Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ

Pentecost has a twofold meaning: it is the Feast of the Holy Spirit, the third divine Person, and it is the feast of the birthday of the Church. These two meanings are deeply connected: Holy Spirit and Church.

The Church was born in the Holy Spirit: on Pentecost, it was the Holy Spirit who came upon the disciples, Mary, the mother of Jesus gathered in Jerusalem. This Holy Spirit gave them the power to proclaim in different languages God's great deeds among them. From the very beginning, the universal Church is present in the power of the Holy Spirit. You can say, the Church is a work in the Holy Spirit, she is a child of the Holy Spirit.

It is very important that we recall anew this perspective of the Church, because there is all too often a false sense of church prevalent. Some see the Church just a big institution, like the Red Cross, just to be here for taking care of the needy, others see it as a local club you can enjoy...

Dear brothers and sisters who sees the church in these categories does not understand her existence and Mystery. Surly, the Church has an outward institutional side to a certain extent, yet her deeper and more important purpose is her inner side, the invisible in the visible, the divine in the human existence, the eternal in the mortal, her most important side: The Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Saint Paul calls the Church, "Temple of the Holy Spirit", and in this comes the complex structure of the church to light: Temple, the visible edifice of stones in this world. Important is now, what fills this structure: the Holy Spirit, the invisible power of God.

In this St. Augustine can say, "The Holy Spirit is the Soul of the Church". This is a beautiful image. As we have the power for life, and being fulfilled through our Soul, so it is with the Church: this whole organism of the Church can only live and exist, because of the working of the Holy Spirit as the Soul of the Church. How does this work, the Holy Spirit as the Soul of the Church?

In the Gospel of Pentecost, we hear about the institution of one of the sacraments, the sacrament of Confession given through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ says to the Apostles, "Receive the Holy Spirit, whom you forgive the sins, it shall be forgiven". It is clearly said here that through the Apostles and their successors works the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who forgives the sins, and redeems us from Evil. So it is with all the other Sacraments of the Church: through the acting of the Church works the Holy Spirit. In one of the prayers of the blessing of the water for Baptism, we say, "Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of your unseen power." It is the unseen power of God that gives the Sacraments healing power and inner working for what they proclaim. For this, the sacraments are the most important treasure of the Church.

A second example: The Holy Spirit works also in the Kerygma (proclamation of Christ's teaching), and the teaching of the church. Christ promised his disciples he would not leave them as orphans, but that he will sent the Holy Spirit of truth who will help to keep the truth and to lead them to the full truth. We believe that the Church is given the Paraclete, and that it is the Holy Spirit of truth. This means also that the Church is telling us in matter of faith and moral the truth. In theology we speak of the infallibility of the Church. This means that the Church as a whole through the the Holy Spirit in matters of faith and moral cannot err. This is important to know that in today's Chaos of opinions, the voice of the church will lead us through it to the way of truth and the way of life.

Finally and very important: The Holy Spirit is the power within the life of each one of us faithful From where do we have our faith? Is it through our own merits, that we have the connection to God, consciously live in HIS presence, and call ourselves HIS children? No, this is the gift of Grace through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit which awakens in us the joy for God, the compassion for God, the joy for religion, for prayer and the church services. It is therefore the Holy Spirit who keeps the Church young, who again and again leads in all generations people to faith. This we see also today.

We do see a general alienation from the church and alienation towards our Christian faith. But this shall not keep us from the signs of hope which exist among us: like people among us discover anew the meaning of faith and compassion for God. This we cannot explain as only a matter of ones social environment or Milieu, but that we see that this person has faith in God and that this is a sign that God is at work in that Christian. Because the Holy Spirit exist, we do have hope for the future of the Church and humanity! Therefore there will be always the wonders of little Pentecost,s in God's church communities.

It is important that we count on it, that we trust in God, and that we pray with all our heart for it: Come Holy Spirit, renew your Church, awaken the joy for faith in God and show us the compassion for our loving God, so that we are witnesses to all people- and start it with me.

Dear brothers and sisters, our worldwide Church lives in the Holy Spirit, and our existence is a gift of the Holy Spirit renewing our lives and the life of the church, seeking and living the ecumenical Spirit promoting ties with true catholic and apostolic churches, and to pray that one day we are all once again The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

O Gracious Father, we humbly beseech Thee for Thy Holy Catholic Church; that Thou wouldest be pleased to fill it with all truth in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where it is anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is want, provide for it; where it is divided and rent asunder, make up the breaches of it, O Thou Holy One of Israel; for the sake of Him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.

