This reality exists in the Diocese of San Bernardino in places like Corona, Perris, the High Desert, Coachella, Moreno Valley and Mecca where there are churches that would appear to be Catholic. Some actually use the word “Catholic,” others use icons of our faith, such as Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Those who are new to our country may be more apt to think these churches are Roman Catholic, but they are not. Some Hispanics attend religious services in these churches because they are in their neighborhood, but after a while they notice things not consistent with the faith they have known. For example, some priests begin to call themselves a bishop, or they celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion without sufficient preparation.
So, helping our well-intentioned brothers and sisters distinguish between these churches and those that are actually in communion with the Holy See and under the authority of our Bishop, the Most Reverend Gerald Barnes, is an important consideration.
The words of the Creed that we speak at Sunday Mass can help us understand the distinction. We say, “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.” These words are linked to a long history. Belonging to the Church is not only being registered, being active, but also being in communion. The common-union goes far beyond agreements or policies and regulations, it is to agree on how we understand the Gospel values, how we interpret Scripture, and what traditions we keep. Communion means that in Rome and to the ends of the earth, we share a common faith that is expressed in the liturgy, in our morals, in the most important teachings like the Creed. Communion also means unity in the structure of the Church, because we are the people of God and we are guided by our bishops and priests in dioceses, parishes and in other organizations and church structures.
We are prepared through programs of religious education and faith formation to understand and live our creed, to celebrate the sacraments and to transform the world with the values proclaimed by our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that as we deepen our faith and better know our history and our doctrine, we love our Church and its ministers.
We know that when families pray together and show their children the teachings we have received from our priests, bishops and Pope Francis, we continue the tradition that we have received from our elders. It is very important that as members of the Body of Christ we work to maintain the unity of our Church. We do this by participating in rites and celebrations in temples and churches that are in communion with our Bishop; by knowing that the pastor and priests who serve in those churches have received specific appointment by Bishop Barnes.
In some cases, our brothers and sisters may choose to attend a church that is not Roman Catholic because it offers ease and expediency in receiving the Sacraments. They like that it takes only a month to make First Communion or Confirmation. Sadly, they do not realize that the Sacraments obtained at those churches cannot be recognized as valid in our Roman Catholic faith.
One practical way to identify which churches are under the authority of Bishop Barnes and in communion with the Holy See is through the diocesan web site – www.sbdiocese.org – (available in both English and Spanish). Roman Catholic churches in the Diocese are listed on the web site by name, by Vicariate and by city. Quite simply, if the church is not listed on the web site, it is not a Roman Catholic church.
Reflecting on this issue, my most important invitation is for us to live a life of love and that we maintain the spirit of Jesus Christ in our lives. At the same time, let us remember that we are members of the Roman Catholic Church and seek its unity. It is not right, therefore, that we take communion in other churches. It is very important to be proud of the Church to which we belong and in which we want to persevere through the rest of our lives.
Petra Alexander is Director of Hispanic Affairs for the Diocese of San Bernardino.