Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, Page 47
Corogeanu, who had been a soccer player until 2003, was ordained by the local bishop in
the hope that despite his lack of experience he would continue his studies while he ran the
monastery. The church has promised to tighten rules and require psychological tests for
people who want to enter monasteries.
Corogeanu was one among many filling the void left by monks moving out of monasteries to
become priests in the freer religious atmosphere of latter-day Romania. He took in a
number of nuns from this impoverished region of the country, and they reportedly became
completely devoted to him. Indeed, the nuns physically and verbally attacked the bishop
when he came to the convent to suspend Corogeanu, who held several services a day, some
in the middle of the night, and attracted a fanatical following from local villages. ―He would
say prayers for exorcism on command,‖ according to a local parish priest.
Corogeanu, who still has strong local support, claims that tying Cornici to the cross was
based on the ―oral tradition‖ of the church. ―Only God knows why he took her,‖ he said. ―I
think that‘s how God wanted her to be saved.‖ (Craig S. Smith, New York Times, 7/3/05
Independent Online, Internet, 6/22/05)
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Allegedly Building Temple for End of the World
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) is building a
seven-story temple at its new Texas settlement ―big enough to hold an enormous
congregation.‖ The church said when it bought the property that it would be a hunting
retreat. But the editor of the local paper says: ―They lied to us about the purpose they were
coming here for.‖ He adds that the builders ―are driven to get it done quick,‖ perhaps in
time for what a private detective calls an apocalyptic deadline—the 175th anniversary of the
founding of the Mormon Church.
FLDS Leader Warren Jeffs and numerous followers have left the FLDS towns in Arizona
and Utah and settled in Texas in the wake of lawsuits against him for child sexual abuse and
racketeering.
Local opinion of the settlement runs the gamut from ‗hands off‘ to ‗drive them out.‘ Anti-
polygamy activists suggest that another ‗Waco‘ is possible, but the local sheriff, who
maintains good communication with the settlement, says: ―I don‘t expect any trouble.‖
(John Hollenhorst, KSL TV News, Internet, 2/17/05)
Meanwhile, dissidents who say that FLDS finances are in ―disarray,‖ have asked a Utah
judge to appoint new trustees and a receiver to stop alleged waste of FLDS assets. (Pamela
Manson, Salt Lake Tribune, Internet, 2/19/05)
Call to Remove FLDS Judge
The Utah Judicial Conduct Commission has called for the removal from the bench of Judge
Walter Steed, a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, because he is a polygamist, which is against the law. Both the state attorney
general and the county attorney have refused to file charges against the judge, however.
The state Supreme Court is likely to address the issue soon. (AP in San Diego Tribune,
Internet, 2/25/05)
Last year, Hildale, AZ, police officer Rodney Holm, an FLDS member, was convicted of
bigamy and sexual misconduct and lost his job. (Salt Lake Tribune, Internet, 2/28/05)
Jeffs Ruled in Default
FLDS leader Warren Jeffs has lost the right to defend himself against allegations that he
orchestrated the firing and blacklisting of a former member in the sect‘s communities on the
Corogeanu, who had been a soccer player until 2003, was ordained by the local bishop in
the hope that despite his lack of experience he would continue his studies while he ran the
monastery. The church has promised to tighten rules and require psychological tests for
people who want to enter monasteries.
Corogeanu was one among many filling the void left by monks moving out of monasteries to
become priests in the freer religious atmosphere of latter-day Romania. He took in a
number of nuns from this impoverished region of the country, and they reportedly became
completely devoted to him. Indeed, the nuns physically and verbally attacked the bishop
when he came to the convent to suspend Corogeanu, who held several services a day, some
in the middle of the night, and attracted a fanatical following from local villages. ―He would
say prayers for exorcism on command,‖ according to a local parish priest.
Corogeanu, who still has strong local support, claims that tying Cornici to the cross was
based on the ―oral tradition‖ of the church. ―Only God knows why he took her,‖ he said. ―I
think that‘s how God wanted her to be saved.‖ (Craig S. Smith, New York Times, 7/3/05
Independent Online, Internet, 6/22/05)
Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Allegedly Building Temple for End of the World
The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) is building a
seven-story temple at its new Texas settlement ―big enough to hold an enormous
congregation.‖ The church said when it bought the property that it would be a hunting
retreat. But the editor of the local paper says: ―They lied to us about the purpose they were
coming here for.‖ He adds that the builders ―are driven to get it done quick,‖ perhaps in
time for what a private detective calls an apocalyptic deadline—the 175th anniversary of the
founding of the Mormon Church.
FLDS Leader Warren Jeffs and numerous followers have left the FLDS towns in Arizona
and Utah and settled in Texas in the wake of lawsuits against him for child sexual abuse and
racketeering.
Local opinion of the settlement runs the gamut from ‗hands off‘ to ‗drive them out.‘ Anti-
polygamy activists suggest that another ‗Waco‘ is possible, but the local sheriff, who
maintains good communication with the settlement, says: ―I don‘t expect any trouble.‖
(John Hollenhorst, KSL TV News, Internet, 2/17/05)
Meanwhile, dissidents who say that FLDS finances are in ―disarray,‖ have asked a Utah
judge to appoint new trustees and a receiver to stop alleged waste of FLDS assets. (Pamela
Manson, Salt Lake Tribune, Internet, 2/19/05)
Call to Remove FLDS Judge
The Utah Judicial Conduct Commission has called for the removal from the bench of Judge
Walter Steed, a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, because he is a polygamist, which is against the law. Both the state attorney
general and the county attorney have refused to file charges against the judge, however.
The state Supreme Court is likely to address the issue soon. (AP in San Diego Tribune,
Internet, 2/25/05)
Last year, Hildale, AZ, police officer Rodney Holm, an FLDS member, was convicted of
bigamy and sexual misconduct and lost his job. (Salt Lake Tribune, Internet, 2/28/05)
Jeffs Ruled in Default
FLDS leader Warren Jeffs has lost the right to defend himself against allegations that he
orchestrated the firing and blacklisting of a former member in the sect‘s communities on the
