"That they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you."
The Catholic Faith's Many Expressions
The Catholic faith has many expressions beyond the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout history, various Catholic communities have emerged, each maintaining apostolic succession and valid sacraments while developing their own characteristics and governance structures. These range from the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht to various national Catholic churches worldwide.
Our Faith Community's Identity
We are a Catholic church that embraces both traditional sacramental worship and contemporary social understanding. Our approach maintains the historic Catholic faith while responding to modern pastoral needs. We cherish our Catholic heritage while recognizing that God's love extends beyond traditional boundaries.
Core Principles
Our foundation rests upon these essential elements of Catholic faith and practice:
- Sacramental Life: Maintenance of the seven sacraments and Catholic dogmatic teachings
- Liturgical Tradition: Adherence to the traditional Western liturgical calendar
- Apostolic Succession: Preservation of apostolic succession and valid orders
- Inclusive Understanding: Inclusive interpretation of Catholic tradition
Distinctive Features of Our Ministry
Our pastoral approach differs from some other Catholic churches in several important ways. In matters of clergy life and ministry, we recognize that clergy may choose whether to embrace celibacy or married life. Following the worker-priest model of ministry, our priests often maintain secular employment while serving the church, allowing them to be fully immersed in the daily lives of their communities.
Sacramental Life
Our sacramental life reflects God's abundant grace and inclusive love. We welcome all baptized Christians to receive the sacraments, recognizing God's presence in all committed relationships. Our approach to marriage preparation and celebration, as well as baptism, reflects our commitment to serving all of God's people without discrimination.
Community Values
As a faith community, we strive to reflect God's inclusive love in everything we do. Our welcome extends to people of all backgrounds and life experiences, and we actively work to ensure our leadership reflects the diversity of God's people. We affirm the dignity of every person and seek to be a healing presence in a divided world, believing that our diversity strengthens rather than diminishes our Catholic identity.
Looking Forward
As we continue our journey of faith, we remain committed to:
- Maintaining the fullness of Catholic tradition
- Embracing inclusive pastoral practices
- Fostering understanding between different Catholic traditions
- Serving as a bridge between traditional faith and contemporary needs
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Approved By:
✠ Most Reverend Peter Charles Francis, FSSPX, D.D.
Primate of the National Catholic Church
Metropolitan Archbishop of the United States
Patriarch of Utrecht
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