LTRP Note: Many of our readers may know of Richard Bennett, a former Irish Catholic priest and the founder of the U.S. ministry Berean Beacon. This week, Richard passed away at the age of 81. The following is a tribute to Richard written by one of our readers.
“A Tribute to Richard M. Bennett”
By Darryl Eberhart, former editor of “Tackling the Tough Topics” and “Examining the Tough Issues” newsletters
Richard M. (“Peter”) Bennett was born in Ireland on March 10, 1938. He passed peacefully in his sleep on September 23, 2019. This writer knew Richard Bennett for almost two decades, from the time that his ministry (the Berean Beacon, which he founded) was located in Del Valle, Texas. He had been a Dominican priest for 22 (twenty-two) years before being wonderfully converted to a belief in salvation by God’s grace, through faith in Christ Jesus, based upon God’s Holy Word, with all glory going to God.
We should honor Richard M. Bennett for his great courage, his dedication, and his hard work in exposing (and doing so in love) both the unbiblical doctrines and practices of Roman Catholicism (e.g., Purgatory, Transubstantiation, mandatory clerical celibacy, and indulgences, etc.), and also in exposing the bloody history of Jesuit-controlled Papal Rome (e.g., through his video, “The Inquisition”). This video is described in the next section and should be viewed by every person alive today because true history is so very important, since those who don’t learn the “lessons” of history often find themselves repeating the “mistakes” of history!
Richard M. Bennett’s great love for the Holy Bible – and his great love for Roman Catholics – can clearly be seen in his videos and in his articles.
There are many videos of Richard M. Bennett posted on the Internet, and I would urge the readers of this tribute to watch as many of these videos as they possibly can, while these videos are still available on the Internet.
The following is a partial list of resources by Richard Bennett:
“Catholicism: East of Eden: Insights into Catholicism for the 21st Century” by Richard M. Bennett (2005; ISBN 0-9774229-0-9): Examines both the history of the Papacy and the state/condition of Roman Catholicism today. Please do an Internet search for this book.
Far from Rome, Near to God: The Testimonies of 50 Converted Catholic Priests (1994) by Richard M. Bennett and Martin Buckingham. [LTRP Note: This is a fascinating book with the testimonies of 50 former Catholic priests.]
On the Wings of Grace Alone: The Testimonies of Thirty Converted Roman Catholics by Richard M. Bennett and Glenn R. Diehl (300-page paperback book; ISBN: 978-1-59925-349-7).
The Inquisition by Richard M. Bennett and Michael de Semlyen (58 minutes; color): This video exposes much of the evil that occurred during the so-called “Holy” Inquisition and during the bloody Albigensian Crusades. It also exposes the genocide that occurred in Fascist Croatia during World War II – a religious genocide that was carried out by the Roman Catholic Fascist Ustashi, and which targeted hundreds of thousands of Serb Orthodox Christians (men, woman, elderly, and children) for extermination! When you type into your “search engine” the following: “The Inquisition Richard Bennett YouTube”, you should be able to quickly locate this outstanding, well-researched video. Then please view this video, and then please tell many others about it.
“The Truth Set Us Free: Twenty Former Nuns Tell Their Stories” (Edited by Richard M. Bennett with Mary Hertel; 190-page paperback book; 1997; ISBN 1-57921-067-8)
Below is a video of the life and testimony of Richard Bennett.
The following is a write-up that appeared on September 26, 2019 on the Berean Beacon website: www.bereanbeacon.org:
Richard M. Bennett
After the last few years of great physical suffering Richard passed peacefully in his sleep on Monday September 23, 2019. The precious life of Richard touched so many in so many ways and his spiritual legacy will continue well into the 21st Century.
Richard will be laid to rest Friday October 4, 2019 at 10:30am. Burial will take place at Naches Cemetery, Kel Lowry Rd and Old Naches Hwy, Naches, WA 98937.
