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Why Liberal Catholicism Today
Written by Monsignor Anthony Guagliardo
Religion is a means to an end.
As such, it may be seen to have a dual purpose.
Philosophy of Life
FIRST, it should provide a workable and progressively uplifting philosophy of life. The word "philosophy" means love of wisdom - Wisdom may be considered to be the sum total of the experiences and knowledge gained during all of man's past lives. Knowledge alone is the function of the lower mind. Wisdom reaches far above the lower mind. It involves the whole human being, including that understanding often attributed to man's "heart-qualities." Wisdom gives man that true perspective with which to discover the real purpose of life- it makes possible prudent, dispassionate, perfect judgment.
Religion, then, must have a place daily life, building the honest, unselfish, tolerant human being and producing in him/her the preference for spiritual values over material excesses. While thus raising his/her awareness to see divine life in all of God's creation and creatures, it yet aids him/her to attach proper values to everything in existence in the universe. Seen in this light, material means have their place and are necessary; but their utilization rather than their acquisition deserves primary attention.
An obvious expression of such a philosophy of life is found in man's affinity for all Nature, a sign of a mature love and heartfelt respect for God's creation. In the effort to understand even more fully Nature's ways, man is helped by eager intellect that directs his studies and interests toward the divine. Truth, being what it is to each person, enlightens him increasingly as his intuitive faculties unfold. Eventually he will know God "first hand."
Divinity of Man
The SECOND purpose of religion is to develop a realization of the divinity in man. The root-meaning of the word 'religion' -to bind back- refers to man's basic oneness with the Deity. Man IS a divine being, "created in, the image of God," the spiritual image, that is! Religion sees in the Deity (God) a universal, all-embracing Being of abstract perfection. To "bind back" to Him implies man's inner urge, his spiritual quest for his own perfection and resultant return to God. To achieve this he needs the experiences of many lives (incarnations) on earth. The "Laws of Nature," all of which are divine laws, aid him in his unfoldment toward perfection. Among these laws one principle is fundamental. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Gal. VI.7)
WHY THE FREE (LIBERAL) CATHOLIC CHURCH?
Religion does not mean dogma, doctrine, or denominational regulation. It does not require rigid ceremonial or ritual. It does not require institutional churches. HOWEVER, ritual and places where they can be performed are invaluable tools that should be used to aid and strengthen man's spiritual development. Divine energy permeates the whole universe and is channeled through it like all other forces known to man. An effective tool for its channeling is the Holy Eucharist (Mass) as celebrated in the Free Catholic Church. It proves to be a medium most perfectly suited to the flow of spiritual energy, as frequently attested to by those possessing trained clairvoyant sight. The work of the Free Catholic Church, while seemingly of the character of institutionalized worship, is free from rigid structuring, except that in their outer forms its services provide the visible channel facilitating the transmission of that spiritual (divine) energy down to the physical level. It is essential that the mind be completely free to participate in the services of the Free Catholic Church according to each person's inclinations and his/her potential for response. Thus, there can be no authority dictating beliefs, creeds, or dogmas, nor setting up restrictions which inhibit the partaking of any of the Church's Sacraments. In all, the individual's conscience commands supreme authority and respect.
WHY YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE SERVICES OF THE LIBERAL CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE REQUIRED
Performed by imperfect human beings no ritual can be spiritually perfect in itself. Yet, there IS a great value in performing such a ritual or ceremony as the Holy Eucharist. It gives every human being the beautiful opportunity - and, it is hoped, the inner responsibility - to become a dedicated and effective channel through which the Deity can pour out His power and blessing over the universe. Looking at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with purely physical sight may not reveal any particular worthiness, except perhaps it’s simple beauty. But exploring and discovering the deep wisdom and tremendous usefulness underlying the purpose of the Holy Eucharist opens one's "spiritual eyes" to an untold splendor. Thus, the philosophy of life promulgated through the work of the Free Catholic Church allows expression of every individual's inner nature and furthers the steady unfoldment of his divine stature. The one great goal lying before us all is to go forward and rise upward toward a more wholesome, inspired life which will help us to become devoted and productive workers in the divine plan for His (our) world.
YOUR participation in this work will always be of great benefit to you, to the community and to mankind as a whole. The Free Catholic Church holds its doors open to all who find joy and happiness in reverently partaking of Christ' s Blessings.
Introduction to Liturgical Worship
INTRODUCTION
As the Free (Liberal) Catholic Church doesn't use defined dogmas, nor imposes the obligation to accept its Statement of Doctrine, or a particular code of ethics, but leaves its members to choose their own interpretations and beliefs, the Holy Eucharist is the central act by which Free (Liberal) Catholics are recognized.
The Free Catholic Church is a Liturgical Church; that is, its services are of the kind that involve a set form of common worship. The word 'Liturgy' actually means ' the work of the people.' Liturgical worship appeals to the five senses, as well as to the so-called 'sixth sense' of the psyche.
The central form of worship within Catholic Christianity is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. 'Eucharist' means thanksgiving. The reason it is used to refer to the service involving Holy Communion is because in this service we give thanks to God for His great Love for us that was specially demonstrated in His coming into the world in human flesh.
The Holy Eucharist
Through the precise ritual of the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist, focused by the energies expended by those present, each time it is celebrated, there passes into the world, and particularly into the general vicinity of the Mass itself, a wave of peace and strength, the effect of which can hardly be overrated; and this, which is indeed the primary objective of the service, is achieved at every celebration, whether the priest be alone in the private oratory or ministering in some magnificent cathedral. Therefore it offers to us an unequalled opportunity of becoming laborers together with God, of doing Him true and laudable service by acting as channels of His wondrous power.
