HOLY IMAGES USED TO DEFRAUD FAITHFUL
EJC
HOLY IMAGES USED TO DEFRAUD FAITHFUL
APRIL, 10 2004
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2004 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
The latest computer technology is reportedly being used to defraud
lovers of traditional religious art, and enrich those who mock
religion itself, according to a leading investigator of religious
fraud.
The scam consists of art dealers who seek out promising but unknown
artists who specialize in devotional themes. The art dealer will
acquire a work, and promise to give the artist a share of the profits
gained from selling the reproductions.
The dealer scans the piece into a computer, slightly alters some
coloration, and removes the artist's signature. Reproductions are then
produced and sold, either by advertising, or by directly contacting
prospective buyers. The original artist, however, receives no credit,
nor a share of the profits.
One individual recently contacted by a vendor selling this type of
fraudulent art immediately became suspicious, and decided to carefully
scrutinize both the picture and the seller. The purchaser of the
questionable art was Phillip J. Kronzer, president of the Kronzer
Foundation for Religious Research.
Kronzer spoke of his encounter with the art dealer during Michael
Corbin's For A Closer Look radio program, and shared his experiences
during an interview with International News Analysis Today.
The vendor, a well-known priest in charismatic religious circles, had
contacted Kronzer, and offered to sell a picture which purportedly was
worth thousands of dollars. Kronzer purchased the artwork, and give
the priest-art vendor a down payment on the work. Kronzer then took
the piece to a reputable art dealer, who appraised its value at only a
small fraction of the worth claimed by the priest.
The priest-salesman has now moved on to other prospects, and currently
is in Fatima, Portugal, according to the Kronzer Foundation.
Following a series of leads, Kronzer was able to find the original
artist of the piece, and obtained details surrounding the agreement
between the artist and the priest-vendor.
Kronzer suspects that this and other forms of religious art fraud feed
millions of dollars into the "Am Church," an expression often used to
indicate the American Catholic Church. Many devout Catholics see a
profound difference between American Catholics who adhere to the dogma
of the Catholic faith, and those who openly defy traditional teaching
-- the Am Church.
Many assert that the "Am Church" is a home for those promoting
homosexuality, feminist spirituality, and open alliances with New Age
paganism. Priests who are guilty of victimizing small children and
young men, and who are subsequently defended by their superiors, also
fit into this group.
The Kronzer Foundation is launching an extensive investigation into
computerized religious art fraud. Kronzer believes the trail of deceit
will eventually lead to the familiar characters he has encountered
throughout his decade-long struggle against criminal activity
perpetrated in the name of religion.
Kronzer began his fight against religious fraud when his wife, Ardie,
fell under the influence of con artists using the purported
apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Medjugorje. After Ardie left
him, Kronzer was determined to win her back and expose the individuals
and groups who destroyed his own and many other families.
The Kronzer Foundation operates internationally, and is a non-profit,
tax deductible organization.
International News Analysis Today will continue to provide updates of
the Kronzer Foundation's efforts to expose religious fraud, cult
abuse, and their allies.
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