The Ecumenical Catholic Communites

 

Ecumenism 

 

 

 

The term ecumenism refers to the idea of a Christian unity in the literal meaning: that there should be a single Christian Church. It is also very helpful to understand exactly what the word Catholic means.

The Greek roots of the term "Catholic" mean "according to (kata-) the whole (holos)," or more colloquially, "universal." At the beginning of the second century, we find in the letters of Ignatius the first surviving use of the term "Catholic" in reference to the Church.

Early Church historian J. N. D. Kelly, a Protestant, writes: "As regards ‘Catholic,’ its original meaning was 'universal' or 'general.' . . . in the latter half of the second century at latest, we find it conveying the suggestion that the Catholic is the true Church as distinct from heretical congregations. . . what these early Fathers were envisaging was almost always the empirical, visible society; they had little or no inkling of the distinction which was later to become important between a visible and an invisible Church" (Early Christian Doctrines, 190–1). Thus people who recite the creeds mentally inserting another meaning for "Catholic" are reinterpreting them according to a modern preference.

 

 

 

 Some of us are indeed catholic but 'catholic' as just explained - like it was before any historical splits. Roman Catholic is the name given to the part of the Latin Church that remained under Roman obedience after the Reformation. We are simply Christian (Catholic) priests which means that we are accessible to anyone with a need for sharing their faith in an all encompassing way, embracing the sacraments as our theology dictates but with a 21st century realism to the changing face of our society and indeed humanity. We, as an ecumenical church, are a body of Christ's faithful albeit, contemporary in our approach to our changed and evolved society. We are a member church of The One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. While our orders come from both the worldwide Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church, we use whatever form of liturgy or free prayer to suit personal and local needs. Some use the Book of Common Prayer, Orthodox, Celtic and other Rites - however I believe in free prayer and combine with liturgy I am theologically comfortable with. 

 

  

 

 

Every church has an ancient faith but we have a refreshed vision for action. More and more people are reluctant to attend church for whatever reason. The Church of England has recognised the need for 'Fresh Expressions' within the Church as a whole, and although we respect them doing this and have liaison with some CofE parish clergy, we have been using this ethos all along! We have always believed that our responsibility as clergy is to take the gospel and holy sacraments 'out there' to all people as well as offering weekly celebration and worship.  

 

 

 

 

Faith without action achieves little. It is the duty of every Priest responding to God's call to reach out to all His people and serve in whatever way they can. Those called to devote their life to prayer are as much a part of a God-given mission as those called to serve their community in a practical sense. Jesus outstretched His arms towards those in pain and in need. He ministered to the sick, the lonely, the poor and the vulnerable. Jesus comforted the bereaved and offered the socially unaware a different path to tread. He opened the eyes not just of the physically blind but the spiritually blind. Jesus also prayed so hard, he sweated blood. We are all called to continue His ministry with the Holy Spirit as our guide and strength.    

  

 

 

We pride ourselves in a sense of Christian Responsibility and professionalism at all times.  

Many of us have a Roman Catholic baptism and background but struggle with the exclusive nature of a body of people who use the term 'Catholic' - meaning universal - when in reality their doctrine is bigoted and exclusive. The greatest wrong is that the RCC will not accept female ordination. Rome claimed a special authority mainly because St Peter and St Paul were martyred and buried in Rome - which is why the first Bishop of Rome claimed to be St Peter's successor. Ironically, every single Christian denomination on God's Earth has to accept its original roots are Catholic...

including the church of Rome and not as the belief is; exclusively the church of Rome.

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