An order of monks is trying a novel approach to financing
its expansion: Selling the memorialization rights to a new monastery, church
and retreat for a $1 million minimum bid on Internet auction site eBay.
The auction ends this morning, and as of Sunday night, there had been no takers
for memorialization rights offered by the Benedictine Order of St. John the
Beloved, which plans to build on 58 acres in the Hazleton area, just outside
Schuylkill County.
The group of eight Old Catholic Church clergy, led by Archbishop Bruce J.
Simpson, is negotiating to buy land on Conyngham-Drums Road in Sugarloaf
Township that includes a 4,600-square-foot house with six bedrooms and five
bathrooms.
Plans for the site also include a church, monastery and retreat for 40 monks,
to be started within 18 months. The monks, part of a sect that broke away from
the Roman Catholic Church in 1889, hope to raise $2.5 million.
For two weeks, the order has offered on eBay to sell memorialization rights for
the grounds and church building in the name of a loved one for $900,000; the
monastery building for $650,000; the retreat center building for $400,000; and
the bell towers for $100,000. The order is offering the rights as a package for
a minimum $1 million bid.
The items can be bid on separately, and two upcoming auctions will sell naming
rights to choir books, stained-glass windows and church pews, among other
items.
Simpson has left the order's Long Island headquarters and moved to Kidder
Township in Carbon County to oversee the plan. He said the order wants to be based
in a place where the cost of living is lower.
''I'm very frugal with a dollar,'' the burly, gray-haired Simpson said with a
smile.
Simpson said he turned to the auction after unsuccessful attempts to raise
money through more conventional means.
Simpson's financial consultant mentioned the order's economic difficulties to
one of his clients, the head of a small, Ohio record label, who developed the
idea of selling naming rights and is helping the monks with marketing and
publicity.
Tony Reynolds, chief executive officer of SupersonicUSA Records, said his
inspiration came from the $90 million endorsement deal LeBron James, the top
NBA draft pick, signed with Nike last month.
''I just thought, 'Wow, what if could sell the naming rights to the grounds?'''
Reynolds said.
Once it's established in the township, the order would focus on helping the
elderly, primarily through contributions for heat and medicine, Simpson said.
It would be the third monastery in the area, all unrelated. Holy Dormition
Monastery is on Route 93 in Sugarloaf Township, and Holy Protection Monastery
for Women is on Laurytown Road in Weatherly.
Simpson's group welcomes all Christians to share communion. It allows priests
to marry or form same-sex unions, and marries those who have divorced.
The order is community-minded: It is a member in good standing of the White
Haven Chamber of Commerce.
''They're a nice group,'' Chamber President Seth Eisenberg said. ''I have been
watching them working hard toward their goals.''
Simpson, a former Reading police officer, lives in Kidder Township with his
partner of 28 years, Brother Jack Bixler.
The Old Catholic Church broke from the Roman Catholic Church in 1889 over such
issues as papal infallibility and became established in the United States in
1908.
The church branched off, and today there are several factions — some
conservative, others liberal.
About 120 bishops are in the United States, but it is not clear how many
members the church has nationwide. Simpson said there has never been a census.
''We're independent, self-governing,'' he said. ''I have no boss but God.''
Simpson founded the St. John the Beloved order two years ago. The order also
maintains St. Julian of Norwich Old Catholic Church in Syosset, N.Y., and
Christ the King Old Catholic Church in Manhattan.
There are similar Benedictine parishes in Richmond, Va., and East Grand Rapids,
Mich.
''John the Beloved was the only apostle who never denied Christ,'' Simpson
said. ''He was very loyal to Jesus.''
But he said all the factions are dedicated to what he believes is the ''central
message of the Gospel: Love one another, and love the Lord our God as He loves
us.''
The rules differ with each branch. Almost all allow married priests; some
welcome same-sex couples — Simpson has performed 73 same-sex unions — and
ordain lesbians and gays while others do not. Some allow contraception, others
maintain more-traditional Catholic rules.
Simpson expects his clergy to embody that devotion.
''How we minister to people is different from my Roman brothers,'' he said.
''We're able to be more pastoral in our approach to people and less legalistic.
''We give communion to all Christians. If you're divorced, it doesn't
automatically exclude you from the sacraments or from remarriage in the church.
If you are gay or lesbian, it doesn't prevent you from attending church, it
doesn't prevent you from applying for admission as a brother or sister. ''
Brother Michael Tesmacher of St. Julian's said the Old Catholic Church is
inclusive.
''We are fully Catholic in our worship, but some people have felt marginalized
— those who are divorced, who have used birth control, who are gay and
lesbian,'' he said. ''We reach out and minister to them. Our doors are open to
all.''