OUR BELIEFS

The Liberal Catholic Church is an independent Catholic Church, whose traditions come 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.

Our Church has preserved the seven Catholic Sacraments, and we have strictly maintained the Apostolic Succession of our Holy Orders of Bishop, Priest and Deacon in an unbroken line since our original affiliation with Rome. Our sacraments and Holy Orders are absolutely and completely valid and authentic, and The Liberal Catholic Church is a part of the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church, regardless of what Roman Catholic clergy claim or would have you believe.

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. We have removed such self-deprecating words and gestures as mea culpa while beating one’s chest. Our Liturgy sounds a note of joy at the majesty of God. We have not turned our altars around and made tables out of them. The tabernacle is on the altar where it belongs. We do not give communion in the hand, and the people may kneel should they so desire. We have open communion. Any baptized Christian may receive communion in our church, even if divorced and remarried. Christ didn’t turn anyone away, 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 controlled 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 three years to discuss matters pertinent to the welfare of the Church. Although we reverence and respect the episcopal dignity of the Bishop of Rome, as we would any valid Catholic bishop, we do not recognize the claim of Papal Primacy over all Churches. 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.