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Over the centuries the message of Jesus Christ has been garbled, rather like a game of Chinese Whispers in which “Send reinforcements we’re going to advance”, becomes “Send three and four pence we’re going to a dance”!
Jesus came with a message of salvation and repentance for ALL. The only criterion for membership with Jesus was, as He expressed it, to “Follow me”.
Sadly, as time passed, the message of Jesus was limited by the words of men whose outreach was limited and whose love was imperfect. These limitations began in the very earliest days with arguments over whether gentiles could be admitted, or just Jews. St Paul added that women could not speak in the assembly. Who gave him the right to limit the Spirit? Certainly not Jesus who surrounded himself with men and women at all times. In saying this we do not reject Paul’s teaching authority, we simply question the right of anyone to limit the magnanimity of Jesus Christ.
To cut to the quick and reduce two thousand years to a few lines, there are many people who feel, rightly or wrongly, that the teachings of the major Churches exclude them from the fullness of communion with Christ. Let us give a few examples:
· Women have been excluded from ministry by Catholic and Orthodox since Paul’s time, simply because of their God-given gender.
· Those whose marriages have failed are condemned by Rome to enforced celibacy or, should they dare to fall in love again and seek remarriage, to effective excommunication and sacramental starvation.
· Since the Middle Ages male and female homosexuals have been expected to reject the natural expression of their God-given nature if they wish to take part in the life of pretty well any religious organisation.
One could talk about slavery and other examples from the past, which were eventually changed, and it is such change that gives hope for the future.
However the mission entrusted us by Jesus Christ is to offer salvation to all the inhabitants of the world in which we live – NOW – not in some idealised future.
For these simple reasons of Christ’s all-enveloping love, the Ecumenical Catholic Church is open and embracing.
· Women are welcome in ministry at all levels subject to proving their vocation in the same way as any man.
· Gays and lesbians are welcome to receive the sacraments under the same conditions as anyone else, i.e. that they have the right spiritual intention and, except where they seek Baptism, that they be baptised.
· All who have received Baptism and wish to meet the Lord in Communion are welcome to share at the Table of the Eucharist.
· All committed and loving relationships have a Sacramental nature and can be celebrated and blessed publicly.
All we have discussed on this page are matters of legalistic interpretation, which has been used to blind and bind the Spirit of loving inclusion that is the Spirit alive and active in the world.
If you feel excluded by another Church for any reason feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a welcoming and accepting embrace in The Ecumenical Catholic Church - United Kingdom
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