The Rt. Rev. Philip Martin Daniel Gerboc, IOFM, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed into life eternal on 2 February 2017.
He was born on 19 February 1962 in Cleveland, OH to the late William and Kathleen Cullen Gerboc, the youngest of 4 children. The child of deaf parents, he attended Catholic schools and participated in his first politically oriented demonstration while in 1st grade, calling for Integration with the Adrian Dominican nuns. In his youth, his family moved to Warrensville Heights, OH and there he joined St. Jude Church, staffed by the OFMs of the Sacred Heart Province. While there, he started a youth group. This group blossomed and grew. Because of the size of the group and the services they provided (feeding the poor, singing at nursing homes, visiting the sick, infirm, and seniors, and financially aiding those in emergency situations,) Phil was appointed to the Bishop’s Council of Youth. He received national recognition by the National CYO, and was the National recipient of the Youth of the Year by the CYO. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Our Lady of the Angels Franciscan seminary of the Sacred Heart, Province of OFMs Quincy University.
Bishop Gerboc organized sweat shops throughout the South, and was active in the fight for the Tenants’ Rights and Human Rights Ordinance in Chicago. He testified before Congress against NAFTA. Bishop. Gerboc ran countless political campaigns and aided underdog candidates to victory. He was arrested countless times for his Union activity; recently, three times in the same day at the Wisconsin Capitol Building, demonstrating against Scott Walker’s busting of State Workers Union. These were some of his proudest moments.
He was also one of the first openly gay union staff members, working on Dr. Ron Sable’s Aldermanic Campaign as an openly gay union staff member. He lobbied for the Chicago Civil Rights amendment (LGBT Ordinance) and helped organize the Chicago contingent for the March on Washington for LGBT rights. He was among those responsible for the Chicago Gay bars to boycott Coors beer for their discrimination of the LGBT and unions. He also served as a board member of the Lesbian and Gay Progressives as well as Illinois Public Action and NARAL. He worked for the Amalgamated Textile Workers Union and negotiated one of the first contracts to recognize “significant others,” which was one of the first union contracts recognizing “significant others” and non-discrimination of sexuality. He worked for SEIU organizing Hospital workers such as nurses, janitors and med techs. Bishop Gerboc is the Father of the “Living Wage” ordinance that passed in Chicago.
He was ordained to the priesthood 27 May 2012 and was, at the time of his transition, the Vicar General and Bishop-elect of the Diocese of the Great Lakes of the Unified Old Catholic Church. He ministered to the homeless, mentally ill, and poor in Madison, Wisconsin and was known as the “Labor Priest.” He founded The Independent Order of Friars Minor, the Franciscan Order of The Unified Old Catholic Church, as well as the IOFM Third Order. He was also instrumental in the foundation of the church itself. Philip was one who fought for the faith, no matter the cost, who stood up for the down-trodden, who continually worked for the betterment of mankind. He truly exemplified Christ’s command to feed the hungry, to house the homeless, to clothe the naked.
Like his hero, St. Francis, Fr. Phil dedicated his life to service. A dedicated, die hard Franciscan, he could quote the Omnibus at length, at the drop of a hat, ad infinitum.
And like St. Francis, Phil has left us too soon.
Requiescat in Pace.
Sister Victoria Williams
The Rev. Deacon Ellen Victoria Williams, MLS, M Div, CFS
Age 54
Died October 8, 2017
Sister Victoria Williams passed into eternal rest on Sunday October 8 and 1:00 am. She died peacefully after suffering a catastrophic stroke three weeks prior. She is survived by her parents, Avis and Jearl Williams of Easley SC.
A graduate of Pickens High School, she attended Clemson University and received a BA in French and German with a working knowledge of Spanish. She attended the University of South Carolina and earned a Masters in Library Science and St. Mary’s Progressive Catholic Seminary where she was awarded an honorary Masters of Divinity.
She taught Foreign Languages in both Pickens and Sumter County Schools and was beloved by her students
She joined the Progressive Catholic Church to pursue a vocation as a Sister in the Congregation of Franciscan Servants and was ordained a Deacon. She was raised to the dignity of Arch-Deacon of the Progressive Catholic Church in November of 2016. She was concerned for the poor and the disenfranchised and always put others needs before her own.
Victoria was a dear friend and major supporter of The Unified Catholic Church. She was instrumental in bringing The Unified Old Catholic Church and the Progressive Catholic Church into communion and she is greatly missed.
Like St. Francis, Victoria left us far too soon.
Requiescat in Pace.
The Rt. Rev. William E. Quinlan, IOFM
26 April 1937 – 27 March 2020
The Rev. Deacon Dollie Wilkinson, OPI
27 April 1963 – 24 September 2020
DOLLIE MARIE WILKINSON, gained her angel wings on September 24, 2020 at the age of 57. For years, she was an educator at J.E Robins Elementary School. Dollie was an active member in The Unified Old Catholic Church where she served as Archdeacon, chairing the Commission on Ordained ministry. She was also a fully professed sister in The Order of Preachers Independent, where she served on the Council and First Advisor to the Father General. She is greatly mourned and missed.
The Unified Old Catholic Church 