History

Formation

     The Liberal Catholic Church came into being in 1916, evolving out of an Old Catholic mission to the UK under Archbishop Matthew. It developed under the inspiration of Bishops J. I. Wedgewood and C. W. Leadbeater into an international church. The Old Catholic movement developed primarily from the Roman Catholic Church in Utrecht, the Netherlands, over a period of 200 years. The Old Catholic Church was formed after 1870 when the new doctrine of papal infallibility was not universally accepted.

      The Liberal Catholic parish of Grays, Essex formed around Roy Bannister in 1972. The parish was moved to join the LCC Oklahoma Synod in May 1988 and became independent in October 1989 as the LCC Grail Community. In 1992 the headquarters moved to Devon.

     Throughout this period a number of priests, bishops and parishes have been inspired to join The Grail Community.

Apostolic succession

     Bishop Roy Bannister was consecrated by Bishop John Schwarz III, Presiding Bishop of the LCC Oklahoma Synod who was consecrated by Bishop Ernest Jackson, previously Regionary Bishop of the LCC Canada, who was consecrated by Bishop F. W. Pigott assisted by Bishop J. I. Wedgewood. Assistant Bishop of the Grail Community Michael van Buren was consecrated by Bishop Roy Bannister.

Clergy

     These stewards of the mysteries are all unpaid worker priests and bishops. They are permitted to marry. The New Testament emphasis is that relationships require respect for oneself and others and in this context sexual orientation is not seen as an issue with regard to the priesthood. The Grail Community was the first LCC Church in the UK to admit women to the five minor orders and has developed a unique service to Our Lady which is solely led by women. Sadly, our research over the years has not shown that the full consecration of the bread and the wine takes place or that the ability to receive the apostolic succession is possible whilst the person is in a female body. Attempting to do so without strong confirmation risks the unbroken line of the apostolic succession and the fullness of the sacramental work. Whilst therefore women are not ordained to the priesthood in the Grail Community they still have an important role in the spiritual work of the church and the feminine aspect is continually being developed.  All the oratories in the Grail Community are dedicated to Our Lady.

     Freedom of thought is a key tenet of the LCC. However the church offers a unique emphasis of esoteric Christianity which it’s clergy must be able to live and teach. Only men who have been active members of the Church for many years and who show this ability in a spirit of humility, commitment and service can be considered for minor and possibly later major orders.

Bishop Roy Bannister with his Crozier bearer Joseph from Columbo, Sri Lanka.

© 2009 The Liberal Catholic Church Grail Community