Trying to find a Denomination

[SilverAvenger]

Okay, so I'm writting this because I'm not sure of my own denomination anymore [Although some of you arround here probably know I affirmed myself as an Old Catholic not that long ago] and I'm seeking a new denomination closer to my beleafs.

I was baptized a Roman Catholic, yet I used to attend the Swiss Old Catholic Mass untill I was 5 years old [time on which we moved to Portugal] and my family went Atheist [And even made a ban on attending service, it's a genuine miracle that I managed to have made the First Communion....sadly, I didn't managed to get confirmed]. Since then, I had a semi-catholic education [thanks to my grandmother], but part of my previous soul search lead me to Buddism, Judaism and even Sikhism.

I've settled for Christianism, but now, I can't figure out my denomination anymore.

I've got a special fondness for the Latin Mass [and overall latin prayer], yet I beleave women and LGBT people should be ordained [Not to mention allow priests to marry], yet.....I love the whole Roman Catholic "bells and whistles" [like someone once said about the Anglicans] of the Liturgy, the Intercession of Saints, the Real Presence.....

Is there a place for me? I don't mind if there's not a congregation nearby [I live in the outskirts of Lisboa, Portugal], but at least, I'd like to know my place, so to speak.

Thank you and God Bless.

 

[Tigger45]

Here in the U.S. I would suggest the Episcopal church but I'm not informed about the churches in Switzerland. Hope someone can come along and be more helpful.

 

[graceandpeace]

I think somewhere within the Anglican Communion or the Old Catholics (in communion with Anglicans) is the right fit.

In Portugal, there is the Portuguese Episcopal Church, which is part of the Diocese of Europe of the Anglican Communion. Here is the link: Igreja Lusitana - Comunhão Anglicana - Início
(It is in Portuguese, not English).

 

[Albion]

I agree with both of the other answers. That would be the obvious first place to check into.


Paróquia S. João Evangelista

Igreja Lusitana - Comunhão Anglicana

Rua Afonso de Albuquerque, 86
4430 Vila Nova de Gaia
E-mail: torne@igreja-lusitana.org
Site: www.igrejadotorne.org

 

[SilverAvenger]

Thank you guys! Next time I go to Lisbon withought my family, I'll try to visit the Anglican Church there. Worth the shot, Thank you for the guidance, guys

In the meanwhile, can anyone find me relyable resources on the Old Catholics and on the Anglicans? All I find are things about doubtfull american congregations [on the Old Catholic] and the historical context of the Anglicans.

 

[jannikitty]

Old Catholic Church - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia information on the Old Catholic Church and references listed there. The wikipedia should also have much on Anglicans. I would simply google "Old Catholics" and also Anglicans and you'll find information that way but will have to sort it out..

Blessings in your church search..

 

[SilverAvenger]

Thank you. I tryed searching the web, yes, but with little success. I was trying to find if the Latin Mass was used by the Old Catholics of Utrecht, or by the Anglicans, but little luck on that.

 

[jannikitty]

If I were you I would call a priest at a local parish and ask him or her.

 

[SilverAvenger]

That would be an idea.....if there was an Old Catholic parish in Portugal. As for the Anglican one, I'll have to e-mail them. Sadly, I've got an Atheist mother who truly hates this "need" I "have of having a relogion" and as such, makes everything she can to boycott me.

 

[Albion]

Thank you. I tryed searching the web, yes, but with little success. I was trying to find if the Latin Mass was used by the Old Catholics of Utrecht, or by the Anglicans, but little luck on that.

It would be a very rare Anglican church that would have a Latin service, and it wouldn't be the Latin Mass in any case.

 

[SilverAvenger]

Thanks for the info, Albion.

By the way, do any of you has any information on Celtic Christianity? From what I've managed to make out, it's also a denomination, but I can't find any info on it.

 

[GoingByzantine]

Definitely look into the advice of the Anglican members who have posted here. Especially if pro-LGBTQ and women ordinations are something your Church must have.

However from reading your posts I get the sense that you seek a mystical component to your faith, you want a beautiful liturgy and in the past you have felt drawn to Eastern Religions. That is why I would recommend looking into Eastern Catholicism, the lesser known side of the Catholic Church. I am a Byzantine Catholic (a type of Eastern Catholic), by birth I am a Roman Catholic like you, however I found that I was lacking something in my spiritual life.

After years of searching I found Eastern Christianity and I was hooked, for the first time in my life I actually felt Christ! I am still growing towards him as well. Don't get me wrong, Eastern Christianity is conservative, but generally not judgmental. In addition we have married priests, as well as celibate priests.

Here is an introductory video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFIzumjrEjc​

Please message me if you want more details or help finding a parish.

Here is a picture of a beautiful Greek Catholic Church:

 

[SilverAvenger]

Definitely look into the advice of the Anglican members who have posted here. Especially if pro-LGBTQ and women ordinations are something your Church must have.

However from reading your posts I get the sense that you seek a mystical component to your faith, you want a beautiful liturgy and in the past you have felt drawn to Eastern Religions. That is why I would recommend looking into Eastern Catholicism, the lesser known side of the Catholic Church. I am a Byzantine Catholic (a type of Eastern Catholic), by birth I am a Roman Catholic like you, however I found that I was lacking something in my spiritual life.

After years of searching I found Eastern Christianity and I was hooked, for the first time in my life I actually felt Christ! I am still growing towards him as well. Don't get me wrong, Eastern Christianity is conservative, but generally not judgmental. In addition we have married priests, as well as celibate priests.

Here is an introductory video -

Eastern Catholic Church - An Introduction - YouTube​

Please message me if you want more details or help finding a parish.

Here is a picture of a beautiful Greek Catholic Church:

Well, it does looks beautifull, and sounds spiritual, but my issues is that, since I'm not exacly in the binary gender cathegories, I'm cut off from my true calling and frowned upon by everyone else, hense my need to find a church that would acept me.

One of this days, I'll have to visit an orthodox Church. I've been delaying on that for quite a while now... Know any in Lisbon?

 

[PeaceBWithU]

Episcopal would be a good fit I think.

 

[1watchman]

God never gave man a denomination --just His Word.

 

[ranes1]

I agree with GoingByzantine there. Although I'm not a Byzantine Catholic but a Latin Catholic, I do find the Eastern churches very attractive. There isn't one near where I live unfortunately. The good thing about the Catholic Church is its liturgical and cultural diversity.