MISSION
STATEMENT
The American Catholic Church of New England understands
itself as called out from other faith communities to do
the following:
- To
be an inclusive Catholic community that welcomes to
all the sacraments those marginalized by many other
churches, including divorced and remarried people,
lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgendered person,
women and married persons. In addition, we welcome
to the sacraments persons with disabilities and all
people regardless of race or ethnicity.
- To
be engaged in ministries to the marginalized. The
ACCNE is committed to doing ministry, Especially with
those who are frequently overlooked, forgotten, abandoned
or rejected by mainline denominations.
- To
be a Catholic witness for social justice and reconciliation
on behalf of marginalized peoples.
- To
be committed to an ecumenical Catholicism in the spirit
of Vatican II.
- To
model collegial relationships among bishops, clergy
and people.
- To
be a model of progressive Catholicism at work in the
world.
- To
work ourselves out of a reason for separate existence.
BRIEF
HISTORY
The ACCNE is part of the Old Catholic movement which
first emerged in the 1870’s in response to the
First Vatican Council which declared the doctrine of
Papal Infallibility. Old Catholic bishops rejected the
doctrine of Infallibility of the Pope and his direct
jurisdiction over Local Church at the expense of the
bishops and their proper authority over their dioceses.
The Declaration of Utrecht, the founding document of
Old Catholics, set forth the position of Old Catholics
as those who hold to the Ecumenical creeds of the Church
and who reject the doctrine of Papal Infallibility as
an unwarranted innovation by the Pope.
The ACCNE emerged in the summer of 1998
from the American Catholic Church which was a continuation
of the Old Catholic movement in America. The reason
for the separation lay in the differences in the understanding
of Episcopal leadership and authority. The ACCNE seeks
to be an Old Catholic Church in which Episcopal leadership
is accountable to the whole church for its actions and
reputation. The ACCNE affirms collegial responsibility
not only among bishops, but also with presbyters, deacons
and all the baptized as members of People of God.
CANONS
I.
Name and Incorporation
a. The Name of this church shall be The American Catholic
Church of New England, otherwise known as the ACCNE.
II.
Affirmations of Faith
a. The Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian
creeds)
b. The Declaration of Utrecht
c. The Vatican II documents with the exception of those
touching upon Papal authority and others which contradict
statements in the canons of the Church.
d. Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (World Council of
Churches)
e. Theological Method of Scripture, Tradition and Reason
f. The Apostolic Succession of bishops
g. The Seven Catholic Sacraments
h. The Mission of the Church as expressed in Luke 4:
18-19
III.
Membership in the ACCNE
a. By the sacrament of Holy Baptism and
b. Endorsement of the canons of ACCNE and
c. Commitment to support the ACCNE with our prayers,
presence, gifts and service.
IV.
Ministry in the ACCNE
a. All members of the Church are members of the Order
of the Baptized and share in the general ministry of
the Church. As a baptized member of Christ’s church,
one shares in the priesthood of the faithful expressed
in worship and service in the world. Each person is
called to find their liturgy (the work of the people)
and offer it as a spiritual sacrifice to God and for
the good of all. The ACCNE seeks to enable all its members
to participate in the general ministry of justice and
reconciliation committed to the whole Church.
b. Among the baptized there are those who are specifically
called to works of mercy, justice and proclamation of
the Word. Such persons are deacons and after a time
of discernment and preparation are ordained by the bishop
to the diaconate to be signs of the Church’s commitment
to justice and mercy in the world and to lead the faithful
in these ministries.
c. Among the baptized are those who are specifically
called to the ministry of Word and Sacraments as presbyters
(priests). Persons called to the presbyterate will,
after a time of discernment and preparation, be ordained
by the bishop to share in the ministries of Word and
Sacrament and in the ministry of general oversight of
the bishop.
d. Among the presbyters there are those who are called
of God and the Church to serve as bishop in providing
oversight, teaching and sacramental ministry to the
People of God. Bishops are elected by all the members
of the ACCNE and are ordained by other bishops in the
historic apostolic succession that continues among Old
Catholic Churches.
e. No person shall be ordained to the sacred ministry
of the Church who has not demonstrated a commitment
to doing ministry as a baptized member of the Church.
