Rachel Evans
The Christian Palmarian Church of the Carmelites of the Holy Face, commonly called the Palmarian Catholic Church, is a schismatic Catholic church with its own pope, Manuel Corral, called Pope Peter II. The church has its origins in the apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported at Palmar de Troya from March 1968. The church has been described as a lie that lasted 40 years by El País, and it is difficult to determine the exact number of followers due to its controversial nature and secretive practices. However, the church has gained attention for its wealthy patrons in the United States and Europe, and former members have revealed large donations received by the church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of origin | 1968 |
| Location | El Palmar de Troya, Spain |
| Current Pope | Manuel Corral, also known as Pope Peter II |
| Previous Pope | Gines Jesus Hernandez, also known as Pope Gregory XVIII |
| Number of members | Between 1,000 and 1,500 |
| Number of churches | A few in other locations besides El Palmar de Troya |
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What You'll Learn
- Membership numbers are hard to come by, but Pope Gregory XVIII claimed 1,000-1,500 in 2011
- The church is based in El Palmar de Troya, Spain
- The church has its own pope, Manuel Corral, known as Pope Peter II
- The church was formed by Clemente Dominguez y Gomez, who was known as Pope Gregory XVII
- The church is a schismatic sect of Catholicism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1970s
Membership numbers are hard to come by, but Pope Gregory XVIII claimed 1,000-1,500 in 2011
Membership numbers for the Palmarian Catholic Church are hard to come by. The church does not receive money from the state, and its publications are not sold—they are distributed for free among its members.
The church is a schismatic Catholic church that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the late 1970s. It is centred in the Spanish village of El Palmar de Troya and has a few churches in other locations. The origins of the Palmarian movement can be traced back to 1968, when four Spanish schoolgirls claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary on a tree near El Palmar de Troya. Many people came to see the apparition, including an insurance broker from Seville named Clemente Domínguez y Gómez. While the local bishop rejected the validity of the apparition, Domínguez continued to believe and gained a small following of those who agreed. He claimed that the Virgin Mary had appeared to him, instructing him to purge the Catholic Church of heresy, progressivism, and communism.
In a sermon delivered in August 2011, Pope Gregory XVIII claimed that there were between 1,000 and 1,500 members of the church. He was one of the sect's strictest leaders, instituting lengthy prayer services, limiting cigarette smoking, and prohibiting movies. He later left the church and declared that it was a cult.
The church has been marked by controversy since its foundation, with several priests receiving treatment in local hospitals after undergoing amateur body piercing in the early 1990s. Domínguez, the first pope of the Palmarian Church, admitted to having sex with nuns and was previously active in Seville's homosexual community. Between 1978 and 1983, many adherents left the church, including the Palmarian Bishop Maurice Revaz.
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The church is based in El Palmar de Troya, Spain
The Church of the Palmarian Catholic Church is nestled in the small Spanish town of El Palmar de Troya, located in the southern region of Andalusia. This unique religious community has its roots firmly planted in this tranquil setting, and its presence has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the town's identity. El Palmar de Troya, despite its modest size, has become a spiritual epicenter, attracting adherents and sparking curiosity from far and wide.
The choice of this location as the church's base holds significant symbolic value. It is believed that in 1968, four young girls from the town experienced apparitions of the Virgin Mary in a nearby pine grove. These mystical encounters sparked intrigue and soon drew a crowd of believers and onlookers to the site. The events at El Palmar de Troya quickly gained notoriety, with some drawing comparisons to the famous apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917.
As the news of these supernatural occurrences spread, a steady stream of pilgrims began to flock to the small town. People sought not only spiritual guidance but also a sense of community and belonging. This burgeoning interest laid the foundation for what would eventually become the Palmarian Catholic Church. The church's establishment was formally announced in 1978, marking a pivotal moment in the town's history.
El Palmar de Troya, while playing host to this burgeoning religious movement, also boasts a rich cultural heritage. The town is situated in a picturesque setting, surrounded by lush olive groves and sun-drenched landscapes. Its historical roots run deep, with archaeological remnants indicating the presence of ancient civilizations. The town's name is derived from the Latin "palmaria," alluding to the abundance of palm trees that once adorned the landscape.
Over time, the church has established its physical presence in El Palmar de Troya. The town is home to the church's headquarters, a complex that includes a cathedral, monastery, and various administrative buildings. The cathedral, known as the "Basilica of Our Crowned Mother of Palmaria," is a distinctive architectural landmark. With its imposing spires and intricate design, it stands as a testament to the church's presence and serves as a focal point for religious ceremonies and gatherings.
Beyond the physical structures, the town of El Palmar de Troya has become intertwined with the church's identity. The local community has a deep connection to the faith, and many residents are adherents or supporters of the Palmarian Catholic Church. The church's presence has influenced the cultural fabric of the town, shaping traditions, festivals, and everyday life. It has become an integral part of the town's character, attracting scholars, pilgrims, and those seeking a deeper understanding of this unique religious movement.
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The church has its own pope, Manuel Corral, known as Pope Peter II
The origins of the Palmarian Catholic Church can be traced back to 1968, when four Spanish schoolgirls claimed to have witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary near El Palmar de Troya, a village in southern Spain. This event attracted many visitors to the area, including an insurance broker from Seville, Clemente Domínguez y Gómez. While the local bishop rejected the validity of the apparition, Domínguez continued to believe and gained a small following of supporters. He claimed that the Virgin Mary had appeared to him and instructed him to rid the Catholic Church of heresy, progressivism, and communism.
