The Evangelical Old Catholic Communion

Infobox Christian denomination
name = Evangelical Old Catholic Communion


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main_classification = Protestant
orientation = Old Catholic
polity = Episcopal
founder =
founded_date = 2006
founded_place = Liberty, Missouri
separated_from =
parent = Reformed Catholic Church of America
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separations =
associations =
area =
congregations = 3
members =
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The Evangelical Old Catholic Communion traces its heritage through the Old Catholic Church, which cut communion with Rome in 1870 (1723). The apostolic succession of its bishops is derived from various lines of apostolic succession: The Patriarchate of Antioch, Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church, Roman Catholic, Old Catholic Church, Antiochian-Jacobite Church, Russian Orthodox Church, Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, Armenian Uniate Church, Syro-Chaldean Church, Anglican Church including Celtic origin, Greek Melchite Church, Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople, Non-juring Anglican/Episcopal bishops of Scotland. Fact|date=October 2007 It also claims to be part of the evangelical and charismatic movements which seek to bring back the reality of first century Pentecostal experience (Acts 2:4). Fact|date=October 2007

History

The Evangelical Old Catholic Communion had their start in 2006 under the mandate of Archbishop Rodney Rickard, presiding bishop and primate of the Reformed Catholic Church of America. Bishop Francis John Sahuque became the church's first presiding bishop. Fact|date=October 2007 On April 25, 2007, Archbishop Rickard elevated Fr. Sahuque to the position of archbishop. Fr. Sahuque was also consecrated archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Martin, as well as that of the Evangelical Anglican Communion. Fact|date=October 2007

The Evangelical Old Catholic Communion immediately erected parish churches in Utah, Idaho and Nebraska. Fact|date=October 2007

Beliefs

The Evangelical Old Catholic Communion believes it to be their duty to ordain and consecrate clergy, and to plant churches, whether it is for their own jurisdiction or to start other jurisdictions, throughout the world.Fact|date=February 2008 EOCC's trinitarian beliefs are based on the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, for these explain the faith in plain and uncomplicated language. The Church believes that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The seven sacraments are outward signs instituted by God to give believers inward grace. They believe the Church is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church in which Christ is the root and the church universal is the main stem, and the church a branch of the vine. The EOCC maintains that this church is a evangelical branch or rite. The saints are defined as all baptized peoples who are in perfect harmony with God both living and dead. In order for a sacrament to be valid, the proper form, intention and matter are to be used with the properly ordained ministers administering this sacrament. The administrator of the sacrament must have been ordained by a bishop possessing the valid lines of apostolic succession. Fact|date=October 2007

Practices

The Evangelical Old Catholic Communion is more conservative than some other branches of the Old Catholic Church. Fact|date=October 2007 However it permits ordination of women to the offices of deacon, priest or bishop,
Celibacy is a choice for the cleric, therefore believes in married clergy. Birth control is left up to the individual. Fact|date=October 2007 They do not ordain those in same-sex relationships nor those that live with someone outside of the state of marriage. Fact|date=October 2007

The liturgy of the Evangelical Old Catholic Communion is a modified version of the Old Catholic liturgy. Fact|date=October 2007 The use of all historic liturgies are permitted. They believe in the spiritual gifts and in the moving of the Holy Spirit. Although they follow a set liturgy, they also allow for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. They use contemporary worship music as well as historic hymns. Their sermons are Bible based. One could describe them as Pentecostal in belief and Catholic in practice. Fact|date=October 2007

See also

*Old Catholic
*Declaration of Utrecht
*Independent Catholic Churches
*Evangelical Catholic

External links

* [http://evangelicaloldcatholiccommunion.net/ Official site]
* [http://www.reformed-catholic.net/ Reformed Catholic Church of America]