Catholic Apostolic National Church

The Church News & Information Board


The News & Information Board contains official information and news pertaining to activities within the worldwide communion. The information here is official in nature and may, with credit and by prior expressed written permission, be reproduced in certain venues. For further information, please contact us.

 

 

The Patriarch's recent visit to the United States. Pictured above are:

Bishop Josivaldo Pereira de Oliveira (Chancellor), His Beatitude, Patriarch Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez (seated),

Bishop Andre' J.W. Queen (Apostolic Delegate to the United States, Emeritus),  Bishop Marcelo Pires de Oliveira (Auxiliary Bishop, New York),

and Archbishop-Metropolitan Robert M. Gubala (Primate of the United States)

 

July 2008

 

A Welcomed Addition To The Church

 

Please join the CANC in welcoming Rev. Fr. Ramzi R. Musallam to the Church. Rev. Fr. Musallam was incardinated into the church on June 24, 2008 by our Archbishop-Metropolitan, and appointed as Cannon Missioner, and Pastor of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Musallam comes to us with an impeccable Catholic education and credentials, and is eager to broaden and increase our faith and our diversity. St. Anne’s Parish also joins our church, located in New Milport, Pennsylvania, we are very happy to have them join our family of faith.

 

 

Caring For Our Troops

 

Rev. Fr. David Fucci, OFM Archdeacon for the Military Services, is currently spending time in the field with our troops. Rev. Fr. Fucci holds a commission as a military officer in the California National Guard, actively serving our troops both battling the fires there and those shipping abroad to Afghanistan and Iraq.  Remember our troops in your prayers, as well as the many innocent people who are caught up in these conflicts around the world.

 

 

Bishops Prepare For International Bishop’s Council

 

This month our bishops are finalizing plans for the upcoming International Bishop’s Council in Guatemala City, Guatemala. This council will include the ratification of the new document, instituting the first change in the ICAN since it’s inception. With the ratification of the new document, the communion formally becomes the “Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic Churches” (WCCAC). The Council begins August 12, 2008 and continues through to the 18nth. Please keep our bishops in your prayers as they look towards their journey next month.

 

 

April 2008

 

The ICAN Communion is reconstituted into the WCCAC

 

The Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic National Churches (ICAN) shall be reconstituted into the Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic Churches (WCCAC), under a newly proposed structure approved by the member churches. This reconstruction is designed to further facilitate the return of separated brethren to orthodox Catholicism within the communion. The new structure will be ratified by the member churches, such as the CANC, at the next International Bishop’s Council. This is the first restructure of the communion in many decades, and is designed to ensure the health of the communion, well into the future.

 

 

March 2008
 

The Catholic Apostolic National Church and ICAB Reach An Accord To Resume Full Communion

 

On Thursday, March 27, 2008, the Catholic Apostolic National Church welcomed Dom Josivaldo Oliviera de Pereiras, President of ICAB, Dom Wagner Perez Rodriguez, Chancellor of ICAB, and Dom Eduardo Aguirre-Oestmann, Archbishop of ICERGUA (Iglesia Catolica Ecumenica Renovado en Guatemala) met with Bishop Andre Queen, SCR, Vicar General of the Church,  in Chicago, Illinois and an accord was reached in which the CANC and ICAB will return to full and perfect communion between the two churches. This accord will be formally ratified at the next International Bishop’s Council.

 

 

January 2008

 

The Catholic Apostolic National Church of Zambia Launches New Website

 

The Catholic Apostolic National Church of Zambia, Africa launches a website to provide information about the church there. Please give the church there your prayers and full support, as they struggle to get established. His Beatitude, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, Patriarch of the Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic National Churches (ICAN), gives his hearty support and blessing to our newest member church. Please take the time to visit the CANCZ at: www.cancz.org today!

 

 

The CANC Participates In The Week of Prayer For Christian Unity

 

The Catholic Apostolic National Church, along with many other Christian Churches, celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the founding of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Churches held celebrations during the octave of prayer during the week, culminating in the ecumenical prayer service, celebrated around the world.  In Chicago, the Most Reverend Andre Queen, SCR, Vicar General of the Church, attended the ecumenical prayer service in the Chicagoland area on January 20, 2008. Bishops, Elders and Senior Pastors of many Christian Churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Church of God in Christ, the Christian Methodist Episcopalians and many others, also participated in the prayer that we all may be one. This was followed by a reception and an opportunity to fellowship afterwards.  The CANC has participated in, and had a presence during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for several years, and looks forward to opportunities to increase understanding among Christians.

