Editing Independent Catholicism (section)

== Beliefs and practices==

Virtually all members of the Independent Catholic movement possess "a deep commitment to the catholic (in the broadest possible sense) sacramental tradition"{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=37}} and worship according to a prescribed [[Christian liturgy|liturgy]], usually derived from a mainstream Christian rite (like the [[Roman Rite]]). Plummer suggests that "the most critical factor for independent sacramental identity is the single-minded focus on sacramental activity [and that] very few independent communities offer coffee hour, [[Sunday School]], and the array of other social programs which have come to characterize many mainstream churches."{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p= 91}}

Like the liturgies of early Christian communities, the liturgies of Independent Catholic communities often vary widely, with each cleric or community making "its own choices of emphasis in terms of doctrine, liturgy, and other matters."{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=37}} In practice, Independent Catholic polity is often essentially congregational.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=37}}

For the most part, Independent Catholic communities possess a sacramental and eucharistic spirituality, often mirroring the sacramental life and theology of the [[Catholic Church]]. Most possess a mediatory [[priesthood]] and an historic [[episcopate]],{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=1}} which are often the only constants amid diversity that ranges from extreme [[Traditionalist Catholicism|traditionalism]] to radical experimentation.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=128}} Julie Byrne comments: "Independents vary widely, ranging from right to left in the political spectrum. On the right traditionalist churches practice versions of Catholicism more conservative than Rome. These include the [[Society of St. Pius X]], founded by [[Marcel Lefebvre]], as well as the [[Mount St. Michael]]'s community in [[Spokane, Washington]], and actor [[Mel Gibson]]'s [[Church of the Holy Family (Agoura Hills, California)|church]] in [[Malibu, California]], which made headlines when he directed the movie, ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' in 2004. On the left stand groups such as the [[Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch|Church of Antioch]], the [[Ecumenical Catholic Communion]], and the White-Robed Monks of St. Benedict."<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=88V1CwAAQBAJ Julie Byrne, ''The Other Catholics: Remaking America's Largest Religion'' (Columbia University Press 2016), p. 4]</ref>

While the [[Western Church]] and its [[theology]] have remained constant, despite changing clergy, Independent Catholicism often possesses another model in which "the [[priesthood]] remains constant, while the church it serves and the [[theology]] it teaches are often in a state of flux. While some [[western Christians]] may see this state of affairs as a distortion, it is nonetheless the centerpiece of the independent sacramental inheritance from the west."{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=25}}

Plummer says: "Independent sacramental Christians have given a unique primacy to the [[priesthood]], carrying the '[[priesthood of all believers]]' to an extent never before envisioned. In many such churches, most or all of the members are ordained, with ordination functioning more like [the [[sacrament of confirmation]]], rather than a professional credential. For better or worse, there is great freedom to create new church structures, new forms for the sacraments, and new theologies, or at least a new synthesis of inherited elements."{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=37}}

Many Independent Catholic communities are small, are led by an unpaid clergy, and lack a stable schedule or location.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|pp=1 & 3}} Larger Independent Catholic communities have often resulted from [[schism]] within the Church or are often led by clergy who were formed by and formerly ministered to the Church; these communities often resemble mainstream churches with a larger population of laity and a small number of paid clergy.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=112}} In Independent Catholicism, freelance ministries meeting the needs of a small number of persons are far more common than large parishes.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=113}}

While many Independent Catholic clergy and communities affirm the [[Apostles' Creed]] and the [[Nicene Creed]], with or without the ''[[filioque]]'' and with varying interpretations, they espouse a variety of doctrines and beliefs, ranging from [[Gnosticism in modern times|neo-gnostic]] and [[Theosophy (Boehmian)|theosophical]] beliefs allowing for "freedom in the interpretation of scriptures, creeds, and liturgies,"<ref>The Liturgy of the Liberal Catholic Church, p. 196.</ref> or the belief in no creed at all,{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=101}} to extremely traditional orthodox Catholic positions. Plummer says: "The nature of the movement makes it virtually impossible for there to ever be a unified theology" among Independent Catholics.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=102}}

Within the movement of Independent Catholicism, views vary widely on such issues as the [[ordination of women]], [[homosexuality]], [[divorce]], issues of conscience, and other issues that are also controversial in other mainstream Catholic and Christian churches. Drawing from the [[ecumenical Christian]] tradition and other [[religious traditions]], a growing number of Independent Catholic clergy and communities espouse a certain [[universalism]], believing that God's loving embrace and forgiveness might be extended to all.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=70–71}} Sometimes reaching beyond the bounds of the Christian tradition, some Independent Catholic clergy and communities feel greater liberty to incorporate into their lives and their worship a wide ranges of elements from other spiritual and religious traditions.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=85}}

Plummer suggests the following categories for Independent Catholic communities: clergy who primarily celebrate alone, traditionalists with conservative theological commitments, churches maintaining traditional liturgy but with a different social or theological vision (e.g., full inclusion), groups with a particular focus on women's issues (e.g., the [[ordination of women]]) or the recovery of the [[Divine Feminine]] in worship, groups seeking liberal, non-dogmatic approaches to being church with little, if any, standards of dogmatic beliefs, and fellowships with an esoteric spirituality.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=40}}

Hundreds of websites are devoted to Independent Catholic jurisdictions and communities, some of which "seem to exist primarily in cyberspace." Others have no web presence at all.{{sfn|Plummer|2004|p=4}}