04/18/2026
How exciting for the Catholic Church in Exile-Urbana-Champaign Community yo be featured in the Daily Illini, April 17, 2026:
“Catholic Church in Exile Urbana-Champaign is another progressive Catholic community that values inclusivity. According to the Rev. Kelly Wurth, ordained priest of CCE-UC, the LGBTQ+ community is a big part of the church’s identity, with much of its clergy being members themselves.
“It’s (the LGBTQ+ community) just really woven in, and that’s really important to me because, in my life with friends and family coming out, it has been a really big thing to see how people have suffered (from) religious trauma and how they need a safe place,” Wurth said.
CCE-UC is an independent Catholic community, separate from the Roman Catholic Church.
Aloysius Funneman, member of CCE-UC, decided to join the church after seeing a flyer about it. Being raised Catholic, he was taught that questioning his gender and sexuality was incompatible with his faith. He said he appreciates the unconditional inclusion of CCE-UC.
“I genuinely consider the people who go there to be really good friends and almost family,” Funneman said. “It’s nice to get out of the house and have that every week to look forward to.”
CCE-UC presents different viewpoints of their theology and often uses q***r interpretations of the gospel, according to Wurth. Recently, the church has been developing a new liturgy for individuals claiming a new identity and name.
Similar to how baptism and confirmation are milestones in a person’s faith, the liturgy honors both the individual for their journey in finding their identity, but also apologizes for any possible harm inflicted upon them in the name of the faith.
Wurth said that in her experience, churches often claim to be accepting but don’t provide substantial support. She said CCE-UC strives to counter that by creating a supportive space, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
“I think there are a lot of faith communities that are kind of masquerading as inclusive, but at some point, they part ways with you if you want to get married or if you want to transition,” Wurth said. “I think for us, we’re just trying to be that safe space.”
Amid legislation targeting the trans community in particular, Wurth hopes the church can serve as a refuge for healing and safety where people can become their truest selves.
“If we can be a safe place, that means a lot,” Wurth said.”
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The Catholic Church in Exile™ is a jurisdiction within the Independent Catholic Movement with historic ties to the Old Catholic Church in Utrecht and valid Apostolic Succession. This is your Independent Catholic Community, where “Compassion Changes Everything” Be Curious & Authentic to Grow In...