 

 

The Catholic Apostolic National Church of Zambia Wins Right To Legally Register

 

Rev. Fr. Luciano A. Mbewe and the Catholic Apostolic National Church of Zambia (CANC-Zambia) have received their official government documentation after a long struggle, in which the Zambian Episcopal Conference of the Roman Catholic Church objected to the formation of the church and the name. Now that the church has been registered, they are anxious to move forward. The church in Zambia is extremely poor, and in need of any and all religious and practical support that can be mustered.  All members of the church here(CANC-US) are asked to donate resources, both practical and financial, to the newly formed sister church in Zambia, Africa. The Patriarch, His Beatitude, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo-Mendez has given his official blessing and support to the new church, communicated personally to Rev. Fr. Mbewe by our own Bishop Andre Queen, SCR. Rev. Fr. Luciano Mbewe, currently the Apostolic Administrator of the Church in Zambia, has been elected to be the church’s first Archbishop, and Rev. Fr. Isaac Chabwela, is now bishop-elect. Member churches of the ICAN communion are working to set the date of the Episcopal consecration in Zambia.

 
December 2007

 

Mourning the loss of a Bishop and Friend

 

The Most Reverend Dom Luis Carlos Feliciano, Auxiliary Bishop of Brasilia, Brazil, fell asleep in the Lord on December 7, 2007 at 11:00 pm, after a brief bout with meningitis. He was loved by his diocese, and his absence will be profoundly missed. Our own Bishop Andre Queen met Bishop Feliciano in Brazil in 2005 and forged strong ties of friendship and respect for one another. The Catholic Apostolic National Church mourns his loss alongside the Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira (ICAB).

 

 

Dom Luis Carlos Feliciano, Auxiliary Bishop of Brasilia, Brazil

 

 

 

A New Catholic Apostolic National Church for Africa

 

The Catholic Apostolic National Church of Zambia has been established and registered with the government. Rev. Fr. Luciano Mbewe, the church’s Apostolic Administrator and Bishop-elect has registered the required documents with the government there. Assisting him is Rev. Fr. Isaac Chabwela, Bishop-elect, as Vicar General of the Church. We join with all Catholic Apostolic National Churches worldwide in the family of churches of St. Carlos of Brazil in congratulating the CANC-Zambia on its establishment.

 

 
September 2007

 

Recent Determinations From The College Of Bishops

 

The College of Bishops has authorized the use of the grey cassocks for deacons and priests, and grey simars for the bishops, in the design created by St. Carlos of Brazil, to honor his struggles in establishing the national Catholic Church in Brazil (ICAB). This clerical mode of dress will be mainly for special ecclesiastical events (extra-ordinary), although dioceses that currently wear the grey on a regular basis will continue to do so. This does not eliminate the ordinary use of the traditional black cassocks for wear by clergy.

 

The “Brazilian Rite” has been released, in English, to parishes that are interested in using this rite, which has been approved, in English, Spanish and Portuguese for use here in the CANC. Copies may be received, upon request, from the National Church Office. All other previous rites remain authorized for use, and parishes determine if they wish to use the Brazilian Rite or remain with the current rite.

 

The online forum has been re-organized to be the CANC Forum. The online forums will still be available to those sister national churches around the world, and members of those churches which want to continue to use the forums. The CANC (United States) forum is restricted to members of this church. If you are a member of the CANC and do not currently have access to the CANC specific forum area, please email the forum administrator and request access.

 

The Church retains its formal communion with those ICAN sister churches that have chosen to maintain communion and ties with the CANC, in accord with our faith and practice. In addition, this church will continue her mission of preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and also of promoting Christian unity, maintaining her formal ties as before, with those churches and religious communities that have remained faithful throughout the years. In addition, our communion with ICANUSA – New York, under the Most Reverend Justo R. Gonzalez, shall remain in full effect. 

 

The Church will continue to maintain the several websites it now operates, and will utilize one of the websites as an online bookstore with a variety of good books.

 

A new National Church Office phone number is forthcoming. In the meantime, each parish is asked to do their part in responding to inquiries as they present themselves.

