The Parish of Sts. Francis & Clare
Frequently asked questions
What are Ecumenical Catholic Communities?
We are a collection of individual Catholic faith communities bound together by covenant. The E C C is not under or subject to the jurisdiction of the bishop of Rome; though we recognize the bishop of Rome as one of the many experiences of the Apostolic church.
We are guided by a Presiding Bishop as well as other diocesan bishops who are elected from the clergy by the clergy and laity of each Community.
How is the E C C catholic?
We uphold our catholic tradition with respect to the following principles: The teaching and person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Scriptures, the Nicene Creed, the Sacramental and Liturgical traditions and Apostolic Succession.
We share a common theology and liturgical tradition. Our deacons, priests and bishops participate in the same historic Apostolic Succession as do the Roman, Eastern Orthodox and other Apostolic Churches and we share the same historical developments of Western Christianity.
We trace our modern roots to the emergence of the Old Catholic movement which began in 1870 as a response to the First Vatican Council’s pronouncement of Papal Infallibility.
We recognize that the body of Christ, the Universal Church, includes all baptized Christians regardless of denominational affiliation.
We are actively engaged in promoting Christian unity.
We recognize the presence of the Spirit at work throughout the world in the faith experiences of other religions. We affirm the divine presence in every human heart, believing that all people are beloved of God. Therefore, we seek mutual understanding and respect with those of other religions through dialogue and we seek mutual cooperation in the endeavor for peace and justice in our world.
What is the E C C’s understanding of clerical celibacy?
Clerical celibacy was not a requirement until 1274. The E C C holds clerical celibacy as a charism for those who wish to practice that virtue. We uphold the teaching of Jesus allowing individuals to respond to God’s call and therefore, marriage and ordination are not mutually exclusive.
Does the E C C support the ordination of women to the ministerial priesthood and why?
In the E C C, women are encouraged to respond to a genuine vocation and to participate in all levels of ministry – lay or ordained. As St. Paul writes:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male nor female, all are one in Christ Jesus.”
What is the E C C’s understanding of same-gender sexual relationships?
We are an open and affirming communion recognizing the value and dignity of every person, in our God given diversity. We promote the education and development of the People of God in their understanding of the diversity of their sisters and brothers. All sexual relationships are to be guided by the Christian moral principles of love and fidelity. We uphold the ideal of committed relationships blessed by the sacred rites of the Church. We believe that all questions of sexual morality are best addressed through pastoral care and counsel.
Who is the governing authority within the E C C?
The people of the E C C are the governing authority. Our Constitutional document was ratified by both clergy and lay persons present at our 2003 Convocation. The Constitution establishes a polity structure including a House Laity, a House of Pastor and an Episcopal Council – all possessing roles of decision-making and leadership in governing the Communion.
What is our Mission Statement?
We are men and women, baptized in Christ. We are laity and ordained. We join together at the Messianic call of the Spirit to form the household of faith, to preach the Gospel of liberation and justice for the poor, the outcast, the sick, the disabled, the old, the young and the imprisoned; to offer a refuge in Christ for those who suffer prejudice because of race, color, culture, philosophy, gender, sexual orientation or educational deprivation; to conform our lives to the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ through prayer and study, service and the celebration of the Liturgy and the Sacraments.
We profess our faith in Christ in the living Catholic Tradition handed to us from the Apostles through many generations; we hope to open a dialogue with those of other religious identities and faith traditions.
