Father Mark Bell is not your ordinary, everyday priest.
Ordained in the traditional Catholic church, Fr Mark couldn’t find the inclusiveness he sought, so he started his own church.
St Nicholas United Ecumenical Catholic Church is Fr Mark’s brainchild.
An off-shoot of a world-wide group of churches that espouse the Christian lifestyle in the Catholic tradition, the local priest’s church is not sanctioned by the Vatican, but is faithful to Bible teachings.
Members can receive communion and reconciliation, and can even be married in the church, regardless of sexuality.
“The ecumencial church has married clergy – we’re welcoming of all those who have left the Catholic church,” Fr Mark said.
“They can still live out their Catholic faith, but a gay couple can come and not be shunned.
“We have already legislated that once [same sex marriage] comes in we will do religious same sex marriages.”
Fr Mark said his church would be the only local church willing to marry same-sex couples.
But it wasn’t only gay people welcome to join his brethren.
Fr Mark said “people should take their judgement cap off”.
“Everybody should be welcome everywhere without prejudice because that’s what it is to be Christian,” he said.
“You don’t judge; even if it’s the worst sinner in the world – you hate the sin, love the sinner.”
Fr Mark’s church, which only started last weekend, will be run out of At Augustine’s Uniting Church in Bunbury.
But he also has plans to take the church to the people.
“We’ll grow and become part of the community,” he said.
“I’d like to go out and say mass on Christmas eve for those who live on the streets.”
Fr Mark said when it came to inclusiveness, he felt Jesus would be on board with his new church.
“Jesus always thinks the best of people,” he said.
“He’s always loving and compassionate, so that’s what we have to be.”
When it comes to marrying people of the same sex, Fr Mark was adamant he had Jesus’ approval. “I think Jesus would vote yes,” he said.
