Joshua Bennett
Liberal Catholicism is a term used to describe a trend among Catholics to prioritize freedom as a core value and apply this to social, political, and religious life. The term has been used in the context of the French Revolution and the remaking of Europe by Napoleon, as well as in the 1960s and 1970s, and more recently with the papacy of Francis. The Catholic Church's teachings do not fit neatly into liberal or conservative ideologies, but individuals may identify as liberal or conservative Catholics based on their political and ideological beliefs. The Liberal Catholic Church, as an institution, differs from Roman Catholicism by approving of the ordination of women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
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What You'll Learn
Liberal Catholicism: A brief history
Liberal Catholicism is a trend among sincere Catholics that exalts freedom as a primary value and seeks to reconcile the principles on which Christian France was founded with those derived from the French Revolution. It emerged in the wake of Napoleon's remaking of Europe and the restoration of traditional monarchies. The movement was influenced by the Belgian Liberal Catholic movement centred in Malines and led by Engelbert Sterckx, the vicar-general of Archbishop de Méan.
The first manifestation of Liberal Catholicism was the newspaper L'Ami de l'Ordre, founded by Lamennais, whose first issue appeared on October 16, 1830, with the motto "God and Liberty." The paper advocated for democratic ideals, including the rights of local administration, enlarged suffrage, separation of church and state, universal freedom of conscience, freedom of education, assembly, and the press. Lamennais and his associates corresponded with Ignaz von Döllinger, seeking to reconcile the Roman Catholic Church with modern society and liberal political principles.
In 1831, the National Congress of Belgium, an alliance between Roman Catholics and secular liberals, adopted a constitution that enshrined many of the freedoms for which liberal Catholicism campaigned, including freedom of religion, association, education, and the press. The Congress Column in Brussels, erected to honour the congress, features four bronze statues at its base, each representing one of these four basic freedoms.
The Liberal Catholic Church, as an institution, was founded by J. I. Wedgwood and Charles Webster Leadbeater, two Theosophists, in 1917 in the USA. Wedgwood had been consecrated as a bishop in England in 1916 and later travelled to Australia, where he ordained Leadbeater. The Liberal Catholic Church follows the Roman Catholic doctrine of works-based salvation and teaches transubstantiation. However, it differs from Roman Catholicism in its approval of the ordination of women and the ordination of practising gays and lesbians.
While some commentators have suggested that liberal Catholicism was most prominent in the 1960s and 1970s, others argue that it has been a consistent presence within the Catholic Church, with adherents holding that they have simply been labelled as "progressive" or "moderate" in the past. The election of Joe Biden, a self-described liberal Catholic, as US president in 2021 brought renewed media attention to this wing of the Catholic Church.
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Liberal Catholicism and the media
Liberal Catholicism is a trend among Catholics that exalts freedom as a primary value and seeks to reconcile the principles on which Christian France was founded with those derived from the French Revolution. It has been a subject of media coverage, with some outlets declaring the ascendancy of liberal Catholicism and the decline of conservative evangelicals. This narrative emerged following the election of Joe Biden, the second Catholic president of the United States, and the papacy of Francis.
The media often portrays the Catholic Church through an ideological lens, with conservatives focusing on issues like abortion and contraception, while liberals emphasize social justice and personal freedom. This was evident in the media coverage of Biden's inauguration, which highlighted his faith and his invitation to Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory, setting a pious tone for his presidency. Biden's Catholicism stands in contrast to the previous administration, which was closely associated with conservative Catholic figures like New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
Historically, the liberal Catholic movement faced opposition from the Catholic Church, particularly over issues like papal infallibility and the modernization of Christian faith. Lamennais, a key figure in liberal Catholicism, founded the newspaper "L'Ami de l'Ordre," advocating for democratic ideals and the separation of church and state. Despite facing resistance and suspicion from the Catholic Church, Lamennais influenced the National Congress of Belgium, which adopted a constitution enshrining the freedoms of religion, association, education, and the press.
The Liberal Catholic Church, founded by J. I. Wedgwood and Charles Webster Leadbeater, differs from Roman Catholicism by approving the ordination of women and LGBTQ+ individuals. It believes that all religions are unified under the same spiritual wisdom and that there are multiple paths to finding God's wisdom. However, this view has been criticized as a perversion of the gospel and an abandonment of true salvation.
In conclusion, liberal Catholicism represents a significant current within Catholicism, advocating for freedom and social justice. Its relationship with the media is complex, shaped by ideological lenses and political contexts. While liberal Catholicism has gained renewed attention with figures like Joe Biden, it has also faced opposition and criticism throughout its history.
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The core beliefs of Liberal Catholics
Liberal Catholicism is a trend among sincere Catholics that exalts freedom as a primary value and seeks to reconcile the principles on which Christian France was founded with those derived from the French Revolution. The core beliefs of Liberal Catholics are rooted in the following:
Freedom of Religion and Conscience
Liberal Catholics emphasize freedom of religion and conscience, advocating for the separation of church and state. They believe in the freedom to practice and express their faith without state interference, as reflected in their campaigns for liberty of religious education and association.
Social and Political Engagement
Liberal Catholicism engages with social and political issues, seeking to apply Catholic principles to modern society and its challenges. This includes supporting progressive causes such as gay rights, women's ordination, and addressing climate change. Liberal Catholics are often aligned with left-wing or liberal political ideologies, prioritizing social justice and personal freedoms.
