The Last Things for Independents

One of the topics no one wishes to dwell on, unless they're particularly morbid, is their own demise. But, it is something we all eventually face. In an ideal ministry world, we receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and Extreme Unction in the same tradition and there is a great deal of consistency. 

However, if you have ever been involved in the Independent Catholic or Autocephalous Catholic world, one thing you can not expect is consistency. One of the things I counsel new entrants into this wild and wonderful world is--know what you are getting into here. Do not expect that you can show up in a collar at your former place of worship and be welcomed or celebrated. This is an extremely hard journey. Often times, you are alone, reviled, ridiculed, and even at your last moments abandoned. 

This is a real concern for anyone entering the Independent world. At our last breaths, we may not have the consolation of receiving sacramental comfort from our jurisdiction of choice. I think it's telling how this uncertainty has affected us as a movement. If you look at our most prominent figures, many of them returned to their churches of origin or larger churches towards the end of their life. Archbishop Mathew remained an Old Roman Catholic but was buried by an Anglican priest. Archbishop de Landes-Berghes died a Roman Catholic, as did Archbishop Vilatte. Archbishop Carfora was rumored to have reconciled to Rome in 1953 when he became mortally ill in Texas, and there is little evidence of him acting sacramentally from 1953-1958. The Mexican National Catholic Church (which was supported by Carfora) entered the Orthodox Church in America. Even modern day Independent Catholics, such as Archbishop Thuc, died in the bosom of Rome. A notable exception was Archbishop Duarte Costa, who remained ICAB until the end.

The reality is that often times we find ourselves alone, stranded in the mission field. Sometimes our families and friends do not know what to do and call on their own religious traditions to assist us at our end. Hence, many Independent clergy are buried by whomever their family desire and sometimes without the presbyteral dignities. At other times, they can be ashamed and our ministry work goes up into the flames or becomes dust.

While this is a morose topic, that is not my intention. My intention is to bring to light the challenges that we face at the end of our time on this earth. There are, for me, several paths forward.

1. I think there needs to be a very honest discussion with anyone entering this movement about the loneliness we can face, especially at the moment of our demise. It is wreckless for a bishop to ordain someone without being truly honest about the challenges we can face.

2. It seems prudent that we make every effort to make our last wishes clearly known and plan for them appropriately. Otherwise, they likely won't be followed. 

3. It seems beneficial to reach out to other clergy in our area who could help us at our final step to seek their assistance. They could be Autocephalous Catholics or they could be from mainstream traditions. Regardless, it's important to approach these things honestly and ask the difficult questions so we know our final wishes will be respected.

At the beginning of COVID, one of my long-time friends who is a priest in another jurisdiction asked me to do his funeral if something should happen to him. It was incredibly touching to be thought of in such a way, and I was proud of him for taking his last wishes so seriously. May it be so for us all.

“Live so as not to fear death. For those who live well in the world, death is not frightening but sweet and precious.” – St. Rose of Viterbo