I was out of town for a few days, so I'm a bit behind. I wrote earlier this week about
Pastor Fred Phelps Sr. being on the verge of death and receiving hospice care. But there was another bit of news about him being excommunicated back in August 2013 from Westboro Baptist Church. It was unclear initially why Phelps had been excommunicated. However,
The Topeka Capital-Journal published an article earlier this week explaining the reason for the excommunication. It was all about
inner-church politics:
The excommunication occurred after the formation of a board of male elders in the church. The board had defeated Shirley Phelps-Roper, the church’s longtime spokeswoman, in a power struggle, and Fred Phelps Sr. called for kinder treatment of fellow church members.
The board then ejected Fred Phelps Sr., who founded the church in the 1950s.
The power struggle and excommunication was revealed by Nate Phelps, a son of Fred Phelps Sr. who broke away from the church 37 years ago. The elders had a big impact on Fred Phelps Sr., Nate Phelps said. “They took the one thing that meant everything to the man,” Nate Phelps said, referring to Fred Phelps Sr.'s tie to the church. “That old man and his reason to exist have gone away.”
On Sunday, church spokesman Steve Drain refused to talk about the excommunication of Fred Phelps Sr. "We don't discuss our internal church dealings with anybody," he said...
Among the all-male board of elders are Drain, Timothy Phelps, Jonathan Phelps, Samuel Phelps-Roper, Charles Hockenbarger and Fred Phelps Jr.
Meanwhile, I've read referenced in the past that Margie Phelps has stated that they do not "worship the dead" at Westboro Baptist Church. In other words, they don't plan on holding a public funeral for any members of that church.
