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Line 24: + − + − + − + + − + − + + + − Today the LCC is a small communion of a few thousand members, scattered over the globe, quietly re-examining its role in the world. It continues its claim to offer sacramental grace in a pure form, and the “Ageless Wisdom” in terms understandable and more acceptable within an ostensibly Christian context. While there are always pressures to become more popular, more Christian, more modern, more orthodox or more colloquial, most Liberal Catholics are resolved that the LCC must remain true to its founders, and, more important, to the clairvoyant Esoteric Source of their inspiration, the [[Cosmic Christ]].
Liberal Catholic Church (view source)
Revision as of 19:29, September 20, 2018
, 19:29, September 20, 2018→Current Doctrine: subheadings
==Current Doctrine==
==Current Doctrine==
===Scriptural interpretation===
Lay members are free to interpret Scripture and all matters of doctrine as they choose, informed by the theosophical Wisdom Tradition as the prevailing approach within the Liberal Catholic community. A wide range of viewpoints is found in most congregations but not to the extent of displacing Christian [[esoteric]]ism. Members are free to believe as they choose, unity of purpose arising from sharing a common [[liturgy]]. Nevertheless most are informally comfortable with the Church’s brief ''Summary of Doctrine''.
Lay members are free to interpret Scripture and all matters of doctrine as they choose, informed by the theosophical Wisdom Tradition as the prevailing approach within the Liberal Catholic community. A wide range of viewpoints is found in most congregations but not to the extent of displacing Christian [[esoteric]]ism. Members are free to believe as they choose, unity of purpose arising from sharing a common [[liturgy]]. Nevertheless most are informally comfortable with the Church’s brief ''Summary of Doctrine''.
===Statement of Principles and Summary of Doctrine===
However, all Liberal Catholic Clergy are themselves expected to formally indicate their “general agreement” with the Statement of Principles and Summary of Doctrine. The Liberal Catholic Church Summary of Doctrine, although amended slightly after 1958, remains into the 1990’s very much a claim to be the Ancient Wisdom clothed in Christian terms. This document affirms both the unity of God who is said to manifest in the Universe as a Trinity, and the latent divinity gradually finding expression in all human lives. Christ is “a mighty spiritual presence in the world”, the compassionate guide and guardian of humanity. Humans are ultimately perfectible, as they are reborn again and again under “an inviolable law of cause and effect”, and therefore a company of “just men made perfect who help mankind”, and also a ministry of powerful [[angel]]s. The LCC continues to be seductively hospitable to all who are attracted to its churches, asking only that they participate with reverence. Emphasis is on the “freedom of the spirit.”
However, all Liberal Catholic Clergy are themselves expected to formally indicate their “general agreement” with the Statement of Principles and Summary of Doctrine. The Liberal Catholic Church Summary of Doctrine, although amended slightly after 1958, remains into the 1990’s very much a claim to be the Ancient Wisdom clothed in Christian terms. This document affirms both the unity of God who is said to manifest in the Universe as a Trinity, and the latent divinity gradually finding expression in all human lives. Christ is “a mighty spiritual presence in the world”, the compassionate guide and guardian of humanity. Humans are ultimately perfectible, as they are reborn again and again under “an inviolable law of cause and effect”, and therefore a company of “just men made perfect who help mankind”, and also a ministry of powerful [[angel]]s. The LCC continues to be seductively hospitable to all who are attracted to its churches, asking only that they participate with reverence. Emphasis is on the “freedom of the spirit.”
===Revised Sacraments===
The Liberal Catholic Church revisions of the seven historic sacraments are offered within the LCC, with emphasis on the Holy Eucharist, or Mass. Both founding LCC bishops believed that the principal [[Alchemy|alchemical]] purpose of each Eucharist is to erect an esoteric, spiritual structural form<ref>C. W. Leadbeater, ''Science of the Sacraments''</ref> to infallibly call down a prodigious blessing which spreads irresistibly outward and upon the neighborhood and throughout the whole surrounding geographic region as the service ends. The benefit to those participating, while believed to be very great, is instead generally accepted by clergy and members as incidental to the main purpose of the service: the purification and uplifting of all mankind. This messianic sense of purpose engenders in the membership an [[elitism]] that can be intoxicating.
The Liberal Catholic Church revisions of the seven historic sacraments are offered within the LCC, with emphasis on the Holy Eucharist, or Mass. Both founding LCC bishops believed that the principal [[Alchemy|alchemical]] purpose of each Eucharist is to erect an esoteric, spiritual structural form<ref>C. W. Leadbeater, ''Science of the Sacraments''</ref> to infallibly call down a prodigious blessing which spreads irresistibly outward and upon the neighborhood and throughout the whole surrounding geographic region as the service ends. The benefit to those participating, while believed to be very great, is instead generally accepted by clergy and members as incidental to the main purpose of the service: the purification and uplifting of all mankind. This messianic sense of purpose engenders in the membership an [[elitism]] that can be intoxicating.