V.
The General Synod
a. The General Synod of the ACCNE is composed to all
members of this church assembled biannually to:
i. Receive reports and review the work of the past year
ii. Establish the annual budget
iii. Pass or amend canonical legislation
iv. Adjudicate complaints
v. Establish goals for the coming year
vi. Elect bishops and any officers as may be required
vii. Bishops shall be elected in the following manner:
1. General Synod shall determine the need for a new
bishop
2. General Synod shall determine the qualifications
and job description of the new bishop
3. General Synod shall elect a three member nominating
committee and instruct the committee to draw up a list
of qualified candidates. In addition, the two most senior
ACCNE bishops shall be ex-officio members of the nominating
committee with privilege of voting.
4. Members present at the General Synod shall vote by
secret ballot for one of the nominated candidates.
5. The candidate receiving at least 60% majority of
the votes of all members in attendance at the General
Synod, and receiving 60% majority vote of ACCNE ordained
clergy in attendance shall be declared the elected bishop.
b. The General Synod is the final canonical authority
of this Church
c. A quorum of the General Synod will consist of those
members present after a call to meeting will have been
issued one month prior to the convening of the General
Synod.
VI.
The Council of Bishops
a. All the bishops of the Church and the president of
the Board of Trustees shall be members of the Council
of Bishops.
b. The Council of Bishops shall function as the administrative
officers of the ACCNE, subject to the authority of the
General Synod for the good of the Church.
c. The Council of Bishops is responsible for establishing
the legal affairs of the Church in relation to various
civil entities.
d. The Council of Bishops is responsible for establishing
the legal affairs of the Church in relation to various
civil entities.
e. The Council of Bishops has general oversight over
the clergy of the Church and may require of the clergy
such reports of their ministry as necessary to provide
oversight and direction.
f. The Council of Bishops may act to temporarily suspend
the faculties of clergy for good cause pending appeal
to the General Synod which will serve as the final court
of arbitration and appeal.
g. The Council of Bishops shall establish appropriate
standards for clergy preparation and conduct. These
standards shall be reviewed and approved by the General
Synod. To assist the bishops in clergy formation a vocations
committee may be created composed of those members whom
the bishops believe well qualified to assist with this
work.
h. Bishops of this Church will not participate in the
consecration of another bishop for this Church without
the election of the candidate by the General Synod,
nor will individual bishops ordain clergy for this church
without the prior consent of the Council of Bishops
as stated below:
i. The ordination of new clergy to the Church shall
take place only after the Council of Bishops approve
the individual candidates and certify that the person
ahs met the approved standards of the Church and have
posted notice to all members of the Church of the eligibility
of those nominated for Holy Orders. The bishop may appoint
a Vocation Committee responsible for screening all candidates
and recommending qualified candidates to the Council
of Bishops.
j. If objection to a candidate for ordination is raised
by a member in good standing of this Church, the Council
of Bishops shall appoint a committee of investigation
which shall report its results to the Council of Bishops
and, if necessary, to the next General Synod for action
approving or disapproving of the intended ordination.
k. The Council of Bishops shall be responsible for establishing
ecumenical relationships with other Christian jurisdictions.
Decisions beyond mutual recognition and intercommunion
shall be subject to ratification by the General Synod.
l. Bishops may be removed from office by action of the
General Synod after hearing charges and appointing a
committee of investigation. Lesser penalties may be
imposed at the discretion of the General Synod.
m. The Council of Bishops may elect one of its members
to serve as Presiding Bishop or President of the Council
of Bishops.
n. The Council of Bishops and the President of the Board
Trustees may set the term of office of Presiding Bishop.
The Duties and responsibilities of Presiding Bishops
shall be to preside at General Synod and serve as chief
pastor of the clergy and laity.
VII.