 

 
July 2007

 

Synod of the College of Bishops Announced

 

The Archbishop-Metropolitan, Robert M. Gubala, SCR, has called for a synod of bishops to be held August 8th & 9th, 2007.  The bishops will discuss a wide range of topics of both a national and international nature. In addition, this will be a great opportunity for the bishops to visit and strengthen the ties that bind us together as a family of faith.

 

 

May 2007

 

Congratulations To Our Newest Ordinands!

 

On May 12, 2007, Reverend Deacon Brian Daniel McIntyre, nSCR was ordained to the Holy Priesthood, and Seminarian Walter DeWolfe Wildes, was ordained to the Holy Diaconate. Both were ordained by Archbishop-Metropolitan Robert M. Gubala, SCR during Mass. In addition, Reverend Fr. Brian McIntyre also took his permanent vows as a member of the Society of Christ the King. Rev. Fr. McIntyre, SCR has been assigned as the new pastor to the Church of the Holy Family. Rev. Mr. Wildes, as a transitional deacon, will continue his seminary studies and assignments for his training. Congratulations to both of these men for saying, “Yes” to God’s call in their lives.

 

                    

 

 
April 2007

 

Welcome Our Newest Member

 

The Church is pleased to announce the incardination of the Most Reverend Raymond E. Sawyer (retired) into the Church. Bishop Sawyer’s reconciliation with the communion represents a profound step in bringing together those persons who have worked very diligently for decades to build a strong representation of the ICAN Communion here in the United States.  Having lead the previous effort in the United States with “Igreja Católica Apostólica Nacional do Estados Unidos de América” (ICANUSA), as that church’s Prime Bishop and President, Bishop Sawyer is leading the way to reconciliation, and is now back in full communion with the Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic National Churches (ICAN), and our Patriarch, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez. Although retired, Bishop Sawyer will lend his many decades of pastoral experience to the Church.

 

 
Personnel Changes and Updates

 

Congratulations are in order. The College of Bishops have approved, and the Archbishop-Metropolitan has ratified the appointment of Reverend Fr. Oscar Seara, C.S.C. to the position of “Director, Church Communications, North America”. In this new role, Rev. Fr. Seara will be responsible for liaison with media contacts, press releases and other communications related responsibilities. In addition, Rev. Fr. Seara’s position is also authorized to act as the point of communications contact for the English-speaking member churches of the ICAN Communion, through the Office of the Apostolic Delegate. Rev. Fr. Seara’s past experience as a retired Commissioned Officer working in Public Affairs, and his current senior level position in Communications, serving our nation abroad, indicate that he will be invaluable to the church in this position.

 

Succeeding Rev. Fr. Oscar Seara, C.S.C. in the Diocese for the Military Services, will be Rev. Fr. David Fucci, O.F.M. Conv. Rev. Fr. Fucci is a Military Chaplain in the California National Guard, and is our new endorser for the Military Services. Rev. Fr. Fucci has considerable previous experience as a military endorser, and his experience, skills and knowledge are a welcomed addition to the Military Diocese. Rev. Fr. David Fucci, O.F.M. Conv. will assume his duties in the position of “Director, Armed Forces Chaplains” for the Diocese of the Military Services. Rev. Fr. Fucci will also continue his ministerial vocation at St. Francis and St. Tarcicius Parish, in San Diego, California.

 

 
A New Priest For San Diego

 

Congratulations to Rev. Fr. David Fucci, O.F.M.Conv., on the occasion of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood, on Holy Saturday. Bishop Andre' Queen, at St. Francis and St. Tarcicius Parish in San Diego, CA., ordained Fr. David at Mass in the presence of family and friends, assisted by Rev. Fr. Jerome Kwasek, Pastor of St. Francis & St. Tarcicius and Vicar General of the Province of the West. Please welcome Fr. David as he begins his role as assistant pastor for St. Francis and St. Tarcicius.

