Liberal Rite Catholic Church
Saint Clement of Alexandria Seminary
The seminary offers a 108 credit course which leads to a Bachelor of Divinity or a Master of Divinity.
Students who do not wish to complete the full course can opt of a Certificate in Theological Studies which consist of 12 courses.​
Interested?
Our Seminary
St. Clement of Alexandria Seminary is the seminary of the Liberal Rite Catholic Church; its mission is to train clergy for the worldwide church and to provide continuing theological education for those interested in deepening their knowledge of things spiritual.
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After being accepted into the Seminary, students normally matriculate into one of three tracks: one for postulants to Holy Orders, one for those seeking certification in lay theological studies, and one for those interested in personal enrichment. In particular cases, course requirements may be modified depending on the student's academic background. Please remember, though, that acceptance to the Seminary does not guarantee acceptance as a candidate for Holy Orders, as certain residency requirements, time for discernment, a background check, and the express recommendation of one's Bishop must be included for elevation to Orders. Additionally, candidates for Holy Orders will be required to present themselves for personal instruction by their Ordinary (Bishop).
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For those students who are seeking Holy Orders, and only wish to study what is required to seek ordination, your Ordi- nary will need to determine what courses at minimum you will need to complete in order for credit to be awarded. Please note, a Certificate of Completion will be issued to the student once they have completed all the assigned subjects your Ordi- nary has indicated. If you desire a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity, you will need to complete 108 credits of study. You may, however, be ordained once you have completed the course study as assigned from your Ordinary and if he/she agrees to do so.
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(Note: For those students seeking the Bachelor's Degree in Divinity, upon satisfactory completion of all specified course work, postulants are awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity, as authorized by the State of California Private Post- Secondary Education Act. Please note, however, no claim of academic accreditation is made. For those who have already earned an undergraduate degree, the Seminary awards a Master of Divinity. We do not issue Doctorate degrees.)
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For those in the Lay Theology Program, a Certificate of Completion is issued. Our primary purpose is to provide training for Christian Ministry within the Liberal Rite Catholic Church. Even so, we welcome all whose intellectual curiosity regarding matters theological, historical, and spiritual leads them to apply. We hope to provide a challenging, re- warding experience for all who aspire to the Higher Call of service in Christ.
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Courses are taught in a distance-learning format, where- by students enroll in a given course, are presented with a course syllabus, and then complete assignments, exams, and essays at a pace agreed upon by the student and instructor. Normal completion times vary per course, but, generally, students may expect to complete a given course in the num- ber of weeks indicated by the "Units" indicated, depending on how assiduously they apply themselves. The instructor tries to make him or herself available as much as possible via email to answer questions that may arise. (Telephone or live chat may also be available if required and scheduled in advance.)
Please note that all level 100 courses must ordinarily be completed before beginning level 200 work, etc. Elective courses are indicated by italics and may be taken with the permission of the instructor at any stage. Electives will be added from time to time and the texts for various courses may be changed.
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We invite you to apply and to join the growing independent Catholic Movement, building a firmer foundation for the most noble work anyone can do—serving Our Lord and Teacher, Jesus Christ.
--The Staff of St. Clement of Alexandria Seminary
Courses
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Biblical Studies
BI-l00 A Liberal Catholic Perspective 4
An introduction to the Bible from a Liberal Catholic perspective, including its history, sociology, and anthropology, and examining its use in Liberal Catholic worship.
Bishop R. McGinnis, Introduction to Biblical Studies
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BI-101 Old Testament 4
An introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures, including their history, sociology, and anthropology, and examining its use in Liberal Catholic worship
E. Charpentier, How to Read the Old Testament
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BI-102 New Testament 4
An introduction to the Christian Scriptures, including their history, sociology, and anthropology, and examining their use in Liberal Catholic worship.
E. Charpentier, How to Read the New Testament
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BI-300 Allegorical Biblical Exegesis* 4
G. Hodson, Hidden Wisdom in the Holy Bible
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Church History
CH-100 Church History I 2
An introduction to Catholic Church History. What does
it mean to be both liberal and Catholic.
Seminary Staff, The Catholic Church and Basic History
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CH-101 Church History II 5
(Currently under review) An examination of the history of the Christian Church from the Apostolic Age through the Council of Trent.
DVD: The Catholic Church: A History Lectures 1-24 (The DVDs are loaned to the student..)
CH-102 Church History III 5
(Currently under review) An examination of the
CH-200 Church History IV 4
An in-depth analysis of challenges to Orthodox Christianity from its beginnings to the present.
Nigg, The Heretics
CH-300 Church History V—Early Church History 4
The Apostolic Fathers: Early Christian Writings
Theology/Theosophy
TH-100 Sacramental Theology I 2
An introduction to the concepts of the seven Christian Sacraments.
Bp. Matthews: A Means of Grace
TH-200 Sacramental Theology II 4
An examination of various theories of the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Holy Eucharist with special emphasis on the Liberal Catholic perspective. Text by the First Presiding Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church.
Bp. Wedgwood, The Presence of Christ In Holy Communion
TH-202 Sacramental Theology III 4
An introduction to the special focus of Liberal Catholic worship as an intentional means not only of personal enrichment but also for cosmic evolution.
