# What Led to Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel’s Controversial Excommunication from the Church?

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a polarizing figure in the Eastern Christian tradition, has faced significant controversy due to his excommunication from the Ancient Church of the East.

Known for his outspoken sermons on faith and politics, delivered via a massive online platform, he has garnered both fervent supporters and critics. His journey, marked by a recent survival of an assassination attempt, reveals a complex history of conflict within his religious community.

Born Robert Shlemon, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was ordained by the Ancient Church of the East, a denomination that split from the Assyrian Church of the East in the 1960s over issues like the Gregorian calendar adoption and patriarchal succession

. Despite claims to the contrary, official statements from the Assyrian Church assert he was never a member, and both groups have distanced themselves from his teachings, banning him from their churches.

The excommunication stemmed from nine specific accusations outlined by church authorities, which Bishop Mar Mari addressed in a detailed video titled “Why I Was Excommunicated.” Key charges included:

– **Living with His Mother**: Deemed a violation of canon law requiring clergy to reside on church premises, Bishop Mar Mari countered with Canon 3 from the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), which permits clergy to live with close female relatives like mothers.
– **Missing Daily Prayers**: Accused of not attending morning and evening prayers publicly, he referenced Canon 80 of the Second Council of Constantinople, arguing accountability applies only to missing Holy Mass, not daily prayers.

– **Wearing a Baruna (Head Covering)**: Criticized for wearing this traditional Assyrian monastic headgear, he defended it as an ancient practice.
– **Using Images of Saints**: Forbidden from including saint imagery in leaflets, he noted this was a common practice in churches worldwide.
– **Running a Charity**: Prohibited from operating charitable funds, he argued there’s no church law against it, citing Jesus’ sacrificial charity.
– **Socializing After Services**: Banned from joining tea or coffee gatherings post-sermon, he dismissed this as unbiblical, referencing Acts 6.
– **Using Endearments**: Criticized for terms like “darling” or “sweetie,” especially toward women, he explained these as cultural Australian expressions of kindness.

– **Leading Tours to Jerusalem**: Forbidden from taking his flock on pilgrimages or waving the Australian flag there, he found no law against it.
– **Using Modern Technology**: Accused of violating rules by using mobile phones and earphones, he rejected this as baseless under church law.

Following his excommunication, Bishop Mar Mari founded Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney, Australia, within the Eastern Syriac tradition. On August 15, 2023, it gained government recognition as a Christian Apostolic Orthodox Church, though questions remain about its acceptance by broader Orthodox communities regarding apostolic succession.

His approach, reminiscent of the Protestant Reformation, involves citing early church councils to challenge modern traditions, reflecting a push for reform. Despite the micromanagement and legalism he faced, Bishop Mar Mari stands firm, inspiring debates on tradition versus authenticity in religious practice.