 

 

 

March 2007

 

Attacks Against the Philippine Church Worsen

 

Archbishop Joseph Verzosa Galaroza, Primate of the Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira Nas Filipinas, (ICABF) has written an “Open Letter To all Of the Roman Catholic Bishops and Clergy of the Philippines”  and circulated it also to his fellow Primates of our ICAN Communion as well.  In the letter, he asks for Christian Unity and peace, as opposed to the attacks on the church that they have suffered from the Roman Church there. The Church has suffered from malicious statements against the bishops and clergy there, attempts at lawsuits and now a recent prolific publication of “Pastoral Letters” from various Roman Catholic Bishops there, who claim, among other things, that the sacraments of the Church are not valid. Obviously untrue, Archbishop Galaroza refutes these and other claims in his open letter.

 

 

The Apostolic Delegate to the United States  Defends The Philippine Church

 

Bishop Andre Queen, Apostolic Delegate to the United States, for the Patriarch, His Beatitude, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, defends Archbishop Joseph Galaroza and the Philippine Church against the vicious attacks by the Roman Catholic Bishops in the Philippines. In a letter communicated to Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Roman Catholic Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, he filed an official ecclesiastical protest to the treatment of the Church in the Philippines by Roman Catholic Bishops there, and expressed his concern at the growing acrimony against the church there, and his concern that such acrimony could erupt into physical attacks and acts of intolerance against the church there. He has also contacted the ICAN Communion Primates from around the world, and asked them to reach out to the hierarchy of the Roman Church in their country and ensure that our voice is clearly heard.

 

 

 
February 2007

 

A Pastoral Letter On The Dignity Of Human Life

 

The Most Reverend Andre’ Queen, SCR, Vicar General of the Church, has released his Pastoral Letter on the Dignity of Human Life. In the Pastoral Letter, he addresses many of the concerns facing Catholics in our society today, and emphasizes that we live out our faith in everyday life. This is his fourth Pastoral letter, and is understood in continuity with the Church’s teaching on Human Life and God’s Plan for our life.

 

 

Serving Our Country Abroad

 

The Diocese of Military Services, and the entire church, send our prayers to clergy preparing to be deployed somewhere in the Middle East. Recently, clergy from our church have been selected to be forward deployed to serve our country, reporting over this weekend to prepare. We are proud to have such individuals who go into harms way for the sake of others. Our Archbishop-Metropolitan, Robert M. Gubala, SCR sends his blessings and prayers for a safe and secure period of duty. Such service is in the highest traditions of this nation and our church. Parishes are asked to contact the National Church Office for specific names to be added to your intentions at Mass.

 

 

The Archdiocese of Minnesota Launches New Site

 

The newly received Archdiocese of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, under the prayerful guidance of Archbishop Randolph A. Brown launches a new website, celebrating and commemorating its return to the ICAN Communion and entry into the Catholic Apostolic National Church. Although still under construction, the new website promises to be a wonderful addition to our presence on the internet. Visit the new website, at: www.canc-mn.com .

 

 
January 2007
 

Growing Closer In Love And Unity

 

Ongoing dialogue between the Catholic Apostolic National Church and ICANUSA-New York, under Archbishop Justo Gonzalez continue, with hope and a joyful prayer that our families will soon be one. In a show of this ongoing work towards Christian unity, the Catholic Apostolic National Church has opened its College of Bishops to include our brothers in Christ in ICANUSA-New York. This offer on the part of the Catholic Apostolic National Church, opens the way for the two church bodies to act collectively in the future, and act as one, when needed. It is our hope that this will soon be followed later this year by additional gains towards Christ’s vision, that we may all be one.

 

 

Here We Grow Again!

 

Please join us in welcoming our newest members of the Church. On January 20, 2007, the Archbishop-Metropolitan, His Eminence, Robert Matthew Gubala, SCR, received Archbishop Randolph A. Brown and the “Western Orthodox Church in America, Archdiocese of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest” into the Catholic Apostolic National Church. The Archbishop, clergy and laity, after much prayer, dialogue and discernment, petitioned to be received into the church. This is a historic event for the WOCA, Archdiocese of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, as this marks their return to the ICAN Communion after nearly twenty five years of separation. News of this reception spread quickly through the communion, and congratulations are already coming to our newest members from the mother church in Brazil. As we look forward to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2007, we enjoy the blessings of the practical gifts of the Holy Spirit calling us to work together for the sake of the Kingdom.

