The Catholic Church of the Americas is governed in accordance to Scripture and Catholic tradition.
The ministerial priesthood of ordination consists of three degrees of orders: episcopate, presbyterate,
and diaconate.
Scripturally, the role of the bishop is to sanctify, teach, and govern. "Whoever aspires to the office of
bishop desires a noble task. ... Bishops must manage their households well, ... for if they do not know
how to manage their households, how can they take care of God's church?" [1 Tim 3:1-5] "For a
bishop, as manager on God's behalf, ... " [Titus 1:7] "A bishop must have a firm grasp of the word that
is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, in order to be able to preach with sound doctrine and to
refute those who contradict it." [Titus 1:9]
Though the bishop is ultimately responsible for the governance of the Church, s/he does so in
collaboration with priests and deacons. These priests and deacons, in turn, develop lay boards from
their parishes/ministries. It is through these lay boards that the voice of the laity is heard and adhered
to via the pastors/administrators. It is the responsibility of these clergy persons to, in turn,
communicate with the bishops the needs and concerns of the faithful. In the Catholic Church of the
Americas, the voice of the people is heard even further through the distribution of the Vox Populi which
is a questionnaire format document which seeks input from both clergy and laity on matters concerning
the Church as a whole. The purpose of the Vox Populi is to directly advise the bishops as to what the
clergy and people have to say. No major decision will ever be made without first approaching the
people of God through means such as the Vox Populi. It is the responsibility of the clergy to distribute
and discuss these matters with the faithful and to return issues of the Vox Populi in a timely fashion.
Each clergy is to submit one Vox Populi representing himself/herself and one representing the
parish/ministry. It is further noted, that each Vox Populi asks whether there are other issues of concern
of the people of God that need to be addressed at this time.
In this collaboration model, the bishop, the priest, the deacon and the laity all listen to each other. This
avoids a polarization effect of taking sides and eliminates a possible "us-them" scenario. Such a model
also evidences the statement of Martin Buber who said, "The truth is not so much in human beings as
between them."
Various groups can meet on a regular basis to discuss matters of our Mission statement and goals as a
Church. These groups are advisory in nature. Votes cast by any such groups are merely for the
purpose of determining where everyone is in the consensus process. Such votes are not legislative but
consultative. "By insolence the heedless make strife, but with those who take advice is wisdon." [Prov.
13:10]
Results of any committee, council, etc. go to the next level. That is, a parish council report would be
submitted to the pastor. A diocesan committee report would go to the Diocesan Bishop, etc. Results of
such reports are ultimately to be passed on to the national level for further feedback and
consensus-seeking.
On a daily basis, it is the responsibility of the Presiding Bishop and the Synod of Bishops to carry out
the Mission of the Church in light of input and voice from all other groups and/or individuals in the
Church.
Our governing style is unique and not a duplicate of the Roman Catholic Church. For example, the
position of Presiding Bishop is an elected position.
The role of the National Synod is to give input on the Church Mission. To date, this role has been
carried out through the Vox Populi. The creation of such a board is future-oriented when it will be
difficult to seek consensus from all through vehicles such as the Vox Populi.
When the Presiding Bishop gathers with the Church-at-large (national synod), the bishop listens to the
church speak in regards to the Mission, Gospel Message, sacramental needs, and shortcomings we as
church may have. It is not a legislative body; rather the Presiding Bishop takes the input received and
works to make sure the church is truly an instrument of the Gospel message to all people.
Our governance style, therefore, preserves the Scriptural mandates and includes a strong component
of input, collaboration and consensus from all members of the church - clergy and laity. It is never the
will of one person that is maintained by the voice of all is heard and listened to with the belief that this
style of governance affirms the fact that the Holy Spirit guides the Church through each of us.