American Catholic Church in the United States
Encyclopedia
The American Catholic Church in the United States (ACCUS) is a small Independent Catholic formed in 1999, denomination originating from the Old Catholic Christian
denomination
. The ACCUS holds some similar theological beliefs and practices to the Roman Catholic Church
. It is not in communion
with the Roman Catholic Church
or under Papal jurisdiction. Its website states: "The ACCUS and its affiliated Worldwide jurisdictions are not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church and are therefore not subject to the same rules and regulations."
. It is in communion with some Old Catholic and Anglican/Episcopalian Churches.
The American Catholic Church in the United States shares some theological and moral teachings with the Roman Catholic Church
, however there are major differences. The ACCUS is a post-Vatican II Church which teaches that nonjudgementalism takes precedence in regard to more difficult questions. The ACCUS purports to reject what it deems "legalistic moral pronouncements" regarding such issues, holding that one's faith in Jesus Christ along with an informed and enlightened conscience, molded on the Gospel
principles of truth, justice, compassion and love, should be the ultimate motivating force in one's life.
The ACCUS does not require its priest
s, deacons, bishops or other clergy and/or religious members to be celibate. Members of the clergy may be married, in a domestic partnership
, divorced, or widowed. The ACCUS also allows for the ordination of women. It also does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, marital status, or previous religious affiliations.
All members of the clergy are required to support themselves through outside employment; clergy are prohibited from receiving a fee for the sacramental services they perform, however, they are allowed to receive gifts and monetary offerings (stipends) so long as they are not the ones suggesting the amount to be given.
. Harms currently leads the church as the Presiding Archbishop. The American Catholic Church in the United States is listed as 501(c)(3) Under the name American Catholic Church, Frederick, MD.
The Auxiliary Bishop is: Bishop William A. Johnson, VF, Hon. D.D.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
denomination
Religious denomination
A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity.The term describes various Christian denominations...
. The ACCUS holds some similar theological beliefs and practices to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. It is not in communion
Communion (Christian)
The term communion is derived from Latin communio . The corresponding term in Greek is κοινωνία, which is often translated as "fellowship". In Christianity, the basic meaning of the term communion is an especially close relationship of Christians, as individuals or as a Church, with God and with...
with the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
or under Papal jurisdiction. Its website states: "The ACCUS and its affiliated Worldwide jurisdictions are not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church and are therefore not subject to the same rules and regulations."
Overview
This church belongs to the family of the Old Catholic churches, from which it derives its claim to apostolic successionApostolic Succession
Apostolic succession is a doctrine, held by some Christian denominations, which asserts that the chosen successors of the Twelve Apostles, from the first century to the present day, have inherited the spiritual, ecclesiastical and sacramental authority, power, and responsibility that were...
. It is in communion with some Old Catholic and Anglican/Episcopalian Churches.
The American Catholic Church in the United States shares some theological and moral teachings with the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, however there are major differences. The ACCUS is a post-Vatican II Church which teaches that nonjudgementalism takes precedence in regard to more difficult questions. The ACCUS purports to reject what it deems "legalistic moral pronouncements" regarding such issues, holding that one's faith in Jesus Christ along with an informed and enlightened conscience, molded on the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
principles of truth, justice, compassion and love, should be the ultimate motivating force in one's life.
The ACCUS does not require its priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s, deacons, bishops or other clergy and/or religious members to be celibate. Members of the clergy may be married, in a domestic partnership
Domestic partnership
A domestic partnership is a legal or personal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are neither joined by marriage nor a civil union...
, divorced, or widowed. The ACCUS also allows for the ordination of women. It also does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, marital status, or previous religious affiliations.
All members of the clergy are required to support themselves through outside employment; clergy are prohibited from receiving a fee for the sacramental services they perform, however, they are allowed to receive gifts and monetary offerings (stipends) so long as they are not the ones suggesting the amount to be given.
History
The ACCUS was founded by The Most Reverend Lawrence J. Harms, D.D. on May 23, 1999 one year after his consecration as Bishop. The National and International church is based in Frederick, MarylandFrederick, Maryland
Frederick is a city in north-central Maryland. It is the county seat of Frederick County, the largest county by area in the state of Maryland. Frederick is an outlying community of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of a greater...
. Harms currently leads the church as the Presiding Archbishop. The American Catholic Church in the United States is listed as 501(c)(3) Under the name American Catholic Church, Frederick, MD.
Leadership
The Presiding Archbishop is currently: Archbishop Lawrence J. Harms, Hon. D.D.The Auxiliary Bishop is: Bishop William A. Johnson, VF, Hon. D.D.