 

 

 

December 2006

 

The Patriarch Is Invited To Speak On Married Priests in the United States

His Beatitude, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, Patriarch of the Worldwide Communion of the Catholic Apostolic National Churches, accepted an invitation to speak on how the gift of married priests has enriched the Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira (ICAB), and the entire communion. The Patriarch, accompanied by bishops and clergy from the Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira (ICAB), and the Catholic Apostolic National Church (CANC), attended the “Married Priests Now!” conference, as an honored guest, in Parsippany, New Jersey from December 8th through to December 10th. The conference was hosted by Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo of Zambia. The visit, hastily arranged, did not allow for a more thorough visit, however, the Patriarch is looking forward to another visit to the United States in the future, spending more time with the people and parishes of the church. It should be noted, that neither the Catholic Apostolic Church, the Patriarch, nor the ICAN Communion are part of Archbishop Milingo’s organization, and that “Married Priests Now!” is not supported, nor in any way affiliated, with the Catholic Apostolic National Church (CANC).

 

A New Bishop In the United States

Congratulations to Bishop Marcelo Pires de Oliveira, who was consecrated to the Episcopate by His Beatitude, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, during his visit to the United States. Bishop Pires served as a priest for over twelve years, the last years attached to the Diocese of New York, under Bishop Justo Gonzales. Bishop Pires’ consecration, by special agreement of the CANC and the Apostolic Delegate to the United States, mark a new era in the dialogue towards reception of Bishop Justo Gonzalez and his organization into the CANC in the future. A shining example of reconciliation, Bishop Marcelo Pires is a member bishop of the CANC, as well as his own Diocese, as an Auxiliary Bishop for New York City, New York, under Bishop Justo Gonzales.

 
November 2006

 The Church Plans For High Tech New Year

 The National Office is looking forward to the New Year, and to new ways of connecting each parish and community with resources to help. The next year will see an internet-accessible server system, which will allow clergy to log in and obtain resources they need, and also web-based training and news from around the communion. Look for more information as we get closer to rolling this exciting new technology forward.

 
October 2006
 

The Catholic Apostolic National Church and the English Catholic Church reaffirm their Communion

An Instrument reaffirming the Intercommunion that has existed since 16th July 2000 was signed between the Archbishop-Metropolitans of the English Catholic Church (ECC) and the Catholic Apostolic National Church (CANC), effective Sunday, October 1, 2006. The Catholic Apostolic National Church (CANC) was known as “The Old Catholic Church of the United States” (OCCUS) until it joined the ICAN Communion in August 2005. This document restates the cordial and good relations that have always existed between the two churches and clarifies the position in light of the CANC's decision to join the ICAN Communion.

Though the ECC is in full and active Intercommunion with CANC this does not, currently, extend to the entire ICAN Communion, though relations between the ECC and the ICAN Communion are cordial, and early discussions are taking place through the ICAN Communion’s North American contact, the Catholic Apostolic National Church (CANC).

Both Archbishop Robert McBride of the ECC and Archbishop Robert Gubala of CANC welcome the reaffirmation of Intercommunion and will continue to work together. Archbishop Robert McBride would like to send special thanks to the Most Reverend Andre' Queen, SCR for his assistance during delicate negotiations.

 

 
September 2006

 

Ordination Day 2006

 

Deacon Miguel Antonio Rivera is now Reverend Fr. Miguel Antonio Rivera, receiving ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Fr. Miguel begins with a full plate in Texas. Congratulations Fr. Rivera!

 

 

Closing In On Publishing Dates

 

The Church is going through the final review of several books that are nearing the final steps to go to the publisher. This year will wind down with a wealth of publications useful and fulfilling to both clergy and laity alike. Check back for updates.

 

 

 

August 2006
 

The Patriarch, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, To Visit The United States

 

The entire Church is filled with anticipation and excitement at the upcoming visit to the United States by His Beatitude, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, Patriarch of the Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic National Churches, later this month. His visit will include meetings with Archbishop-Metropolitan Robert M. Gubala, SCR, and Bishop Justo Gonzalez in New York, NY with Apostolic Delegate Bishop Andre’ Queen, SCR in New York, NY. In addition, several meetings will also be held with those wishing to enter the ICAN Communion by becoming members of the Catholic Apostolic National Church. Travel and meeting agendas are being handled through the Office of the Apostolic Delegate, Bishop Andre’ Queen, SCR.

 

 
July 2006
 

Congratulations!

