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Services Our Philosophy Calendar Parish News Minneapolis
Star and Tribune Article 1998 Minneapolis
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Seeker's diary By Tom Di Nanni - Where: Liberal Catholic Church of Saint
Francis, 3201 Pleasant Av., Minneapolis. - Worship: The 15 people present, ranging from middle age to senior citizens, worship in a plain, stucco-sided building in an increasingly multicultural urban neighborhood in south Minneapolis. My first impression as I entered the pinewood chapel was that I had walked into a 1940s pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church. The altar, flush with the front wall, faced away from the people. Above it was a triptych featuring the face of Jesus, flanked by St. Alban and St. Francis. A glowing red sanctuary lamp hung near the tabernacle. The feeling that I had moved back in time heightened with the opening processional - a traditionally vested priest led to the altar by a deacon who cleansed the way with a thurifer of incense. As the service unfolded it began to take on the aura of an Eastern Orthodox liturgy. The priest and congregation chanted most of the prayers while a permanent cloud of incense hung about 10 feet above the floor. But the content of the prayers seemed less Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox and more liberal Protestant. But, that didn't seem quite right either because some of those prayers appeared to have a gnostic, mystical quality about them. It was only after the service, when I had the chance to read some of the literature about the church, that I realized that the Liberal Catholic Church was an amalgam: a fusing of religious traditions that resulted in the creation of a rather unique theology of its own. The denomination traces its roots to the Old Catholic Church of Holland, which became independent of the Roman Catholic Church more than 200 years ago. The new church was profoundly influenced by the religious freedom and intellectual emancipation that characterized early Protestantism. The "mystical" element I experienced stems from the church's belief in the divinity of man. Man's inner urge is described as a quest for self-perfection which will result in an ultimate return to God. "Religion," according to one brochure, "does not mean dogma, doctrine, or denominational regulation (or) rigid ceremonial or ritual." Rather ritual and sacraments, including the Holy Eucharist, are tools for channeling the divine energy that permeates the universe. - Visitors: The pastor and the print material welcomed visitors, who were invited to take communion regardless of their church affiliation. - Programs and services: This is an obviously small congregation whose clergy receive no financial remuneration, so much of the church's activities appear to be pastoral. Those present were encouraged to seek personal counseling from the pastors. The bulletin mentioned that donations of food for the community were needed urgently and that the church is "pleased to perform marriages of those whose bond of love is not recognized elsewhere." - If you go: Take Interstate Hwy. 35W in south Minneapolis to the 35th Street exit. Go west on 35th to Nicollet Avenue. Go north on Nicollet to 32nd Street. Go west about three blocks to Pleasant Avenue. The church is on the southeast corner of 32nd and Pleasant. - Tom Di Nanni, president of Camelot Communications, is a Twin Cities religion analyst. He is seeking out a worshiping experience as a first-time visitor. If you know of a community that you'd like him to visit, write him at Faith & Values, Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or FAX him at 673-4359, or e-mail him at Faith@GW.Startribune.com
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