Before writing about additional Independent Sacramental Movement resources, I want to provide a brief explanation about my ISM interest. I have never been affiliated with any ISM church, jurisdiction, or movement. Despite this, I felt a deep kinship and affinity for several jurisdictions over the years and know numerous individuals involved in the Independent Sacramental Movement.
My interest in ISM dates back to my time in Roman Catholic seminary. I was an avid reader and wanted to better understand other religions such as Judaism and Islam as well as understand diverse Christian movements. I studied the Protestant Reformers on my own along with other movements. I came across the Old Catholic Movement and the reaction against the Modernism in Catholicism. I became intrigued with some of the controversial figures such as Dollinger and Alfred Loisy.
Seminary was also a unique time as I was exposed to seminarians with diverse theologies. At least two of these individuals would become involved in ISM. Fr. Lawman Chibundi was arguably the greatest seminarian homilist during my time at seminary. His words were engaging, provocative and spoken from the heart. We were not particularly close during seminary as he was several years ahead of me but I had the greatest respect for him as a person and as someone who preached God’s word. After several years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest, he helped found the Rabbouni Catholic Community https://www.rabbounicatholiccommunity.org/
The other Roman Catholic priest who became well-known in many ISM circles is Fr. Marek Bożek, formerly pastor of St. Stanislaus. Many of you may be familiar with the story of Archbishop Burke and the parish of St. Stanislaus. While Fr. Marek was many years ahead of me in seminary, we were close. Other seminarians wanted to discuss sports or other things over meals but Fr. Marek and I discussed theology. We often disagreed but it was because of that disagreement that I learned so much from him. I gained a lot of insight about his seminary experience in Poland and how the church I thought I idealized so much left much to be desired. I had the opportunity to visit Fr. Marek a few times after the independence of St. Stanislaus but I regret not spending more time with him before he returned to Poland. I would disagree with some of his decisions as he would disagree with mine. I still hold him in the highest regard and value our conversations like prized jewels.
After seminary, I had the opportunity to know other individuals involved in the Independent Sacramental Movement. The first parish I was assigned had a parishioner whose mother was a member of the SSPX church in St. Louis. This woman would not accept the current mass or current sacramental celebrations as valid. For some reason, she knew I loved traditional things and took a liking to me. She invited me to join her on a Saturday morning for a SSPX liturgy. I happily went with her as I loved the Latin mass. We became good friends and she would often buy me traditional Catholic books such as those published by TAN. We discussed these in-depth. While I did not agree with all aspects her theology, we became close because she knew I was trying to understand her view. When she was sick, she allowed me to anoint her with the modern Roman ritual in English! We differed but we respected each other. I learned so much from her most conservative books and became more understanding of varied interpretations. I implore ISM clergy to read some of those books like the biography of Saint John Vianney by TAN. ISM clergy need to learn how to pray like the saint to lead people to God. The devil says it only takes three like St. John Vianney to end his kingdom so maybe that is the goal to strive towards.
I see the ISM movement as having so much potential as it can evangelize in ways that other churches and movements cannot. Despite this, I see the ISM movement being so concerned with internal understandings that are off-putting to outsiders. What do I mean? As I read ISM websites, there is so much focus on apostolic succession. I firmly believe it is important but not in the way that ISM portrays. If you look back, the laying on of hands is one theology of apostolic succession. There are other theologies in the history of the church which speak about the conferral of the priestly power such as the passing of the chalice and paten. While Catholicism today speaks about the importance of the laying on of hands, and this is quite Scriptural, historically speaking there have been different understandings.
I owe a debt of gratitude to individuals and jurisdictions in the Independent Sacramental Movement. You have led me to a richer understanding of Christianity and challenge me to grow and love. It is to these people that I dedicate this website.
Peace,
Ben
Commentaires