===Apostolic succession===
[[Apostolic succession]] is highly prized. The independently irregular transmission of Holy Orders in the Liberal Catholic Church by Old Catholic bishops in Utrecht, according to the Augustinian theory of Holy Orders, beginning with the consecration of Arnold Harris Mathew, is continued in the Liberal Catholic Church by what is held to be a linear apostolic succession of validly consecrated Liberal Catholic bishops, whose consecration is firmly rejected by the [[Holy See]] and the Patriarchates of [[Orthodox Church|Orthodoxy]]. Great care is taken in the selection of new bishops, who are discerned as having attained a high degree of spiritual wisdom achieved over many lifetimes. Those consecrated are expected to maintain a disciplined and somewhat ascetic lifestyle. In addition to their sacramental and teaching roles, the bishops are seen as transmitting Christ’s blessing by radiant spiritual energy flowing through them to all whom they contact.
[[Apostolic succession]] is highly prized. The independently irregular transmission of Holy Orders in the Liberal Catholic Church by Old Catholic bishops in Utrecht, according to the Augustinian theory of Holy Orders, beginning with the consecration of Arnold Harris Mathew, is continued in the Liberal Catholic Church by what is held to be a linear apostolic succession of validly consecrated Liberal Catholic bishops, whose consecration is firmly rejected by the [[Holy See]] and the Patriarchates of [[Orthodox Church|Orthodoxy]]. Great care is taken in the selection of new bishops, who are discerned as having attained a high degree of spiritual wisdom achieved over many lifetimes. Those consecrated are expected to maintain a disciplined and somewhat ascetic lifestyle. In addition to their sacramental and teaching roles, the bishops are seen as transmitting Christ’s blessing by radiant spiritual energy flowing through them to all whom they contact.
===Structure===
===Structure===
====Bishops====
The Liberal Catholic Church is governed by approximately thirty-five bishops, their number varying, sometimes more, sometimes less, who meet as a General Episcopal Synod every few years (similar in purpose to the [[Lambeth Conference]] of the [[Anglican Communion]] and the Twelve Apostles' Council of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]]). An elected Presiding Bishop is the chief executive officer and the Convenor of Synods. He is assisted by established regular committees which deal with administrative and judicial matters between Synods.
The Liberal Catholic Church is governed by approximately thirty-five bishops, their number varying, sometimes more, sometimes less, who meet as a General Episcopal Synod every few years (similar in purpose to the [[Lambeth Conference]] of the [[Anglican Communion]] and the Twelve Apostles' Council of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]]). An elected Presiding Bishop is the chief executive officer and the Convenor of Synods. He is assisted by established regular committees which deal with administrative and judicial matters between Synods.
====Provinces====
The world-wide LCC is divided into 20 provinces, each under a Regionary Bishop, and a number of lesser populated territories, each supervised by an appointed administrator. Clergy are trained both practically, ''in situ'', and with the aid of correspondence courses offered by the ''Liberal Catholic Institute of Studies''. These courses are not yet widely translated into languages other than English and are not evenly supported by individual '''LCC''' Regionary Bishops.
The world-wide LCC is divided into 20 provinces, each under a Regionary Bishop, and a number of lesser populated territories, each supervised by an appointed administrator. Clergy are trained both practically, ''in situ'', and with the aid of correspondence courses offered by the ''Liberal Catholic Institute of Studies''. These courses are not yet widely translated into languages other than English and are not evenly supported by individual '''LCC''' Regionary Bishops.
====Unpaid clergy====
LCC Clergy are unpaid. They either hold secular occupations or are retired. Only men are admitted to major orders, but recently women servers have been introduced in many provinces. No charges are made for any services rendered. Donations (for example, after weddings or baptisms) are generally accepted, but are never requested.
LCC Clergy are unpaid. They either hold secular occupations or are retired. Only men are admitted to major orders, but recently women servers have been introduced in many provinces. No charges are made for any services rendered. Donations (for example, after weddings or baptisms) are generally accepted, but are never requested.
===Doctrinal pressures===
Today the LCC is a small communion of a few thousand members, scattered over the globe, quietly re-examining its role in the world. It continues its claim to offer sacramental grace in a pure form, and the “Ageless Wisdom” in terms understandable and more acceptable within an ostensibly Christian context. While there are always pressures to become more popular, more Christian, more modern, more orthodox or more colloquial, most Liberal Catholics are resolved that the LCC must remain true to its founders, and, more important, to the clairvoyant Esoteric Source of their inspiration, the [[Cosmic Christ]].
==Liberal Catholic Movement==
==Liberal Catholic Movement==
The Universal Catholic Church, founded in 2013, and freely supportive of the [[Homosexual rights advocacy|LGBT]] agenda, is a member of the Liberal Catholic Movement.
The Universal Catholic Church, founded in 2013, and freely supportive of the [[Homosexual rights advocacy|LGBT]] agenda, is a member of the Liberal Catholic Movement.