Beliefs
Our Theological Vision
Saint Oscar Romero Ministries stands within the broad catholic tradition of Christianity — rooted in the ancient Church’s faith, enriched by the liturgical and sacramental heritage of historic Christianity, and shaped by a commitment to faithful discipleship in the world today.
We believe that:
• God is the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — the one true God revealed in Scripture and witnessed by the Church from the beginning.
• Jesus Christ, the Son of God, truly became human, lived among us, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and is Lord of all creation.
• The Holy Spirit continues to dwell among God’s people, guiding the Church into truth, empowering ministry, and gathering us into communion with Christ and one another.
These core truths are shared with the Church catholic everywhere — East and West, historic and diverse — as witnessed in the apostolic witness of Scripture and the faith of the early ecumenical councils.
Christ and the Church
We affirm the historic catholic understanding that the Church is:
• Founded by Christ upon the apostles, entrusted with the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.
• A communion of believers called to be rooted in Scripture, sustained by sacrament, and ordered in apostolic ministry.
• Called to embody the reconciling love of Christ in worship, witness, and service to the world.
We embrace the ancient Church’s vision of koinonia — the communion of faith, hope, and love that binds believers together across time and space.
Sacramental Life
We hold that the life of the Church is centered in the worship of God and the sacraments — visible signs of God’s invisible grace.
• The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is the heart of our worship. It is not private devotion but the Church’s act of thanksgiving and praise offered in obedience to Christ’s command. Participation in the Eucharist unites us with Christ and with one another as the Body of Christ.
• Baptism initiates us into the Body of Christ, marking our entrance into the new life of faith and union with God.
• Other sacraments — including Holy Orders and pastoral rites of healing and blessing — are ways by which the Church participates in Christ’s ongoing work of reconciliation, formation, and care.
Our understanding of sacramental life is shaped by the historic Church’s worship and its ongoing pursuit of faithfulness to the mystery of Christ in Word and Sacrament.
Heritage and Influence
Saint Oscar Romero Ministries draws particular theological inspiration from two primary currents:
1. The Faith and Order of the Ancient Church
From the earliest centuries of Christianity, believers confessed the Nicene faith, gathered for the Eucharist, entrusted authority to bishops, and discerned doctrine by conciliar and communal reflection. This ancient heritage remains a touchstone for our understanding of catholic identity — faith that has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.
2. The Spirit of the Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries
We hold affinity with the mission and theological vision articulated by the Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries — particularly its emphasis on serving clergy and lay ministers engaged in non-traditional ministries such as healthcare chaplaincy, prison ministry, street outreach, care for the homebound, and other fields of pastoral need.
From this heritage we affirm:
Our Distinct Identity
While we are deeply rooted in catholic tradition, we are explicit in this identity:
Saint Oscar Romero Ministries is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, nor with the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht, but embraces the historic catholic faith in an independent context.
We draw from these traditions without implying jurisdictional union or institutional recognition.
Authority, Scripture, and Tradition
We believe:
The Church in the World
We affirm that the Church exists to:
• Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly and clearly.
• Engage in ministries of compassion, justice, and mercy.
• Offer pastoral care to those burdened by suffering, marginalization, or loss.
• Embody a faithful witness of Christ’s presence in homes, hospitals, prisons, street ministries, and all spheres of human life.
This mission flows from our belief that Christian discipleship calls us beyond the walls of any building into a world in need of renewal and hope.
Conclusion — A Faithful Communion
We welcome all who seek God, cherish the sacraments, and long to grow in Christ-like love. Our convictions are rooted in the ancient Church’s faith, clarified by reflective theology, and lived out in compassionate service.
If you find yourself drawn to sacramental worship, thoughtful discipleship, and a community shaped by grace and truth — you are invited to join us in the journey of faith.
Saint Oscar Romero Ministries stands within the broad catholic tradition of Christianity — rooted in the ancient Church’s faith, enriched by the liturgical and sacramental heritage of historic Christianity, and shaped by a commitment to faithful discipleship in the world today.
