Independent Catholic Christianity
by Fr. Joseph Augustine Menna, AIHM
First, we are Christian as defined in the seven ecumenical councils, best defined in the Nicean-Constantinople Creed.
Second, four historical distinctions mark our Catholic denominations of Christianity from our Protestant brothers and sisters, to varying degrees (eight years of teaching theology is coming in handy here):
In this sense, our Independent Catholic Christian Church is very "catholic" although we differ from Rome in our understanding of the role of the Bishop of Rome over other bishops and the doctrine of papal infallibility. As such we are also committed to a justice of full inclusion not bound by gender or orientation roles for ministry or ordination or marriage, etc. In general there are four flavors of being catholic: Roman, Anglican, Independent/ Old and Orthodox, although Orthodoxy also has some unique distinctions though they often use the term catholic, as well. Even among Old Catholic (Utrech) and Independent Catholics there are a few differences like the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
I like to think of one of the special gifts of Independent Catholicism is a spirituality that recalls and lives the early church understanding of community and the role of the local bishop. I think this is a very special, necessary, and unique gift we offer. We don't just stand against something but we offer something positive to the tradition.
First, we are Christian as defined in the seven ecumenical councils, best defined in the Nicean-Constantinople Creed.
Second, four historical distinctions mark our Catholic denominations of Christianity from our Protestant brothers and sisters, to varying degrees (eight years of teaching theology is coming in handy here):
- The sacramental life of Grace. Catholics believe in the historic (usually) seven sacraments as a means of God continuing to pour out Grace upon the Church. As such we also hold as special certain sacramentals as reminders of God's action in our lives everyday, such as holy medals, rosaries, signing with the cross, etc. Although these sacramentals are personal to each or of local custom or liturgy.
- God's revelation of Salvation History through both Scripture and Tradition as interpreted through reason in each age, especially by the teaching authority of apostolic succession of bishops.
- An ecclesiology of Church that stresses the communal nature of salvation as linked to the communal nature of the Trinity. Thus the dogma of the communion of saints to which all the baptized belong. And the tradition of invoking their prayers with us on our journey here on earth, the Church militant, often with a special affinity to Mary as first and pre-eminent disciple and model.
- A commitment to the kingdom which is coming which requires us all to do our part in building God's reign of peace and justice in each age as best we can individually and as a community.
In this sense, our Independent Catholic Christian Church is very "catholic" although we differ from Rome in our understanding of the role of the Bishop of Rome over other bishops and the doctrine of papal infallibility. As such we are also committed to a justice of full inclusion not bound by gender or orientation roles for ministry or ordination or marriage, etc. In general there are four flavors of being catholic: Roman, Anglican, Independent/ Old and Orthodox, although Orthodoxy also has some unique distinctions though they often use the term catholic, as well. Even among Old Catholic (Utrech) and Independent Catholics there are a few differences like the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.
I like to think of one of the special gifts of Independent Catholicism is a spirituality that recalls and lives the early church understanding of community and the role of the local bishop. I think this is a very special, necessary, and unique gift we offer. We don't just stand against something but we offer something positive to the tradition.
