Christ Catholic Church (Pruter)
Encyclopedia
The Christ Catholic Church (Pruter) is a Christian
religious denomination founded by Karl Pruter
. Pruter died November 18, 2007 and the church did not completely survive his passing, although remnants of the works of Christ Catholic Church (Pruter) remain.
It formally began in 1968, after Pruter – who had been consecrated
a bishop the previous year – had his new church formally recognized and designated an independent body by Archbishop Peter A. Zurawetsky.
The church holds the principles of the Old Catholic churches. It embraces the Christian Holy Scriptures, the creeds of the seven ecumenical councils
, and the Confession of Utrecht. It recognizes the right of private judgement on matters of doctrine
lies both with the laity and clergy. However, it retains the right to deprive any of its clergy who adhere to heterodox beliefs of clerical recognition by the church's Presiding Bishop. Liturgically, it uses a vernacular Mass
, The Christ Catholic Mass. In his position as bishop, Pruter regularly spoke out for peace and against abortion
.
The headquarters of the church moved over time, from Boston to New Hampshire
, where it has a mission, to Scottsdale, Arizona
and finally to Highlandsville, Missouri. There, Pruter served as the pastor of the Cathedral of the Prince of Peace, a chapel which has been described as being the smallest cathedral in the world. While in Missouri, Pruter helped establish a small monastic religious community dedicated to a quiet life of prayer and work, and consecrated it's abbot a Bishop. Prior to his death in 2007 Pruter entrusted his ministry at the Cathedral of the Prince of Peace to Bishop Brian E. Brown, a bishop of Christ's Catholic Church: An Ecumenical Free Catholic Communion, whom he had consecrated sub-conditionally September 9 of that same year.
At one time the Christ Catholic Church claimed 165 members in six parishes, located in Biddeford, Maine
, Kingston, Rhode Island
, Chicago
, Aurora, Illinois
, and Scottsdale, Arizona
.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
religious denomination founded by Karl Pruter
Karl Pruter
Karl Hugo Prüter , was an Old Catholic bishop.Pruter was raised in the Lutheran church, and was a Congregationalist minister under the name of Hugo Rehling Pruter Sr. from 1945 to 1958. In the Congregationalist Church he was one of the leaders in the liturgical movement within the church during the...
. Pruter died November 18, 2007 and the church did not completely survive his passing, although remnants of the works of Christ Catholic Church (Pruter) remain.
It formally began in 1968, after Pruter – who had been consecrated
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
a bishop the previous year – had his new church formally recognized and designated an independent body by Archbishop Peter A. Zurawetsky.
The church holds the principles of the Old Catholic churches. It embraces the Christian Holy Scriptures, the creeds of the seven ecumenical councils
First seven Ecumenical Councils
In the history of Christianity, the first seven Ecumenical Councils, from the First Council of Nicaea to the Second Council of Nicaea , represent an attempt to reach an orthodox consensus and to establish a unified Christendom as the State church of the Roman Empire...
, and the Confession of Utrecht. It recognizes the right of private judgement on matters of doctrine
Doctrine
Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
lies both with the laity and clergy. However, it retains the right to deprive any of its clergy who adhere to heterodox beliefs of clerical recognition by the church's Presiding Bishop. Liturgically, it uses a vernacular Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
, The Christ Catholic Mass. In his position as bishop, Pruter regularly spoke out for peace and against abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
.
The headquarters of the church moved over time, from Boston to New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, where it has a mission, to Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
and finally to Highlandsville, Missouri. There, Pruter served as the pastor of the Cathedral of the Prince of Peace, a chapel which has been described as being the smallest cathedral in the world. While in Missouri, Pruter helped establish a small monastic religious community dedicated to a quiet life of prayer and work, and consecrated it's abbot a Bishop. Prior to his death in 2007 Pruter entrusted his ministry at the Cathedral of the Prince of Peace to Bishop Brian E. Brown, a bishop of Christ's Catholic Church: An Ecumenical Free Catholic Communion, whom he had consecrated sub-conditionally September 9 of that same year.
At one time the Christ Catholic Church claimed 165 members in six parishes, located in Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is the largest town in the county, and is the sixth-largest in the state. It is the most southerly incorporated town in the state and the principal commercial center of York County. The population was 21,277 at the 2010 census...
, Kingston, Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island
Kingston is a village and a census-designated place in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States, and the site of the main campus of the University of Rhode Island. Much of the village center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Kingston Village Historic...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
, and Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
.