PRINCETON — Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission (LHTBM) is no stranger to media attention and zoning complications.
Formed in 1992 in Chicago, the LHTBM represents itself as a Roman Catholic mission, but has been denounced by the church, including the Dioceses of Dubuque, Iowa, Rockford, and Madison, Wis. The LHTBM began as a prayer meeting and Bible study groups under the leadership of Kyo McDonald and the Rev. Len Kruzel and has since developed into a communal setting.
According to news reports through WMAQ TV in 2005, Cardinal Francis George, head of the Chicago Archdiocese, announced his decision to call back and suspend one of the LHTBM leaders, the Rev. Len Kruzel. The LHTMB was accused of encouraging members to cut off ties with people outside the group, including family members.
According to a statement issued by George on Sept. 22, 2005, “Over the past several years, I have heard many stories of a deepening of the spiritual life from Catholics who have been part of this group. I have also heard stories from those who claim it is coercive of its members and theologically inadequate or even false.
“The studies and inquiries remain inconclusive about the theological foundations of the mission, even though some information has been given. I cannot come to a definitive conclusion about the value of the mission nor its ultimate relationship to the church. I find it necessary now, however, to make two practical decisions, based on pastoral prudence in this situation.”
Those decisions were that LHTMB could not use the facilities of the Archdiocese of Chicago for its meetings nor for the distribution of its publications, and calling Kruzel from full-time ministry with the LHTMB to a regular pastoral assignment in Archdiocesan ministry.
Also in 2005, the LHTBM came under fire in Dubuque, Iowa, when Msgr. James Barta, vicar general of the Dubuque Archidiocese, said LHTBM members seemed to believe the group’s leader, Kyo McDonald, was in direct communion with God. The group is “not to be considered an approved Catholic group,” Barta said.
Barta’s warning also referred to a 19-year-old girl who was ready to start school at Loras College, but moved instead to Chicago to join the LHTMB, disconnecting communication with her family.
In a May 2007 article by a Dubuque media outlet, the LHTBM bought a Bellevue, Iowa, farm house and property which the group had wanted to use as a retreat center and convent. The group had sought rezoning of the property, but then sold the property for $965,000. In that article, a woman was interviewed who said her daughter had planned to attend college but joined the group instead. The mother had not heard from her daughter in more than 20 months, at that time.
In December 2011, the LHTBM bought St. Paul Community Church in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood and sent eviction notices to the Near Northwest Arts Council, which represents 38 different groups. First Ward Alderman Joe Moreno said he would not give the LHTBM the special permit it needs to hold meetings for more than 12 people.
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