the old schism trail

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Nov 01, 2006

The NCR classifieds nearly always include a Vocations category. The callings to which these vocations correspond are, for the most part, callings to seedy apostate churchlets of the kind that comprise three archbishops, one priest, and the priest's elderly mum. The style of come-on is pathetically familiar from those grandly-named correspondence universities that advertise in TV Guide, promising genuine masters degrees for $99. Here's this week's batch:

AMERICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Valid orders and apostolic succession; no need to relocate. (707) 554-2803. Web site: www.Americancatholicchurch.org

NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH OF AMERICA -- inclusive, affirming, valid orders. Distance learning seminary. Holy Orders without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status. Varied ministries. Phone: (518) 434-8861. Web: members.aol.com/NatCathCh

CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH in North America - Inclusive, progressive, marital status and gender no impediment to holy orders. Phone: (845) 586-2201. Web site: www.cacina.org

Evelyn Waugh makes sardonic reference to the city of Alexandria as that "ancient asparagus bed of theological absurdity." One can find patches of re-emergent Alexandrian fertility in these tiny autocephalous bodies, which combine the miter-and-crosier dignities of old-style high churchmanship with the novel sexual accommodations demanded by today's forward-thinking Christians. The Fearless Leader of the National Catholic Church is a wonderful specimen of the type:

OUR FOUNDER AND PRIMATE

The ministry of prime leadership for The National Catholic Church of America is exercised by our Founder, The Most Reverend Richard G. Roy, OSJD, who was elected Primate of the Church by the original clergy and laity and who also serves as Abbot of The Order of Saint John the Divine. In addition to Old Catholic and Orthodox lines of Apostolic Succession, Archbishop Roy also received the Apostolic Lines of Carlos Duarte Costa, the late Roman Catholic Bishop of Botucatu, Brazil, who formed an independent Catholic church in the late 1940’s. Archbishop Roy has been active in AIDS ministry and serves as Pastor of Holy Trinity National Catholic Church in Albany, NY, where he makes his home with Brother Stephen K. Peterson, OSJD, his partner since 1975.

Please stand for the Creed.