Board of Trustees
a. The General Synod shall elect the officers of the
Board of Trustees. These officers are: President, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer and up to four additional
delegates at large as the Synod believes necessary to
adequately represent the membership of the church. The
bishops of the Church are ex-officio members of the
Board of Trustees. They shall have the privilege of
voting at the meeting of the Board of Trustees.
b. The General Synod shall set the terms of elected
officers and members of the Board of Trustees. Otherwise
the term of office shall end at the next General Synod.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration
of the Church between sessions of the General Synod.
c. Executive Committee: The Bishops and President of
the Board of Trustees shall constitute the executive
committee of the Church acting between meetings of the
General Synod and the meetings of the Board of Trustees.
The President or Vice-President of the Board of Trustees
will preside at the meetings of the Board of Trustees.
In the absence of the President or Vice President, the
Presiding Bishop will preside at the Board of Trustees’
meeting.
VIII.
Missions and Ministries
a. The General Synod has the authority to establish
or recognize missions and ministries developed by this
Church, its members, or by another agency. Only those
missions and ministries approved by the General Synod
shall be entitled to be identified as being in relation
to the ACCNE.
IX.
Amendment of the Canons and Policies
a. The canons of the ACCNE may be amended, added to
or deleted by action of the General Synod. Notice of
the proposed change must be circulated to the membership
of ACCNE at least one month prior to the next announced
meeting of the General Synod. A two-thirds majority
is required to change, add or delete canons of the Church.
b. The policies of the ACCNE are developed by the Council
of Bishops and the Board of Trustees and are subject
to review by the next General Synod. Policies may be
amended, added or deleted by a simple majority of the
Council of Bishops and Board of Trustees at a duly called
meeting of the same.
X.
Policies of the ACCNE
a. Sexual Harassment Policy
b. Disclosure Policy
c. Clergy Covenant of Financial Support
d. ACCNE Periodical
e. Clergy Qualifications and Formation Policy
XI.
Parliamentary Authority
a. Answers to procedural questions not addressed by
the Canons and policies of this Church shall be referred
to Robert’s Rules of Order, revised edition. In
general, the practice of this church will be to make
decisions by consensus wherever possible.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
POLICY
PURPOSE:
The American Catholic Church of New England, Inc., (hereinafter
referred to as “the church”) is a gathering
of Christian men, women and children, professing faith
in the Holy Trinity and advocating the following of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. This
following includes acceptance of the dignity of each
person and that each person is a temple of the Holy
Spirit of God and must be respected. To this end, each
should be free of any form of sexual harassment, so
that any and all clergy, members and guests may worship
and socialize in an atmosphere that is safe and respectful
of all.
GENERAL
PROVISIONS:
It is a violation of this policy for any clergy, member
or guest to harass another clergyperson, member or guest
through conduct or communication which is unwanted or
unwelcome by the person to whom such conduct or communication
is addressed, or by a witness who deems such conduct
or communication so offensive that (1) it has the purpose
or effect of substantially interfering with his/her
participation in that event or (2) which may diminish
the reputation of the church.
Any
clergy person, member or guest who believes she/he has
been subjected to sexual harassment may make an internal
complaint as described below and/or pursue other remedies
provided by federal or state law.
DEFINITIONS:
“Sexual Harassment” is verbal or physical
communication or conduct based on a person’s sex,
affectional orientation or marital status which has
the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with
a person’s participation in an event sponsored
by the church, or within the church as a whole, or which
diminishes the reputation of the church to even hosts
or other organizations.
Clergy
is defined as any person duly ordained as a deacon,
priest or bishop of the ACCNE.
Member
is defined as any person who has chosen to become an
active participant in the ACCNE.
Guest
is defined as any person who attends a worship service,
meeting or event sponsored by ACCNE either as an observer
or a party interested in becoming a member.
REPORTING:
A person may report an allegation of sexual harassment
she/he has experience or witnessed at an event sponsored
by the church, to any member of the Council of Bishops.
