Having been excommunicated a second time Barry Pendergast followed up other appeals to Bishop Henry. Two Catholic friends had previously written for help and intervention by the Bishop but he declined.

Two main reasons Barry wrote to Bishop Henry - Bishop Henry had preached several times at South Calgary (& Barry & Jennifer were very impressed by his caring spirit); Rev Wallace spoke many times about his close friendship with Bishop Henry - they had both been involved in a number of social initiatives. Seemed like a last desperate attempt to get through to Rev Wallace. Should be noted that from September 14th 2003 to the current time Rev Wallace has only communicated with the Pendergasts three times - his name on the March 12th 2004 apology, once at a social event he said, " hi" to Barry from a distance and once said "thanks" for Barry leaving the main church door open for him.

From: Barry Pendergast <barrypendergast@shaw.ca>
Date: Wed Nov 10, 2004 7:49:39 AM Canada/Mountain
To: bishopfh@rcdiocese-calgary.ab.ca
Cc: Jim Grady <>, ann blough <>, Carrie Paproski <>, Julio Freitas <>
Subject: Challenges

Bishop Henry
You may remember we spoke on the phone sometime back. You promised to send me a copy of the moral code of conduct that you wisely implemented for behavior in the catholic church. A code to protect clergy and the congregation alike. I never did receive a copy but was able to get a copy from the Herald archives.

Your replies to several friends have been forwarded to us. While we are disappointed that you can do nothing yet, we are encouraged for your prayers as we start the challenge of telling the Christian community about the abuse that Jim Wallace, his co pastors, elders and ministry staff have visited upon us and many others. Jim Wallace has made serious allegations to fellow pastors and members of our old congregation about our suing previous churches. He has been called on it but refuses to answer to a simple Matt 18:15 meeting to discuss the matter. He has done much to try to discredit us behind our backs and witnesses are available to confirm this.

At a recent meeting with the elders they were unable to supply any evidence of our wrong doing. at the outset of this dispute. in mid September 2003. yet continue to attack us. They try to accuse us falsely of many crimes yet are not prepared to bring witnesses forward. We have witnesses who are willing to come forward to tell of the abuse visited upon us both by pastors and elders. They deny that we and Ron Berg at NABC tried 5 times to find a mediator to help solve our differences before we took the matter into the legal arena. The elders have used our necessary legal action to fuel anger against us in the body. When we asked the elders to set up an impartial body to investigate allegations of widespread abuse at SCCC they refused to believe us or act on the claims. Some of those abused are willing to tell their stories.

To have been excommunicated twice in one year is a pretty unique honour! We are glad you confirmed it was excommunication because some elders have suggested it was just like losing a membership in a country club. Especially when after the first time the elders wrote " The Elders apologize to the Pendergasts for this failure to observe certain biblical and legal responsibilities of fairness and natural justice ........". Now they are doing it a second time. That the elders would hold an information meeting Nov 17th about us without our presence is unbelievable but not unexpected. We will be having advocates appointed to act in our place. We also hope the press will be invited to the meeting to hear the concerns of others about the leadership. Perhaps you would attend to see fair play exercised

A telling remark for us was a statement by Pastor Wallace at our last appearance at SCCC " One of the most misunderstood passages in the bible is Ezek 34 - it is used to unfairly criticize church leaders" . Interestingly only a few days before we had used the passage to point out to the elders what they should use as a guide in dealing with us.

We are taking a long holiday but others will be taking up the responsibility to ask more and more direct questions of the SCCC leaders. These are reputable and responsible members of the Calgary Christian community. Our prayer is that the current turmoil will result in SCCC being returned to its rightful place as a bride of our beloved saviour.
Your brother in Christ

Barry