Episcopal Catholic Church
The Episcopal Catholic Church (ECC) professes to be a "welcoming and inclusive communion of churches in the Anglican tradition" (ECC, 2018).[1] As an Anglo-Catholic expression of the Continuing Anglican Movement, the ECC is counted among other ecclesiastical bodies not in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury whom identify with historic Anglicanism.[2]
History[3][edit]
- In 1962, the Right Reverend Burnice Hoyle Webster and several other clergy members of the Episcopal Church formed the Southern Episcopal Church.
- In 2012, the Right Reverend Jack Stafford formed and other clergy members of the Southern Episcopal Church formed the Progressive Episcopal Church.
- In 2013, the Right Reverend Rafael Seijo, Father Edward Vaughan, and other clergy member of the Progressive Episcopal Church formed Charismas Church. The Creed of the Charismata served as its founding document.
- In 2015, on the counsel of the Right Reverend Fred Ashmead, Charismas Church became the Episcopal Catholic Church with the Right Reverend enthroned as its first Archbishop Primus and the Right Reverend Edward Vaughan as its Archbishop Coadjutor.[4]
- In 2016, the Episcopal Catholic Church opened the lines of communication with the Anglican Free Communion.
- In 2018, the Venerable Dr. Abraham David Parker was appointed as Archdeacon of the newly restructured Diocese of the West.[5][6]
- In 2019, the Right Reverend Edward Vaughan is set to succeed the Right Reverend Rafael Seijo as Archbishop Primus.[5][6]
Beliefs[edit]
As is the case throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion, members of the Episcopal Catholic Church, while often failing to agree with one another theologically, near unanimously come together around common worship. As found in the ECC statement of beliefs, it is "use [of] the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) which is a common element which binds all Anglican churches together."[7]
Included in the Book of Common Prayer are the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, by which the more theologically conservative members of the ECC and other Continuing Anglican movements define their Anglican faith and practice.[8] Despite the ministerial freedom afforded its priesthood however, the Canons of the Church require all clergy members to be in agreement with the core beliefs of the ECC.[9]
Like the Episcopal Church from which it traces it roots, the ECC holds to the Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith and the Apostles' Creed as the ancient baptismal formula for new members.
Structure[6][9][edit]
In late 2018, the diocesan boundaries of the ECC were redrawn to accommodate the steady growth of the church. However, the Episcopal Catholic Church continues to be governed by its Council of Bishops. The Council is composed of six diocesan bishops (or archdeacons in the absence of a resident bishop). Each bishop or archdeacon in turn represents their region of the United States.
The six regions are:
- West
- Southwest
- Midwest
- Northeast
- Southeast
- Rocky Mountains
Religious Orders[5][edit]
- Evangelical Order of Preachers (Evangelical Dominicans)
- Order of Mary Magdalene
- Priory of St. Cyprian
- Our Lady of Safe House
- St. Louis Monastery
Theological Education[5][edit]
- Anglican University of Saint Mary
- Diakonos Training Center
Ecumenism[edit]
On February 16, 2016, the Episcopal Catholic Church was formally approved as a province of the Anglican Free Communion under the leadership of Archbishop Primus Rafael Seijo and Archbishop Coadjutor Edward Vaughan.
With the appointment of Archdeacon Abraham David Parker, the ECC has been recognized by the Independent Sacramental Movement Database[10] and the North American Association for the Catechumenate[11], and has increased the visibility of its historic stance on gender equality in the Church and wider society by founding a local chapter of CBE International.
In 2019, at the request of Archbishop Primus-elect Edward Vaughan, Archdeacon Parker will help lead the ECC into dialogue with both the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.[6]
Online Resources[edit]
- Episcopal Catholic Church
- Episcopal Catholic Church on Facebook
- Anglican Free Communion
- Anglicans Online
- Independent Sacramental Movement Database
- About the Episcopal Catholic Church
References[edit]
- ↑ "EPISCOPAL CATHOLIC CHURCH". EPISCOPAL CATHOLIC CHURCH. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ "Anglicans Online | Churches not 'in the Communion'". anglicansonline.org. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ "History". EPISCOPAL CATHOLIC CHURCH. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ "Provinces". www.anglicanfreecommunion.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Directory". EPISCOPAL CATHOLIC CHURCH. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Additional citation needed
- ↑ "Beliefs". EPISCOPAL CATHOLIC CHURCH. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ "American Anglican Council | Developing. Renewing. Equipping". Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Canons". EPISCOPAL CATHOLIC CHURCH. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ "Current Jurisdictions – Independent Sacramental Movement Database". Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ "Participating Ministries". Journey to Baptismal Living. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
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