 

We want to congratulation Deacon Brian McIntyre, on his ordination to the Diaconate. Deacon McIntyre was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on Saturday, July 15, 2006, by Archbishop-Metropolitan Robert Gubala, SCR, at High Mass. In attendance, with prayers and well wishes were family and friends, and members of the Apostolate of St. Joseph. We wish Deacon McIntyre well on his ordination, and look forward to his continued work at the apostolate.

 

Military Diocese Approved For V.A. Chaplains

 

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has approved the Church’s application to provide applicants for the Veterans Affairs Chaplain Service. The Church will provide, through the Diocese of the Military Services, qualified clergy to serve as V.A. Chaplains at installations around the United States. We look forward to being of service to those in need.

 

 

June 2006

          A Tree Bearing Fruit

Our efforts at establishing contact and ongoing dialogue with our Roman Catholic counterparts is yielding fruit. A very special thanks goes to Rev. Fr. Jerome Kwasek, Vicar General of the Diocese of the West, who has been, with the blessing of the Archbishop and the College of Bishops, in contact with representatives from the Roman Catholic Church. These contacts and meetings have yielded a willingness for an ongoing and regular dialogue between our churches.  As the Archbishop and the College pray and talk about the next steps, the excitement that comes with such wonderful news must be accompanied by thankful prayers and praise to God, and additional prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide this new initiative that has begun. We have been blessed, as a church, with cordial relations with our Eastern Orthodox brethren as well as our Syrian and Indian Oriental Orthodox Brethren. This recent mutual agreement between our church and the Roman Catholic Church, will offer us an opportunity to grow closer to our brethren there, as all Christians strive for Christian Unity.

 

The Apostolate of St. Joseph to receive a New Deacon

The Apostolate of St. Joseph will prayerfully witness Seminarian Brian McIntyre, become ordained to the Diaconate as a transitional deacon next month.  Semn. McIntyre has been Parish Administrator of the Apostolate, which has regular rosary group meetings, and runs a food pantry and clothing depot.  Our Primate, Archbishop-Metropolitan Robert M. Gubala, SCR, will be the celebrant and will ordain Seminarian McIntrye, in the presence of the members of the Apostolate, family, and friends.  Contact the Apostolate and ask for the exact time and date, so that you can attend, if possible.

 

A New Website for the Worldwide Communion

Our International Body, the ICAN Communion, has a new website that is graceful, informative and professionally done. Serving as an onsite location to gain information about the communion, it also provides an official listing of all member national churches, helping to end false claims from individuals and organizations claiming to be in communion with the Patriarch or ICAB, who are, in fact, not part of the communion and not in communion with either the Patriarch nor ICAB, and not a member of our ICAN Communion. The website is nicely done, and makes use of the latest in website design technology. It can be visited at: http://www.catholic-ican.org .

 

On the Episcopal Church (ECUSA) and Recent Actions (From the College of Bishops)

Much as have the Roman Catholic Church, we too, are dismayed at the defiance that the Episcopal Church has shown to even its own Anglican Communion.  As a Catholic Church, we must remain true to the fullness of the faith, and although yearning for unity within the Christian community, we cannot condone either the initial act nor the furtherance of women “priests” or “bishops”. Likewise, we cannot condone appointing anyone to any type of ministry within the Church whose lifestyle is contrary to Scripture and whose attitude is unrepentant. In addition, acknowledgements of so-called “same-sex unions” in any manner is also antithetical to our call as Christians. The ECUSA have brought themselves well outside of the ancient Deposit of Faith, and further from us. It is quite clear that popular vote on what is to be believed, has replaced the unshakable and permanent faith once professed. Even so, we shall continue to pray for reflection, renewal, revival and conversion so that the fullness of the faith may be theirs once again.

 

Vocations Show A Vibrant Church

The Church is growing steadily, and our vocations activity is steadily yielding good candidates. Among the Churches upcoming plans, are to relocate the corporate offices of Christ the King Seminary to Florida, although it will retain its Illinois credentials. Eventually, satellite sites will be established to assist in the education process throughout the church. In addition, we are committed to an exchange program with the Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil (ICAB), in which our seminarians spend time there working in the parishes. Two very solid projects that will happen in time. In the meantime, every parish is asked to talk about vocations, not only for the priesthood, but also for Religious Orders and for lay apostolates. We are called to be a worker-church, a community of faith that lives that faith in everyday life.