A Memorial Service will follow at 11:30am at the Ahtanum Pioneer Church, 8500 Ahtanum Road, Yakima, WA 98902
Richard is survived by his loving wife Lynn and three step children, Gunnar, Solveig, Knut and two grandchildren, Ahwyn and Adam. Gifts and cards can be sent to the family at:
Lynn
Bennett
P.O. Box 13
Yakima, WA 98907-0013
lynnbennett@reagan.com
Below is the 58-minute color video documentary “The Inquisition” (hosted by Richard Bennett and Michael de Semlyen):
God bless, guide, and protect you!
Darryl (Eberhart)
Hey Darryl, remember me? I remember you! You spoken to Eric White Power Phelps lately??
Is there a reason you posted Richard’s 23 September passing on the birth of Loyola’s Company…?
It is so sad to read of the death of the man that made me start a walk with Jesus Christ. As a child growing up in Trinidad West Indies where I still reside “Father Bennett” as he was affectionately called encouraged me to start attending church. He used to conduct Religious Instruction classes at the Junior Secondary School at Marabella on a Wednesday and he would come into the classroom and in his Irish accent ask “all those who went to church on Sunday show by raising your hand”. Being from a poor family and never going to church I used to hide when he asked that question until one day he saw me and said “Sonny why didn’t you go to church on Sunday” I was too embarrassed to reply and he said in a loving way “make an effort to go this Sunday please ok”. After that session I went home and told my parents and my mother made me wash my one shirt and the one pants that I possessed at the time and cleaned my one shoe that was also my school shoe and that Sunday I strutted off to the nearest Catholic Church that was located at Mon Repos San Fernando. On the next occasion when father Bennett made the call I did not hide but was pleased to lift my hands and he saw it. He congratulated me and said that’s a start and encouraged me to take 1st communion and later confirmation into the church. I was about 14 years old. However as the years went on like Mr Bennett I too felt a desire for something greater and thanks to some friends of mine who belonged to a full gospel church they started telling me about Jesus Christ and his love that HE was the way the truth and the life and no one can go to the FATHER (GOD) except through HIM (John 14:6) . Those words touched me as well as thou shalt not worship any other god in the image and likeness of ME (Exodus 20:4). I kept those verses in my heart and it was at a Good Friday service at the Catholic Church where one had to line up and kiss the foot of the replica of Jesus where my heart was convicted and I walked away from that denomination and surrender my life to Jesus Christ. That was in 1977. Today I still Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and I always speak of the part Richard Bennett played in my life to start attending church. I never knew that he converted to the full Gospel Ministry until I was told so by a friend. I have listened to his testimony and read about his conversion and I know heaven is rejoicing as he has gone on to meet our Lord Jesus in heaven.
Richard and I worked together for nine years. I edited three books for him along with most of the articles he wrote. He was completely devoted in ministering to Catholics with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lynn, his devotion wife, has also gone to be with the Lord. I miss you tremendously, my dear brother. Glenn R. Diehl
Thank God for the life and Christian testimony of Richard Bennett.
I really learned a lot from this man of God. Sad that I did not know of his passing. Safe in the hands of Jesus he us.
Richard Bennet The miss you !
May his soul rest in peace and may the Lord have mercy on him and his family. Lux aeterna luceat ei.
He contributed greatly to christians especially saving the unsaved. Please pray for my Catholic husband Paul.
Richard i We all miss you ! Mis’s Richard is still ok ?
Thank you so much Richard for sharing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ . It is such a simple message yet religion with all its rules and regulations makes it so complex. It is the difference between law and grace. ” he who the lord sets free is free indeed ” this verse of scripture certainly applies to you Richard. What I find especially refreshing is that like Paul the apostle you were zealous for every one else to know the truth. Dear brother you definitely ran the race and have heard the words from God “Well done God and faithful servant ” .
