Pittsburgh, USA - It was a year ago that an outspoken Roman Catholic priest broke away from the church to form his own.
Now, the Rev. William Hausen's Christ Hope Ecumenical Catholic Church has 300 members. The church is still meeting weekly at a hotel.
Hausen left the Roman Catholic church because he favors marriage for priests, the ordination of women and debate on birth control. He was excommunicated, and the Pittsburgh diocese said anyone following Hausen also would be excommunicated.
Anna Villella, a medical receptionist and mother of two, said she supported Hausen for being outspoken about the church sex-abuse scandal.
"I just decided to walk this journey with him," she told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I do not feel that I am excommunicated, and still feel as if I am a Catholic."
Jennifer Blewitt, a 19-year-old Duquesne University student, said she likes Hausen's church because everyone is welcome there.
"It's the way Jesus was," Blewitt said.