 

 
May 2006

 

 

A Hearty Welcome To The Church

 

We welcome Rev. Fr. Andrew Abraham to the Church. Fr. Andrew is currently incardinated into the Diocese for the Military Services. Fr. Andrew brings with him a wealth of sacramental ministry and care to the Church. We are pleased to have him and his wife Shondra with us, and look forward to the years and decades of prayer and service together in this family of faith.

 

 

April 2006

 

 

The Archbishop-Metropolitan announces a restructuring of the Church’s Provinces

 

His Eminence, Robert Matthew Gubala, SCR, Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Catholic Apostolic National Church, announces the restructuring of the Church’s Provinces from two provinces into four provinces. The four provinces are: Province of the West, Province of the Midwest, Province of the Southwest and Province of the Northeast. A map illustrating the new provinces can be found on the Church’s Provinces and Parishes Page.

 

 

A New Web Page for the Infant Jesus of Prague Chapel and Shrine

 

The spiritual secret of San Antonio, Texas is out! The Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic Chapel and Shrine, under the spiritual leadership of The Most Reverend, John Gabriel, has a new web page, which welcomes everyone to come and pray with their family of faith. Please visit the new web page for the Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic Chapel and Shrine.

 

 

March 2006

  

 

Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira Publishes Listing Of All Recognized Member Churches

 

His Beatitude, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, Patriarch of the Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic National Churches (ICAN), and Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira (ICAB), has authorized the publishing of an official list of the all of the member churches of the ICAN Communion. These Churches are the only churches that are in communion with the Patriarch and ICAB, and whose Primates and Bishops may be seated at the International Councils. This official listing may be viewed on the official Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira (ICAB) website, at: http://www.igrejabrasileira.com.br/ , by going to the website and clicking on the “Entrar” link, which opens a new window. In the new window, click on the “Bispos no Exterior” link, which will open a new window. Once there, click on the word “Aqui”, which means “here”, and a listing of all of the recognized churches, by country, will be listed. No church, religious organization, nor group, which is not listed on this official listing, may legally nor legitimately claim to be in communion with the Patriarch, nor ICAB, nor a part of the ICAN Communion. This action was taken, in response to numerous claims by unscrupulous groups and dubious individuals, making erroneous claims of communion, intercommunion or membership of some type or kind.

 

It is important to understand that certain individuals and organizations are claiming to be “in communion” or in an “inter-communion” with the Patriarch and/or with ICAB, based upon possessing tactile succession through the Duarte-Costa apostolic lines of succession, others are making the same claims based upon past (but not current) recognition by the Patriarch or ICAB of them or their organization. Others still, are making their claims based upon dubious and fraudulent statements, with absolutely no basis in fact. The only church in the United States in communion with the Patriarch, Dom Luis Fernando Castillo Mendez, and with ICAB is the Catholic Apostolic National Church, under our Archbishop-Metropolitan Robert M. Gubala, SCR. Archbishop Gubala is specifically recognized by the Patriarch in a Patriarchal Decree, as the Primate of the United States. The only church in the United States listed as an official, recognized ICAN member church is the Catholic Apostolic National Church.

 

 

 

The Archbishop-Metropolitan on the South Dakota Law Banning Nearly All Abortions

 

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

Peace and Blessings!

 

As many of you already know, the South Dakota Legislature and its Governor Mike Rounds have enacted a law banning all abortions, unless the procedure is necessary to save the life of the Mother.

 

The law is far reaching, and it will set the stage for an appeal to the Supreme Court, possibly overturning the Roe v. Wade fiasco that was imposed upon this Country by liberal minded judges who did not take into account Constitutional Law, but their own liberal agenda.

 

We, Robert, Primate-Archbishop of the Catholic Apostolic National Church, and the College of Bishops, congratulate and applaud the lawmakers of South Dakota for taking these brave steps, knowing full well that they will face harsh criticism from all of the liberal factions who wish to take God and morals out of our society. 

 

It is not often that we see men and women of such courage and fortitude!  And we praise them for their work and pray that they continue on their path.

 

We also pray that God instills the Supreme Court of these United States with such bravery and moral conviction, as he has with the South Dakota lawmakers, that this travesty that has been exacted upon this Country, be finally lifted and that God may reign supreme in this land once again!