Who or what is the United Ecumenical Catholic Church?

 

Many people ask whether the we are Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican... or what? The answer is none of them! This is true in three fields, Faith, Canon Law and Liturgical Practice. We are Catholic, like it was before any historical splits. Roman Catholic is the name given to the part of the Latin Church that remained under Roman obedience after the Reformation. Being quite simply 'Catholic' means that we are accessible to anyone with a need for sharing their faith in an all encompassing way, embracing the sacraments as the very early church did but with a 21st century realism to the changing face of our society and indeed humanity.

  

 We are a contemporary body of Christ's faithful. We are a member church of The One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. While our orders come from The Roman Catholic Church, we also use the Book of Common Prayer, Orthodox and other Rites depending on needs. 

 

 

The United Ecumenical Catholic Church Parishes and Ministries within the United Kingdom are a member of the Worldwide United Ecumenical Catholic Church Movement, a contemporary church of Catholic tradition. Please do not confuse us with other churches who carry the ecumenical, catholic title within their name. 

 

 

 

   

Please do not confuse us with any other church with 'ecumenical' and 'catholic' in its name. We pride ourselves in a sense of Christian Responsibility and professionalism at all times. We are part of the United Ecumenical Catholic Movement so check for our Church identification seal!

The term 'Catholic' comes from a greek adjective meaning 'universal' and it was first used to refer to the entire body of believers in Jesus Christ. Roman Catholic is the name given to the part of the Latin Church that remained under Roman obedience after the Reformation however the term 'Catholic' is nearly always associated with Rome! Many of us have a Roman Catholic baptism and background but struggle with the exclusive nature of a body of people who use the term 'Catholic' -meaning universal - when in reality their doctrine is bigotted and exclusive. Rome claimed a special authority mainly because St Peter and St Paul were martyred and buried in Rome - which is why the first Bishop of Rome claimed to be St Peter's successor. Ironically, every single Christian denomination on God's Earth has to accept its original roots are Catholic.

Were it not for the preaching and evangelism of the first organised church - the true and original Catholic church - Christianity (arguably) would not have survived over the centuries.  

Our Archbishop 

The Most Reverend Terry Flynn STB MSc

Archbishop Flynn is one of the very few independent catholic bishops who spent a full six years in seminary training and whose Holy Orders come from the Roman Catholic Church

Following my ordination

2001 

Father Anthony

Rector of the Oratory of Our Lady and St Francis of Assisi

Industrial Chaplain who is trained in Latin

and tridentine mass but

provides services according to local need

Father Paul

Lead Parish priest within the ministry team of

The Parish of Holy Angels Portsmouth.

Father Paul is highly active and respected within

his local community

Father Richard-Bruno

 Guardian of the Poor Clares 

Father Richard is the most gentle

of souls and a great friend  

Father Brizz

Parish priest within the ministry team of

the Parish of Holy Angels Portsmouth

My great friend

and trusted ecumenical confidente,

Reverend Father Glyn Shipton (left)

with me and Father Anthony

The Reverend John Lycett

a qualified Funeral Director and a parish priest in Stafford

 Testimonials

"Many, many of our guests told us that it had been the most moving, personal and passionate wedding that they have ever been to, and many of them were moved to tears."