site of:

http://holyangels.oldcatholichistory.org/abbot/about.html

He was born July 27, 1943, at Scott Field (Shiloh), Illinois. My father (Donald) was in the Air Force. There he fought in the Pacific Fleet and later became an officer who informed families of the death of their loved ones. He died in 1964, of heart complications.

My mother (Leatrice) was a businesswoman. She was owned her own business and later became a bank-officer and civic leader. She died in 1967, of Cancer. I had one brother; Stuart, who died May 4, 2004. In 2006, I learned that I have a half-brother, Jeffery; that lives near Flint, Michigan.

I attended local parochial schools in Belleville, Illinois and in high school I decided to study for the priesthood at Maryhurst Preparatory Seminary in Kirkwood, Missouri. Since I was a child of ten, I gave my life to God and I promised to serve Him in whichever way He decided. I also attended Simpson Bible College and other theological schools.

In 1965, I became acquainted with some priests of the Old Catholic Church. Soon I decided that was the place for me. I had a small congregation of people. We met at Saint Paul Episcopal Church in East Saint Louis, Illinois.

That summer and every summer thereafter, I would go to Cairo, Illinois to work with Negro-folks that could not read (In those days you had to pass a reading test in order to vote) I also went to Selma, Alabama and there I met Dr. M. L. King, Jr. and other Civil Rights workers. I was in Memphis with the Southern Christian Leadership when Dr. King was killed. When I returned to the Saint Louis Area I began to study at the Pius XII Library at Saint Louis University. There I met Father Walter Klimchuck, of the Greek Catholic Church. He introduced me to Bishop Robert Burns of Chicago who suggested that I talk with Bishop Itkin of San Francisco. I knew Bishop Itkin from a short visit to San Francisco, in 1966.

On August 15, 1970, I was ordained a priest by Bishop Michael Itkin of the Eastern Orthodox (Syro-Chaldean-Malabar) Church. The same religious body that Bishop Joseph Rene Vilatte was consecrated by. The ordination took place at the Oratory of Saint Francis (on Hyde Street). After ordination I returned to Saint Louis. A year I returned to San Francisco. There I became the Director of the United Catholic Conference and Pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Old Catholic Church. From there, I served as President of the East Saint Louis Bible Institute (1984-1989); Holy Angels Old Catholic Church (1990-1999); Saint Patrick Abbey (1999-2005). I also served as President of the Ancient Christian Fellowship; the American Congregation of Saint Benedict and the Old Catholic Benedictines.

Since 1965, I have been a student of the Old Catholic Church. I have authored several study-books and other materials. On October 26, 2006, I began the Old Catholic History web-page. Please have a look. It is full of plenty and informative Old Catholic History.

I ask your prayers for myself and the many men and women who suffer from kidney failure.

Donald M Weeks, OSB

Retired Old Catholic Benedictine