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Diocesan native among Intercessors
to remain loyal to Omaha archbishop

Catholic Globe report

When Omaha Archbishop George J. Lucas used a church procedure on Oct. 15 to shut down the Association of the Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb, a contemplative, intercessory, and mixed (lay men, women, and clerics) public association of hermits, about 50 of the 60 members remained faithful to the archbishop and the church.

These members were voluntarily bussed to a Catholic retreat center in the archdiocese. A native of the Diocese of Sioux City, Danika Boever, was a member of this group and was among those who remained loyal to the archbishop.

In a letter to The Catholic Globe, Danika’s parents, Frank and Janee Boever of Spencer, wrote that the majority of the members had stood by the archbishop’s decision “while their hearts cried within. It was a deep loss yet, they had the faith in God knowing that his plan would guide, protect and strengthen their continuing commitment in giving themselves to Christ and his church.”

The archbishop from Omaha appointed a priest to oversee members of the former community. Father Gregory Baxter said, “They were sad when he broke the news to them about Lucas' decision, but they were very supportive of the archbishop's vision and realized he had no choice. These are good people. They're very spiritual and desirous of continuing in their relationship with the Lord. That's all they wanted. Now they have to go through a very difficult time of discerning what that may look like in the future.”

In a letter from Archbishop Lucas dated Oct. 29 that was posted on the website of the Archdiocese of Omaha, he stated, “I ask for your continued prayerful support for the 53 former members of the Intercessors who have decided to spend time in community discernment over the next 12 months. During this time they will pray and study and seek advice and counsel relating to developing a deeper and more profound appreciation of the charism of intercessory prayer. They will also pray and discern how such a charism could be of service to the local Church of Omaha as well as to the Universal Church in the context of community life sanctioned by the Church in distinct communities of women and men.”

The archbishop had suppressed the Catholic association after a majority of lay directors of the Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc., the association’s civil corporation, impeded him from exercising his legitimate governance of the association and providing pastoral solicitude for professed members.

With a daughter who presently is one of individuals going through this ordeal, the Boevers said they want to assure those who know their daughter of “the strength of her faith, the hope she clings to, and the love she has for Christ and the Catholic Church. We are very proud of her and her decision and continue in our prayers and support for her and the rest … who only want to serve the Lord and his people.”

Those who wish to support approximately 50 of the former members who are now being cared for by the Archdiocese of Omaha can send donations for this specific purpose to: Intercessor Relief, c/o Archdiocese of Omaha, 100 N. 62nd St., Omaha, NE 68132. Checks should be made payable to the “Archdiocese of Omaha” with a notation made in the memo field for "Intercessor Relief."