Timothy Paul Baymon

Archbishop Timothy Paul
Patriarch of the International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church
Installed September 2007
Term ended Incumbent

Timothy Paul (born Timothy B. Baymon[1][2]) is the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church. In addition to his service as Patriarch of the ICHCOC, he currently serves in his third consecutive term as President of the World Bishops’ Council, the largest body of ecumenical Bishops. 1.[3][4]

Local roles

Paul is the senior pastor of the International Basilica in Springfield, MA and president of Epiphany Development Corporation which is building a $10 million boutique hotel at the Epiphany Tower building on State Street in that city.[5][6] He is president of Springfield Christian College and Theological Seminary, an institution for aspiring ministers that gives credit for life experiences. SCCTS is accredited by Accrediting Commission International (ACI). Timothy Paul, himself attended Wheaton College and American University. Paul is currently enrolled in a Juris Doctorate program at Taft Law School

Paul is a native of Springfield, MA. He is a member of the board of New England Partners in Faith and in 2006, served his second term as president of the Council of Churches of Western Massachusetts.[7]

World Bishops' Council presidency

Under Paul's leadership, the World Bishops Council has stood against Universalism, in one case correcting the teachings of United Church of Christ Bishop Carlton Pearson, which the Council judged to be heretical.[8] In 2001, the Unification Church promoted an event called "We Will Stand!" where Paul introduced Sun Myung Moon as the keynote speaker on a 50-state 51-day tour.[9][10][11] Paul signed a letter with twenty-eight other religious leaders in support of religious freedom in Iraq[12] Representing the WBC at the United Nations' 60th DPI/NGO Conference, Paul urged Christians to "become greater stewards of the earth" by conserving energy, by reducing greenhouse gases and deforestation, and by creating public and private partnerships which will lead to renewable energy sources.[3]

International Communion of the Holy Christian Orthodox Church

With a background in the Church of God in Christ, Archbishop Timothy Paul entered the autocephalous movement and was ordained in August 1999 by Carl Jimenez, Peter Brennan, James Lagona, and Joseph Grenier.[13] The ICHCOC established its U.S. Headquarters in Springfield, MA following the purchase of the historic Springfield Masonic Temple, renamed the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. The church is devoted to offering a place where the three major streams of conservative Western Christianity (Catholic, Evangelical and Pentecostal) can worship together.[14][15]

Deposed Bishop Edward Chomba alleged that Paul on January 1, 2007 attacked him, accusing him of practicing witchcraft and brainwashing another man. Baymon was arraigned and plead not guilty. At the arraignment, Baymon's lawyer argued for dismissal of the charges, stating there were four witnesses to the fight and claimed the witnesses said Paul "didn't do anything."[1][2]

In September 2007, the Holy Christian Orthodox Church, and the Holy Synod of Bishops voted, and elected him as Patriarch of the International Communion.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Archbishop charged with beating a former bishop". Boston Globe. February 15, 2006.
  2. 1 2 Marla A. Goldberg (February 14, 2006). "Bishop Pleads Innocent to Assault Charges". The Republican.
  3. 1 2 "World Bishops’ Council President Urges Action From Christians On Climate Change". Religion News Service. September 7, 2007.
  4. ↑ EXECUTIVECOLLEGE - The World Bishops Council
  5. ↑ Peter Goonan (June 3, 2006). "Hotel proposed near civic center". The Republican.
  6. ↑ Peter Goonan (June 3, 2006). "Hotel project moving forward". The Republican.
  7. ↑ Jo-Ann Moriarty (July 9, 2006). "$75,000 grant aids job-finding program". The Republican.
  8. ↑ News Service Briefs By - Charisma Magazine
  9. ↑ Message from Rev. Michael Jenkins regarding Rev. Moon's 50 state speaking tour
  10. ↑ We Will Stand!
  11. ↑ Seattle, WA—March 9 - Unification News 03/2001
  12. ↑ IRPP
  13. ↑ "Orthodox Catholic Bishops "B" Directory". American Orthodox Church. Archived from the original on 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  14. ↑ Marla A. Goldberg (July 7, 2007). "Church buys Masonic temple". The Republican.
  15. ↑ Religion News Service: Press Releases

External links

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