The Liberal Catholic Church is an independent Catholic Church. Our heritage comes from the Old Catholic Church, which separated from Rome in 1870, when Pope Pius IX declared that he was infallible on matters of faith and morals. In 1916, the Old Catholic Church in Great Britain changed its name to the Liberal Catholic Church. We have strictly maintained the Apostolic Succession of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons since our original affiliation with Rome, to ensure that our Holy Orders and Sacraments remain valid.
Open communion is offered to all who approach Christ’s altar with reverence and respect. We offer the seven Catholic Sacraments, with intellectual and religious freedom of conscience.
Our Mass is traditional and is based on the old Tridentine Mass, pre-Vatican II, and is said or sung in the language of the people. Christ embraced His fellow man with Love, and we follow His example. We believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist through the mystery of Transubstantiation.
We do not have the rule of celibacy. Our priests may marry should they so desire. Our parish property is governed by an elected vestry and board of church parishioners. We do not demand that our parishioners accept our principles and teachings in the form of dogma, under pain of sin or excommunication. We believe in forgiveness rather than judgment. Besides our great reverence toward the Blessed Sacrament, we have a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, including a special Franciscan form of the Rosary.
The governing body of The Liberal Catholic Church is a synod of bishops from all over the world, which elects its own Presiding Bishop. This General Episcopal Synod meets every seven years to discuss matters pertinent to the welfare of the Church. The Liberal Catholic Church is an independent Catholic rite, headed by Presiding Archbishop William Downey.
We believe the Deposit of Faith which Jesus gave to the Apostles is a self-evident Truth which needs no dogmatic justification. The Liberal Catholic Bishops have maintained the ancient and organic link to this original Deposit of Faith through the unbroken line of Apostolic Succession.
We invite you to join us for the Holy Eucharist each Sunday at 10:00 AM.