Theos-Talk Archives (February 2008 Message tt00138)

Dear All

For those may be unaware the Liberal Catholic 
church was founded in 1916 by Bishop James 
Wedgwood who thereby became its first Presiding 
Bishop or international head. Bishop C W 
Leadbeater became its second Presiding Bishop.


It is an alternative Christian church in some 
respects although its mindset is perhaps summed 
up by the following Christmas message on one of 
its websites."


"MOST dear and holy Lord, we praise Thee, we 
bless Thee, with all our hearts do we thank 
and glorify Thee for this Thy wondrous Feast 
of Christmas, praying Thee that as Thou wast 
born on earth as at this time for us, so mayest 
Thou be born and reign forevermore within the 
hearts of men, who with the Father and the Holy 
Spirit art one God throughout all ages of ages.  
Amen."

It is a religious organisation based in hierarchy 
where a privileged few men are considered worthy 
to receive God's grace and blessing through the 
eucharist ceremony and to thereby disperse this 
to others. 


In this ceremony, God's grace and 
blessing can only be given by men. 


The following passage from Bishop Leadbeater 
alludes to the process:

"With the words "Deo Gratias," a great wave of 
thankfulness goes up to the Angels, who, as a 
parting gift, send back a fine stream in response. 
This is caught by the celebrant and poured out 
during the final benediction, along with the 
power and material of which the whole Eucharistic 
Edifice was constructed, which... dissolves into 
great streams of rushing force... spreading 
benediction wherever they go." -Rt. Rev. CW 
Leadbeater, Late Presiding Bishop of The Liberal 
Catholic Church, The Science of the Sacraments.


In answer to Pablo's question, "On what grounds 
do you say that "It was Besant who (with 
Leadbeater's input) turned Theosophy into a 
religious organization through the LCC"?


Morten has amply demonstrated that the second 
International President of the Adyar Theosophical 
Society, Dr Besant fully supported and approved 
the establishment and continuance of this church . 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theos-talk/message/42858 

This support continues to this day in most 
theosophical branches of the Adyar Society 
with the church's members' influence often being 
obvious and apparent.

Regards
Nigel