February 23, 2024
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
It has come to my attention that some of you are becoming attracted to the Hermitage of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph located at 1771 10th Street, Cumberland, Wisconsin. I apologize for not responding to this serious issue before now. However, with the veil of secrecy that surrounds Bryan Walman (aka Fr. Ambrose), Rebekah Siegler (aka Sr. Tecla), and their activities, it has taken much time to investigate this matter. As with anything, anyone who presents themselves as a priest in good standing in the Roman Catholic Church, who is celebrating the sacraments in secret, should raise a concern as to the validity of both the individual and the sacraments supposedly being conferred.
At my request, Father Adam Laski and Father James Tobolski, Vicar General and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Superior, tried to meet with Bryan Walman and Rebekah Siegler to determine their canonical status. On January 31st at about 4:30 PM, Father Laski met with Bryan Walman at his residence to hand-deliver a letter from Father Tobolski and Father Laski regarding clarification of Bryan Walman’s status in the Diocese. Fr Laski warned Bryan Walman that if he didn’t give proof of his ordination there was no way to verify the validity of the sacraments he is celebrating. Bryan made it clear that neither of them is willing to meet with Fr. Laski or Fr. Tobolski, nor provide documentation of his ordination.
These points explain my concerns regarding the lack of clarity and communication from Bryan Walman and Rebekah Siegler:
- It is incumbent upon a priest, and a well-known expectation, to present the bishop of any Diocese with formal documentation proving his canonical status as a priest. This documentation proves the individual is a priest in good standing with an appropriate background check, and also proves that they have the permission of their Bishop to minister in another diocese. In spite of my attempts to receive appropriate documentation, Bryan Walman has outright refused to supply it.
- A priest cannot celebrate valid sacraments without the expressed permission of the local Bishop. If sacraments are currently being offered at this location by Bryan Walman, they are not valid or lawful in the Roman Catholic Church.
- Anyone claiming to be a hermit, or living in a hermitage, must be established with the Bishop’s permission; this has never happened regarding this location.
- Any woman claiming to be a religious sister must have obedience to a legitimate religious superior and prove she is in good standing when she enters a diocese. Rebekah Siegler’s status is very questionable as well. There is no such thing as a hermit without a religious superior. I have heard that she is claiming to be a “Consecrated Virgin.” A Consecrated Virgin does not claim the title “sister”, nor does she wear a religious habit. Also, the direct supervisor of a Consecrated Virgin is the Bishop of the Diocese. Rebekah Siegler has not proven any of these things and doesn’t have my permission to be in the Diocese of Superior
I have heard that it has been said that whatever Bryan Walman and Rebekah Siegler are doing, is none of my business. The fact of the matter is, what Bryan Walman and Rebekah Siegler are doing is absolutely my business. As Bishop of the Diocese of Superior, Pope Francis, our Holy Father, has entrusted to me the care of the souls within this Diocese.
Therefore, with the information I have at this time, it is my duty and obligation to warn all who are attending services at the Hermitage of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph:
YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING VALID SACRAMENTS
IN COMMUNION WITH
THE MOST HOLY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Due to the very questionable canonical status of Bryan Walman and Rebekah Siegler and the Hermitage of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I need to caution you about attending services there and financially supporting them in any way.
If Bryan Walman and Rebekah Siegler can produce the proper documents, I am willing to reevaluate the situation. I appreciate your attention to this very important spiritual matter.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. James P. Powers
Bishop of Superior