The Roman Catholic Church has taken an unusual move of warning
churchgoers to steer clear of a Nebraska group whose members secluded
themselves for more than two decades as they offered prayers for others.
To
religious scholars, the dispute typifies the fragile relationships
between the mainline church and offshoot groups that take it in
uncomfortable directions.
They say the church's split with the
Intercessors of the Lamb in Omaha is more about control over the group's
form and function.
Notre Dame theology professor Lawrence Cunningham says the church worries about such groups turning into cults.
The
Intercessors was denounced in mid-October amid allegations of financial
mismanagement and intimidation by leadership to keep members in line.
Founder Nadine Brown has denied any wrongdoing.
SIC: KYP/USA