Statement of Intent of The Liberal Catholic Church in the British Isles (LCCinBI)
The LCCinBI is an organisation founded on the principles of Liberal Catholicism and as such needs to outline its unique position. The LCCinBI is neither Anglican nor Roman Catholic, It allows its members to hold and develop their own particular beliefs about the Christ, without dogma. It asks its members to worship with a pure heart and an open mind in matters liturgical, willing to experience and live the inner life of love and peace of Christ and to radiate that peace to those around them in the world. Whilst we believe in freedom of thought and interpretation our clergy are governed within a formal church structure, the Code of Canons.
Our role model is the Christ, in the form of the Historical Master, Jesus, a potential of love, devotion and surrender to be realised in everyday living through the perceptions of the senses and mind; a happy self-discipline, constantly dwelling in the peace that passeth understanding.
Through the liturgical services we aim to allow the Christ light to shine upon the world and ‘illumine’ our beings (however temporary) in the darkness that veils the love that is always around us, like a sun constantly shinning on the earth through time and space.
Our keynote is to develop the dedication of our lives in the service of humanity, through Our Lord Christ by a loving devotion within the established structure of the Liberal Catholic movement worldwide and in particular here in the British Isles. We recognise the need for teamwork between laity and clergy, a partnership towards the light of the world implicit in joyous fellowship of being and working together. It is an essential part of the church to support and nurture each other through the years. We cannot work in isolation.
The LCC was founded by Bishop Wedgewood in Britain in 1918, growing out of the Old Catholic movement of Holland. The LCCinBI has an unbroken link back to its founders through our Bishop Allan, who, as a young person, knew the Founding Bishop, starting as an altar boy and server in the early 40s, being ordained to the priesthood in the LCC over sixty years ago. The present Presiding Bishop worldwide, Rt. Rev. Maurice Warnon has also dedicated his life to this church.
Believing in the ordination of women, this branch of the LCC has opened its doors to women in the clergy, sadly causing a split with those who doggedly deny the place of women in the priesthood. We have women priests in the USA and Europe, with the potentiality of the Episcopate when the time and circumstances are right. Implementing Equal Opportunities is an important issue in our movement. In the British Isles we have a woman priest who has worked her way over many years through all the minor orders, the sub-diaconate, the diaconate and to the priesthood. Other women play a full part in the life of the church in major orders; serving at the altar and also in administrative roles.
The LCCinBI is no ordinary church – it holds firmly to the growth and development of the soul through training the individual. It is an inner calling that develops over time. There needs to be much soul searching for the Major Orders to flower in the well prepared soil of training and absorption by the personality that is necessary as the ego begins to loosen its hold over the personality, enabling the light of Christ to shine more fully in the world.
Our Priests are there primarily to serve their congregations and the world at large. Our Bishops have the additional responsibility of guiding the priests as loving parents, capturing with their inner vision much of the wisdom of the Master. Like Our Lord they are there to serve and support the members of the Church, as servants of the servants of God, not to rule over them in an authoritarian way.
The Structure of the LCC in the British Isles
The Structure of the LCC in the British Isles is its strength. It is given over to the love of God as form and formless. The more experienced are expected to give their support to the younger or less experienced members. It has an established respect and regard for its congregations as well as its clergy, as equals. These are the twin pillars upholding our church, giving it a stability of form from which the soul can grow into the light.
For those who wish to commit themselves to working for the church there are many roles that can be fulfilling. Duties including: caretaking, preparing the oratory or church for services; organist; flower arranging; preparing and serving the shared meal after a Eucharist; welcoming enquirers, sharing ideas and working in the community.
Should a person feel an inner calling they are encouraged to become a server and go on to become part of the ministry team assisting the clergy in the various roles at the altar being developed and strengthened initially in the Minor Orders. The priesthood may emerge later being developed in the Major Orders, providing there is a congregation to serve.
Discarded by many churches today we have retained the five traditional Minor Orders and the Sub-Diaconate to prepare the soul and personality before making the step to Major Orders, rather than it be a huge leap that can have a detrimental affect upon the personality of those not properly prepared. This is the wisdom of our understanding of the inner side of church worship.
Minor Orders
The server has the opportunity to work through the Minor Orders of: Cleric, Doorkeeper, Reader, Exorcist and Acolyte, thus experiencing the various lessons attached to each. These are given in sequence with a minimum of six months between each.
Having learned the lessons and applying them in everyday living the Sub-Diaconate now beckons and forms the bridge between minor and major orders. It is at this stage that the calling is fully tested. It is said that many are called but few are chosen. Here the egoic personality knows whether it can submit to the rigorous process of the soul taking a greater control. Motivation is tested and tried. Some are found wanting and will remove themselves. Others, through the approval of the Synod, are invited to take the further step of Deacon after a minimum of one year.
Major Orders
The Deacon
The major order of Deacon steps up responsibility and commitment in the church and becomes an important stage in bearing the Light of Christ. The Deacon ministers at the altar: to read or intone the gospel, to preach and baptise (in the absence of a priest) and assist in the distribution of the sacrament. The Deacon aims to raise the consciousness above worldly things in the love of God by serving humanity. The minimum time from Deacon to Priest to absorb these lessons and gain practical experience is again one year, as laid out in our Code of Canons, in line with established churches, worldwide.
The Priest
Being ordained to the Priesthood is a privilege and an honour to be celebrated throughout the church. Our priests are expected to serve the Lord with humility and love and take an oath of loyalty to their Bishop and abide by the Code of Canons.
Priests are empowered to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s love in the Sacraments of Baptism, Absolution, The Holy Eucharist, Holy Matrimony and Healing with the anointing by Holy Oil. They also lead their congregations in prayer and worship, teaching and guiding in the spiritual life and the Word of God. Priests are also spiritual counsellors for those in need, especially the bereaved and bewildered. They undertake this work voluntarily receiving no stipend or income from the church. They do not charge for any services.
The Bishop
Bishops are chosen by the Episcopal Synod when there is a specific need for a loving parent, in a geographical area to tend to their flock of clergy and congregations. It is an appointment to serve the servants of God! Consecration cannot be bought or applied for in our church. Bishops-elect are well experienced over many years, giving their loyalty to serving the church that has nourished them. In addition to the duties of the Priesthood they are charged to consecrate, ordain and confirm; to preside, interpret and make judgements in church matters. Like the other clergy they do this voluntarily, developing wisdom and compassion as they shoulder more of the administrative responsibility. They are approachable and inclusive, recognised by those for whom they are responsible with respect and love. They are the Elders of the Church.
We open our doors to people of like mind regardless of race, class, creed and gender who are actively seeking to work together for a peaceful and joyous world within the discipline of liturgical worship.