Lower Gallican Rite of the Catholic Church Re-Established - New Primate Appointed

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 07 Jan 2022 (NRom)

Rutherford I signing
the Concordat

Recently His Holiness Papa Rutherford I, Prince of Rome signed a concordat between the Apostolic See and the Royal Merovingian Dynasty and issued an Apostolic Constitution formally reestablishing the Lower Gallican Rite of the Catholic Church. The re-established rite is under the spiritual protection of the Anglican Patriarchate of Rome and the temporal leadership of His Christian Majesty Don Esteve IV Rubén Alberto, head of the ancient Merovingian Dynasty. 

His Excellency Alejandro Paulo Rodrigues, Capitular Bishop of Saint Stephen in the pontifical court, was named by the Archfather as Primate of the Lower Gallican Rite, with the associated title of Archbishop of Lyon, the most the most ancient See in France.

The Gallican Rite is not a single rite of the Church, but instead is an ancient collection that came into use at least before the 5th century and is associated primarily with Roman Gaul and Western Francia (modern-day France). The neighbouring Iberian Rite was similarly used from the 5th century in Roman Hispania (modern-day Spain). The Iberian Rite was so linked with the Gallican Rite that they are often referred to jointly as Hispano-Gallican. In fact, the territories of the Merovingian Dynasty are widely associated with Spain as well. The house of Gévaudan itself, for example, became linked to the thrones of Barcelona, Aragón, and Castile y León. The Italo-Burgundian House of Ivrea, to which the Anglican Patriarchate of Rome is heir in Imperial Italy, shared a similar history, holding those same thrones. 

Don Esteve IV Rubén Alberto (left) and
Monsignor Alejandro Rodrigues, Archbishop of Lyons (right)

Also used to describe the Rite is the term Gallo-Roman. The Gallican Rite is also associated with Italy, particularly the areas of Piemonte and Lombardia in the north, as well as Tuscany and Sicily/Naples -- all areas that were historically associated with France.

Coat of arms of Monsignor Rodrigues
as Primate of the Lower Gallican Rite

The Merovingian Dynasty today represents the most noble of all houses in Christendom and arguably the most ancient. The dynastic house of David-Toulouse-Gévaudan also descends from King David. The dynasty today is highly active in charitable service and service to the church around the world, following in the footsteps of its ancestors. The Lower Gallican Rite not only perpetuates an intangible religious and cultural heritage of the Merovingian Dynasty, but also furthers the goal of service to others.

Destruction in Philippines & Kentucky: Anglo-Roman Holy Father Expresses Concern, Speaks of Hope

By A. DiNardo 

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 18 Dec 2021 (NRom)

In the wake of the recent deadly typhoon in the Philippines and devastating tornadoes in Kentucky, USA, many people are seriously suffering. For survivors, the sobering reality is yet more hardship, confusion, sadness, pain, and problems on top of a world pandemic.  For them, the notion of happy Christmas holidays may seem distant; yet we know that faith and hope will help to rebuild. If you want to help, consider donating through the Apostolic See (Anglican Patriarchate), the Red Cross, or other reputable charities. His Holiness & Eminence Papa Rutherford I expressed his concern in a statement earlier today. The Archfather said:

Our prayers are with the people of the Philippines who are suffering the devastation of a typhoon, and with the people of Kentucky suffering the aftermath of devastating tornadoes. Amidst the death and destruction of major natural disasters, we see nevertheless hope for mankind in the Christlike, selfless service of those who rise to the challenge and help others. In those who comfort the grieving, lift up those who have been damaged, and rebuild what has been destroyed, we see the example of Christ in action. During this Advent season, let us therefore see hope in the coming of Christ. Let suffering here on earth be to the benefit of the poor souls in purgatory. Let us follow the example of obedience of the Blessed Virgin, going forward always in the faith of Christ, even through difficult times.

Stato Pontificio celebrates first ever Feast of Pope Saint Leo X

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 01 Dec 2021 (NRom) 

Today the Pontifical States and the Anglican Patriarchate of Rome celebrated the first-ever Feast of Pope Saint Leo X. Saint Leo was canonized earlier this year by His Holiness Papa Rutherford I. 

St. Leo, known primarily for his papal bull excommunicating Martin Luther, reigned as Pope from 1513 to his death in 1521. Born Giovanni de' Medici, he was the second son of Lorenzo de' Medici, ruler of the Republic of Florence, and Clarice Orsini. He has himself been Lord/Prince of Florence. Thus, when he became Pope, he became the first Florentine Archfather. He is one of the main founders of the Anglican Patriarchate of Rome. 

Anglo-Roman Holy Father Condemns the Sale of Afghan Girls into Marriage

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 21 Nov 2021 (NRom)

The following is a Patriarchal letter from His Holiness Papa Rutherford I regarding the situation of the selling of child brides in Afghanistan. This follows earlier statements by the Archfather on the human rights situation following the withdrawal of coalition forces from Afghanistan. 

