Summary: Father Frederico B. Gomez de Esparza was a Catholic priest affectionately known throughout his parish in Yuma, Arizona as Father Fred. He was a priest that hailed from Mexico and who served bilingual parishes in Arizona. By all accounts, Father Fred did his job well. Everybody loved him. He was known for his sermon mastery and knowledge of the Roman Catholic Church. He also knew the Scriptures, administered the sacraments, comforted the sick, conducted wedding and funerals - everything that clergy are supposed to do. He was later found out of having no credentials and was counterfeit. The parishioners who trusted him were deceived, describing him as a "wolf in sheep clothing." The discovery of counterfeit clergy can often cast a shadow on others who serve faithfully. Incidents like this, however, can also help us clergy take a more in-depth look at Shepherding God's people authentically. What happens when a pastor isn't who he or she appears to be? The weeping prophet Jeremiah was troubled throughout his career by those who pretended to be real prophets but were not (27:16-22; 28; 29:8, 9). They preached a straightforward message of "peace in our time" and were no doubt popular. Here the prophet denounces them. He calls them "shepherds that destroy and scatter sheep of God's pasture for lack of visitation." Three significant accusations come against civil rulers who remind us of many of our politicians today.
