The Inclusive Catholic Church of North America Celebrates Ordination of Reverend Kathryn Mary Mainor-Goodness as its First Woman Priest



West Warwick, RI — September 30, 2024
The Inclusive Catholic Church of North America (ICCNA) joyfully announces the upcoming ordination of Reverend Kathryn Mary Mainor-Goodness as its first woman priest. This groundbreaking event exemplifies the ICCNA’s commitment to inclusivity, equality, and the recognition of diverse callings to ministry.

Event Details:
  • Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Location: The Chapel of St. Therese of Lisieux, 1500 Main Street, West Warwick, RI

Reverend Mainor-Goodness, a pastorally devoted and compassionate advocate, has long served the ICCNA community. Her ordination represents a significant milestone, not only for her personally but also for the entire church. Bishop Kenneth Corbin, a respected leader within the ICCNA, will preside over the ceremony.

“We celebrate Reverend Mainor-Goodness’ dedication to her faith and her unwavering commitment to service,” said Bishop Corbin. “Her ministry will inspire others and strengthen our community as we continue to embrace God’s call without regard to gender.”
The ICCNA, an independent Catholic denomination unaffiliated with the Roman Catholic Church or the Catholic Diocese of Providence, RI, invites all to witness this historic occasion. Friends, family, and members of the community are warmly welcomed to join in the celebration.

The ICCNA can exist anywhere, but currently is 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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

For more information, contact:
Fr. Charles Vohs, Pastor
Chapel of St. Therese of Lisieux
1500 Main Street
West Warwick, RI   02893
(401) 680-9076
[email protected]
www.saintthereseocc.org