Toward an Intradependent Sacramental Movement

My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ,

Please keep me in your prayers. I am currently working on an ambitious project to help ISM jurisdictions with a foundational text and curriculum for priestly formation. God willing, I pray that it will be completed in time for Pentecost.

My hope is that this project will strengthen formation in a more holistic way. Priestly formation must include theological education, pastoral ministry, preaching, spiritual development, and human formation. We do not simply need clergy who can perform rites. We need priests who are holy, whole, and wise.

I recently finished Ashley Deutschmann’s Agendas, Ambition and Arrogance: Reflections on Schism, Humility and the Call to Communion. It is a fascinating and challenging book for those of us in the Independent Sacramental Movement. Deutschmann reflects on reform movements in the Church and the dangers that often accompany them: pride, ambition, division, and the loss of humility.

I did find myself wishing the book had engaged more reform movements across Christian history, not only Protestant ones. The monastic and mendicant movements, as well as movements that began with reforming zeal but became entangled with heresy or schism, could offer important lessons for us. Still, the book is very good and raises questions the ISM needs to face honestly.

One idea that stayed with me is Deutschmann’s suggestion that we might speak of the “United Sacramental Movement” rather than the “Independent Sacramental Movement.” I understand the appeal. Even in our diversity, we share much in common: the sacramental life, historic ministry, apostolic faith, and a desire to serve Christ’s Church.

I have often struggled with the word “independent.” I do not want to be independent if that means isolated, self-sufficient, unaccountable, or detached from the wider Body of Christ. We are not baptized into private religious projects. We are baptized into Christ.

That is why I find myself drawn to another word: intradependent.

We are intradependent because our life is within the one Body of Christ. No bishop, priest, jurisdiction, parish, or ministry exists for itself alone. Our sacraments are not private possessions. Our apostolic succession is not a trophy. Our liturgies are not personal brands. Everything we have received is for the building up of the Body.

An Intradependent Sacramental Movement would not erase diversity or pretend that all differences are unimportant. But it would call us to deeper responsibility, humility, and communion.

It would ask bishops to be servants of communion, not isolated rulers.

It would ask priests to seek formation, accountability, and holiness, not simply ordination.

It would ask jurisdictions to collaborate where possible, speak truthfully where necessary, and resist fragmentation.

This is why priestly formation matters so much. If we form clergy only to perform rites or defend legitimacy, our communities will remain shallow. But if we form priests who are holy, whole, and wise, something deeper becomes possible.

Pentecost feels like the right horizon for this work. At Pentecost, the Spirit does not erase difference. Many languages proclaim one Gospel. Diversity is gathered into communion.

Perhaps that is the vision we need again.

Please pray for this formation project. Pray for the clergy and seminarians it may serve. Pray for our bishops, jurisdictions, missions, and ministries. Pray that God may purify our agendas, humble our ambitions, heal our divisions, and draw us more deeply into communion.

May we become a movement marked not only by sacramental validity, but by holiness, wisdom, humility, and love.

Peace,

Ben