the one true church, new & improved

Off The Record ^ | March 29, 2008 | Diogenes

[NYer]

Thinking of trading in that old time religion for a newer model? The NCR classifieds seldom let you down. This week's selection includes the Transformational Catholic Church, which (its founder, animator, sole pastor, and presiding bishop assures us) "will have no other Canons or mandated dogmas" beyond the two greatest commandments. Let His Excellency explain it for you:

Why was it founded? The Transformational Catholic Church was founded out of the prayerful reflections and inner calling of Bishop LeBlanc. As a former Roman Catholic monk (Order of the Most Holy Trinity) he found many denominational practices and positions limiting to his personal spiritual growth. As a priest and bishop within the Authcephalous Catholic Movement he saw many of the denominations merely recreating the denominations that the founding clergy and bishops left, with minor changes. Most importantly he recognized the value and worth of small faith communities and minitiries, truly embracing the faith position that "were two or more are gathered" God is found.

Out of these dynamics, Bishop LeBlanc wanted to leave a personal mark on the Autocephalous Movement and thus the creation of yet another denomination. Yet, it is hope that this denomination brings the love of the Sacred/God to more individuals within the Authocephalous Movement, while being a home for the Independent Catholic Home Church Movement.

Should you find Roman Catholicism overly rigid and intellectually jejune, you'll be relieved to learn that Bishop Bruce offers theological sophistication and spiritual richness of no small order:

I have been influenced by the writings of The Rt. Rev. John Shelby Spong, Father Joseph Girzone, and the Jesus Seminar. As a result I am theologically very liberal.

My life and spiriutality was impacted, significantly, through my five years as a monastic with the Order of the Most Holy Trinity. The charism of that relgious order, "redemptive charity" is the charism I enact in my ministry.

Not a mandated dogma in sight. Bishop Bruce's parish meets for worship once a month at the Metropolitan Community Church in Davenport, Iowa. Pastorally speaking, that means you'll almost certainly find a place to park. I was pleased to see that included among the Bishop's professional credentials are diplomas in "Paralegal" and "Massage Therapy" -- an unimprovably succinct expression of the spirit of New Age churchmanship.

[NYer]

I have been influenced by the writings of The Rt. Rev. John Shelby Spong

There ... that says it all!

[NYer]

I have been influenced by the writings of The Rt. Rev. John Shelby Spong

There ... that says it all!

[OpusatFR]

I’ll join if I can be a Cardinalette.

You can be Popess.

[Tax-chick]

Bishop LeBlanc is a Professor of Sociology and Psychology in the Department of Social, Behavioral and Educational Studies at Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois

And a goooooofbaaaaalll.

[trisham]

I was pleased to see that included among the Bishop's professional credentials are diplomas in "Paralegal" and "Massage Therapy" -- an unimprovably succinct expression of the spirit of New Age churchmanship.

********************

Oy vey.

[Lee N. Field]

Separated at birth?

[Tax-chick]

Shoot, that’s scary!

[Mad Dawg]

Not a mandated dogma in sight.

Oh! That is like just SEW Kewel! (insert mindless squeal here.)

Where do they stand on group sex? Is Mazola required or can one use Bertoli EXTRA virgin (you should pardon the expression)?

Actually, if he was impressed by The Wrong Reverend Jack "Whatever" Spong, I'd bet virgins, in the strict sense of the word, young females of the opposite sex, are, well, welcome, but not encouraged ....

[Uri’el-2012]

This thread is intellectually jejune.

[Mad Dawg]

Darling! You'd look LOVELY in red ... and maybe one of those CUTE little fur-trimmed hats?

Hold a minute, I'm all verklempt.

Time now for the almost weekly insert of the comment attributed to Tallulah Bankhead upon seeing a thurifer at Smokey Mary's in NY:

Darling, your gown is lovely, but your purse is on fire.

[humblegunner]

the one true church, new & improved

Capitalization rules, tried & true.

[Mad Dawg]

Well, thank you. I do my best ....

[Uri’el-2012]

;-)

[Kolokotronis]

We’ve got a bunch of these crazy vagantes ourselves. Its interesting though that our nut cases tend to be on the far, far right while yours are mostly lefties.

Spong indeed!

[NYer]

You can be Popess.

Oh! Thank you ... is this an elected position?

[NYer]

Time now for the almost weekly insert of the comment attributed to Tallulah Bankhead upon seeing a thurifer at Smokey Mary's in NY:

Awesome .. another fan of TCM!!

[NYer]

We’ve got a bunch of these crazy vagantes ourselves. Its interesting though that our nut cases tend to be on the far, far right while yours are mostly lefties.

I have a theory about that but would be interested in your views, first. Pray tell :-)

[Kolokotronis]

“I have a theory about that but would be interested in your views, first. Pray tell :-)”

Turks; the Turks did it to us, and, and goats and olives. That’s why! Other than that, I haven’t a clue why things seem to work out that way. :)

[Tax-chick]

We have some far right Latin loons, too, like the guy who lives in a shack in North Dakota and claims he was elected Pope by a unanimous vote of his own sheep.