Upon receipt of a verbal or written report of sexual
harassment, the member of the Council of Bishops who
receives the report shall notify the other Council members.
If the report accuses a member of the Council of Bishops,
the member receiving the report shall notify only the
unaccused member. Reports and the forwarding of reports
shall take place as soon as possible, but not later
than thirty (30) days after the alleged occurrence.
Upon
receipt of the report, the Bishop receiving it shall
convene a meeting or teleconference with the other members
of the Council of Bishops as soon as possible. If the
report accuses a member of the Council of Bishops, the
convener of the meeting shall notify that member of
the report, and excuse him/her from the meeting or teleconference.
If the report accuses a person(s) who is/are not members
of the Council of Bishops, the meeting or teleconference
shall be conducted prior to notifying the accused that
a report has been field involving him/her/them.
ACTION
Reasonable measures shall be taken to notify all members
of the Council of Bishops of the meeting or teleconference.
After establishing that a quorum is present, the convener
shall entertain a motion to enter executive session.
In
executive session, the Council of Bishops shall discuss
the report and develop a plan for contacting the person(s)
accused in the report. The details of the report shall
be shared with this/these person(s), and an opportunity
for a verbal or written response shall be provided.
Care shall be taken that the report and response be
kept confidential among the members of the Council of
Bishops and any others the council may deem to have
a need to know this information. The executive session
may be adjourned and reconvened as necessary.
During
the executive session, no detailed minutes shall be
kept of the discussion; however, a concise summary of
the council’s discussion and decision, not identifying
the accused, shall be attached to the minutes as a confidential
appendix.
Any
clergyperson or member found to have violated this policy
may be subject to appropriate consequences as set forth
by the council including, but not limited to, warning,
exclusion from church events for a specific period of
time, counseling with an approved counselor, suspension
from church-sponsored events until the counseling has
been successfully completed, or expulsion from the American
Catholic Church of New England, Inc.
Any
person who is not a member of the church and is found
to have violated this policy shall be contacted in person
or by phone, as soon as possible by one of the Bishops
so designated by the Council, notified of the report
and afforded an opportunity to make a verbal or written
response. After the council has fully discussed the
report and the response(s) from the accused, it shall
render a decision and prescribe, as appropriate, any
of the consequences enumerated above.
Within
30 days of the final executive session held to discuss
the report, the convener shall mail to all persons accused
in the report and to all members of the Council of Bishops,
a summary of that status of the report. If a person
accused in the report is a candidate for the office
of deacon, priest or bishop all advancement to said
office shall be halted until such time as a satisfactory
resolution has been reached.
The
Council of Bishops may exercise the right to set forth
consequences for those persons found to have issued
a false report of sexual harassment.
By
my signature, I verify that I have read and am aware
of the ACCNE policy of “Sexual Harassment.”
I further understand that this policy has been adopted
not only to protect my own person and reputation, but
that of the American Catholic Church of New England
as well.
NAME:
__________________________________
DATE: ___________________________________
WITNESS:
_________________________________
DATE: ____________________________________
PURPOSE:
The American Catholic Church of New England, Inc. (hereinafter
referred to as “the Church”) is a gathering
of Christian men, women and children, professing faith
in the Holy Trinity and advocating the following of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. By
divine institution some among the Christian Faithful
are constituted sacred ministers through the sacraments
of orders by means of the indelible character with which
they are marked. Accordingly, they are consecrated and
deputed to shepherd the people of God, each in accord
with his or her grade of orders, by fulfilling in the
person of Christ.
DISCLOSURE POLICY
Head
the functions of teaching, sanctifying and governing.
The following includes the integrity of the individual
person as he or she represents him or herself as honest,
true forthright and virtuous. To this end, each person
seeking Incardination or ordination to the diaconate,
presbyters or episcopacy should be honest, true and
forthright and virtuous in his or her character as it
is revealed through the formation process.
