Written by Bishop Andrew Gentry   

Beloved Friends,


For those who have interest in such things, (and that number is dwindling) if you want to see the diversity of semantics and form in religion you have but to investigate or research the term "old catholic"! It is estimated that there is between 350 to over 700 approximately, "denominations" that call themselves "Catholic"! These range in numbers of members from as small as two people, yes I did say two people, to at most a hundred thousand or so. The overwhelming majority are made of men in very fancy and expensive dress looking very "church like" on various web sites and social medias. They also differ as to beliefs and doctrines which run the spectrum from "ancient knowledge cults"(Gnosticism predominately) to pre Vatican II Traditionalists! To be clear the Vatican rejects 99% of them as irrelevant and or invalid as does the overwhelming majority of recognized Eastern Orthodox Churches. Though John Paul II did issue a papal statement on the validity of the Old Catholic Churches it is clear he was referring to those who are in what is called the Union of Utrecht not to any others.

In this "three ring circus" of religiosity" you will find however decent and genuine people of faith who are trying to make a difference in the world for the good of all. there are communities that are flourishing that do provide viable alternatives to the exclusive and imperial structures of the Vatican. The Ecumenical Catholic Communion whose presiding bishop is Peter Hickman is one which is the fastest growing non Roman but Catholic bodies in the US which now has members in Europe and is in discussions with the folkes in Utrecht, the birthplace of real Old Catholicism. The North American Old Catholic Church is another growing community which has Bishop Michael Seneco as its presiding bishop. Both of these are inclusive and fully lay involved sacramental communities. Lastly the International Intentional Eucharistic Communities movement of which I am member, as is the local community we hope to reorganize this coming year, is also another and has some 2000 world wide participating fellowships.

The mainline or Established Churches including the "evangelical" ones are in grave decline not only in Europe where four hundred years of religious warfare not to mention two world wars has effectively ended any influence of "the Church" but also in the United States. Christianity or the counterfeit version of it here is seen as an institution of bigotry and narrow mindedness that is frankly just plain irrelevant to a growing majority of people especially those under 35! But there are faith communities who are making a difference and these are those who are inclusive and welcoming and do not assume an imperial hierarchical model what ever that model may have been whether it was the pope or the board of deacons! They also have no ties with the market place! You have to look for them but we are here.

Peace
Bishop Andrew Gerales Gentry