The Universal Catholic Church exists to forward the work of her Master, Christ, in the world, and to feed His flock. It draws the central inspiration of its work from an intense faith in the living Christ, believing that the vitality of a church gains in proportion as its members cease to think only of a Christ who lived two thousand years ago and strive to serve as a vehicle for the eternal Christ, who lives as a mighty spiritual Presence in the world, guiding and sustaining His people.

The Holy Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ, sparked to life by the Holy Spirit, brought to the world by the Apostles, is all about freedom. Catholic freedom, the very purpose behind Christ’s life and resurrection defeats sin and death, it gives us values for living, it brings both peace and challenge. The heart of the Catholic experience is freedom!

The Holy Catholic Church existed long before there was a Pope, before there was a single Eastern Patriarch, before there was even one bishop in England. Those were all later developments in Catholicism. Independent Catholicism is the mother Church of all Catholicism, the Church from which all the others grew. Every Christian, Catholic or Protestant, owes his or her faith to independent Catholicism, the Source Church. Over the centuries sects and denominations have fractionated, reformed, ruptured and revolted from their Catholic roots. But the Holy Spirit who brought Catholicism into existence has never abandoned Her; Pentecost is still happening!

The Universal Catholic Church, an independent Catholic communion in the Liberal Catholic tradition, exists to forward the work of her Master, Christ, in the world, and to feed His flock. The Church combines the Catholic form of worship—it celebrates the most beautiful Eucharistic Rite in Western Christendom (The Liberal Catholic Rite)—with a wide measure of intellectual liberty and respect for the individual conscience—it welcomes all the members of the Christian community at its altars, regardless of denomination. No prior Confession and Absolution is required.

The Universal Catholic Church began with a 2007 withdrawal of the San Diego, California parish and its clergy from the Liberal Catholic Church (known outside the USA as the Liberal Catholic Church International).

To reach the Presiding Bishop:

St. Francis Cathedral

St. Francis Liberal Catholic Church was founded in 1969 by then Father Dean Bekken. It began as a small parish in a refurbished home on Cerro Gordo Avenue in the Golden Hills area of San Diego. The first service was Midnight Mass on December 24, 1969. It has remained in the same location and is now the Cathedral Church. At present the plant encompasses the Church, the parsonage, and the titular Headquarters of the Universal Catholic Church, its parent denomination.

The Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM.

We exist to serve your spiritual needs. If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Most Rev. Robert Winzens, Pastor and Bishop-Elect

The Most Rev. Dean Bekken, Presiding Bishop

To reach the Pastor:

Cathedral Locator Map

Staff

This page was last modified on December 26, 2007