General
Provisions
In order for anyone to be ordained licitly to the diaconate,
presbyterate, or episcopacy, it is required that the
candidate complete a period of probation for at least
one year. He or she is not restrained by any irregularity
of impediment; he or she has fulfilled the pre-requisites
according tot hose set down by the Director of Formation.
A
person who is affected by a perpetual impediment, which
is called an irregularity or a simple impediment is
prevented from receiving orders. The following are irregular
as regards to the reception of orders:
A
person who labors some form of insanity or other psychic
defect due to which, after consultation with experts,
1. He or she is judged incapable of rightly carrying
out the ministry
2. A person who has a criminal record which would question
or challenge his or her ability to carry out a ministry.
3. A person whose intention and/or desire for ministry
is deemed questionable by consultation of the bishops
and formation directors.
4. A person who has failed to complete all pre-requisites
and/or tampered with documents and/or falsely represented
him or herself.
5. A person who fails to exhibit genuine piety, good
morals, and adequate comprehension of correct doctrine.
It
is a violation of this policy for any person seeking
Incardination or ordination into the clergy, to intentionally
misrepresent him or herself in any way that may otherwise
have excluded him or her form ordination. This includes
but is not limited to such matters as criminal record,
and personality disorder, or a psychological disorder.
DEFINITION
It is the policy of the church to request documentation
from candidates for Incardination or ordination to the
diaconate, the presbyterate or the episcopacy. These
documents include, but are not limited to the following:
• Birth Certificate
• Testamentum for those seeking Incardination
• Official transcripts from all institutions of
higher learning attended since high school
• Baptismal, Communion and confirmation certificates
with seal.
• Physical examination by a mental health professional
approved by the bishops
• Psychological evaluation by a mental health
professional approved by the bishops
• Validation of all ministerial activity
• Letters of recommendation from at least three
persons who have knowledge and/or experience of the
candidate’s ministerial activities
These
documents and any other documents that are deemed pertinent
or contributive to the discernment and application process
of the candidate will be forthcoming in a timely manner.
These documents will be an honest disclosure and representation
of the candidate’s application process.
To
withhold or alter information, which would, in fact
prohibit a candidate from incardination or ordination
to the diaconate, the presbyterate, or the episcopacy
is considered dishonest, untrue, non-forthright and
non-virtuous in the character of the candidate.
An
offense against a policy of honest disclosure includes
but is not limited to:
1. One who fabricates a false public ecclesiastical
document, or changes, destroys or conceals an authentic
document or uses a false or changes document.
2. One who states a falsehood in/on a public ecclesiastical
document.
3. One who withholds information deemed appropriate
to the discernment process for either incardination
or ordination.
4. One who misrepresents him or herself in any way to
procure the state of ordination illicitly.
ACTIONS
The reception of the sacraments, including the sacrament
of orders assumes that the candidates have the following:
1. Sufficient use of reason
2. Proper intention and discretion of judgment concerning
the diaconal, presbyteral, or Episcopal duties which
are to be received and carried out in ministerial integrity.
3. Psychologically capable of assuming the essential
obligations of ordained ministry.
Any
person who fails to meet these requirements is not a
suitable candidate for ordination or incardination.
In the event that a person has been, in fact, ordained,
he or she will be determined to have been ordained invalidly
and his or her ordination will be determined to be null
and void of sacramentality.
Tithing
Pledge
“Melchizedech,
king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being
a priest of God most high, he blessed Abram…then
Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (Gensis
15:18-20)
As
a member of the ACCNE:
1.
I understand that financial support for the church is
primarily the responsibility of its members, and I hereby
acknowledge my duty to contribute my fair share, as
I can afford, to help support the church.
2. I affirm that I should support my church community,
regardless of the amount I can pledge.
3. I am voluntarily completing this pledge form
4. I understand that the amounts of my pledge and subsequent
payments will be known only to the Administrator and
the Treasurer and otherwise will be strictly confidential.