We believe that:
• God is the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — the one true God revealed in Scripture and witnessed by the Church from the beginning.
• Jesus Christ, the Son of God, truly became human, lived among us, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and is Lord of all creation.
• The Holy Spirit continues to dwell among God’s people, guiding the Church into truth, empowering ministry, and gathering us into communion with Christ and one another.
These core truths are shared with the Church catholic everywhere — East and West, historic and diverse — as witnessed in the apostolic witness of Scripture and the faith of the early ecumenical councils.
Christ and the Church
We affirm the historic catholic understanding that the Church is:
• Founded by Christ upon the apostles, entrusted with the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.
• A communion of believers called to be rooted in Scripture, sustained by sacrament, and ordered in apostolic ministry.
• Called to embody the reconciling love of Christ in worship, witness, and service to the world.
We embrace the ancient Church’s vision of koinonia — the communion of faith, hope, and love that binds believers together across time and space.
Sacramental Life
We hold that the life of the Church is centered in the worship of God and the sacraments — visible signs of God’s invisible grace.
• The Eucharist (Holy Communion) is the heart of our worship. It is not private devotion but the Church’s act of thanksgiving and praise offered in obedience to Christ’s command. Participation in the Eucharist unites us with Christ and with one another as the Body of Christ.
• Baptism initiates us into the Body of Christ, marking our entrance into the new life of faith and union with God.
• Other sacraments — including Holy Orders and pastoral rites of healing and blessing — are ways by which the Church participates in Christ’s ongoing work of reconciliation, formation, and care.
Our understanding of sacramental life is shaped by the historic Church’s worship and its ongoing pursuit of faithfulness to the mystery of Christ in Word and Sacrament.
Heritage and Influence
Saint Oscar Romero Ministries draws particular theological inspiration from two primary currents:
1. The Faith and Order of the Ancient Church
From the earliest centuries of Christianity, believers confessed the Nicene faith, gathered for the Eucharist, entrusted authority to bishops, and discerned doctrine by conciliar and communal reflection. This ancient heritage remains a touchstone for our understanding of catholic identity — faith that has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.
2. The Spirit of the Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries
We hold affinity with the mission and theological vision articulated by the Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries — particularly its emphasis on serving clergy and lay ministers engaged in non-traditional ministries such as healthcare chaplaincy, prison ministry, street outreach, care for the homebound, and other fields of pastoral need.
From this heritage we affirm:
- A commitment to catholic faith and sacramental ministry
- An ecclesial vision that honors both continuity with historic teaching and responsiveness to contemporary contexts
- A collaborative and collegial model of leadership shaped by pastoral oversight
- An understanding of ministry that embraces both traditional and specialized forms of service
Our Distinct Identity
While we are deeply rooted in catholic tradition, we are explicit in this identity:
Saint Oscar Romero Ministries is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, nor with the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht, but embraces the historic catholic faith in an independent context.
We draw from these traditions without implying jurisdictional union or institutional recognition.
Authority, Scripture, and Tradition
We believe:
- Holy Scripture is the normative revelation of God in Christ and the foundation of our faith and life.
- Tradition — the living witness of the Church across the ages — provides interpretation, depth, and continuity to our understanding of the Gospel.
- The life of faith is a communion shaped by Scripture, sacrament, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Church in the World
We affirm that the Church exists to:
• Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly and clearly.
• Engage in ministries of compassion, justice, and mercy.
• Offer pastoral care to those burdened by suffering, marginalization, or loss.
• Embody a faithful witness of Christ’s presence in homes, hospitals, prisons, street ministries, and all spheres of human life.
This mission flows from our belief that Christian discipleship calls us beyond the walls of any building into a world in need of renewal and hope.
Conclusion — A Faithful Communion
We welcome all who seek God, cherish the sacraments, and long to grow in Christ-like love. Our convictions are rooted in the ancient Church’s faith, clarified by reflective theology, and lived out in compassionate service.
If you find yourself drawn to sacramental worship, thoughtful discipleship, and a community shaped by grace and truth — you are invited to join us in the journey of faith.