Our denomination: The United Ecumenical Catholic Church, which has churches also in Ohio, Arkansas and Maryland. There are an estimated 1,500 parishioners worldwide.

Our leader: Presiding Bishop M. J. Kimo Keawe

What's special about us: It is "a canonically autocephalous and autonomous faith community, a valid Catholic entity, not in full communion with the pope," Keawe said. "The technical term employed by the Holy See for this type of church is 'validly Catholic, but canonically independent,' which means sacramentally real, but legally out of communion with Rome."

The church follows the same sacraments.

"Members of our movement are commonly regarded as the Catholic Diaspora," he said. "We include and welcome all of those individuals who have been marginalized by Rome."

Those include the divorced and remarried, gays and those practicing birth control, though still disapproving of abortion. This church also does not require celibacy for clergy.

Where we are: The church meets 11:30 a.m. Sundays at St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 41-054 'Ehukai St. in Waimanalo.

Our numbers: About 20 people celebrate Mass weekly.

We believe:

• In the inerrancy and divine inspiration of Holy Scripture.

• In the Holy Trinity.

• In the Seven Sacraments of the Church.

• In the Apostles' and Nicene creeds.

• That celibacy of those in Holy Orders is a personal decision. Bishops, priests, and deacons are not commanded to marry or to abstain from marriage; they are permitted to marry at their discretion.

• That all offices of holy orders (deacons, priests and bishops) are open to both men and women, regardless of sexual orientation.

• That theirs is an apostolic succession, which means the leaders' authority derives from the first apostles.

• That abortion and euthanasia are the taking of human life.

• In the sanctity of marriage, but "we believe that Jesus is merciful and those who have been divorced and/or remarried are offered all the sacraments of the church," Keawe wrote.

Our history: It helps to go back to the Reformation.

"Two very different reformations resulted from these tensions," said Keawe. "One became known as the independent communities that became Old Catholic. They were called Old Catholics because they sought to turn the clock back and adhere to the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church prior to the various schisms. Some of the independent Catholic communities derive their apostolic succession through the Old Catholic Archbishop of Utrecht. The Archbishop of Utrecht traces his apostolic succession back to the Holy Apostles. The independent and Old Catholics therefore have a valid line of succession, a valid priesthood and episcopate with valid sacraments."

The Hawai'i church was founded in 1998 by Keawe, who began his studies with the Roman Catholic Church in 1968, but became a member of the Ecumenical Catholic movement in 1998. Initially, a group of about 36 people met at beach parks or in members' homes. From there, they moved to the Waikiki Community Chapel. Keawe was consecrated as bishop in 2001 in Tampa, Fla.

What we're excited about: having a regular place of worship. After making connections with the vicar at St. Matthew Episcopal Church, kahu Tom Van Culin, that church extended its arms to Keawe's group last Easter. The next Sunday, the group began meeting there regularly. As a way of thanking their hosts, the group recently installed a sound system.

The two churches also are in discussion for a possible joint Christmas celebration.