Amount
to be remitted Amount to be provided Total
By check/money order as in-kind contributions
$__________
+ $_______________ = $__________
My
payments by check/money order/cash will be remitted:
o
In 12 monthly installments of $______ each
o In 4 quarterly installments of $______ each
o Please see my comments on reverse side of this form
Date:
____________ Signature: ______________________________
Please
complete this form and make a copy for your records
Mail it by December 1st to:
ACCNE
40 Westwind Road., #775
Boston, MA 02125
1.
Checks or money orders are payable to American Catholic
Church of New England. Please do not send cash by mail.
Your canceled check or money order will be your temporary
receipt until the next quarterly statement is sent to
you.
2. In-kind contributions are expenses which you incur
on behalf of the church and which are included in the
budget (e.g.) Phone, supplies, printing) and for which
you do not seek reimbursement. These expenses must be
listed, documented by receipts or other evidence, and
reported to the Treasurer at least quarterly.
HOLY ORDERS POLICY
CRITERIA
FOR ADMISSION TO THE CANDIDACY FOR THE SACRAMENT OF
HOLY ORDERS IN THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF NEW ENGLAND.
Two year minimum membership with the American Catholic
Church of New England. (ACCNE)
- One
year approved diaconate ministry prior to ordination
to priesthood after the two-year minimum relationships
with ACCNE.
-
Minimum two years ongoing spiritual direction with
an approved spiritual director.
Psychological evaluation by an appointed psychiatrist.
-
Course work consisting of Moral Theology, Systematic
Theology, and Scripture equivalent to 36 college credit
hours from an accredited Christian Institution approved
by the Formation Council. Verifiable ministerial work
experience of 3000 hours with at least 2000 hours
in one setting. CPE quarters are acceptable.
-
Letters of recommendation from the following
- Ministerial
supervisor
- Spiritual
director
- Instructor
of course work
- Non-related
adult
-
Periodic meetings with the Formation Council.
CRITERIA
FOR ADMISSION TO CONSIDERATION OF ORDAINED CLERGY FROM
OTHER COMMUNIONS INTO THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF
NEW ENGLAND.
- Two
year minimum membership within the ACCNE
- Minimum
of two years of ongoing spiritual direction
-
Psychological evaluation by an appointed psychiatrist
-
Transcript from seminary or college
-
Proof of ordination
- Verifiable
ministerial work experience of 3000 hours with at
least 2000 hours in one setting. CPE quarter are acceptable.
- Letters
of recommendation from the following:
Ministerial supervisor
Spiritual director
Instructor of course work
Non-related adult
P eriodic meeting with the Formation Council
A CLARIFICATION OF POLICY REGARDING
RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR MARRIAGE
An
introduction to the marriage issue:
The American Catholic Church of New England blesses
same sex relationships as well as those who have been
previously married and divorced.. In doing so, we are
in the minority of churches that grant a marital blessing
to same sex couples. .It is therefore appropriate that
the Church clarify its position on this issue.
1. Marriage exists in
two forms
Marriage as a religious or sacramental covenant consists
of a mutual covenant or solemn promise between two consenting
adults making public vows before God and the witnesses
of the Church who give their assent and blessing to
this new covenantal relationship. While a moral obligation
is created by such a covenant, there is no civil or
legal obligation created by a religious marriage.
Marriage as a secular civil contract is one in which
two consenting adults enter into legally enforceable
set of obligations to one another The State, and not
the Church, sets the terms and conditions of this relationship
and grants certain privileges in law to those whom the
State has granted permission to make such a contract..
Accordingly, the State issues licenses to those deemed
eligible to marry and governs the terms of the contract
and its ending in terms of divorce or legal separation.
2. Religious Marriage
is a Sacrament of the Church for all
Religious sacramental marriage is not divisible between
opposite and same sex couples. What is essential to
our understanding of marriage is not biological accessories,
or being able to procreate children. Farm animals can
procreate and do so without benefit of clergy. Human
beings can procreate in the same way. What makes marriage
a Christian covenant and a sacrament has to do with
the spiritual significance of the relationship. This
spiritual relationship is the same whether the couple
is opposite or same sex. (See I Cor 13) Therefore, there
is no need to distinguish between heterosexual marriage
and homosexual 'holy unions'. They are both constituted
by the same act of love and commitment, the same spiritual
qualities are essential to both kinds of couples.
