Congressional Record, Volume 151 Issue 156 (Wednesday, December 7, 2005)

[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 156 (Wednesday, December 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CONGRATULATING REVEREND OTIS SNEED, JR. UPON HIS CONSECRATION TO THE
SACRED OFFICE OF BISHOP ACCORDING TO THE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION

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HON. JOHN LEWIS

of georgia

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to
recognize Reverend Otis Sneed, Jr., Pastor of God's Church
International Fellowship in Atlanta upon his recent consecration to the
sacred office of Bishop according to the Apostolic Succession. I offer
him my sincere congratulations and thanks for his continued commitment
to transforming inner city communities.
Through his strong faith and Christian principles Bishop Sneed has
bridged the racial, economic, social, educational and generational gaps
in our community. He has served the metro Atlanta community with
integrity and honesty. His service to my district has been invaluable
and I wish him continued success in all his future endeavors. I ask
that the Consecration documents be placed in the Congressional Record.

The International Fellowship of Reformed Episcopal Churches

mandate of consecration

Be it known to all that the Holy Synod of the International
Fellowship of Reformed Episcopal Churches has approved the
consecration of The Reverend Odis Sneed, Jr. of God's Church
International Fellowship with jurisdiction over the State of
Georgia and its environs.
Let it be recorded that the very Reverend Duane Ganther of
Los Angeles, California is the presenter of this candidate.
Said consecration is scheduled to take place at The Elim
International Fellowship, The Protestant Cathedral in
Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, October the fifteenth at
10:00 am in the year of our Lord, two thousand and five.
Given under our seals at the Archdiocesan office 20 Madison
Street, Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, September twenty-
first, two thousand and five in the year of our Lord.
Wilbert Sterling McKinley,
Patriarch.
Trevor Dominic Bentley,
Exarch.

Certificate of Consecration

in the name of god, amen.

Be it known to all present that we by divine right
Patriarch of the International Fellowship of Reformed
Episcopal Churches did on this the fifteenth day of October
in the year of Our Lord two thousand and five ordain and
consecrate our well beloved in Christ,

The Reverend Odis Sneed, Jr.

to the office of Bishop

Of the one true Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and
appoint him Bishop of Georgia with his see in Atlanta.
Of whose spiritual advancement, love of the Lord Jesus
Christ, educational qualifications and knowledge of Holy
Scriptures we are well acquainted,
Given under our seal and signature
In this our thirty-third year of Episcopacy
Most Reverend Wilbert S. McKinley,
Consecrator.
Most Reverend Trevor D. Bentley,
Co-consecrator.
Most Reverend Michael Rene Lunsford.

Incardination

into

The International Fellowship of Reformed Episcopal Churches

God's Church International Fellowship

instrument of intercommunion

in the name of the most holy and indivisible trinity.

article I

The International Fellowship of Reformed Episcopal
Churches, recognize with gratitude that they are living in a
far reaching community of belief of the transmitted Catholic
faith as defined in the Holy Scripture and the ecumenical
creeds of Nicea and Constantinople. They rejoice in their
joint recognition of the divine Revelation and their
transmission in the Catholic evidence of Holy Scripture, and
in the Apostolic tradition of the Church of all ages of which
both are an integral part.

article II

The Reformed Episcopal Churches recognize the
ecclesiastical office as it is vested in and derived from the
Apostolic Succession and personified in the Bishops of the
Church as the legal successor of the Apostles.

article III

The Reformed Episcopal Churches recognize that the Grace of
God is received through prayer and the faithful keeping of
the ordinances of Holy Scripture.

article IV

The Reformed Episcopal Churches hold the conviction that
the Church in all her nuances cannot be subservient to God's
intention in the world if she is torn asunder and divided by
strife, discord and confusion to the detriment of herself or
her mentor, we not only form a part of a unique people, a
royal priesthood but the one body of Christ whose mission is
to be an anticipating and active sign of the final union of
all things, when God in Christ will be all in all.

article V

To be shown trustworthy that the Church receives all her
life from and through Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures.
The various Christian denominations must help and correct
each other in spite of all differences inherent to mankind
and cooperate in all matters which relate to the mission and
welfare of the Church, known as ``The One Holy Apostolic
Church'' (Una Sancta et Apostolica Ecclesia), the spiritual
home of all who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord, Redeemer
and Saviour.

article VI

Realizing that the above Churches live in and form a common
Catholic faith, The International Fellowship of Reformed
Episcopal Churches and God's Church International Church take
the view of declare publicly that nothing exists between the
above Churches which hinders a full communion in Sacris, so
that while continuing individually autonomous and
independent, a definite form of agreement of the above
Churches is possible. This means in fact:
a. Mutual recognition of the validity of their
administrations without any restrictions.
b. Mutual admission to Word and Ordinances.
c. Mutual aid to clergy and members of both Churches as
able, if need should arise.
d. Cooperation and consultation in the field of general
polity and ecclesiastical affairs.
e. Affiliated prelates must attend the Biannual Synodical
Convention at a time and place as indicated by the Secretary
General of the Synod.
f. Affiliated prelates must submit semi-annual reports to
the Archepiscopal offices at 20 Madison Street, Brooklyn, New
York.

article VII

The Churches acknowledge and bow to the infallibility of
Holy Sciptures and thereby are bound by its dictates. Be it
clearly stated that no one will be ordained or elevated to
the Office of Bishop according to the Apostolic Succession
without the consent of the Archbishops, Patriarch, Primate,
Metropolitan, and President, meeting in a duly constituted
consultative Synod.
Given under our hands and seals:
duly authorized by the Universal Canons as exist in Holy
Scripture
Wilbert S. McKinley,
Patriarch.
Trevor D. Bentley,
Exarch.

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