Because through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, God made the ultimate sacrifice in the fullness of time for the whole of creation, we believe that God’s salvation is an offer to all people who long for healing and a life of unity in diversity.

“Venerable brothers, such is the aim of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, which, while bringing together the Church's best energies and striving to have men welcome more favourably the good tidings of salvation, prepares, as it were and consolidates the path toward that unity of mankind which is required as a necessary foundation, in order that the earthly city may be brought to the resemblance of that heavenly city where truth reigns, charity is the law, and whose existence is eternity” (Cf. St. Augustine, Epistle 138, 3).

(From opening Speech of Blessed John XXIII at Vaticanum II, Oct. 11^th 1962)

III. A Forum of Dialog for the Revision of the Roman Canon Law (CIC)

and Canons of other Catholic Rites..........................................11-13

Published in the United States of America. This “Manifesto” may not be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means-including photocopying or computer scanning, without the prior written permission of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ.

To the Bishops, Priests, Deacons, the Holy People of God of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ, and all People of Good Will.

The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ is a member of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ is part of a worldwide movement of millions of Roman Catholics, and members from different Catholic Rites that, through prayer and dialog is seeking Unity with all Catholic and Christian churches, reforms within the Roman Catholic Rite and other Catholic Rites respectively.

“It is of utter importance to restoring community again; this cannot be postponed for later, or pushed to the end of time.” Frère Roger, Prior of Taizé, France. (In: Frère Roger, Taizé. Living Trust. Christian Feldmann, Herder Verlag Freiburg i. Breisgau 2005, p. 70.)

We are aware that, “No, you cannot lure Unity out from Negotiations or through legal agreements, you have to start to live it, in courage’s steps, in small cells, the texts will come afterwards.” (Ibid. 66)

The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ offers a pastoral ministry that incorporates both divine and human realities for the spiritual welfare of all Catholic people and all people of good will who share the fellowship of Jesus Christ. We believe that God’s love and compassion extend to everyone without exception. This inclusive vision of God is central in defining our Church’s ministry: providing a place of healing, serving the poor and the sick, reaching out to those who have been rejected by society, and striving for social justice.

We believe that an informed conscience based on the teachings of Holy Scripture, the dynamic elements of tradition, and human experience and insight, is the basis upon which God’s Holy People can search for truth and justice, demonstrate compassion, and express unconditional love for God and fellow human beings. We proclaim the sacred dignity of all persons, since they were created in rich diversity by our loving God.

We call for the formation of a forum of all Catholic rites to discuss modifying the general guidelines of the Codex Iuris Canonici (Canon Law) of the Roman Catholic Church and the Canons of other Catholic Rites to reflect the reality of post-modern Christianity that considers all Catholic Rites as informed by the Holy Spirit. Because we envision the revision of the different Canon Laws in order to be applicable to all Catholic rites, we encourage the Roman Catholic Rite to collaborate with all Catholic Rites.

“We must get to know the outlook of our separated brethren. To achieve this purpose, study is of necessity required, and this must be pursued with a sense of realism and good will. Catholics, who already have a proper grounding, need to acquire a more adequate understanding of the respective doctrines of our separated brethren, their history, their spiritual and liturgical life, their religious psychology and general background. Most valuable for this purpose are meetings of the two sides-especially for discussion of theological problems-where each can treat with the other on an equal footing-provided that those who take part in them are truly competent and have the approval of the bishops. From such dialogue will emerge still more clearly what the situation of the Catholic Church really is. In this way too the outlook of our separated brethren will be better understood, and our own belief more aptly explained.” (Vaticanum II, Decree on Ecumenism Chapter II, 9)

We hereby testify, by our hand and seal, that this document has been unanimously endorsed by the membership of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ.

Given at the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul, in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred Ninety Nine, revised on the Feast of the Archangels, in the year of our Lord, MMVII at Miami, Florida, USA.

The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ is part of the worldwide community of Catholic churches that together compose the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church with Jesus Christ as her foundation. As Ecumenical Catholics, we have preserved the validity of holy orders for the office of bishops, priests, and deacons through apostolic succession derived from the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Antioch, and the Old Catholic Church.

“The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches.”

We hold on to the belief that the seven sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Ordination, and Matrimony) are part of our religious reality, given through God’s grace for our salvation by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We celebrate the sacraments as part of the Lord’s desire that we sanctify our lives; serve in this world as spiritual catalysts; shine as a light on the lamp-stand; and be the salt for the earth, preparing ourselves to enter His Kingdom. Recognizing the importance of the seven sacraments, we offer them to all sincere Catholics.