Laudetur Jesus Christus! 

     Dear brethren, the vacuum of power left in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the United States and other nations, which allowed the violent return to power of the Taliban, has serious human rights consequences. On this we have already spoken, and indeed many of the world leaders of civil states have turned a deaf ear to the suffering of many. 

     Today, We wish to address a specific issue of human rights in Afghanistan, namely that of the selling of child brides. This ghastly and unfathomable practice is the result largely of the economic tur-moil created by the withdrawal of United States and coalition forces and the return to power of the Taliban. Those who were poor before now find themselves in even worse conditions, faced with making terrible choices. Others are recently impoverished due to the circum-stances and likewise find themselves making terrible choices. Many of the poor are selling their daughters, sometimes as young as seven or eight, into marriage. Some of them are destined for foreign countries. These girls are obviously, at that age, completely unaware of the circumstances of the arrangement. The practice is completely appalling and a violation of human rights, the dignity of mankind, and the sanctity of matrimony.

     Although we can be sympathetic to the crushing conditions that are resulting in fathers selling their child daughters into marriage, we nevertheless cannot approve of the practice. The blame must primarily lie, however, with those that put Afghan families into the economic conditions in the first place. That is the Taliban, as well as the Coalition forces that withdrew from Afghanistan, taking all of their protective capabilities with them.

     This is a crisis that good people cannot ignore. Therefore, We call upon all Christian people of the world to petition their civil governments through legal means to take appropriate action to safeguard the lives and dignity of those in Afghanistan impacted by recent economic decline. Furthermore, We call upon all Christian people of Coalition nations to petition their civil governments through legal means to take full and complete responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

Puerto Rican Business Leader Appointed Pontifical Nunzio to United Nations

By A. DiNardo

NEW YORK 13 November 2021 (NRom)

His Excellency Chev. José Rivera was appointed by His Holiness and Eminence Papa Rutherford I as Pontifical Nunzio of the Apostolic See to the United Nations. Chev. Rivera represents the Archfather and the Anglican Patriarchate in the United Nations, where the patriarchate is accredited in special consultative status through the Economic and Social Council.  

Chev. Rivera is from Puerto Rico. A civil engineer by profession, he has worked in engineering and construction management, as a building inspector, and as a consultant in Puerto Rico and the mainland United States.  He also served as a member of the U.S. Senate Task Force for Hispanic Issues during 1997-2001. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and was selected for the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, a national honor society in BSA. The selection as a Vigil Honor member is based on his  demonstrated "unselfish devotion to the welfare of others."

Chinese Whistleblower Dying in Prison - Archfather Urges Freedom

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 7 Nov 2021 (NRom) 

The imprisonment of Zhang Zhan, a Chinese attorney and citizen-journalist, raised significant humanitarian concerns around the world. She released over 100 YouTube videos of the circumstances in Wuhan, China that led to the global pandemic. The Chinese government attempted to silence her, eventually giving her a four year sentence on a flimsy pretext. She is currently in poor health and at risk of death in prison. His Holiness and Eminence Papa Rutherford I issued a statement today on the situation. The Anglo-Roman Holy Father urged the Chinese government to release her immediately. The full text of the statement is below.

STATEMENT TEXT

     We are compelled by brotherly love for humanity to speak about what can only be called a human rights violation perpetrated by the government of China. Our curial officials made Us aware that a Chinese citizen and attorney Zhang Zhan was prosecuted and jailed for filming and publicising the occurrences in Wuhan that ultimately led to the current global pandemic. The Chinese government exploited its legal system to arrest her and imprison her, imposing a four-year sentence. She engaged in a hunger strike as an act of protest, at times being force fed by prison officials. This has taken a toll, understandably, on her health. Particularly given the unjust nature of her imprisonment, this is the direct responsibility of the Chinese government. If she dies in prison or as a result of the ordeal later, the Chinese government will be culpable. Indeed, it has been reported that she is now in very poor health and in danger of dying. Therefore, We call upon the Chinese government to order her immediate release from prison to aid in her recovery to full health. We further encourage that her conviction be overturned and expunged from her record forthwith. 

Companion Hubert Germain, Knight of the Order of the Liberation dies age 101

By Jean DuBois

PARIS 14 October 2021 (NRom)

Companion of the Noble Company and French resistance fighter Chev. Hubert Germain, son of General Maxime Germain, died in Paris today at age 101. A member of the Free French Forces in the Second World War, he fought in the Battle of Bir Hakeim, saw service in Italy, and took part in the landing in South France in 1944. 

After the war he served as Mayor of Saint-Chéron, deputy in Parliament for Paris's 14th constituency,  and as Minister of Posts and Telecommunications. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. He was also named a Companion of the Order of Liberation, an order founded by Charles de Gaulle. The order was formed to "...reward people, of the military or civilian communities, who will have distinguished themselves in the task of liberating France and her Empire."