Papal Chronicles of the Kansas Vatican: From Pope Michael to Pope Michael II
Unveiling the Intriguing Saga of an Unconventional Papal Ascension and Continuity
In 1990, something very interesting happened in the Kansas Catholic community. A man named David Bawden was elected Pope Michael in a private conclave, which was a big deal. Normally, becoming pope follows a very particular process, but this time, regular people helped make it happen. A total of eight individuals convened for the conclave, with six of them holding the status of electors, while the remaining two were minors. Among the participants were David Bawden, along with his parents, Teresa Benns, and a married couple from Minnesota. During the initial balloting, Bawden emerged as the chosen candidate and subsequently accepted the position, adopting the papal name Michael.
The unique occurrence garnered the attention of numerous U.S. newspapers, which reported on the unconventional event. These reports highlighted the claim that the legitimate Pope was not situated in Rome but rather in a small-town in Kansas. This information was covered by various publications, including The Manhattan Mercury on July 19, 1990, the Kansas City Star on July 23, 1990, The Wichita Eagle on July 29, 1990, the Macon Telegraph and News on August 7, 1990, and The Miami Herald on August 17, 1990. Because of this, Pope Michael became known as the "Kansas Pope." His unique journey and the mystery around how he became pope made his story very intriguing to many people. People found it fascinating and wanted to know more about it.
Pope Michael's unusual path to becoming pope raised many questions. His unexpected rise, different from how popes usually become leaders in Rome, made the story even more interesting. It showed that the Kansas Traditional Catholic community was strong and independent, and many of them strongly believed in him as their leader. For his small community, Pope Michael became a symbol of unwavering faith, and the Kansas Traditional Catholic community became a living example of the diversity within the larger Catholic faith. As the Kansas Pope led his unique spiritual journey, he gave it a sense of purpose that deeply connected with his followers, capturing the essence of a historical event that continued to fascinate people's hearts and minds.
For an impressive thirty years, Pope Michael remained firmly dedicated to his spiritual leadership. He held his position in a special place called the "Vatican in Exile" in Topeka. This unique sanctuary was a stronghold for traditional Catholicism, sticking to the timeless beliefs of the faith. Pope Michael's strong commitment to being pope showed how much he believed in his mission and how loyal his followers were. As he guided people spiritually, he gave them a sense of continuity and comfort. The "Vatican in Exile" wasn't just a physical location; it was also a symbol of a lasting legacy that had a big impact beyond its boundaries.
On August 2, 2022, tragedy struck when Pope Michael suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. This news was felt deeply in the spiritual world he had been a part of building and maintaining for so long. It was a sad twist in his story, and both the Kansas traditional Catholic community and people around the world were sad about losing such a unique spiritual leader. His passing made people think about the mark he left in history and how he touched lives during his time as pope. Even though his passing was sad, it set the stage for a new chapter in the Vatican in Exile's story. This chapter would eventually set the stage for a new pope and continue an intriguing legacy.
On July 29, 2023, Archbishop Rogelio del Rosario Martinez Jr., SCF, D.D. Archbishop of San Jose Del Monte, who was born in 1970, was elected the new pope to succeed Pope Michael at a conclave in Vienna. The story got even more interesting as Archbishop Martinez Jr. chose to be called Pope Michael II. This was carefully planned to connect the past and the future, keeping some things the same and bringing in new ideas. It was like a bridge between the old and the new in the exciting history of the Vatican in Exile.
A brief history of Pope Michael and the Vatican in Exile:
1959 (September 2): David Bawden was born in Oklahoma City.
1972: The Bawden family ceased attending Novus Ordo parishes and began seeking Masses celebrated by traditionalist priests, including priests from SSPX.
1976 (May 22): Archbishop Lefebvre confirmed David Bawden in Stafford, Texas.
1977 (September): Bawden gained admission to SSPX’s seminary in Ecône, Switzerland.
1978 (January): Bawden was transferred from Ecône to the SSPX seminary in Armada, Michigan.
1978 (December): Bawden was dismissed from the seminary.
1979: The Bawden family relocated to St. Marys, Kansas, where David Bawden worked at the SSPX-operated school.
1981 (March): Bawden resigned from his position at the school and left SSPX.
1983 (26 December): David Bawden signed an open letter asserting that none of the traditionalist groups conferred valid sacraments due to their lack of proper jurisdiction.
1985: Bawden authored "Jurisdiction during the Great Apostasy," expanding on his ideas regarding the sacramental validity within the traditionalist movement.
1987: Bawden became increasingly convinced that a new papal conclave was possible.
1989 (March 25): Bawden took a vow to work towards the election of a pope.
1989 (May): Based mainly on earlier writings, Teresa Stanfill Benns and David Bawden commenced preparations for a book outlining the case for the conclave.
1990 (January): Benns and Bawden published "Will the Catholic Church Survive the Twentieth Century?" and distributed it to sedevacantist clergy and laity, advocating for a papal election.
