SEWICKLEY, Pa. -- A controversial new Catholic church in Sewickley will hold services for the first time this weekend.

The Rev. William Hausen established the Christ Hope Ecumenical Catholic Church.

Hausen left the Catholic Church after he asked the church to study birth control and the ordination of women and married men.

Hausen said, "It is a new expression of the church, a new parish, a new community. I'm calling people to the community who have been disenfranchised in one way or another by the church. I'm bringing people into the church."

Parishioners are being warned by the Catholic Diocese they are excommunicated if they willingly follow Hausen.

Services will be held for Christ Hope Ecumenical Catholic Church this Sunday at the Sewickley Country Inn on Route 65.