SOCIETY OF POPE LEO XIII - PATRIARCHATE. ARCHBISHOP OF LONDON

H.E. Archbishop David Bell and a delegation of bishops from the United Kingdom attended the Patriarchal Cathedral to visit His Beatitude; Patriarch Luis Fernando I from the 21^st October 2009 until the 26^th October 2009 at 16.45pm for which was the last moment that the delegation of Bishops from SPLXIII saw His Beatitude; Patriarch Luis Castillo Mendez alive. Several hours later His Beatitude was rushed to hospital in Brasilia from a severe heart attack.

His Beatitude never recovered, he passed to his eternal reward in hospital in Brasilia, Brazil on the 29 th October 2009 at 09.00 AM. His body is entombed in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Our Lady & Miracleous Medal in Brasilia, Brazil.

Archbishop Bell stated that he was extremely pleased to have answered a spiritual calling during Mass on the feast of St. Theresa of The Child Jesus being the 1 October 2009 to bring their 3 year Patriarchal Visit forward from December 2009 to the 21 October 2009.

The United Kingdom delegation of bishops from the Society of Pope Leo XIII was requested to stay at the Patriarchal Palace at the invitation of His Beatitude the Patriarch of Brazil, Diocesan Bishop of Brasilia. The delegation of bishops was invited in to the Patriarchs office for which to the delegations surprise there was one photograph on the Patriarchs desk, this is the photograph opposite of His Excellency Archbishop David Bell; a bishop who His Beatitude consecrated a sacred diocesan Bishop and appointed as Primus of the Society of Pope Leo XIII. Archbishop Bell was appointed on the 23 October 2009 as Titular Patriarch by His Beatitude; Patriarch Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez and enthroned.

Upon the sudden death of the Patriarch of the Society that was Patriarch Luis Castillo Mendez, the College of Bishops of the society immediate invoked canon law after a period of mourning for the installation of Archbishop David Bell from Titular Patriarch as decreed by His Beatitude, Patriarch Castillo Mendez on the 23.10.2009 to Patriarch of the Society.

In turn this means that he is the second Patriarch of the Society of Pope Leo XIII Worldwide.

PATRIARCHATE CONTINUES.

Patriarch Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez. Patriarch of Brazil & United Kingdom.
Patriarch David Bell. Patriarch of the Society of Pope Leo XIII & Commonwealth

As you can see Archbishop David Bell is stood inside the Patriarch office next to his desk at the side of the picture. It is interesting that in the 61 years of His Beatitudes life as a Bishop, he only had one photograph on his desk and that was his appointed Primus of the true faith that is the Roman Catholic Church pre Vatican II who uses the Tridentine Rite and the Roman liturgys.

Archbishop Bell said “During Mass I was spoken to by a voice saying you must go and see the Patriarch. He is unwell and asking to see you, you must go now he is waiting”.Obviously this happened as the above speaks for itself.

Archbishop David Bell was consecrated sacred Diocesan Bishop by His Beatitude; Patriarch Dom. Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez. Patriarch of Brazil assisted by Bishop Josivaldo Pereira de Oliveira; Co adjutor Bishop of Rio de Janerio now “President of ICAB” (consecrated by Bishop Olinto Ferreira Pinto) and Bishop Olinto Ferreira Pinto; Diocesan Bishop of Rio de Janerio (Bishop Pinto was also ordained a priest by Archbishop Carlos Duarte Costa and held the position as Archbishop Duarte Costa secretary; he was consecrated a bishop by Bishop Pedro Santos Silva who was consecrated also by Archbishop Duarte Costa on 4.11.1956.

The consecration took place in the Patriarchal Cathedral of Our Lady & Medalha Milagrosa during the solemn celebration of Mass on the Feast of St Anthony of Padua in the year of our Lord 2006 being the 13 th Day of June. The consecration was photographed and recorded on to DVD for history records. The consecration rite used was the Roman Catholic Pontifical Pre Vatican II. Archbishop David Bell was consecrated a Diocesan Bishop with full rights which included Sacraments and a pure Roman Catholic pre Vatican II Apostolic Succession. Archbishop Bell was elevated by decree as Archbishop and Primus for the United Kingdom Church.

In 2006 the United Kingdom Society received consent by decree from His Beatitude; Patriarch Mendez to be known as the Igreja Catolica Apostolica Brasileira- United Kingdom for which its appointed head was His Beatitude; Patriarch Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez. This decree placed the Society under the Patriarch's direct authority. The United Kingdom society uses the Tridentine Rite and pre Vatican II rites and adheres to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

Archbishop Bell was appointed by Patriarchal Bull as Secretary for Doctrine & Faith of the Brazilian Patriarchate in 2005 for which was the first time in the founding of 60 years of the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church its first ever non Brazilian bishop’s appointment, his appointment as Secretary for Doctrine & Faith ceased on the death of the Patriarch on the 29 October 2009.

Archbishop Bell's new appointment was met by the Chancellor and bishops loyal to the Chancellor with great opposition. The Chancellor and his bishops loyal to him attempted to revoke the Patriarchal Decree which was met with heavy resistance from His Beatitude. The appointment of Archbishop David Bell was decreed and written in records and a further letter was issued by His Beatitude reconfirming the appointments on the 23 June 2006, were a Notary witnessed the signature and seal of the Patriarch so the documentation could never be challenged, the document can be viewed at the web page marked Patriarchal documents/ emails on this website.