1990 (July 16): A conclave with six electors was convened in Belvue, Kansas. Bawden was elected pope, adopting the name Pope Michael I. The Vatican in Exile was established.
1993: The Bawden family relocated to Delia, Kansas.
2000: Pope Michael initiated an active online ministry.
2006: The group planned the ordination and consecration of Pope Michael, but the ceremonies were canceled shortly before they were scheduled to take place.
2011 (December 9-10): Independent Catholic bishop Robert Biarnesen (of the Duarte Costa succession) ordained Pope Michael as a priest, consecrated him as a bishop, and crowned him as pope.
2013: Pope Michael relocated to Topeka, Kansas.
2022 (August 2): Pope Michael passed away in Kansas City.
2023 (July 29): Archbishop Rogelio del Rosario Martinez Jr., SCF, D.D. was elected as the successor to Pope Michael at a conclave held in Vienna. He took the papal name Michael II.
Archbishop Rogelio del Rosario Martinez Jr., SCF, D.D. was ordained priest on April 12, 2003, by Bishop Galaroza in Church of the Resurrection, Dona Faustina, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. He Holds three Academic degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (1992) at Immaculate Conception Major Seminary in Bulacan; a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (1997) from the same Seminary, and a Bachelor of Laws (2004) at Harvardian Colleges in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
When Archbishop Martinez Jr. accepted his new role as Pope Michael II and became the pope, he embraced what the previous pope had done and started a new part of the Vatican in Exile's story. This was a special moment where the importance of history, strong faith, and the hopes of a devoted community all came together. Archbishop Martinez Jr.'s journey was like his predecessor's, filled with a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to a unique path within the wider Catholic tradition. Choosing the name Pope Michael II meant that some things would stay the same, but there was also the possibility of new and creative ideas that could shape the future of this extraordinary community. As the world watched, the ongoing story of the Vatican in Exile continued with renewed energy.
One interesting thing about Archbishop Rogelio del Rosario Martinez Jr. is that he's married and has a family, which makes his role as pope different from others. On January 28, 1999, he got married to Lynn Liquido Jacinto-Martinez, and this showed a part of his life that we don't usually hear about when it comes to priests, bishops, or popes. They also have a child named Rogelio J. III, which shows that he has responsibilities as a dad along with being a spiritual leader. It's worth noting that his family comes from the Philippines, which is another important detail because he's the first Asian and the first Filipino to claim the title of pope. This is a big deal because it adds more diversity to the history of popes.
Archbishop Martinez Jr. is like some other popes who were married in the very distant past, but he brings a new way of looking at things that shows how religious leaders can adapt to the modern world. He's not the first pope to be married and have a family, but his becoming pope in the Vatican in Exile makes this more important. It makes people talk about how personal life and spiritual duty can come together. Archbishop Rogelio del Rosario Martinez Jr. is scheduled to be formally enthroned as Pope Michael II on October 28th, 2023, at 9:00 AM. The sacred ceremony will take place at the Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, located in Brgy, Libtong Meycauayan, Bulcan, Philippines.
The Vatican in Exile is a close-knit community of traditional Catholics. They are known for their strong commitment to the traditional Latin mass, which has been important to them for a long time. This community holds onto its deep beliefs and traditions, which have continued on from time immemorial. Central to their beliefs is that the last Pope to be recognized before Pope Michael was Pope Pius XII. This belief guides their spiritual journey and connects them to a specific time in the history of the Catholic Church. From their perspective, the time when there was no pope (sede vacante) ended when Pope Michael was elected in 1990. This was a big moment for them and marked the start of their unique religious chapter.
What's important in this unique story is that the community doesn't follow the same path as mainstream Catholicism. They believe that Pope Michael I, not Pope Francis, was the true pope, and that upon enthronement, Pope Michael II will be the true pope. This belief creates a clear divide between the Vatican in Exile and the regular Catholic leadership. However, even with this difference, the core beliefs prior to Vatican II remain connected, showing that they share spiritual ideas that bring them together. In this mix of being different and having some things in common, the story of the Vatican in Exile unfolds. It shows how deeply held beliefs can shape what people believe in and the traditions they follow.
If you want to understand this story better, there's a really helpful article you can read at this link: https://magnuslundberg.net/2023/08/10/habemus-papam-michael-ii/#more-5232. This article is carefully written and explores many different aspects of the Vatican in Exile's history. It talks about the history, religious ideas, and the people who have influenced it.
If you're interested in the amazing story of David Bawden, who became Pope Michael I in a unique way, you can watch a fascinating video about it here: https://popemichaelfilm.com/watch. This video is like a documentary and combines interviews, old videos, and interesting storytelling to tell the incredible story of how Pope Michael I became pope. It's a chance to see the personal side of this extraordinary story and understand the strong belief, determination, and the extraordinary path he followed.
If you want to learn all about the life and important work of David Bawden, who became Pope Michael I, visit this website: https://wrldrels.org/2023/02/04/pope-michael. It has a lot of information about his life and the good things he did as a religious leader. It's a great place to find out more about him.