Ubi Caritas Et Amor, Deus Ibi Est

Where there is charity and love, there is God.  Charity and Love, these are two key pillars of The Reformed Catholic Church.  Recognizing this, the faithful, clergy and leadership of The Reformed Catholic Church are strongly committed to the Corporal Works of Mercy.  Across the globe, Reformed Catholic Church communities are reaching out to the poor, the homeless, the imprisoned, the sick and suffering, the dying, the outcasts and the unwanted members of society. Through a widely diverse variety of missions and ministries, the people of God are able to share and experience the timeless message of hope, healing and salvation that comes to us from Our Lord. 

As the Presiding Bishop of this family of faith, I am in awe of the diverse richness of the people drawn to this family. Once a small group of people from one central location, The Reformed Catholic Church has grown into a truly international community. We have experienced incredible growth of the church across the globe, not because of the work of any ONE person, but through the dedicated efforts of many people, laity and clergy alike, who are focused on ONE purpose!  That purpose is to spread the Gospel of Christ! What a good and noble purpose -- all for the greater glory of God and the illumination of God's people! What a joy to bring home the sheep who have been lost, forgotten or unwanted or abandoned by the "mainstream" communities. 

I want to share with you a book entitled "Unchristian", which is based upon interviews of young people between the ages of 16 to 26.  In this book, the Christian Church has been indicted for its indifference, hostility, judgmentalism, discrimination, homophobia, racism and unwelcoming positions. For many people, this report is shocking and is simply dismissed as radical "left wing" reporting. Yet, if we were to be honest, we would acknowledge that these impressions are indeed based on fact. The Church is losing a generation because of its practices.  Like the youth who were interviewed for this book, many of us have experienced pain caused by ministers and outdated modes of thinking in the church. In many minds, the Christian Church has ceased to be seen as sanctuary, a place of safety. Instead, the church has become an oppressor.  What would Jesus do?  Weep. 

It seems at times that Bishops and Elders of the various denominations of the Christian church have put aside their pastoral staffs and have chosen, instead, to take up a judges' gavels. Conformity, not diversity, is the desire -- the demand -- in some churches.  Conformity that clearly flies in the face of scripture:  There is one body, but many parts.  There are many gifts.   How can the church continue to reach out to the world if it is afraid of the diversity of the people of God?   Is there charity in discrimination, homophobia, racism, sexism? No, there is only shame.  But, in that shame there is a glimmer of hope.  A hope that future generations will recognize this terrible wrong, refuse to tolerate the abuses of the past (present) and work to more fully integrate the rich diversity of God's people into the church... not as second class or invisible citizens, but as full members of the body of Christ.  A true hope that healing and reconciliation will be a reality!

With charity and love central pillars of The Reformed Catholic Church, we commit ourselves to welcome all people, no matter where they find themselves on this journey we call life.  We commit ourselves to never judge, never discriminate, never deny the faithful the sacraments because of who they love, how they vote, their marital status or what opinions they hold.  As a people liberated by the Gospel, we must be what Church CAN be, not what church has been.   We have an important mandate:  If you love me, feed my sheep.  Are we prepared to carry out this mandate?

"Unchristian" should be a wake up call for  ministers, leaders, and the faithful of the Christian churches who care about the people of God and the message of Salvation over which they have been given stewardship.  Yet, the question remains:   Will the church recognize that as it has, in many cases, been the cause of suffering and pain, and choose to be a source of healing, comfort and reconciliation? 

What lesson can we, the people of The Reformed Catholic Church, learn from this report?  The answer is simple: In matters of essentials, unity, In matter of non-essentials, liberty; in all matters, charity.  Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found! May we never forget these important pillars of our faith:  Charity and Love, the greatest of gifts. 

I ask that you keep the prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola in your heart:

Lord, teach me to be generous