The Inclusive Catholic Church of North America
Today there are many churches that are Sacramentally Catholic, but not affiliated with the Roman Church: the Polish national catholic Church, the Brazilian National Catholic Church, and the Society of Saint Pius X, to name a few. The social views of these -- and the various Independent Catholic Churches like them -- vary from group to group. Some retain the use of the "Latin Mass", and the temperaments and social perspectives of the time...even going so far as to reject the legitimacy of the Popes since Varican II. Others are on the other end of the spectrum, supporting the LGBTQ+ Community, the ordination of women, and waiving the requirement of priestly celibacy. Here at Saint T's we fall on the more progressive side of the spectrum.
We are the Inclusive Catholic Church. We can exist anywhere, but currently are limited to serving faith communities located in North America through two dioceses, The Diocese of the Southeastern United States and the Diocese of the Northeastern
United States (The Inclusive Catholic Church in North America). Our Mission is to foster faith communities who welcome people of all races, faith expressions, gender identities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds who seek Christ. Our attitude is best summed up with these words, “No matter where you are on your life’s journey, where you’ve been or where you are
going, no matter who you are on your journey with, and no matter how long it has been, all are welcome at The Lord’s Table.
We practice a progressive form of traditional Catholicism. We are traditional because we faithfully adhere to the same Dogma professed in the Western Catholic (Roman) Rite, and the same 7 Sacraments instituted by Christ as practiced liturgically in the Western Rite. We share the same history of Catholicism as other Catholic Churches following the Western Rite. We follow the same liturgical calendar as followed by the Western Rite. We are progressive because our doctrine (teachings) differs slightly from our brothers and sisters in the Western Rite. For this reason, we are not in union with Rome and are not affiliated with the Roman Magisterium. Our doctrine emphasizes our inclusiveness, and differs from Rome in the following way:
We are the Inclusive Catholic Church. We can exist anywhere, but currently are limited to serving faith communities located in North America through two dioceses, The Diocese of the Southeastern United States and the Diocese of the Northeastern
United States (The Inclusive Catholic Church in North America). Our Mission is to foster faith communities who welcome people of all races, faith expressions, gender identities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds who seek Christ. Our attitude is best summed up with these words, “No matter where you are on your life’s journey, where you’ve been or where you are
going, no matter who you are on your journey with, and no matter how long it has been, all are welcome at The Lord’s Table.
We practice a progressive form of traditional Catholicism. We are traditional because we faithfully adhere to the same Dogma professed in the Western Catholic (Roman) Rite, and the same 7 Sacraments instituted by Christ as practiced liturgically in the Western Rite. We share the same history of Catholicism as other Catholic Churches following the Western Rite. We follow the same liturgical calendar as followed by the Western Rite. We are progressive because our doctrine (teachings) differs slightly from our brothers and sisters in the Western Rite. For this reason, we are not in union with Rome and are not affiliated with the Roman Magisterium. Our doctrine emphasizes our inclusiveness, and differs from Rome in the following way:
- Our clergy choose whether they will take a vow of celibacy or not. Clergy who do not choose the vow of celibacy are permitted to be in a committed relationship and to marry.
- Our clergy are not compensated monetarily by the Church. All clergy perform their sacramental and pastoral duties and obligations in addition to being self-supporting, which means they all have secular jobs to earn wages and benefits for their needs. Each member of the clergy is connected to a local community of faith and is involved in active ministry.
- We profess a vision of equality for all peoples. Therefore, we ordain people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, races, and ethnic backgrounds who successfully complete all requirements of formation for Holy Orders.
- We do not withhold Sacraments from the baptized because they violate a doctrine of the Church. This means, among other things, that we do not withhold Eucharist for divorced Catholics who have not obtained an annulment and who have entered into a new relationship, and we do not withhold baptism from the children of unmarried parents or parents who profess gender identities different from their birth certificate or who profess a sexual orientation other than heterosexual.
- We accept couples of all gender identities and sexual orientations desiring the Sacrament of Matrimony. We officiate at weddings for these couples according to the laws of the State where they obtain a marriage license.