An Overview of the Catholic Church of the Americas
The Catholic Church of the Americas (CCA) is a member of the One,
Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The CCA accepts the theology
taught by the creedal statements of the Ecumenical Councils and
professed universally by the Church throughout the ages. We have
maintained tactile apostolic succession but are independent of the
jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. We share with all Christians
the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and Redeemer of humanity. We
are united with others through baptism. The CCA is a sacramental
church, similar to other churches but having some important
differences. The Catholic Church of the Americas teaches the Catholic
faith with a loving regard for all humanity and intelligent modern
positions on social issues.
We believe in the Triune God: Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier/ We
share an open Communion Table with all baptized Christians. we
believe in the true transubstantiated presence of Christ in the bread
and wine of Eucharist. We welcome you regardless of race, color,
gender, sexual orientation or preference, nationality or socioeconomic
status.
Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The CCA accepts the theology
taught by the creedal statements of the Ecumenical Councils and
professed universally by the Church throughout the ages. We have
maintained tactile apostolic succession but are independent of the
jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. We share with all Christians
the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and Redeemer of humanity. We
are united with others through baptism. The CCA is a sacramental
church, similar to other churches but having some important
differences. The Catholic Church of the Americas teaches the Catholic
faith with a loving regard for all humanity and intelligent modern
positions on social issues.
We believe in the Triune God: Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier/ We
share an open Communion Table with all baptized Christians. we
believe in the true transubstantiated presence of Christ in the bread
and wine of Eucharist. We welcome you regardless of race, color,
gender, sexual orientation or preference, nationality or socioeconomic
status.
The Catholic Church of the Americas uses Scripture and tradition with human
experience and reason as its source of Truth. The Bible contains the story of
God's saving love for humanity and the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit is vital in our midst, invigorating and filling us with love. We
strive to be a loving family in our small congregations. Our ministries are rooted
in the Gospel and strive to be loving, affirming, inclusive and justice promoting.
We gather each week to share our joys and fears, our successes and
shortcomings. We come together at God's altar receiving and becoming the
true Body and Blood of Christ. We become "Church" for each other.
experience and reason as its source of Truth. The Bible contains the story of
God's saving love for humanity and the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit is vital in our midst, invigorating and filling us with love. We
strive to be a loving family in our small congregations. Our ministries are rooted
in the Gospel and strive to be loving, affirming, inclusive and justice promoting.
We gather each week to share our joys and fears, our successes and
shortcomings. We come together at God's altar receiving and becoming the
true Body and Blood of Christ. We become "Church" for each other.
Come take your place at the Table of the Lord!
Purpose. The purpose of the Catholic Church of the Americas (CCA) is to
establish and maintain a church and ministries for the worship of God and to
be a part of God's dominion in service to humanity, open to all people of
faith, without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation or preference,
nationality or socioeconomic status.
Foundation. The Catholic Church of the Americas was not founded by one
person but a group of persons, including Bishops Denis Martel and Filipe
Teixeira, who met in Hartford, CT, on June 27, 1996. This meeting and the
resulting documents are known as the Hartford Covenant.
establish and maintain a church and ministries for the worship of God and to
be a part of God's dominion in service to humanity, open to all people of
faith, without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation or preference,
nationality or socioeconomic status.
Foundation. The Catholic Church of the Americas was not founded by one
person but a group of persons, including Bishops Denis Martel and Filipe
Teixeira, who met in Hartford, CT, on June 27, 1996. This meeting and the
resulting documents are known as the Hartford Covenant.
Sacraments. The founders saw as paramount the development of saacramental
belief. It is agreed that the sacraments are seven in number. The sacraments are
equal gifts from God. There are not major and minor sacraments. All sacraments
flow from our baptism and unite us as a people of God. The Church is the
fundamental sacrament of God's promise and deliverance of the reigh of God in
Jesus Christ. It is the "sacrament of universal salvation." The sacraments of
Eucharist, baptism, chrismation, penance, anointing of the sick, marriage and holy
orders are acts of God, but acts of the Church in that they are expressions of the
nature and mission of the Church.
belief. It is agreed that the sacraments are seven in number. The sacraments are
equal gifts from God. There are not major and minor sacraments. All sacraments
flow from our baptism and unite us as a people of God. The Church is the
fundamental sacrament of God's promise and deliverance of the reigh of God in
Jesus Christ. It is the "sacrament of universal salvation." The sacraments of
Eucharist, baptism, chrismation, penance, anointing of the sick, marriage and holy
orders are acts of God, but acts of the Church in that they are expressions of the
nature and mission of the Church.
Formation. The process of clergy affiliation and/or ordination with the
Catholic Church of the Americas is decided by the diocesan bishop. The
director of vocations is the point of initial contact for inquiries. The general
process is one which involves mentoring, establishing of a faith community,
and academic and spiritual formation. Required educational courses can be
done through the office of the director of education in the form of distance
learning or can be taken at institutions of higher learning as approved by the
director of vocations, director of education and/or the diocesan bishop.
Vox Populi. One of the factors that is successful in keeping all people of the
CCA connected is the Vox Populi which seeks input from membership at all
levels. These issues are relevant to the larger church. The Vox assists the
Synod of Bishops in decision making as it is regarded as being extremely
valuable as the "voice of the people."
Catholic Church of the Americas is decided by the diocesan bishop. The
director of vocations is the point of initial contact for inquiries. The general
process is one which involves mentoring, establishing of a faith community,
and academic and spiritual formation. Required educational courses can be
done through the office of the director of education in the form of distance
learning or can be taken at institutions of higher learning as approved by the
director of vocations, director of education and/or the diocesan bishop.
Vox Populi. One of the factors that is successful in keeping all people of the
CCA connected is the Vox Populi which seeks input from membership at all
levels. These issues are relevant to the larger church. The Vox assists the
Synod of Bishops in decision making as it is regarded as being extremely
valuable as the "voice of the people."
National Synod. An annual meeting or National Synod is held each year either
face-to-face or via a form of telecommunications. This meeting shall be for the
purpose of holding elections, reviewing annual reports, and the transaction of such
other business as may come before the meeting. The Synod is advisory in nature
to the Synod of Bishops.
Church Authority. At all times, consensus is to be the model of decision making
employed. No individual -- bishop, clergy or lay -- may make a unilateral decision
that affects the faith lives of the membership. Diocesan bishops are to use
collaboration with clergy and laity in their particular dioceses and may seek the
assistance of the Synod of Bishops where a grave decision may need intervention
by the chief pastor.
face-to-face or via a form of telecommunications. This meeting shall be for the
purpose of holding elections, reviewing annual reports, and the transaction of such
other business as may come before the meeting. The Synod is advisory in nature
to the Synod of Bishops.
Church Authority. At all times, consensus is to be the model of decision making
employed. No individual -- bishop, clergy or lay -- may make a unilateral decision
that affects the faith lives of the membership. Diocesan bishops are to use
collaboration with clergy and laity in their particular dioceses and may seek the
assistance of the Synod of Bishops where a grave decision may need intervention
by the chief pastor.
Dioceses. Since November 2001, the CCA is divided into two dioceses. The Diocese of St. Francis of
Assisi whose seat is in Brockton, Massachusetts, and the Diocese of St. Henriette Delille whose seat is in
Kenner, LA.
Assisi whose seat is in Brockton, Massachusetts, and the Diocese of St. Henriette Delille whose seat is in
Kenner, LA.