A “corporation” cannot “become Catholic,” as a corporation is a legal entity and a religion is a system of faith, but a corporate organization or a group of individuals within a corporation can adopt Catholic principles or values. If you’re referring to the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), it was founded in 1914 as a corporation sole and is not Catholic but is a distinct Christian denomination. However, a company that is not Catholic can adopt policies aligned with Catholic Social Thought, which emphasizes the common good and human dignity. There are also historical instances of groups of churches or ecclesiastical bodies becoming Catholic, such as the Order of Corporate Reunion, or individuals converting to Catholicism.

www.wikipedia.org

Here are a few interpretations:

  1. A Corporation Adopting Catholic Values or Policies:
    A business, which is a corporation by definition, does not “become” Catholic in a religious sense. However, a company can integrate Catholic Social Thought into its operations, focusing on the “common good” and the universal dignity of the human person. Such a company would operate in alignment with principles like those found in the Mirror of Justice blog, promoting human fulfillment and dignity in their business practices.
  2. The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and Catholicism:
    The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is not Catholic; it was established in the Philippines in 1914 as a distinct Christian Church by Félix Manalo, who had previously been a Roman Catholic. An INC member can choose to convert to Catholicism, but this is a personal choice and not a corporate decision by the INC itself.
  3. Historical Unions of Churches:
    Historically, groups of churches or ecclesiastical bodies have sought or achieved a “corporate union” or communion with the Catholic Church.
    For example, the Order of Corporate Reunion was founded to unite with the Catholic Church through reordinations of bishops.
  4. Individuals Converting to Catholicism:
    The term “corporation” could also refer to a collective of people, and in this sense, a group of people who are part of an organization can convert to Catholicism.
    There has been a recent trend of prominent individuals, including public figures and actors, converting to Catholicism.

A not-for-profit corporation ministry became non-Roman Catholic when it publicly disassociated from the Unitarian Universalist Church, often by changing its name and asserting a new identity (New Life Catholic Ministry), or through its actions and culture no longer aligning with the UU tradition, even if previously rooted in it. This shift does affect its non-profit status but signifies a change in its religious affiliation.

To Officially Become Non-Roman Catholic

Public Declaration: The organization must publicly announce its shift in identity, perhaps by changing its name to something that reflects its new non-Catholic stance.

Disassociation from Hierarchy: It must make it clear that it is no longer an official ministry of the UU Church and is not under its authority or direction.

Cultural Shift: The ministry’s culture and decision-making processes should no longer be rooted in UU traditions, such as prayerful discernment, but in its new non-Catholic identity.

Key Considerations:

  • Identity vs. Affiliation: A ministry can be rooted in the Catholic tradition without being an official ministry of the Church. The key difference is the active affirmation of its non-Catholic identity or a public declaration.
  • Authority: The UU Church no longer validates or supports its UU identity, and it will no longer be listed in the official directories of the UU Church.
  • Non-Profit Status: A change in its religious affiliation does not automatically affect its non-profit or charitable status. Its ability to continue as a non-profit depends on its ongoing adherence to the legal and administrative requirements for such status.

When a not-for-profit corporation’s ministry changes its religious affiliation, it must take several legal and administrative steps to update its corporate structure, bylaws, and charitable status. The specifics of the process vary based on where the corporation is incorporated and the nature of the changes.

Corporate and governance changes
The first steps involve internal governance and amending corporate documents to reflect the new direction.

  • Amend governing documents: A substantial change in mission requires a formal amendment to the organization’s governing documents, such as the articles of incorporation and bylaws.
  • Board and member approval: The corporation’s board of directors must initiate and approve the change, and it may also require a vote by the members, depending on the bylaws.
  • Notify the incorporating authority: You must file the amended articles with the appropriate federal or provincial incorporating authority, such as Corporations Canada.
  • Annual filing: Any significant change in mission must be reported on the corporation’s annual information return (Form T3010).
  • The “advancement of religion” debate: Keep in mind that there has been political discussion in Canada regarding removing “advancement of religion” as a standalone charitable purpose. While this is not yet law, it is a development for religious charities to monitor.

Corporation Names: Les Ministères Eric Michel International / Eric Michel Ministries International

Church denomination / Dénomination enregistrée : New Life Catholic Chaplaincy Ministry

Business number / Numéro d’entreprise :

Our Identification Number is: 895170-05 from Industry Canada
Our Taxation Number is: 80323 9177RC300 from Revenue Canada

IRS Form W-8BEN-E:

Phone: 1.613.439.1087

Address: EMMI Chaplaincy is a mobile unit serving Eastern Canada

EMMI is a Non for Profit Religious Canadian Corporation, a ministry not a church in Canada (NGO)

EMMI is affiliated and associated with churches in Africa, America, and Asia

EMMI is in Full Communion with the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission

EMMI host the Third Orders of Saint Francis and Saint Benedict

Anniversary: EMMI was registred at Industry Canada, Corporation on 2014/07/14

The Corporation of EMMI requested an amendment to our constitution denomination of Christian Unitarian Universalist Fellowship to be change to New Life Catholic Ministry, granted on 2025/01/14

  • Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship member of https://www.uuchristian.com/ in 2014.(Since 2010)
  • Eric Michel conversion 2020
  • The Ministries Conversion 01/14/2025 Official (this page)

New Life Ministries