Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation
Encyclopedia
The African-American Catholic Congregation and its Imani Temples is an African-centered Catholic expression of the Christian faith. It was founded in 1989 by the Reverend George Augustus Stallings, Jr., a former Catholic priest
.
,
founded the Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation as a single congregation in Washington, D.C.
on July 2, 1989. It was an independent church for people who favored an Afrocentric but quasi-Catholic worship style. Within a few months, Imani Temple attracted ex-Catholic and ex-Protestant followers and former Roman Catholic clergy. It grew to a group of nine churches in several cities. Later it expanded to include 13 churches.
By renouncing the authority of the Archbishop of Washington, Stallings committed the canonical delict of schism. In recognition of this, in February 1990, the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal James Hickey, officially recognized that Stallings had, through his actions, excommunicated
himself from the Catholic Church. In May 1990, Stallings was consecrated as an independent Catholic
bishop and adopted the title of "Archbishop".
In 2006, the excommunicated former Catholic archbishop Emmanuel Milingo
performed a conditional consecration for Stallings and three other married independent Catholic
bishops at the Imani Temple church in Washington.
teaching, allows women to be ordained and does not require celibacy of its priests.
As of 2009, there are Imani Temple congregations in six cities of the United States and one in Lagos, Nigeria.
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...
.
History
George Augustus Stallings, Jr., a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of WashingtonRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It comprises the District of Columbia and Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and Saint Mary's counties in the state of Maryland....
,
founded the Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation as a single congregation in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on July 2, 1989. It was an independent church for people who favored an Afrocentric but quasi-Catholic worship style. Within a few months, Imani Temple attracted ex-Catholic and ex-Protestant followers and former Roman Catholic clergy. It grew to a group of nine churches in several cities. Later it expanded to include 13 churches.
By renouncing the authority of the Archbishop of Washington, Stallings committed the canonical delict of schism. In recognition of this, in February 1990, the Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal James Hickey, officially recognized that Stallings had, through his actions, excommunicated
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
himself from the Catholic Church. In May 1990, Stallings was consecrated as an independent Catholic
Independent Catholic Churches
Independent Catholic churches are Catholic congregations that are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church or any other churches whose sacraments are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church...
bishop and adopted the title of "Archbishop".
In 2006, the excommunicated former Catholic archbishop Emmanuel Milingo
Emmanuel Milingo
Emmanuel Milingo is a former Roman Catholic archbishop from Zambia. In 1969, aged 39, Milingo was consecrated by Pope Paul VI as Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lusaka....
performed a conditional consecration for Stallings and three other married independent Catholic
Independent Catholic Churches
Independent Catholic churches are Catholic congregations that are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church or any other churches whose sacraments are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church...
bishops at the Imani Temple church in Washington.
Practice
Imani Temple teaching, in contrast to Roman CatholicRoman 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...
teaching, allows women to be ordained and does not require celibacy of its priests.
Current status
The Imani Temple has headquarters in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
As of 2009, there are Imani Temple congregations in six cities of the United States and one in Lagos, Nigeria.