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| WHO
WE ARE... |
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We Are Christians... |
| United
to Christ by our baptism, we have received a new
Christ centered identity, our lives no longer being
our own, but rather belonging to God as revealed
in Jesus Christ. As Christians we confess our faith
in Jesus as the bearer of the love of God made personally
present to us. We believe the love of God in Christ
reaches out unconditionally to all humanity and
is ultimately victorious over all barriers to it,
even death. In our lives we seek by prayer and service
to others to depend less and less upon ourselves,
our fears, needs and wants and be led more and more
by the love of God in Christ in all things. |
We
Are Catholics... |
| We
accept as universal Catholic beliefs, a) The authority
of the Catholic canonical Hebrew and Christian Bible
as interpreted by tradition and reason as the revelation
of God and guide to Christian faith and living.
b) The articles of faith as set forth in the Creeds
of the Ecumenical Councils of the Church. c) We
maintain the historic apostolic succession of bishops.
d) We accept the seven sacraments of the Church.
e) The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
f) We believe that faith in Christ is made known
by works of love leading to a life of holiness.
g) We believe in the Communion of Saints and by
prayer seek their guidance and support in the life
of faith. These are the traditional Catholic essentials
we profess. |
| We
Are Independent and Self Governing... |
| Like
the ancient Catholic Churches we are self governing
churches. Our bishops are elected by the General
Synod. Synods and councils are composed of bishops,
clergy and laypersons who make the decisions needed
to govern our common life. |
We
Are Related to the Old Catholic Churches of Europe... |
| Formed
in 1880 by Roman Catholic bishops and laity who
did not accept the new doctrine of Papal Infallibility
and the independent authority of the Pope to decide
matters of faith and morals. Like Orthodox and Anglican
Churches, we are independent of the jurisdiction
of the Pope, and we are not in communion with the
Roman Catholic Church. |
| We
Are Inclusive... |
| No
distinctions are made on the basis of sex, race,
gender orientation or identity, class, disability,
marital status, divorce or remarriage, birth control
or abortion. We welcome all who believe in Christ
to the Baptismal Font and to the Table of the Lord,
we bless the marriages of heterosexual and homosexual
unions, we ordain qualified persons without regard
to any of the above conditions. We believe that
Church is called to be a sign of God's unconditional
love in the world and a reconciling presence helping
to break down the dividing walls that separate us
from a sense of our shared humanity and kinship
in God our Creator. |
| We
Are Apostolic... |
| Our
bishops share in two lines of Independent Catholic
Apostolic Succession, the first originating from
the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, and the second
from the Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil formed
by ex Roman Catholic bishop, Carlos Duarte-Costa
in 1946. An Apostle is one who has been sent on
a mission. By our baptism into Christ we share not
only his identity but also his mission. Our apostolate
is to be an inclusive Church seeking to minister
to all, and be an advocate for justice for the poor
and marginalized peoples in the world. |
| We
Are Ecumenical... |
| We
seek to share in full communion of ministries and
sacraments with other Churches sharing our Catholic
faith, inclusive welcome and apostolic mission.
We welcome other Christian communities to a process
of growing understanding through dialog, common
prayer and shared service in the name of Christ.
As a sign of our commitment to inclusion as the
work of the Holy Spirit, we welcome all to the Eucharist
who desire to receive Christ in the sacrament of
Holy Communion. |
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THE
AMERICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF NEW ENGLAND
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| Most
Rev. Stephen Edward Burke, MGC Bishop Emeritus.
Most Rev.
Michael J. Scalzi
The Faith Community of Saint Joseph
2804 Market Street, Suite 2
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: (717) 737-5520
Email: accnemjs@comcast.net
Most
Rev. Rosemary Ananis
St. Francis of Assisi Faith Community
1107 Littlefield Road
Wells, ME 04090
Phone: (207) 646-2820
Email: rananis@maine.rr.com
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