Bishop Olinto (Co consecrator) Patriarch Mendez (Principal Consecrator) Bishop Josivaldo (Co consecrator)

Archbishop Bell also received an official title of Archbishop & Primus creating the United Kingdom Society answerable only to His Beatitude and not to the counsel of the Brazilian Bishops. Archbishop Bell spent many moments in the Patriarchal Palace speaking with His Beatitude on matters of doctrine and concerns, In 2006 he spent three weeks with His Beatitude, opening new churches and assisting the Patriarch o other important matters.

In late 2007 the United Kingdom society broke communion with ICAB Counsel of Bishop in Brazil as the United Kingdom College of Bishops felt that the forced election of the new 'President' under Bishop Josivaldo was not fair and democratically elected, the United Kingdom College of Bishops & the Secretary for Doctrine & Faith had not been consulted.

The Society of Pope Leo XIII World wide remained as one with the Patriarch and with him alone. He remained always as the Patriarch of the Society of Pope Leo XIII Worldwide until he passed to his eternal reward on the 29th October 2009. Several attempts were made by Bishop Josivaldo “Chancellor” to remove Archbishop Bell as Secretary for Doctrine & Faith; but he was always over ruled by His Beatitude. Co adjutor Bishop Josivaldo then Chancellor was angry that a non Brazilian had for the first time ever in 60 years of the foundation of the Brazilian Catholic Church had been appointed to such a high office for which the office was not answerable to his office as Chancellor.

Archbishop Bell co celebrated Mass many times with His Beatitude at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Brasilia; Archbishop Bell also escorted His Beatitude on several visits in Brazil opening new churches and assisting His Beatitude in a Patriarchal Vicar role.

Archbishop Bell worked his way through the ranks of the Independent Tridentine Catholic Church in London which was founded by an Old Catholic Bishop of Utretcht starting off many years ago as a Sub Deacon; Deacon and then Priest; he was eventually awarded the title of Monsignor and Canon. Archbishop Bell was also appointed as the Legal Chancellor & Vicar Judicial, he worked hard to achieve his aims and goals while still studying law and theology.

Ordination of the Archbishop of London as a Priest 'Reverend Father' in November 2002 according to the Rites of the Holy Roman Church as defined by the Sacred Council of Trent.

Archbishop of London's Ordination of Minor Orders of Clericature, Door Keeper, Reader, Exorcist & Acolyte in 1995 followed by the Major Orders of Sub Deaconate in 2000 & the sacred Order of the Diaconate in Spring 2002, according to the Rites of the Holy Roman Church as restored by the Sacred Council of Trent.

Q.Why! Are you not at one with the Apostolica Brasileira in Brazil.

This is an easy response. SPLXIII bishops believe truly in the Tridentine Rite and the doctrine, liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church pre Vatican II, this was approved by His Beatitude; Patriarch Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez. We always sought a separate identity from ICAB in Brazil; but as the Society of Pope Leo XIII was headed by the same Patriarch we was allowed to assume the same authority but yet remain autonemous from the Brazilian Catholic Church, we used different doctrines and liturgy. His Beatitude; himself did not abandon the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as he himself remained celibate, he said the Rosary several times a day, He even celebrated the Tridentine Mass with Archbishop Bell in the Patriarchal Cathedral several times.(The photograpgh is the church of the Archbishop of London in Italy)

Q.You talk about doctrine and liturgy of the Igreja Catolica Apostolica Brasileira in Brazil.

Upon our recent visit to Rio de Janerio Cathedral of the "President".

We saw and felt a lack of integrity of their sacramental ministry. which is supported by evidence that the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil also refuses to accept their Baptisms; which concerned SPLXIII; even the Church of England baptizms are accepted. There was also an incident where we felt that the Doxology from the Mass was missing!

Q.You talk about doctrine and liturgy of the Igreja Catolica Apostolica Brasileira in Brazil does this means we should have concerns about SPLXIII.

NO. SPLXIII adheres to the strict observance of the liturgy and rubrics. Upon our Archbishop Bell assisting His Beatitude; Patriarch Mendez he himself saw the Patriarch observed such simple; but important rules and implement the doxology.

It is within the new regime of ICAB that this is being lost. His Beatitude; Patriarch Mendez studied theology at the Gregorian University in Rome was a Roman Catholic Priest he was ordained by a Roman Catholic Bishop in Spain, Bishop Valentin Comillas e Santa Maria before being consecrated a bishop. He was taught by the former Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa. His Beatitude; Patriarch Mendez was of the old school and the teachings of and to SPLXIII priests and Bishops are strictly observed.

His Beatitude; Patriarch Mendez was the last of the surviving bishops directly consecrated by the Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa, who left the Roman Catholic Church by resigning in 1937 to Pope Pius XI, Patriarch Mendez was consecrated in 1948 and served 61 Years as a Roman Catholic Bishop Pre Vatican II .

CHORAL CHURCH MUSIC

[ Back ]