3. The Sacramental validity
of Marriage
The essence of marriage is spiritual friendship in which
each partner ministers in love and faithfulness to the
other with the intention of doing so for their entire
lifetime. In John's Gospel Jesus says "I no longer
call you servants, but friends." This is the inward
spiritual grace of marriage. When this relationship
of love and trust fails, the marriage is over, whether
or not there is a separation or a legal divorce. The
outward visible sign of this relationship is a shared
life in which each partner increasingly opens his or
her life to the other, and that includes sexual intimacy
as well as communication, shared resources, time, talents
and much else. Again, this does not depend upon producing
offspring, but if children are desired they become partakers
of this covenant and sacrament of love and self giving.
Marriage is sacramental when it reflects this kind of
self giving love which we see in Christ Jesus. It is
not sacramental simply because one begets children who
may not be desired or wanted or cared for. Thus, producing
offspring is not a condition of sacramental validity,
nor is recognition by the State of a civil marriage
an indication of a valid Christian marriage. What determines
validity is the spiritual nature of the covenantal relationship
between the two persons.
4. Conditions for Religious
Marriage in the ACCNE.
The American Catholic Church of New England will bless
those couples, regardless of gender, or previous marriages,
who seek to enter into this kind of marital relationship
and ask for God's blessing. As with opposite sex marriage,
so with same sex marriage, persons seeking to enter
into the Covenant and Sacrament of Marriage will be
expected to make adequate preparation by meeting with
the clergy for premarital counseling regarding their
relationship including any previous marriages, discuss
the religious and spiritual significance of their relationship,
and understand the liturgical celebration the Covenant
and Sacrament of Holy Marriage. In all such counseling
sessions the confidentiality of the participants will
be respected, and in all such requests for sacramental
marriage the decision of the priest or minister is to
be regarded as final.
5. Optional Terminology
Usage
For pastoral reasons we may allow couples to choose
to designate their relationship as a 'holy union' if
they so desire, but for our Church the nature of the
relationship they are choosing to enter is the Covenant
and Sacrament of Holy Marriage.
6. Concurrent Religious
and Civil Marriage in one ceremony
In those states where civil unions or domestic partnerships
are permissible the priest (or deacon) presiding will
counsel the couple to insure they understand the nature
of the covenant and sacramental nature of the relationship
and are freely choosing to make this life long commitment
to each other. Having established that the persons have
this religious intention, the priest may also at the
same time function as the civil magistrate (if that
is permitted by law), witnessing their vows and signing
the civil license or registration form required to record
the civil contract as valid according to the laws of
that State. Thus, the ACCNE will regard this couple
as having entered into the sacrament of marriage, even
though the State may regard it as simply a domestic
partnership agreement.
7. Summary
The American Catholic Church of New England has one
sacrament of marriage for all couples, and not one for
heterosexual couples and a different blessing for homosexual
couples. Both enter into the same sacramental commitment
of lifelong love, spiritual friendship, caring and ministry
to one another and the world. These vows they witness
before God and the church, and to each kind or relationship
we bless them in God's name and add our Amen.
GLOSSARY
OF ACCNE TERMS
Chaplaincy:
an individual
ministry performed in an institution that is recognized
in some way by the host instittution, and to which there
is some kind of accountability relationship. Some examples:
hospital chaplaincy, hospice chaplaincy, police and
fire chaplains, military chaplains, chaplains to Dignity.
Faith Community:
is a community that has accepted our canons and policies
and is formally recognized and accepted as members of
the ACCNE by the Board of Trustees and welcomed by the
General Synod.
Ministry: a service provided to
others, done by an individual member, which may or may
not have official recognition by a host institution.
