The Religious Society of St. Simon

The Religious Society of St Simon was founded under the name Society of Free Christians in 1999 by Revd. George Stephen Callander, broadly following the spirit of the Revd. Joseph Morgan Lloyd Thomas and the Society of Free Catholics. The intention of SFC was to promote liturgical worship in the Catholic tradition within liberal Christian, non-credal, non-judgemental theology.

SFC was founded in parallel with the Society of the Divine Spirit, and for a time was the focus of that society's worship before the formation of the English Liberal Free Church, which subsequently adopted the name The Liberal Rite in 2007. Members over the years have come from different Christian traditions, both trinitarian and unitarian.

In November 2006, the Society underwent re-organisation. The Catholic elements of the Society were re-constituted as the Religious Society of St Simon. Meanwhile, the more explicitly ecumenical and interfaith elements continued a separate existence as the Society for Humanistic Potential .

Today, the Religious Society of St. Simon is a dependent religious society of the LCAC. Membership is free of charge and open to professed Christians who publically support the Society's aims and wish to commit themselves to its principles. Membership is open to both clergy and laity and the understanding of the term "Catholic" is interpreted widely across denominational barriers. Members of the Society use the postnominal letters RSStS.

Statement of principles
  • The Society believes the uniting influence of liturgical language and worship in the Catholic tradition drawing members God-wards to be of more importance than the divisive influence of rigid dogmas or theological constraint.
  • The Society actively encourages freedom of religious thought and practical expression. 
  • The Society is wholly inclusive and supports the full and equal ministry of men and women.

Members
Rt. Revd. Adrian Glover, RSStS (LCAC and Cross Denominational Mission)
Most Revd. John Kersey RSStS (Apostolic Episcopal Church)
Rt. Revd. Andrew Linley, RSStS (LCAC)
The Revd. Pastor Raven S. Scott, RSStS (Cross-Denominational Mission)
Dr. A. Michael D. Walsh, RSStS, OblateOSB (Church of England)
Michael Young, RSStS (Cross-Denominational Mission)
Margaret Wood, RSStS (Church of England)

Charter to the Religious Society of St Simon

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Memberships

The Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church is a founder member of the Independent Catholic Churches Council (ICCC).


The Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church is a denominational member of the Independent Liberal Catholic Fellowship (ILCF).

The Bishops of the Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church are all members of the Sophia Circle, a non-prescriptive gathering of free bishops in the esoteric tradition.