Page 17 - Roderick Meredith

Roderick C. Meredith - A Biographical Sketch

By Redfox

1980s

1980: HWA sends a fascinating letter rebuking him harshly.
In the middle of HWA's autocratic spiel he apparently rules him
out as a successor:
'When I told you and Raymond [McNair], and perhaps another or
two, that IF I were no longer among the living, I wanted you to
be sure Ted did not slip in and take over. At that time, I had heard
SO MUCH talk about my dying right away, perhaps started by
Ted, that for a while I was overly conscious of it. It is not that
later I changed my mind. But as time went on I began to realize
very deeply that God has not prepared ANYONE to take my
place. You, Rod, could never take it. I know that is 100%
contrary to your own estimate of yourself. You have a WILL
to lead, but not the qualifications.
Although it must be stated he apparently felt at this time that no
one would replace him, which of course turned out to be wrong.
This attitude would later manifest itself when HWA would not
allow his successor, Tkach, to call himself an Apostle.
Meredith continued to languish in isolation.
Roderick C. Meredith, in exile in Hawaii (see our last newsletter),
says he hopes he will be allowed to return to Pasadena soon.
("There are strong forces at work in the church," he commented
to one member.)... He says he has been ordered not to speak to
fellow ministers. But nothing was ever mentioned about not
talking to WCG members and others, so that's okay. (AR#11,
March 1979, 'Where are they now?')

Page 16