The Holy Catholic Church - (Anglican Rite)
The "Anglican" expression of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We maintain and preserve that which was once authoritatively delivered to the peoples of the British Isles from Jerusalem; before the later jurisdictions of East and West came into existence.
The Church is built on the Apostles and Prophets with Christ as the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). Our Lord established his Church on earth for the salvation of mankind. The Church is not of man, but an extension of that which is Heavenly (the risen and ascended body of Christ). The joyful task of the Church is to worship God; to bring all men to God, providing the means of Grace (the Sacraments) by which men ‘work out their salvation in godly fear’. In this task the Church is guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ. These were given by Him through the Holy Spirit, and are found in Sacred Scripture - as interpreted by Holy Tradition delivered by the Apostles to the Church.
We are not Roman or Orthodox. As a part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we agree with that which Rome believes without Rome's accretions (doctrine held separately from the undivided Catholic Church - following the schism of 1054 AD). We hold the Faith of the whole Church in company with the Orthodox Churches (but we are not Eastern by custom). The One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church cannot be divided because it is the Body of Christ, and maintains the whole doctrine, discipline, worship, and ministry needed to bring the new life of Christ to mankind. We can not teach or practice that which is not held in common by the undivided body. "Let us hold that which has been believed everywhere, always and by all, for that is truly and properly Catholic." (St. Vincent of Lerins)
Authentic Western expression of Holy Church. The first Gentile Church was established in the British Isles circa 50 AD; represented at the Council of Arles (France) in 314 AD; reported in the traditions of Glastonbury; found to be present by St. Augustine (sent from Rome in the sixth century); and in the eleventh century, subject of a visitation of Our Lady of Walsingham (the Mother of God).
It has been necessary, for us to repudiate any connection with the Church of England, the Episcopal Church of the United States, and other member Churches of the Anglican Communion - embracing modern errors. We remain in the ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH, Anglican in Our Tradition of Worship, rooted in the Faith received from Jerusalem. We endeavor, by God's help to minister that same Faith and Order our Lord Jesus Christ instituted by His life, death, and resurrection; that same Faith and Order preserved and understood by the undivided Catholic Church during the first millennium, and valid for all time. Furthermore, we accept as "binding and unalterable" the Faith and Tradition of the same undivided Catholic Church - defined by the Seven Ecumenical Councils (held between 325 and 787 AD); and set out in the fundamental principles proclaimed by the 'Affirmation St. Louis' in the year of our Lord 1977. We fully and strictly adhere to these principles.
Authority in Apostolic Succession. The Holy Ministry of this Church is a male priesthood of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, as established by our Lord Jesus Christ, and are ordained in unbroken and faithful lineage from the Apostles themselves. We extend greetings and a welcome to all Roman, Orthodox, Anglican-Catholic, and all other Catholic brethren baptized into Holy Church, seeking the authentic Catholic Faith. So also we welcome those of the Protestant Churches who, in repentance and faith are baptized and born again by water (the sacrament of regeneration) in the name of The Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost. Such peoples we now invite to renew, along with us, their fellowship in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, to partake of the fullness of faith, after confirmation if not already received, thereafter, to be fed by the Sacred Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (The Holy Eucharist), and for fullness of life present and eternal, to partake as appropriate, of all other of the Seven Sacraments of the Church.
For the expression of worship, the people shall rely on the Anglican Books of Common Prayer, 1549 (English), 1928 (American), 1962 (Canadian), or 1963 (Indian, with its Supplement) and Altar Missal(s) authorized for use by the Holy Catholic Church (Anglican Rite).
Epiphany 2001
We shall continue to witness to Christ's Good News and maintain our vision of a truly Catholic Church, expressing that Catholicism in an Anglican way. This is not the same as expressing Anglicanism in a Catholic way. We are Anglican Rite Catholics, not Comprehensive Anglicans.
A
Prayer for the Church
to be said daily
O Mary, most exalted among God's creatures, who, by the power of the Holy Spirit and by thy freely given consent, didst conceive in thy womb the eternal Son of the Everlasting Father, we place the Catholic Church of the Anglican Rite under thy maternal protection.
Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary, may many come to recognise the Church as the Anglican Church restored and fulfilled by her complete acceptance of the Faith of the Undivided Catholic and Apostolic Church. May many be brought to the fullness of redemption and New Life in Christ through the witness of the Church.
May we be shielded from the attacks of Satan, and, following the example of thy obedience to the Father, may we ever remain true to our vocation and calling. Amen.
Our
Lady of Walsingham,
Pray for us.