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Baptism is the door that gives admittance to fellowship in the Mystical Body of Christ, as St Paul termed the Church. If a person wishes to join The Liberal Catholic Church, and has not been previously baptised in another Church, in complete form, then that person must be baptised in The Liberal Catholic Church. If previously baptised in a complete form, then a simple service of Admission is used. If there is doubt about the validity of a previous baptism, then conditional baptism is used. In each case the person then becomes a member of the Liberal Catholic Church. Confirmation is, literally, the making of the person 'firm', or strong in the life of Christ begun at Baptism. It has the two-fold effect of strengthening the body and soul, thereby allowing the soul greater power to express itself through the body. The candidate pledges him/herself to endeavour to set aside the smaller life of personal interests and to work for the common good. Having offered him/herself thereunto fully in Christ's service, the sacramental act of Confirmation follows and the candidate is sealed with the sign of the holy cross, the emblem of the life of sacrifice and service. A form of general Confession and Absolution is included in the public services of the Church. If a person feels compelled to make a private Confession, then a Priest will hear this and give what help he can, but this form of Confession is reserved for exceptional circumstances. This Church does not believe that Absolution rids a person of the consequences of wrongdoing, but does help to restore that inner harmony and renewal of purpose that encourages a more resolute and kindly life in future. Auricular Confession is entirely optional, and is not required as a preliminary to the reception of Holy Communion. Its frequent and systematic practice is not encouraged, as tending to defeat the true value of the Sacrament in the spiritual life of the individual. Believing, nonetheless, that the grace of Absolution is one of the gifts of Christ to His people (John 20: 23), the Church offers this aid to those who desire it, following an earnest and sincere Confession whether that be by auricular method or in the public Services. Such Absolution from the burden of sin is not to be regarded as enabling a man to escape the consequences of his wrong-doing, but rather as a re-heartening of the man, a restoration of that inner harmony of nature which has been disturbed by his wrongdoing -a bringing of the man once more into tune with the Divine Power which flows through him and of which he is to be the true expression. The Holy Eucharist, or Mass, is the central act of Christian worship and the focal point of this central act for the great majority is Holy Communion. Much has been written on this subject, but suffice it to say that the Church firmly holds the view that its Bishops and Priests offer the holy sacrifice before the Throne of God and celebrate the mysteries of Christ's love on behalf of, and together with, all present, believing that during the Prayer of Consecration the bread and wine in their natural substance become the Body and Blood of Christ (in the sense of being charged with His very Life). Through Holy Communion all are brought into close and intimate union with our Lord Christ. Through the Eucharist, each time it is celebrated, there passes forth into the world a wave of peace and strength, and this, which is the primary object of the service, is achieved whether the priest be alone in his private oratory or ministering to and assisted by a vast congregation in a magnificent cathedral. Therefore, it offers to all of us the unequalled opportunity of becoming labourers together with God and of doing Him true and laudable service by acting as channels of His wondrous power. Holy Unction or Spiritual Healing The Liberal Catholic Church gives special attention to the ministry of healing. Although the power to heal seems to have been exercised frequently in the time of the Apostles, we cannot assume that an ability to heal is conferred at ordination, or that the gift of healing is other than a charismatic power. But, in the revivifying breath of the Holy Spirit in the grace of Absolution, and in the sacraments of Unction and the Holy Eucharist, Christ's Church has means of grace to vitalise and supplement ordinary healing methods. Healing and priestly functions are complementary. There is a growing recognition that bodily ailments are, in many instances, the outcome of maladies of the psyche, which can be treated and remedied by means of Holy Unction. The sacrament of Unction is used to this end in three ways; as public services of spiritual healing; as a Private Unction for a sick person; and as Extreme Unction for those who seem close to physical death, when it may be regarded as a healing of the soul. Although instances of physical recovery do occur, the aim of spiritual healing is always directed to an imbalance. Christ did not institute marriage, but the sacrament blessing such marriage. This is intended to help the parties live together in a state of love and mutual aid. When they have pledged their love and fidelity to each other in the presence of Christ, the priest blesses them in His Name. The ring, which is the symbol of their spiritual union, is also blessed. The Church holds that through the sacramental grace received at the joining together of a man and a woman in Holy Matrimony, a firm foundation is given for the building and sustaining of family, community, and society as a whole. Holy Orders is the sacrament by which, in their various degrees, ministers of the Church receive grace, power and authority to perform their sacred duties. Our Lord works through human agency and to the end that those who are chosen for this sacred ministry as Bishops, Priests or Deacons, shall become readier channels for His grace, he has ordained that they shall be linked closely with Him by this holy rite and shall thereby be empowered to administer His sacraments and act as almoners of His blessing. It is most important that people should remember that they receive all sacraments from the hand of Christ Himself, and that the officiant is but an instrument in that Hand. The Liberal Catholic Church has a deep conviction of the reality of the Apostolic Succession, through which is transmitted the grace, power and authority which was given to the Apostles by the resurrected Christ. This grace, power and authority have been passed on down the ages by the laying on of hands, with the words and intent of consecration. There is, thus, an unbroken line from the Apostles to the Bishops of this Church |
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