Following the death of Pope Paul VI in 1978, Domínguez declared himself pope of a new religious order, taking the name "Gregory XVII". He claimed that his authority came directly from Jesus Christ, who had mystically crowned him pope in a vision. Domínguez's actions led to the evolution of the "Carmelites of the Holy Face" into the Palmarian Catholic Church. The Palmarian Church is a schismatic Catholic sect that broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and appoints its own popes. They believe that Christ transferred the position of Patriarch of the West and Supreme Pontiff to the new episcopal see of Palmar de Troya.
Manuel Corral, also known as Pope Peter II, succeeded Clemente Domínguez y Gómez as the leader of the Palmarian Catholic Church. Under his leadership, the church continued to uphold its ultra-conservative values and practices. The exact number of current members belonging to the Palmarian Catholic Church is unknown, but in a 2011 sermon, Pope Gregory XVIII claimed that there were between 1,000 and 1,500 members.
The Palmarian Catholic Church has been controversial since its foundation due to practices that differ from traditional Catholic devotion. For example, controversial figures have been named as saints, and the church has engaged in amateur body piercing and unconventional sexual practices. The Roman Catholic Church does not recognize the ordination of Domínguez as a bishop because it occurred without their approval.
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The church was formed by Clemente Dominguez y Gomez, who was known as Pope Gregory XVII
The Christian Palmarian Church of the Carmelites of the Holy Face, commonly called the Palmarian Catholic Church, was formed by Clemente Dominguez y Gomez, who later became known as Pope Gregory XVII. Born in 1946 in Écija, in the province of Seville, Andalusia, Clemente Dominguez y Gomez was raised by Spanish Catholic parents and received a traditional Catholic education.
In his youth, Clemente Dominguez y Gomez led a libertine lifestyle. However, at the age of 23, he became closely associated with the Palmar de Troya movement, which was founded on the basis of alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1968. He claimed to have experienced visions of the Virgin Mary himself beginning on 30 September 1969, and his followers claimed that he possessed the stigmata on his hands.
In December 1975, Clemente Dominguez y Gomez founded his own religious order, The Carmelites of the Holy Face, allegedly instructed by the Virgin Mary in an apparition. He was ordained as a priest and then consecrated as a Bishop in January 1976 by the Vietnamese Roman Catholic Archbishop Ngo Dinh Thuc, who was later excommunicated for his consecrations. Dominguez y Gomez himself was also excommunicated.
Following the death of Pope Paul VI in 1978, Clemente Dominguez y Gomez claimed to have had a vision in which he was mystically crowned Pope of the Palmarian Christian Church by Jesus Christ. He took the papal name "Gregory XVII" and appointed his own cardinals. By these actions, the "'Carmelites of the Holy Face' evolved into the Palmarian Catholic Church".
The Palmarian Catholic Church is considered a schismatic Catholic church with controversial practices not part of traditional Catholic devotion. It is estimated that there were between 1,000 and 1,500 members of the church as of August 2011.
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The church is a schismatic sect of Catholicism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1970s
The Palmarian Catholic Church, a small and obscure schismatic sect of Catholicism, emerged in the 1970s when Clemente Domínguez y Gómez, a former salesman, claimed to have received visions and prophecies from Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Domínguez y Gómez, taking the name Gregory XVII, established the Palmarian Catholic Church in 1978, with its headquarters in El Palmar de Troya, Spain. This new church was a direct break from the Roman Catholic Church, with Gregory XVII declaring himself the pope of the true Catholic Church.
The exact number of Palmarian Catholics is difficult to pinpoint, but it is estimated that there are a few thousand members worldwide. The church has a presence in several countries, including Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and South America, with the majority of adherents believed to be in Spain. However, since the death of Gregory XVII in 2005, the church has reportedly declined in membership, and it remains a relatively unknown and isolated group.
The Palmarian Catholic Church is known for its conservative and traditionalist beliefs, which are often considered extreme even within the context of Catholicism. They reject the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and maintain a strict interpretation of Catholic doctrine, including a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary. One of the most notable features of the church is its belief in apocalyptic prophecies and the imminent end of the world.
Gregory XVII's prophecies and visions formed the basis of Palmarian Catholic doctrine, which includes a unique and complex set of beliefs. For example, they hold that all other religions are false and that the Roman Catholic Church has fallen into error and apostasy. The Palmarian Catholics also believe in the existence of angels and demons and place a strong emphasis on exorcism and spiritual warfare.
The church is highly critical of the modern world and rejects many aspects of contemporary society, including democracy, liberalism, and secularism. They advocate for a traditionalist and hierarchical social order, with strict gender roles and a strong emphasis on family values. These beliefs, along with their schismatic nature and apocalyptic worldview, have led many to consider the Palmarian Catholic Church a cult or a new religious movement.
Despite its small size and obscure nature, the Palmarian Catholic Church has gained some attention over the years due to its unique beliefs and schismatic origins. However, it remains a relatively unknown and isolated group, with its influence largely limited to its small community of adherents.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear how many Palmarian Catholics there are in the world. However, the church has a cathedral in El Palmar de Troya, Spain, and a few churches in other locations. The church is supported by wealthy patrons in the United States and Europe.
Palmarian Catholicism is an ultra-conservative Catholic sect that separated from the Catholic Church in the 1970s and recognizes its own popes. The church insists that it is the true Catholic authority in the world and that the Pope in Rome is a pretender and heretic.
Palmarian Catholics believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, after which the final judgement of each individual will take place. They are strictly anti-freemason, anti-Marxist, and anti-Zionist. They also believe that institutions like the United Nations, the Roman Catholic Church, and the United States of America are run by Satan-worshipping freemasons.