The members of The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ are Catholics from the Roman Catholic Church, other Catholic rites, and Christians of good will who are striving for worldwide unity and seeking mutual reforms, by adhering to the general teaching of the Church’s Councils under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who causes us also to believe that: “Ecclesia semper reformanda est” (The Church always needs reform).

“Christ summons the Church to continual reformation as she sojourns here on earth. The Church is always in need of this, in so far as she is an institution of men here on earth. Thus if, in various times and circumstances, there have been deficiencies in moral conduct or in church discipline, or even in the way that church teaching has been formulated-to be carefully distinguished from the deposit of faith itself-these can and should be set right at the opportune moment.” (Vaticanum II, Decree on Ecumenism Chapter II.6)

We hold on to the dynamic process of reforms that the Holy Spirit expresses in the “Sensus fidelium” (the Sense of the faithful), which gives the community of the faithful its credibility. We also hold on to the treasures of tradition, derived from Holy Scriptures, the teaching of Christ, and the teachings of the Catholic churches throughout history, as long as they continue to provide dignified guidance for the Church communities. We are united in essentials, having diversity in non essentials, and above all charity.

“All in the Church must preserve unity in essentials. But let all, according to the gifts they have received enjoy a proper freedom, in their various forms of spiritual life and discipline, in their different liturgical rites, and even in their theological elaborations of revealed truth. In all things let charity prevail. If they are true to this course of action, they will be giving ever better expression to the authentic catholicity and apostolicity of the Church.” (Vaticanum II, Decree on Ecumenism, Chapter I, 4)

With all our Christian brothers and sisters worldwide, we share the fellowship of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. We declare our support for the Holy Father (The Bishop of Rome), as we see in him the “Primus inter pares” (The First among Equals) to unite the Church in faith. May he guide the Church with Church leaders on a collegial base.

The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ supports the reform efforts of millions of Roman Catholics worldwide who have signed petitions to the Vatican for reforms in the Roman Church and Catholics from other Rites who seek reforms in their churches serving the desire for Unity:

-Interfaith communion with all Catholic rites that have Apostolic Succession,

The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ follows in general the instructions of the Codex Iuris Canonici (Canon Law), but calls for important adjustments to it as noted above (no. II.3). Presaging the current call for reforms was the “aggiornamento” (the dawning of a new day) that Blessed Pope John XXIII, proclaimed, enjoining us to read the signs of the times that all Catholics and Christians from other Churches can interpret as God’s call for the renewal of all His people.

“The greatest concern of the Ecumenical Council is this: that the sacred deposit of Christian doctrine should be guarded and taught more efficaciously. That doctrine embraces the whole of man, composed as he is of body and soul. And, since he is a pilgrim on this earth, it commands him to tend always toward heaven. This demonstrates how our mortal life is to be ordered in such a way as to fulfill our duties as citizens of earth and of heaven, and thus to attain the aim of life as established by God…The substance of the ancient doctrine of the deposit of faith is one thing, and the way in which it is presented is another. And it is the latter that must be taken into great consideration with patience if necessary, everything being measured in the forms and proportions of a magisterium which is predominantly pastoral in character. …The Council now beginning rises in the Church like daybreak, a forerunner of most splendid light. It is now only dawn. And already at this first announcement of the rising day, how much sweetness fills our heart…and you, following the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in order that the work of all may correspond to the modern expectations and needs of the various peoples of the world.” (Opening address of Vaticanum II, October 11^th, 1962)

The two principles, “Caritas enim Christi urget nos” (The Love of Christ impels us) and “Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est” (Where there is charity and love, there is God) shall guide and commit our service toward all people in need. Our missions worldwide are aiding the poor and rejected, especially the abandoned street children, by making concrete for them the extensions of God’s abounding love. As Catholic Christians we are serving with compassion and vigor all who seek God, desire spiritual renewal, long to live in dignity, and look for a place of healing. Because love of God and love of our neighbor are the essential commandments upon which the whole law depends, we express our solemn desire to serve all of God’s people, expressing “love without judgment.”

Because through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, God made the ultimate sacrifice in the fullness of time for the whole of creation, we believe that God’s salvation is an offer to all people who long for healing and a life of unity in diversity.

The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ seeks, through prayer and dialog in the Holy Spirit, unity and solidarity among all Catholics and other Christians. We extend the hand of peace and solidarity to other believers as well, especially to our brothers and sisters in Judaism. Our longing for unity is based on the Lord’s own desire and prayer:

“May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us” (John 17:21).

