David Bawden Death – David Bawden aka “Pope Michael” sadly passed away unexpectedly on August 2, 2022, at the age of 62. Reports from multiple sources show that he died “shortly after being moved to hospice care.” On December 11, 2011, Bishop Robert Biarnesen of the Duarte-Costa and Old Catholic episcopal lineages solemnly ordained Bawden as a priest and consecrated him as a bishop.
It is unknown whether the appropriate form was followed during the solemn ordination and consecration. Bawden asserted that because the Duarte-Costa and Old Catholic lineages are recognized by the church, he was allowed to legitimately administer Catholic sacraments, celebrate Mass, ordain other men to the priesthood, and consecrate them as bishops.
Who was David Allen Bawden?
David Allen Bawden was born on September 22, 1959, in Oklahoma City. He was an American citizen and a candidate for the papal throne in the conclave. He claimed to have 30 or so “solid” followers in 2009. Six laypeople, including himself and his parents, who believed that the Catholic Church had broken away from the Catholic religion since Vatican II and that no genuine popes had been chosen since the demise of Pope Pius XII in 1958, elected Bawden as the new pope.
In 1975, Bawden and his family made the decision to become members of the Society of St. Pius X. (SSPX). Bawden attended Saint Joseph’s Priory in Armada, Michigan, as well as the SSPX seminary in Écône, Switzerland, but he was kicked out of both institutions in 1978. Bawden believes that since since Pope Pius XII passed away on October 9, 1958, all popes have been modernists, heretics, and apostates, which makes their election to the papacy unlawful.
Pope Pius XII passed away on October 9, 1958. Because they disobeyed Pope Pius X’s norms, he feels that they have been excommunicated automatically, which is also known as latae sententiae. Thomas Frank, an American journalist and historian, wrote a book in 2004 titled What’s the Matter with Kansas? and devoted a chapter to Bawden as the subject of the chapter. Adam Fairholm, a documentary filmmaker working independently, completed his first full-length film, Pope Michael, in the year 2010.
Bawden asserts that he was elected to the pope in 1990, at a papal conclave that was also attended by five other persons, including his parents. Bawden claims that he was the sole candidate for the position. Bawden also asserts that at some point in the year 2011, he was ordained a priest and then consecrated a bishop by an episcopus vagans.
As a result, he asserts that he is now able to validly celebrate Catholic sacraments, offer the Mass, ordain other men to the priesthood, and consecrate them as bishops. Bishop Robert Biarnesen, who comes from both the Duarte-Costa and the Old Catholic lineages, was the one who was responsible for ordaining and consecrating him. Adam Fairholm, a documentary filmmaker working independently, produced a full-length film on Pope Michael in the year 2010.
“Pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. David Bawden (aka “Pope Michael”). Despite being schismatic, we pray that God has mercy on his soul. He passed away shortly after being moved to hospice care. He had been very ill recently. I remember him being a very kind and gentle person. Our correspondence online was cordial and very friendly. I always looked forward to his birthday wishes and his occasional sharing and commenting on my posts. Most notably when he shared and highly approved of the original Divine Mercy chaplet I shared on here.” Arrys Ortañez Facebook page reads.
David Bawden’s Obituary will be released by the family.
Photo Credit: www.cjonline.com
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