A controversial religious group, led by William Kamm, blending apocalyptic prophecies and Catholicism, active from the 1980s.
The Order of St Charbel, a controversial religious group, was founded in the 1980s in Australia by William Kamm, often referred to as “The Little Pebble.” The organization was named after Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Maronite saint known for his piety and hermit lifestyle. Kamm’s teachings combined elements of Catholicism with apocalyptic prophecies, including claims of receiving direct messages from the Virgin Mary starting in 1982, which featured apocalyptic content and directives for unusual practices such as building catacombs and undertaking paramilitary training in preparation for the end times.
Kamm proclaimed himself a future pope, claiming he would lead the faithful after a global cataclysm, and introduced complex doctrines involving mystical royalty within his community. He asserted that certain women, designated as “queens” and “princesses,” were chosen to bear his children to repopulate the earth post-apocalypse, leading to further controversies and allegations of manipulation, particularly impacting young women and girls within the community.
The Order’s practices extended to strict communal living arrangements on a property in Cambewarra, where members participated in structured religious activities and adhered to stringent doctrines rejecting modern societal influences. This communal lifestyle and Kamm’s prophecies garnered attention and concern from the Catholic Church, which conducted investigations and concluded that Kamm’s messages were not authentic, leading to multiple excommunications for unorthodox beliefs and practices.
William Kamm’s personal conduct also brought significant legal and moral scrutiny. In 2007, he was convicted for sexual offenses against minors, serving a prison sentence until 2014. Despite these charges and his subsequent imprisonment, some members continued to support him, believing in his spiritual role. His legal troubles also included allegations of financial improprieties.
The decline of the Order of St Charbel followed Kamm’s legal issues and the growing skepticism and disapproval from both the Church and wider community. Although it claimed a significant following worldwide, the group struggled to maintain its structure and influence, especially after Kamm’s imprisonment.
image via Nine
