Our Founders
Bp. Tomas Martin Bell, OPD, DD
Sr. Dominica Marie Schiliro, OPD
Sr. Michael Martin Finouli, OPD (inactive)
Sr. Martin Margaret DeSantis, OPD (inactive)
Coordinators, Volunteers, and Partnerships
Br. Tomas Martin Bell, OPD, DD
bishop and presiding minister
bishop and presiding minister
Sr. Dominica Marie Schiliro, OPD
senior councilor (Warmth of Love ministry)
senior councilor (Warmth of Love ministry)
Br. John Matsya, OPD
internal communications
internal communications
Sr. Terese Terry, OPD
virtual convent
vacant - public relations
virtual convent
vacant - public relations
Blair Petersen
youth and family (partnership with God is Not a Bully)
youth and family (partnership with God is Not a Bully)
Eden Kantrowitz
healing services coordinator (partnership with A World Apart)
healing services coordinator (partnership with A World Apart)
vacant - home visitation
vacant - aid to the aging
Sherry Halstead
youth group (Partnership with E.Y.E.S. Ecumenical Youth Enlightened by Spirit)
Br. Matthias lo Presti, OPDyouth group (Partnership with E.Y.E.S. Ecumenical Youth Enlightened by Spirit)
ongoing intellectual formation, personal aide to bishop Tomas
Br. Tomas Martin Bell OPD
work with non-Christian communities (Co-Founder/Co-Facilitator, Priesty and the Witch)
Honorary Members
Bishop John Hesson, OSB, DD
Bishop Hesson and our Bishop Tomas met in 1998 and developed a true friendship over the years. After the formal founding of the OPD Community in 2006, Bishop Hesson was the first to ask to be received as an honorary member and to be given the privilege of the habit. Bishop Hesson also invited the OPD to minister in his community. Bishop Hesson played an integral role in Bishop Tomas Martin's formation as a bishop and was our bishop's primary formator in the administration of the traditional latin sacraments. Bishop John Hesson is now retired from ministry and is enjoying his retirement in Florida. The Bishop continues his loving support of Bishop Tomas and the OPD continues to pray for Bishop Hesson. He is truly one of the fathers of our community.
"Bishop Hesson studied at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa staffed by the Benedictine Monks. He graduated cum laude in philosophy in 1963, then entered the theology dept. on campus. In 1966, Bishop Hesson earned a Master of Divinity degree magna corn laude in systematic theology. On may 20, 1967, he was ordained to the sacred priesthood by the Ordinary of Camden, Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano. For fifteen years the then Father Hesson labored in the field of education at Paul VI High School, Camden Catholic High and as dean of men and chairman of the theology department at St Mary's Prep Seminary in Penndel, Pa. During this time, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Moral Theology from La Salle College in Philadelphia. Since November of 1982, Bishop Hesson has served traditional independent Catholic chapels and missions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and throughout the USA. On June 12, 1991, he was consecrated a bishop by the Most Rev. Bishop Oliver Oravec who was assisted by Most rev. Bishop Robert Fidelis McKenna, OP and Most rev. Bishop Vida Elmer as co-consecrators." (from the bishop's biography)
Archbishop Gilbert Lyons, AOC
Archbishop Lyons has been an important presence in the OPD since its founding. His prayers and guidance have helped form our community and its members. As one of the four bishops to lay hands on our bishop, he is honored as a consecrator of our community. Archbishop's own community is a blending of the Franciscan and Dominican traditions, following the lifestyle of St. Francis and honoring St. Martin de Porres as its patron.
The African Orthodox Church was organized in America in 1921 by Archbishop George Alexander McGuire. In 1934 Archbishop Daniel William Alexander organized the African Orthodox Church through out East Africa and established a Seminary in Kenya where over 10,000 persons were affected by the African Orthodox Church of Africa.
About our bishop, Br. Tomas Martin Bell
After finishing his studies in Human resource management with a concentration in employment law and completing five years of Religious formation, Brother engaged in advanced studies in Sacred Theology. His work focused on a study of the Gospel of John in Aramaic. After completing Masters level work in biblical studies, Brother went on to doctoral studies in Pastoral Ministry and after becoming a bishop was awarded the doctorate in Divinity.
Early Ministry
Early Ministry
Br. Tomas Martin began teaching grammar school level religion in 1994 and adult faith formation in 1999 and continued teaching until elected head of his community in 2006. In 1999 Brother was received into the Dominican Order as a tertiary. He made his perpetual promises in 2003. From 1999-2007 Brother served the Catholic Dominicans in various capacities including: local chapter council member, local third order vocations director, local formation director, local sub-prior, regional vice president, regional president, third order provincial council member, and communications committee chair for the third order provincial council. In 2007 Brother resigned from the Catholic Dominicans in order to devote his full ministry to the Ecumenical OPD.
Ordination in the OPD Community
Ordination in the OPD Community
In 2006-2008 Archbishops Gilbert Lyons, AOC and James Bostwick, OCCA, Bishops John Hesson OSB and Sherman R. Mosley, DD recognized the OPD community; and Tomas Martin was ordained a catholic cleric. In June 2009 Tomas Martin, OPD was consecrated a bishop in Apostolic Succession and became the first presiding minister of the OPD Community. On September 8, 2009 Bishop Tomas-Martin began his written dialogue to the office of the Holy Father in Rome. Whereas the community is not dependent upon the Vatican, Bishop Tomas-Martin's love for the people of the Catholic Church serves as a solid reason, based in love, for his continuing effort at open communications with Rome.
Ministries with the OPD
The Community has helped build fresh water drinking wells in Uganda, Africa and provided assistance to missionary priests and religious in need. With the help of many dedicated benefactors across the country he hopes to continue this ministry in the future. The Community has built ministerial partnerships with Bishops of the Orthodox, Anglican, and Independent Catholic Traditions and will continue to engage in outreach to all people of God. In addition to the ministries mentioned, the community has engaged in Deliverance Ministry, Homeless Ministry, Ministry to the Sick and Dying, Private Spiritual Direction, Holistic Healing Ministry, and an active ministry to those who have been cut off from the Church. Br. Tomas Martin has offered courses to communities in the Roman Catholic Church, Traditional Catholic Movement, Independent Sacramental Movement, and Non-denominational associations across the country.
