Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Rochester, NY was in 1976 a poor urban parish on its deathbed. Weekly attendance was down to a couple hundred souls. Then Father Jim Callan became pastor. He immediately gave away all the church's money to the poor and started tithing from the collection to help those in the inner city. Almost miraculously, the church was reborn. Attendance grew until in 1998 it averaged about three thousand.
But Father Jim had made other changes, too. He involved the people of the parish in decision-making. Not in a token way, but in everything. He encouraged outreach. The parish started ministries to the poor, the homeless, the imprisoned, battered wives, newly-released ex-cons ... you name it. The people gave generously of their time and their treasure. These innovations were applauded by all. Other changes, however, while embraced by the people of the parish, were not as popular with the hierarchy. Women were given a part in the Eucharistic celebration on the altar. Gay and lesbian couples were welcomed and encouraged to live in faithful monogamy. Protestants were welcomed to receive the Eucharist at Mass. (About a third of the congregation were Protestants who had adopted Corpus Christi as their home, but never officially became Roman Catholic.) In time, these innovations, introduced in the imitation of Jesus, became part of the heart and soul of Corpus Christi parish.
Inevitably, conservatives brought these innovations to the attention of first the local bishop (Bishop Matthew Clark, a wonderful man) and (when that didn't work) ultimately Cardinal Ratzinger at the Vatican. In August 1998, Father Jim Callan was removed as pastor of Corpus Christi. Mary Ramerman, the Parish Administrator and Associate Pastor was fired. By December, the entire parish leadership team had either resigned or been fired.
The people tried to continue things the way they were, but the new Pastor and the team sent in by the Diocese to take over would not allow the "innovations" to continue. Some started meeting elsewhere, led by Mary Ramerman. Eventually Father Jim, suspended by the Diocese, joined them. The old Corpus Christi parish, by Feb 1999, had split into three relatively equal parts. One part stayed and followed the rules. One part drifted away in disillusionment, either to other Roman Catholic parishes, to Protestant churches, or to no church at all. And one part (including Fr. Jim, Mary, Fr. Enrique, and the entire parish leadership team) continued their innovative worship as Corpus Christi Faith Community, meeting in rented space at various Protestant churches. This latter group has now (Feb 99) been excommunicated and they are in the process of forming their own church.
On Nov 16, 1998, Bishop Bowman sent via e-mail a pastoral letter to the people of Corpus Christi Faith Community, offering support. To read it, click here: Pastoral
In April 1999, Bishop Bowman visited what was then called New Faith Community, preached, and spoke at the weekend Masses. Bishop Bowman and Bishop Peter Hickman (of St. Matthew's) have offered to provide whatever episcopal services they need until such time as they have their own bishop. After considerable consultation and prayer, the community finally adopted the name "Spritus Christi." They may no longer be "Corpus Christi", but they will always be the Body of Christ.
As of early 2001, Spiritus Christi is still independent. Many of the people consider themselves to still be Roman Catholic (although some happily embrace the term "Roamin' Catholic"). Working with the Women's Ordination Conference, they planned for the ordination of Mary Ramerman. She was ordained by Bishop Peter Hickman and is now and forever a Catholic priest. Praise God! While Spiritus Christi has no formal relationship with the United Catholic Church, we who share their separation from the Roman Catholic establishment and their hope for eventual reunification consider them a sister church. We will assist them in any way we can.
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There are several web sites maintained by the people of Spiritus Christi. To get a fuller history of how all this happened, try the following site: http://www.spirituschristi.org/