The curse of purgatory as invented by the papist church so as to rule and insight fear and control does not have any hold of your life. Jesus said ” you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free “. How can anyone know the truth if they don’t read the bible which is spirit breathed by God. I love all Catholics, they are Good and sincere people , but hate the deception of the papish system. I pray by the power of the Holy Spirit they will be set free just as you were Richard.
Hi Stephanie
I was saved by Christ alone, walking in my garden.
Never asked for Him nor desired Him, I cried out for the truth a voice behind me said “Its Jesus Christ” I was filled with a torrent of love I thought I was going to melt, I didnt realise that it was Christ baptising me with the Holy Spirit, as I had never read the Bible nor was brought up in a religious house. Just Christ. he alone saves.
Rome is not needed for salvation.
Born of the Spirit , not of man.
I ask God to open your eyes and see the risen Christ sitting at the right hand of God.
Whom alone saves.
Paula
Thank U ! Richard ! The Lord Jesus Christ is whit you know ! God bless you !
Richard Bennett’s testimony, his books, and videos have greatly enriched my Christian life. I am sad he is no longer on the earth doing his good ministry for the Lord, but now he is in heaven worshipping Him, which is wonderful. He will be greatly missed. May the Lord watch over his loved ones and keep his videos and books available for future hungry souls…………And thank-you Lighthouse Trails for letting your followers know about Richard Bennett, and may God keep your ministry flourishing as well!
My father Robert Champagne was a friend of Richard and one of the 50 priests mentioned in his book Far from Rome Near to God. May he Rest In Peace and be resurrected to new life in Christ. Prayers for the family as you mourn his passing.
Stephanie, would you consider reading our latest article we posted (last night)? It is a true story and can explain some of the concerns we have. https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=30791.
Ann, we just posted a new article last night. We were hoping you would read it with an open mind. We want you to know, we do not hate Catholics. In fact, we care very much about them (and you). Perhaps this article, which is a true story from the 1800s will help explain some of our concerns. https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=30791.
Ann, your reaction is frightening. We, as Bible-believing Christians, are at the “bottom of the heap”? It is this attitude that caused the RC to murder so many Christians during the Inquisition.
In one of the books Scott Hahn wrote, he makes it clear right away that he believes, as do most Catholics, that Catholic Church doctrine and tradition overrides the Bible (i.e., the Bible is not viewed by the RC as the final authority on spiritual matters; it is secondary to the RC).
Any religion that brags about converting a Catholic priest and then consistently denigrates the Catholic faith is not a religion of Christ. His faith was obviously not strong enough. Our Father is cleaning house and you all along with it. The faithful will remain. Iconoclastic, Unchristian, people like yourselves are at the bottom of the heap. Jesus knows it and so do we! We were are all saved! Try being a Christian for a change!
The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church gave the world the Bible. The Protestant churches followed centuries later. if you read Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins you will be inspired by their conversions.
My father, grandfather and an uncle left the R.C. church and became pastors and evangelists. I lived in Spain for 5 yrs. and did see the instruments of torture and death that were used during the Inquisition. The Inquisition was totally inspired by Satan; the Bible was banned during much of these dark ages. Only priests and the Pope were allowed to read the Bible, and it had to be in Latin. The believers who started to flourish in France and Spain were all killed by order of the R.C. church. Since the Protestants have been systematically killed it is extremely difficult to win R.C. to the Lord even now. My son and daughter have been missionaries in Spain and for many yrs.
what a glorious testimony his life was! His book Far From Rome, Near to Christ is absolutely fantastic and an eye-opener, especially for those who think that Catholicism is just another denomination of Christianity. Thank God for the life of this man and the transformation of his life. Glory to God.
he is with jesus christ his lord and saviour
absent in the body present with the lord.
2nd cor5-8. i pray for lost roman catholics
cult, orthodox cult, liberal protestant churches
they would see what a testimony he was for jesus christ
A beautiful man who tried to lead many out of the Roman Catholic Church, though a Calvinist.