Because the faith in Christ and the Gospel guides us, the OPD has chosen to be an Ecumenical group. We have no denomination. Anyone who believes that the love of God can be avalable to all who seek it is welcomed into our community.
The fact that we have not chosen to attach ourselves to any “official” denomination is perplexing to many who believe that a community like ours should fall under the authority of some church leader. The fact of the matter is, we do fall under the authority of a church leader in that each member of the community does individually. If a member is Roman Catholic, that member is bound by his obligations as a Roman Catholic. If a member is Lutheran, the same goes for him. If a member chooses to practice a spirituality that does not involve an institutional religion, we support that personal choice as well. Our association of believers is a voluntary community of the faithful. We come together to live the spirituality of the God's Love and do the work of Christ in a way that is not limited by denominational boundaries. Most churches embrace this idea of ecumenism.
The OPD does not teach doctrine, nor does it ask it members to profess belief in any doctrine as a condition of membership. We only require a willingness to work in the Love of God for the good of others. The fact that our association has its roots in the Catholic tradition, and specifically the spirituality of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), has no doctrinal effect on the nature of our association today. Though some of our members are Lay Dominicans, the association itself is not an entity of the Roman Catholic Dominican Order. Even still, many of our members who are not Catholic have found that the spirituality of the Dominican tradition is very conducive to their own belief in the Gospel! It's beautiful to see members share traditions with such love and acceptance.
How you practice your “institutional religion” has no effect on the OPD or on your membership in the association. As a matter of fact, the diversity of disciplines in our community has given us a beautiful momentum toward the Gospel. We have had the opportunity to share each others practices and have seen the light of God in each others churches. It’s really a wonderful thing! Belonging to the OPD does not violate the beliefs you profess as a member of any particular church. Actually, our members are very active in their particular denominations and are faithful to the doctrines of their denominations.
The fact that ministers and faithful from diverse Christian churches can put aside denominational beliefs to come together and serve the children of God through Love is great gift from God!
We are careful not to impose the requirements of our individual disciplines and practices on those who are not part of our denomination. The beliefs that draw us together are beliefs in God's Love, Word, and Truth.
So, the answer to the question, “what denomination is the OPD?” We are a group of men and women who believe in the Love of God and who came together to do the work of the Gospel as a community...no denomination required!
I am always available to anyone who wishes to discuss this article in more detail. Reach me by e-mail at dominicanvocations@hotmail.com
With hope for the future,
I am your brother in Christ,
+Tomas-Martin, OPD
