Liberal Catholic Church

The church was founded by J.I. Wedgwood, a theosophist who was ordained in the Ancient Catholic Church by Arnold Harris Mathew (1913). Thus it claims apostolic succession going back to Rome. In the end Mathew came to vow allegiance to the Roman Catholic Church and advising his flock to resign membership of the Theosophical Society Adyar. This advice was not taken by many members. Wedgwood was voted Presiding Bishop. This started the organisation that would later become the Liberal Catholic Church. Wedgwood published articles within the Theosophical Society on ceremonial work. These interested C.W. Leadbeater, a prominent clairvoyant, and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1916.

See also: Theosophy