The American National Catholic Church
When people refer to Catholics today, they often mean Roman Catholics. But, there are many other types of Catholics. Some are associated with cultural groups like Byzantine Catholics or Polish National Catholics while others such as Old Catholics span all cultures. While some groups are in union with Rome, others have their own bishops, in the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church. We have seen many such independently governed churches for well over 200 years.
The ANCC is a Catholic community outside the institutional church, dedicated to making the world a more compassionate place. Guided by its own bishop we celebrate the same sacraments and follow the spirit of reform initiated in Vatican Council II. During much of the first eleven hundred years after Jesus, there was only one church that developed different traditions. Everything from the way the Mass and sacraments were celebrated to the date of Easter and celibacy were interpreted differently.
Even today, the Eastern and Western churches have many externals that are vastly different yet all celebrate the same sacraments and scripture. The institutional church of today can be traced, in part, to ongoing disagreements over papal supremacy in the 12th century resulting in a schism with the Eastern Church, reaction to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century and the proclamation of papal infallibility in the 19th century, which created further schisms. All these events speak to the confusion of unity with uniformity.
The American National Catholic Church is a contemporary expression of an ancient faith. There is a firm commitment to the sacraments and we embrace the Novus Ordo liturgy that is revered by so many in the Americas. We are also guided by the Spirit as a community which embraces a broader faith where all are welcomed and affirmed. We understand the importance of embracing and supporting each other, while continually challenging ourselves to embrace the Gospel calling of Jesus Christ.
We are happy that you have found our website and welcome you as you learn more about our ministry and role in Christ's church. More than likely, you may be surprise to discover one of the best kept secrets in the Church Catholic - that other bodies of that same church grow and thrive independent of the institutional church. We hope you will explore how you can play a part in this most important ministry and so that you may learn how truly liberated the soul can be.
Welcome home!
The ANCC is a Catholic community outside the institutional church, dedicated to making the world a more compassionate place. Guided by its own bishop we celebrate the same sacraments and follow the spirit of reform initiated in Vatican Council II. During much of the first eleven hundred years after Jesus, there was only one church that developed different traditions. Everything from the way the Mass and sacraments were celebrated to the date of Easter and celibacy were interpreted differently.
Even today, the Eastern and Western churches have many externals that are vastly different yet all celebrate the same sacraments and scripture. The institutional church of today can be traced, in part, to ongoing disagreements over papal supremacy in the 12th century resulting in a schism with the Eastern Church, reaction to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century and the proclamation of papal infallibility in the 19th century, which created further schisms. All these events speak to the confusion of unity with uniformity.
The American National Catholic Church is a contemporary expression of an ancient faith. There is a firm commitment to the sacraments and we embrace the Novus Ordo liturgy that is revered by so many in the Americas. We are also guided by the Spirit as a community which embraces a broader faith where all are welcomed and affirmed. We understand the importance of embracing and supporting each other, while continually challenging ourselves to embrace the Gospel calling of Jesus Christ.
We are happy that you have found our website and welcome you as you learn more about our ministry and role in Christ's church. More than likely, you may be surprise to discover one of the best kept secrets in the Church Catholic - that other bodies of that same church grow and thrive independent of the institutional church. We hope you will explore how you can play a part in this most important ministry and so that you may learn how truly liberated the soul can be.
Welcome home!