Religion is a means to an end.
As such, it may be seen to have a dual purpose.
Philosophy of Life
FIRST, it should provide a workable and progressively uplifting philosophy of life. The word "philosophy" means love of wisdom - Wisdom may be considered to be the sum total of the experiences and knowledge gained during all of man's past lives. Knowledge alone is the function of the lower mind. Wisdom reaches far above the lower mind. It involves the whole human being, including that understanding often attributed to man's "heart-qualities." Wisdom gives man that true perspective with which to discover the real purpose of life- it makes possible prudent, dispassionate, perfect judgment.
Religion, then, must have a place daily life, building the honest, unselfish, tolerant human being and producing in him/her the preference for spiritual values over material excesses. While thus raising his/her awareness to see divine life in all of God's creation and creatures, it yet aids him/her to attach proper values to everything in existence in the universe. Seen in this light, material means have their place and are necessary; but their utilization rather than their acquisition deserves primary attention.
An obvious expression of such a philosophy of life is found in man's affinity for all Nature, a sign of a mature love and heartfelt respect for God's creation. In the effort to understand even more fully Nature's ways, man is helped by eager intellect that directs his studies and interests toward the divine. Truth, being what it is to each person, enlightens him increasingly as his intuitive faculties unfold. Eventually he will know God "first hand."
Divinity of Man
The SECOND purpose of religion is to develop a realization of the divinity in man. The root-meaning of the word 'religion' -to bind back- refers to man's basic oneness with the Deity. Man IS a divine being, "created in, the image of God," the spiritual image, that is! Religion sees in the Deity (God) a universal, all-embracing Being of abstract perfection. To "bind back" to Him implies man's inner urge, his spiritual quest for his own perfection and resultant return to God. To achieve this he needs the experiences of many lives (incarnations) on earth. The "Laws of Nature," all of which are divine laws, aid him in his unfoldment toward perfection. Among these laws one principle is fundamental. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Gal. VI.7)
WHY THE FREE (LIBERAL) CATHOLIC CHURCH?
Religion does not mean dogma, doctrine, or denominational regulation. It does not require rigid ceremonial or ritual. It does not require institutional churches. HOWEVER, ritual and places where they can be performed are invaluable tools that should be used to aid and strengthen man's spiritual development. Divine energy permeates the whole universe and is channeled through it like all other forces known to man. An effective tool for its channeling is the Holy Eucharist (Mass) as celebrated in the Free Catholic Church. It proves to be a medium most perfectly suited to the flow of spiritual energy, as frequently attested to by those possessing trained clairvoyant sight. The work of the Free Catholic Church, while seemingly of the character of institutionalized worship, is free from rigid structuring, except that in their outer forms its services provide the visible channel facilitating the transmission of that spiritual (divine) energy down to the physical level. It is essential that the mind be completely free to participate in the services of the Free Catholic Church according to each person's inclinations and his/her potential for response. Thus, there can be no authority dictating beliefs, creeds, or dogmas, nor setting up restrictions which inhibit the partaking of any of the Church's Sacraments. In all, the individual's conscience commands supreme authority and respect.
WHY YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE SERVICES OF THE LIBERAL CATHOLIC CHURCH ARE REQUIRED
Performed by imperfect human beings no ritual can be spiritually perfect in itself. Yet, there IS a great value in performing such a ritual or ceremony as the Holy Eucharist. It gives every human being the beautiful opportunity - and, it is hoped, the inner responsibility - to become a dedicated and effective channel through which the Deity can pour out His power and blessing over the universe. Looking at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with purely physical sight may not reveal any particular worthiness, except perhaps it’s simple beauty. But exploring and discovering the deep wisdom and tremendous usefulness underlying the purpose of the Holy Eucharist opens one's "spiritual eyes" to an untold splendor. Thus, the philosophy of life promulgated through the work of the Free Catholic Church allows expression of every individual's inner nature and furthers the steady unfoldment of his divine stature. The one great goal lying before us all is to go forward and rise upward toward a more wholesome, inspired life which will help us to become devoted and productive workers in the divine plan for His (our) world.
YOUR participation in this work will always be of great benefit to you, to the community and to mankind as a whole. The Free Catholic Church holds its doors open to all who find joy and happiness in reverently partaking of Christ' s Blessings.
Introduction to Liturgical Worship
INTRODUCTION
As the Free (Liberal) Catholic Church doesn't use defined dogmas, nor imposes the obligation to accept its Statement of Doctrine, or a particular code of ethics, but leaves its members to choose their own interpretations and beliefs, the Holy Eucharist is the central act by which Free (Liberal) Catholics are recognized.
The Free Catholic Church is a Liturgical Church; that is, its services are of the kind that involve a set form of common worship. The word 'Liturgy' actually means ' the work of the people.' Liturgical worship appeals to the five senses, as well as to the so-called 'sixth sense' of the psyche.
The central form of worship within Catholic Christianity is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. 'Eucharist' means thanksgiving. The reason it is used to refer to the service involving Holy Communion is because in this service we give thanks to God for His great Love for us that was specially demonstrated in His coming into the world in human flesh.
The Holy Eucharist
Through the precise ritual of the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist, focused by the energies expended by those present, each time it is celebrated, there passes into the world, and particularly into the general vicinity of the Mass itself, a wave of peace and strength, the effect of which can hardly be overrated; and this, which is indeed the primary objective of the service, is achieved at every celebration, whether the priest be alone in the private oratory or ministering in some magnificent cathedral. Therefore it offers to us an unequalled opportunity of becoming laborers together with God, of doing Him true and laudable service by acting as channels of His wondrous power.