Religious Pluralism
The Liberal Catholic Church holds a religiously pluralistic view, believing that all religions are unified under the same spiritual wisdom. They suggest that different religions express the same basic truths in distinct ways, and that there are multiple paths to finding God's wisdom. This perspective is considered controversial by some, as it deviates from the traditional Christian belief in salvation exclusively through Christ.
Works-Based Salvation
The Liberal Catholic Church adheres to the Roman Catholic doctrine of works-based salvation. They believe that grace is attained through the receiving of the sacraments, a key element of their religious practice.
Ordination Equality
Liberal Catholics support the ordination of women and the LGBTQ+ community, which sets them apart from traditional Roman Catholic teachings.
Dialogue and Engagement with Other Perspectives
Liberal Catholics emphasize the importance of respectful dialogue and engagement with individuals holding differing viewpoints. They are open to interpreting and adapting Catholic teachings to new circumstances, seeking to find common ground and create cooperation among diverse groups.
It is important to note that the term "liberal Catholic" is a label, and the beliefs and practices within this category may vary. Liberal Catholics consider themselves faithful Catholics, striving to reconcile their theological and political positions with the teachings of the Church.
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Liberal Catholicism and politics
Liberal Catholicism is a trend among sincere Catholics that exalts freedom as a primary value and seeks to reconcile the principles on which Christian France was founded with those derived from the French Revolution. It emerged in the wake of Napoleon's remaking of Europe and the restoration of traditional monarchies. The movement advocates for liberties such as freedom of religion, association, education, and the press, as well as the separation of church and state. The National Congress of Belgium, an alliance between Roman Catholics and secular liberals, adopted a constitution in 1831 that enshrined many of these freedoms.
The Liberal Catholic Church, founded by J. I. Wedgwood and Charles Webster Leadbeater, two Theosophists, in 1917, believes that all religions are unified under the same spiritual wisdom and that there are multiple paths to finding God's wisdom. This is in contrast to traditional Catholic doctrine, which proclaims that salvation can only be found through Christ. The Liberal Catholic Church also approves of the ordination of women and the ordination of practicing gays and lesbians, which is not accepted by the Roman Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church's teachings do not fit neatly into worldly ideologies, be they conservative or liberal. Instead, the Church's teachings are about a God who is unlimited and cannot be confined to a single perspective or ideology. However, individuals' perspectives of the Church are often shaped by their political and ideological leanings. For example, a conservative may focus on the Church's teachings against abortion and contraception, while a liberal may emphasize the Church's advocacy for the poor, the oppressed, and social justice.
In the political sphere, the term "liberal Catholic" has been associated with figures such as Joe Biden, the second Catholic president of the United States. Biden's invitation of Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory to pray at an Inauguration Day event and his attendance at morning Mass set a religious tone for his presidency. The presence of liberal Catholics in positions of power has brought increased media coverage and attention to this strain of Catholic thought.
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The future of Liberal Catholicism
Liberal Catholicism is a current of thought within the Catholic Church that promotes the separation of church and state, freedom of religion, expanded suffrage, and broad-based education. It is largely identified with French political theorists such as Felicité Robert de Lamennais, who founded the newspaper L'Ami de l'Ordre, which later became L'Avenir, with the motto "God and Liberty". The paper demanded rights of local administration, an enlarged suffrage, separation of church and state, universal freedom of conscience, freedom of education, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards more progressive and liberal ideas within the Catholic Church, and this has brought Liberal Catholicism back into the spotlight. The election of Joe Biden, a self-identified liberal Catholic, as US President has also brought increased media attention to this branch of Catholicism. Biden's invitation of Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory to pray at an Inauguration Day eve memorial and his decision to start the day with morning Mass set a religious and pious tone for his presidency, which was a notable shift from the previous administration.
Liberal Catholics have also been vocal in their support for social issues such as gay marriage, government action on climate change, and the ordination of women, which have gained traction within the Catholic Church. This indicates a potential shift towards more liberal ideas within the Church and a greater acceptance of Liberal Catholicism.
However, it is important to note that there are still strong conservative elements within the Catholic Church, and Liberal Catholicism continues to face resistance from these factions. The teaching of the Catholic Church is complex and cannot be easily confined to a single ideology, and this inherent complexity may present challenges for the future of Liberal Catholicism.
In conclusion, the future of Liberal Catholicism remains uncertain, but it appears that this branch of Catholicism is gaining renewed attention and support. While it may continue to face opposition from conservative elements within the Church, the increasing focus on social issues and progressive values could shape the future direction of the Catholic Church and potentially lead to a more prominent role for Liberal Catholicism.
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Frequently asked questions
Liberal Catholicism is a trend among sincere Catholics that exalts freedom as a primary value and seeks to reconcile the principles on which Christian France was founded with those derived from the French Revolution.
The Liberal Catholic Church believes that all religions are unified under the same spiritual wisdom, expressing the same basic truths in different ways. They also approve of the ordination of women to the priesthood and the ordination of practising gays and lesbians.
The Catholic Church does not fit perfectly within any worldly ideology, whether conservative or liberal, left-wing or right-wing. The Church has been described as liberal because it advocates for the poor, the oppressed, the immigrant, and the worker, and believes in freedom from slavery and coercion. However, it has also been described as conservative because it opposes abortion and values the lives of the unborn.
Yes, liberal Catholics have been around for a long time. They were particularly prominent in the late 1960s and '70s, and have experienced a resurgence with the papacy of Francis.
