Transgender man will be ordained in Minneapolis

[cbayer]

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/187550971.html?refer=y

He will then start the state's first North American Old Catholic Church congregation.

Article by: ROSE FRENCH , Star Tribune Updated: January 18, 2013 - 9:29 PM

Religious leaders of a relatively unknown branch of Catholicism plan to ordain a transgender man to the priesthood on Saturday in Minneapolis.

One of only a half-dozen or so transgender clergy members in Minnesota, Shannon T.L. Kearns will set about starting the state's first North American Old Catholic Church congregation following his ordination at Plymouth Congregational Church.

Established in 2007, the North American Old Catholic Church is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, though Kearns says he hopes to attract disenchanted Roman Catholics to his new, more liberal-leaning Minneapolis congregation.

"Church should be a place that welcomes all people and should be about working for justice in the world," Kearns said during a recent interview. "That's just a really important message to get out."

more at link

[rug]

1. The Old Catholics have an interesting history.

The biggest boost came after Vatican I which declared papal infallibilty.

Now, it's an important part of the independent Catholic movement and, having valid orders, provides apostolic succession to many independent Catholic churches.

[cbayer]

2. This is the first I had heard of them, but they are indeed an interesting group

with an interesting history.

Is this considered a viable alternative for more progressive/liberal Catholics or those that can't accept some of the dictums of the RCC?

[rug]

3. It's an individual choice.

The Old Catholics, along with the Polish National Catholic Church, the Orthodox churches, and a few others, are considered by the RCC to have valid sacraments, valid orders and apostolic succession.

Aside from individual choice, it boils down to the meaning of communion with a church and the age-old question of whether to stay or whether to join a new group. Kind of like the question of joining a third party. Despite my reservations, I remain a Democrat.

[cbayer]

4. After moving to New Orleans, I first became aware that there were different

kinds of Catholics. As you probably know, the catholic high schools are identified by their orders.

In New Orleans, when someone asks where you went to school, they mean high school. I quickly became aware of how the different orders influenced many people's social/religious/political perspectives. I became even more acutely aware when I was faced with moving my kids from public to parochial schools.

But they were all a either a part of the RCC or the group that represented the various protestant denominations. I never ran into non-RCC catholics in that area.