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Challenges to the concepts of canonicity, validity, licit and illicit

Ben

As I read numerous websites devoted to the Independent Sacramental Movement, I encounter so much literature saying one of two things.  Those in the ISM movement justify themselves by “proving” their orders and justifying their existence.  Those in mainline churches attack ISM churches as not being valid, not providing licit (or valid) sacraments, and as being uncanonical. 


I recently was invited to the home of an Independent Catholic Bishop with a small faith community who truly does great work.  As I sat in his recliner at his home, he joked that I may be sitting in his cathedra since he is not sure where his cathedral is.  Is the cathedra at his ministry at the assisted living center?  Is it at his home in his private chapel?  As we were speaking, he noted that I did not ask for his lineage so obviously I was taking his word that he is a bishop at face value.


My own understanding of holy orders consists not so much in the apostolic succession of the laying on of hands as it focuses on maintaining the faith of the early church.  In the Western Medieval period, the handing of the chalice and paten to the newly ordained priest was seen as the essential aspect of the sacrament.  The laying on of hands is recorded in the Scriptures and was seen as the essential element of being set aside for special service to God; I am glad this was reclaimed but there are other theologies of Holy Orders.  My point is that the faith of the church is more important to me because the point of holy orders is to continue the transmission of the faith through the proclamation of God’s Word and the celebration of the Sacraments/Mysteries.


If the Gospel is preached, the Sacraments celebrated, and people change as the result of both then I am less inclined to care if the minister is canonical.  I will explain why in a minute, but this is not a popular opinion.  Are their unsavory characters in the Independent Sacramental Movement?  You better believe it!  I was also a Roman Catholic priest for over a decade and saw unsavory characters in the canonical mainline churches as well.


The issue of canonicity is one where mainline churches truly try to cast doubt on the Independent Sacramental Movement.  The issue is who has the authority to determine if a church is canonical and celebrating valid sacraments? Saint Ignatius of Antioch speaks about the church is where the bishop is.  It is through the bishop that the Eucharist is celebrated.   If the bishop in ISM has the faith of the church, the intention of fulfilling the command of Christ, and valid orders then why is an ISM community not considered to be minimally an imperfect form of Church?  Aren’t all of our churches imperfect and in need of reform both of head and members?  Aren’t all of our churches lacking something that we need?


Mainline institutional churches can reassure themselves that they are canonical and have valid celebrations of the Sacraments.  I am not so impressed as I saw people hurt by these churches; I know people who would rather go to an uncanonical priest who loved them and who proclaimed the Gospel than a canonical priest or bishop who did not care or was abusive towards them.  Mainline canonical churches accuse ISM communities of pretending to be church but I believe the same charge can be applied to these mainline canonical churches.  Why are some people attracted to the ISM movement?  These canonical mainline churches lied to their people by giving them an incomplete Gospel message.  These mainline churches lay claim to validity and canonicity while forgetting the love which should animate the communities. 


Just as you think I am providing a defense for the ISM movement; I want to challenge certain beliefs.  I have known my share of dubious people in the Independent Sacramental Movement, and I have known my share of saints in mainline canonical churches.  Both are truly imperfect forms of church, and our churches fail on so many levels to embody the divine reality.  I do not like ISM communities that reassure themselves that they must be preaching the true Gospel because they are a small remanent flock just as I do not like mainline canonical churches that reassure themselves that they have validity and canonicity which is all that matters.  If we look at our churches, we see sin and the failure to embody the Gospel.  If we look at ourselves, we see our own personal sin and our own failures to be the person God created.  We need to be converted.  I need to be converted.  Rather than finding fault with one another, we need to find ways to help one another truly be a member of Christ’s body – THE CHURCH – which transcends all our churches, communities and denominations.

Peace,

Ben

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6 comentários


David Dismas
David Dismas
22 de jun. de 2024

Just came across your site last night while looking for something else. I am both excited and perplexed. Maybe I need to adjust my settings, but I cannot seem to see ANY comments by ANYONE else. Can that be true? I see great hope for the ISM and like some of your dreaming and proposing. I have read through all the posts in your blog and want to thank you for caring enough about God's work through our movement even as you experience first hand how independence seems to play itself out to our detriment. Blessing and prayers, David Dismas

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Benjamin
Benjamin
06 de out. de 2024
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Hello Fr. Pierce,

I apologize but I am not getting notifications as I assumed on these posts. I did not realize you responded. I agree that we need to check our egos and recognize what we are doing. My own beliefs and practices may be drastically different but we can learn and support one another. I was blessed in that I come from the Roman Catholic tradition and had extensive academic, spiritual, pastoral and human formation that I know many in the ISM movement envy. I certainly do not know enough but I want this to be a resource to share and support. Please do not feel alone or become discouraged. Ministry is tough but there are people who believe…

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