Why a Bishop?
Why Do You Need A Bishop?
The Most Reverend:
David Leon Cooper, OMM, MS
Archbishop of the Orthodox Order
of the Missionaries of MercyA bishop is a successor to the Holy Apostles and may grant one a Dispensation. A priest
alone is not sufficient if you have an impediment.
Bishop's Dispensation
A bishop's dispensation is required for:
- A Previous Marriage;
- Difference in Religion;
- Lack of baptism of one party;
- and numerous situations.
Bishop's Dispensation - as mentioned previously, a bishop may grant dispensations. That is, remove the impediments and allow administration of the sacraments. As a bishop, I grant dispensations for all of the dispensable impediments. I have Vatican succession as well as multiple Eastern Orthodox lines of succession. (Any one of which is considered valid.) I am dedicated to providing solutions to those who need them - marriage is a very beautiful and serious institution. You and your loved one are entitled to the blessings of a priest. My book includes the Ecclesiastical Petition for Dispensation and Decree of Nullity form, or you may have access to the form by following this link.
Consecration:
In Papal utterances regarding the Orthodox, we are called ". . . Orthodox brothers of the Catholic faith which by God's grace we share."
Pope John Paul refers to the Orthodox churches as ". . . sister Catholic churches . . ."
Note: "Archbishop Cooper never claimed to be a Roman Catholic bishop; he claims to be Orthodox. It is the Vatican that has said that the Orthodox share the Catholic Faith and are separated sister Catholic Churches. The Envoy Magazine article about Bishop Cooper is misleading. The terms Orthodox Catholic and Orthodox Christian are synonymous. There are independent Western Rite Orthodox jurisdictions all over the world. Bishop Cooper's Order does NOT have gay or women priests."
The St. Mary Institute
18838 Roscoe Blvd. Bldg A
Northridge, CA
(By appointment only)
Mail and Shipping address:
18533 Roscoe Blvd. PMB 195
Northridge, CA 91324
Phone: 818-390-1452
Please do not send text messages--voice only!
davidcooper7@prodigy.net