Bp. Wedgwood, New Insights into Christian Worship
TH-300 Sacramental Theology IV 4
An in-depth exploration of Liberal Catholic sacramental theology by one of the Church’s founders, whose insights into the matter were supplemented by clairvoyant investigation.
Bp. Leadbeater, The Science of the Sacraments
Liberal Catholic Theology
LTH-200 Liberal Catholic Theology 4
An exploration of a classic text on Christian esotericism and Liturgy by a former president of the Theosophical Society.
A. Besant, Esoteric Christianity
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LTH-201 Theology of Apostolic Succession 4
An explanation of the theory of Apostolic Succession and its continuing relevance in the Liberal Catholic
history of the Roman Catholic Church after Trent up to the present.
DVD: The Catholic Church: A History Lectures 25-36 (The DVDs are loaned to the student..) & Axios The Struggle for Papal Power.
Movement, showing how Holy Orders have been strictly preserved from the Christ down through the ages to our present clergy.
A. Cockerham, The Apostolical Succession in the Liberal Catholic Church
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LTH-300 The Theology of Mysticism 4
An exploration of the inner-side of Christian theology, suggesting that the truth of the Gospel must begin with the individual psyche.
B. McGinn, The Essential Writings of Christian Mysticism
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LTH-301 Freedom of Thought 2
Beliefs required of clergy as a condition of ordination. Bp. Matthews, Freedom of Thought
LTH-302 Advanced Esoteric Christianity 4
R. Ellwood, The Cross and the Grail
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LTH-303 Reincarnation 4
G. MacGregor, Reincarnation in Christianity: A New Vision of the Role of Rebirth in Christian Thought
LTH-304 Universalism 4
An exploration of a basic teaching of the Liberal Catholic Movement and the Liberal Rite Catholic Church. Talbot, The Inescapable Love of God
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Mariology
MY-200 A look at Our Lady Mary 4
An exploration of whether Mary is only a Roman Catholic dogma, or for all.
Text TBA
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Spirituality
SC-100 Prayer and Meditation 4
An introduction to Christian prayer and meditation from a noted Russian Orthodox Metropolitan. Students will keep a spiritual journal, reflecting on their prayer life. Bp. Bloom, Beginning to Pray
Liberal Catholic Movement History
LH-200 Liberal Catholic History` 4
An examination of the Liberal Catholic Church’s evolution from the Old Catholic Movement in Holland and Great Britain.
Bp. A. Sayer-Richardson, The Path to Catholic Liberalism
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LH-201 Liberal Catholic History II 2
How the Liberal Catholic Church evolved into its various branches, including the Liberal Rite Catholic Church
Bp. Bekken, History of the LRCC
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Liturgies
LI-300 History of Eastern & Western Liturgy/Eucharist in the Early Church and Later Developments 8
A. Watts, Myth and Ritual In the Christian Church &
Dom Gregory Dix, The Shape of the Liturgy (Excerpts)
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LI-301 Introduction to The Liturgy 8
Bp. Cooper, Ceremonies of the Liberal Catholic Rite, The Liturgy of the Liberal Catholic Church (6th Ed.), The Liturgy (4th Ed.).
Pastoral Counseling
PC-300 Basic Counseling Skills 4
An examination of a classic text of pastoral counseling, suggesting that healers must first accept their own wounds before attempting to heal the wounds of others.
H. Nouwen, The Wounded Healer
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PC-301 Basic Counseling Skills II 8
Further exploration of pastoral counseling, showing how it compares and contrasts with other forms of counseling. Development of practical skills will be encouraged through clinical field work.
Justes, E. Hearing beyond the words
Patton, J. Pastoral care: An essential guide.
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Homiletics
HC-300 Introduction to Homiletics 4
An introduction to homiletics, “preaching the Word.”
F. Craddock, Preaching
Canon Law
CL-300 Constitutional and Canon Law 4
An introduction to the Church’s constitution and canon law, that which binds all clergy to their bishops and which provides for the orderly conducting of Church business, both at the parochial and the national level.
General Constitution of the Liberal Rite Catholic Church; Code of Canons of the Liberal Rite Catholic Church, Provincial Bylaws of the American Province of the Liberal Rite Catholic Church; Statement of Prin- ciples, Official Teachings and Diocesan Canons (where applicable)
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Religion
RE-300 Comparative Religion 4
A phenomenological examination of the five major religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Within each tradition we will explore such questions as "Who is God?" "Who is Man?" "What is the Goal of Life?" "What Hinders Hu- man Progress on the Path?" and "What Happens Next?
H. Smith, The World's Religions
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Theosophy
TP-100 The Christian Creed/Intro to Theosophy 8
An introduction to Theosophy, the study of the perennial philosophy that purports to inform and influence all religions. Additionally, it examines the definition of Catholic Christianity and demonstrates that the Churches of the Liberal Catholic Movement exist within that framework. Text by a former Presid- ing Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church.
Bp. Pigott, The Parting of the Ways
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Philosophy
PH-100 What is a Priest/Pastor (TBD) 4
PH-101 Introduction to Philosophy 4
A basic introduction to Philosophy Text TBD