The foundations of the Liberal Catholic Church

Abstract

It is intended in the following pages to present a sequential account of the founding and early difficulties of the Liberal Catholic Church up to the First Episcopal Synod in 1924. This more detailed part of the study will be followed by a survey of the influence on the consolidation of the characteristic position of the Liberal Catholic Church as expressed in the decisions of the Second (1926), Third (1930) and Fourth (1958) Episcopal Synods of the expectation of a further ministry by Christ, which reached its greatest intensity in the period 1925-1927. Emphasis will be weighted heavily towards the events which took place in Australia between 1916 and 1924, with major changes overseas noted as they impinge on the development of the Church. Considerations of space preclude examination of the growth of Liberal Catholicism in New Zealand, even though Australia and New Zealand together formed the Liberal Catholic Province of Australasia until 1935.