The Beauty of Perspective: Thoughts on So-Called Independent Catholicism

I am fully aware that I am re-visiting a topic that I write about often... However, I do find a lot of beauty in Independent (Autocephalous) Catholicism. To start, I have never been a Roman Catholic. I entered this world in my teens through Baptism and, frankly, it is all I have ever known religiously. So, I do not have the often dour perspective on the movement of former Roman Catholics.

Because of this, I think it is important to forge our own identity. You will not find me concerned about issues in Roman Catholicism because I am not subject to their laws and regulations. Or, my tradition has not been since 1701. I am thrilled to work with our Roman Catholic siblings and to partner in building a better world. I am happy to minister to Roman Catholics who understand that I am not one of them. I also take an active ecumenical interest in what is happening in the Roman Catholic Church. However, my perspective is separate because I am not a Roman Catholic any more than I am an Episcopalian or a Baptist. Frankly, I cannot condemn their workings because I, too, live in a glass house with the chaos in my own tradition. 

 

Despite this, I also acknowledge as a descendant of the Ultrajectine tradition that I am forever linked with the See of Rome. Arnold Harris Mathew, in his Catechism of Christian Doctrine, stated "The Church has a visible Head or Chief Bishop on Earth--the Bishop of Rome." However, this was qualified with "... who is the Vicar of Christ as the first of the Five Patriarchs." It is clear that Mathew was a proponent of a modified Branch Theory of the Church. I also realize (to paraphrase the words of Prince Metternich) "when Rome sneezes, the whole of Christendom catches a cold." 

 

While I identify with a very specific branch of the so-called Independent Catholic movement, I think overall this tradition needs to be nurtured and new and innovative spiritual and theological insights need to drive our thinking. My own perspective is that I represent a version of Catholicism that is both dogmatically ancient while adapting to the pastoral needs of modern people. It maintains the sacramental viewpoints and beliefs of the universal (Catholic) church while being a distinct stream (branch) of it. 

Each movement brings something special to this tradition. ICAB and its descendants bring St. Carlos' commitment to justice and equality. The IFI brings the perspective of a national church borne of a subjugated native people. The PNCC contributes the history of a grassroots church close to the traditions of its immigrant people. Utrecht's descendants bring the perspective of apostolic dogma. While one may or may not agree with each aspect of each strand, together they bring a richness to the tapestry that is this tradition. Much more than clinging onto a Church that, frankly, we are no longer canonically a part of or in. 

My tradition is not a reaction to Vatican II, because we separate long before it happened, with our own traditions, liturgy, and dogmatic principles. I hope that we can all claim our unique identities and take pride in a movement built on ancient creeds, the sacraments, and a rich and varied history.