Some examples, a ministry to a food pantry, a ministry
to homeless persons, a campus ministry, a ministry to
the LGBT community. Such ministries, if undertaken in
the name of the ACCNE must have the approval of the
bishops of the Church.
Mission: A
service done with others with the intent of forming
a faith community of ACCNE members, or secondly, a project
undertaken by ACCNE members having a specific apostolate
or charism. Missions may be transitional, with communities
becoming members of the ACCNE, or they remain separate
but affiliated with the ACCNE through the willing acceptance
of the ministries of ACCNE clergy and/or lay members.
Some examples: 1) a monthly ACCNE mass offered for former
members of Dignity Burlington. These members are not
interested in joining the ACCNE but are willing to participate
in an what is publicly announced as an ACCNE sponsored
mass. 2) A mission project of a faith community in which
some members band together to serve a particular population.
Such a project could be identified as a Mission of the
X faith community of the ACCNE. A group going to assist
people due to a natural disaster could be designated
a Relief Mission of the ACCNE
Pastoral Center: the actual location
from which various ministries and missions emanate.
The
ACCNE Synod of 2007 voted unanimously in support of
the following ecclesiological principles that originate
from the Preamble of the Statute of Union of the International
Bishops Conference, and are part of the Unity Statement
of the Conference of North American Old Catholic Bishops,
of which the ACCNE is a participating member church.
We acknowledge and accept the Union of Utrecht’s
Four Ecclesiological Points, namely,
A. Ecclesiology of
the Local Church:
The
fullness of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church
resides in the local church (diocese).
B. The Role of the
Bishop and Apostolic Succession:
Apostolic
succession belongs to the church. Bishops are servants
of the church, elected by the church, for ordained office
in the church. Apostolic succession refers to the passing
on of the faith of the apostles in and through the church
under the leadership and oversight of the bishop of
the local church, ordained for his or her office through
the laying on of hands and prayer. Apostolic succession
is not the personal possession of a bishop that can
be passed on to others in separation from the office
of bishop in the local church. There cannot be a church
without a bishop; conversely there cannot be a bishop
without a church. Here the expression "local church"
refers to a community of faith that can best be described
as a diocese, which in turn consists of a communion
of parishes and missions. Bishops without churches are
outside of the apostolic succession, even though they
may have been ordained with the proper ritual and the
proper intention.
C.
The Theology of Communion:
Even though the fullness of the one, holy, catholic
and apostolic church resides in the local church, the
local church cannot remain alone. The church's catholicity
must express itself, which it does through communion
with other local churches. The bishop of a local church
stands at the intersection of where the local church
meets with the other churches in communion. The bishop
represents the local church to the other churches in
communion, and represents the churches in communion
to the local church. The bishop brings concerns of importance
for the local church that may have consequences for
the entire communion to the attention of the other bishops
of the communion, and brings the concerns of the bishops
of the communion to the attention of the local church.
D.
Synodality:
Synodality permeates all levels of the church. Members
of the local congregation meet and make joint decisions
about how to implement the mission, pastoral care and
finances of the parish. It elects the pastor from qualified
candidates. It elects a parish committee of lay people
to govern the temporal affairs of the parish, and ministers
side by side with the pastor. It elects representatives
to the Diocesan Synod. Old Catholic dioceses are governed
synodically by a synod of elected lay people and clergy.
The Diocesan Synod elects the bishop. An elected Synodical
Council assists the bishop in the governance of the
diocese between diocesan synods.
3.
We accept the Declaration of Utrecht (1889), and support
the visions of the Munich Declaration (1871), and the
Fourteen Thesis of the Old Catholic Union Conference
at Bonn (1874).
4. The clergy candidates are to be educated as professionals
at the university level, or, at the discretion of the
local bishop. Candidates with sufficient pastoral experience
may also be ordained. Whenever possible, candidates
will normally attain a Master's Degree or its' equivalent
in theology or ministry.
5. The church is open to everyone. All baptized members
are called to be ministers of the church, and those
who are qualified may be elected to and called to holy
orders with the laying on of hands for service in the
church.
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