Religious Societies of the Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church

The Church is the spiritual protector of a number of religious societies, as detailed below.

See also our page on Religious Orders of the Church.

The Mariavite Sodality (SSMV)

The Mariavite Sodality is under the convenorship of Fr. Charles Reynolds as a dependent religious society of the LCAC.  On the Sodality homepage, Fr. Charles posts daily information on the Marian Feasts and currently, Marian Gnostic reworkings of the Psalms from St Bonaventure's Psalter of Our Lady. Those who feel called to join the Sodality are very welcome to do so.

The Society for Humanistic Potential (SHP)

The Society for Humanistic Potential (SHP) is a religious organization without borders and the parent organization of European-American University and European-American College. SHP had its beginnings in the late 1990s and acquired its present form in 2007. It is now a dependent religious society of the Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church and its membership includes both clergy and laity of the church. Clergy commit to its own ministerial creed additionally to their existing requirements of ministry.

For further information, please see the educational outreach page.

Charter to the Society for Humanistic Potential

The Cross-Denominational Mission

The Cross-Denominational Mission is led by Fr. Adrian Glover of the LCAC. Its aim is to promote co-operation and shared understanding among the various denominations of the Christian church. Directories, resources and helpful information, particularly for those new to church, are all provided by the Mission.

For further information, please see the Mission's website.

The Religious Society of St Simon (RSStS)

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 (see above).

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.

Current members of the Society

The Revd. Fr. Adrian Glover, RSStS (LCAC and Cross Denominational Mission)
The Most Revd. John Kersey, RSStS (LCAC)
The Most Revd. Andrew Linley, RSStS (LCAC)
The Revd. Eckhart Christopher Lee Sowers, RSStS, OA (LCAC)
Dr. A. Michael D. Walsh, RSStS, OblateOSB (Church of England)

Charter to the Religious Society of St Simon