Independent Sacramental Movement Gatherings

I just returned from the American Catholic Communities annual gathering.  It was called a convocation when I was a Roman Catholic Priest.  The American Catholic Communities calls it convergence.  No matter what it is called, it is a time for prayer, reflection, education, and socialization.  I think many of us in the ISM movement are much more isolated than we realize.  As a RCC priest, there was never shortage of local clergy to meet for lunch, supper or stop by and visit.  Lent and Advent were times we saw each other frequently as we gathered at numerous parishes to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This does not happen in the ISM movement so we must be intentional to gather.  We might be hundreds of miles away from the next bishop, priest or deacon in our community.  I think this is one reason why we as ISM communities should stop arguing and come together to support one another. 

Can I only support my brother or sister in ministry if I agree with everything they believe in?  I think that is why we are in the sad shape that we are in, and we are impoverished as a result.  We argue about so many insignificant things and further divide the Body of Christ.  Does everyone have to kneel during the Eucharistic prayer, or can we permit a variety of liturgies and postures?  Just because someone marries same sex couples does not mean that I am compelled to do so.  Just because someone ordains women does not mean that I must ordain a woman.  One of my coworkers at my secular job is a friend and we often have long discussions of politics.  We are both moderates in an age of polarization.  We see the arguments and both sides and do not want to align with either side.  I understand the issues in religion as well and am drawn to arguments on both sides.  I think truth transcends our own understanding and it is found not only with people I agree with but also those who I disagree with.  I wish we in the ISM movement would put our differences aside and work together.  The other side is not the enemy.

A couple months ago, I was thinking about trying to start a conference to bring people in the ISM community together.  This conference would also focus on scholarship by issuing a call to papers for graduate students and theologians who might be interested in exploring more of the ISM history and theology.  I spoke with a few people and soon wondered if I could do this as I have never done anything like this before.  I also wonder if people in the ISM movement would be willing to leave their little kingdoms behind and gather in a spirit of charity.  As I mentioned in the past, we in the United States have a lot of ISM history that is frequently forgotten.  Bishop Dominique Marie Varlet from whom the Old Catholic Church derives apostolic succession was a Roman Catholic missionary in what became the United States prior to his break with Rome.  I think it could be argued that his working with people the church largely abandoned in the New World prepared him for defending the religious rights of people in the Old World as he Confirmed Catholics who could not afford to travel to other countries.  I wish our jurisdictions could come together and build a little memorial to Bishop Varlet near Cahokia so this story could be known, and he would be remembered where he served.

May we be willing to work together even when we disagree.  What unites is in the Lord is much larger than that which divides us.  The apostles wanted to prevent another individual from working in the Lord’s vineyard as he did not follow in their company, but Jesus rebuked the apostles.  We are not the ultimate shepherds, but only Jesus who is the Good Shepherd.  I pray that we might work together and love one another.  That is how the world will know that we are Christians.

Peace,

Ben