[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

                                 ______
                                 

                            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


                                   of

                 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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