American National Catholic Church

The American National Catholic Church (ANCC) is an independent Catholic church established in 2009 as a self-governing entity. It is not in communion with the Catholic Church, whose canon law considers it a schismatic sect. The ANCC was founded with the mission of fully implementing their interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, and are notably more liberal than the Catholic Church in its acceptance of homosexual practice and marriage, the ordination of woman, and contraception.^[1]

History

The American National Catholic Church traces its apostolic succession through Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Duarte-Costa (1888–1961) of Brazil. Bishop Duarte-Costa was an early proponent of some of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. As early as 1936, he called for the celebration of the liturgy in the vernacular with priest facing people, a greater role for the laity in the liturgy, including service as Eucharistic ministers, and the election rather than appointment of bishops. He also called for married clergy and general absolution, and was a vocal critic both during and after World War II of the Brazilian government's ties with Nazi Germany.^[2] When, in 1945, Duarte announced plans to set up his own Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church, in which priests would be permitted to marry (and hold regular jobs in the lay world), that personal confession and the praying of rosaries would be abolished and bishops would be elected by popular vote, he was excommunicated.^[3]

The Church and its affiliates have over half a million members worldwide.^[4] According to one of the group's early leaders, since its founding in 2009, the ANCC has embraced a path of intentional growth in recognition that many other Independent Catholic jurisdictions failed because they concentrated on quantity at the expense of quality.^[5] The early stages of the Church's development focused, consequently, on establishing a strong foundation and solid infrastructure, both aimed at ensuring that the Church's future. The American National Catholic Church states online that it measures its growth in terms of four general aims:

• to further the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the presence of the Kingdom;
• to support missionary work;
• to be involved in the planting and strengthening of local churches;
• and through Christian fellowship, the liturgical celebrations of the seven sacraments, and the ministry of the Word of God, to edify and strengthen the believer.

Currently, there are American National Catholic Church parishes in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Missouri, North Dakota, and Virginia, with others in the process of formation in Illinois, Florida, New Mexico, and New York. ANCC priests and deacons also minister in prisons, homeless shelters, HIV/AIDS residences, psychiatric hospitals, teaching, and media. The Church also publishes The Call, an online quarterly.^[6]

The first presiding bishop of the ANCC is George R. Lucey, FCM.^[7]

Polity and beliefs

The ANCC claims to embrace the entire Roman Catholic deposit of faith,^[8] but in practice diverges from it regarding the ordination of women and in the realm of sexual morality. It does however hold belief in the Trinity, a form of apostolic succession, the salvific act of Christ, the Economy of Salvation, Mariology, and the sacraments. But consistent with the Catholic Church's fidelity to the renewing spirit of the Second Vatican Council, and regarding itself as a contemporary expression of an ancient faith, it departs in many ways from the Roman Catholic Church. While it respects the Bishop of Rome, considering him first among equals, it does not acknowledge his primacy or infallibility. Its polity is congregational rather than hierarchical. Parishes are self-governing, bishops are elected by clergy and laity for limited terms rather than appointed, and all clergy are non-stipendiary, supporting themselves and their ministries with regular jobs intended to keep them in touch with the worldly challenges faced by their parishioners. In both worship and governance, the ANCC actively encourages lay participation.

The ANCC allows qualified women and gay persons to receive Holy Orders. Believing that the lived experience of married life can be an invaluable gift for ministry, the ANCC also welcomes married clergy. The ANCC is one of a few Christian churches that recognizes gay marriage.^[9]

Training of clergy

ANCC clergy are trained in St. John the Beloved Seminary,^[10] a non-residential distance learning program as well as accredited seminary programs from various universities. The church claims that candidates for ordination to the diaconate and priesthood receive a rigorous and comprehensive academic and practical education. Criminal background checks and psychological evaluations are required for all applicants. Proper education, formation, and training are understood by the ANCC as necessities for effective ministry to the people of God and for the credibility of the larger church, and church spokespersons have remarked that independent Catholic movements often do not succeed because they are too quick to accept unprepared or undesirable candidates for the priesthood.^[5]

References

External links

• American National Catholic Church website