“Today, in many parts of the world, under the inspiring grace of the Holy Spirit, many efforts are being made in prayer, word and action to attain that fullness of unity which Jesus Christ desires. The Sacred Council exhorts all the Catholic faithful to recognize the signs of the times and to take an active and intelligent part in the work of ecumenism.”

“The term ‘ecumenical movement’ indicates the initiatives and activities planned and undertaken, according to the various needs of the Church and as opportunities offer, to promote Christian unity. These are: first, every effort to avoid expressions, judgments and actions which do not represent the condition of our separated brethren with truth and fairness and so make mutual relations with them more difficult; then, ‘dialogue’ between competent experts from different Churches and Communities. At these meetings, which are organized in a religious spirit, each explains the teaching of his Communion in greater depth and brings out clearly its distinctive features. In such dialogue, everyone gains a truer knowledge and more just appreciation of the teaching and religious life of both Communions. In addition, the way is prepared for cooperation between them in the duties for the common good of humanity which are demanded by every Christian conscience; and, wherever this is allowed, there is prayer in common. Finally, all are led to examine their own faithfulness to Christ's will for the Church and accordingly to undertake with vigor the task of renewal and reform. The attainment of union is the concern of the whole Church, faithful and shepherds alike. This concern extends to everyone, according to his talent, whether it is exercised in his daily Christian life or in his theological and historical research. This concern itself reveals already to some extent the bond of brotherhood between all Christians and it helps toward that full and perfect unity which God in His kindness wills.”

“There can be no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart. For it is from renewal of the inner life of our minds, from self-denial and an unstinted love that desires of unity take their rise and develop in a mature way. We should therefore pray to the Holy Spirit for the grace to be genuinely self-denying, humble, gentle in the service of others, and to have an attitude of brotherly generosity towards them. St. Paul says: ‘I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace’. This exhortation is directed especially to those raised to sacred Orders precisely that the work of Christ may be continued. He came among us ‘not to be served but to serve’.”

“The words of St. John hold well about sins against unity: ‘If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us’. So we humbly beg pardon of God and of our separated brethren, just as we forgive them that trespass against us. All the faithful should remember that the more effort they make to live holier lives according to the Gospel, the better will they further Christian unity and put it into practice. For the closer their union with the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, the more deeply and easily will they be able to grow in mutual brotherly love.”

“This change of heart and holiness of life, along with public and private prayer for the unity of Christians, should be regarded as the soul of the whole ecumenical movement, and merits the name, ‘spiritual ecumenism.’ In certain special circumstances, such as the prescribed prayers ‘for unity,’ and during ecumenical gatherings, it is allowable, indeed desirable that Catholics should join in prayer with their separated brethren. Such prayers in common are certainly an effective means of obtaining the grace of unity, and they are a true expression of the ties which still bind Catholics to their separated brethren. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them".

“Before the whole world let all Christians confess their faith in the triune God, one and three in the incarnate Son of God, our Redeemer and Lord. United in their efforts, and with mutual respect, let them bear witness to our common hope which does not play us false. In these days when cooperation in social matters is so widespread, all men without exception are called to work together, with much greater reason all those who believe in God, but most of all, all Christians in that they bear the name of Christ. Cooperation among Christians vividly expresses the relationship which in fact already unites them, and it sets in clearer relief the features of Christ the Servant. This cooperation, which has already begun in many countries, should be developed more and more, particularly in regions where a social and technical evolution is taking place be it in a just evaluation of the dignity of the human person, the establishment of the blessings of peace, the application of Gospel principles to social life, the advancement of the arts and sciences in a truly Christian spirit, or also in the use of various remedies to relieve the afflictions of our times such as famine and natural disasters, illiteracy and poverty, housing shortage and the unequal distribution of wealth. All believers in Christ can, through this cooperation, be led to acquire a better knowledge and appreciation of one another, and so pave the way to Christian unity.”

(Vaticanum II, From the Decree on Ecumenism, Chapter I, 4, chapter II, 5, 7, 8,9,12)

III. A Forum of Dialog for the Revision of the Roman Canon Law (CIC) and the Canons of other Catholic Rites.

In the name of millions of Catholics worldwide, including the hundreds of priests who continue to leave the Roman Church because portions of the Codex Iuris Canonici (CIC) have become an unnecessary burden rather than a support for their faith lives, in the name of unity with our brothers and sisters of all Catholic rites that are still separated from one another, we are moved by the Holy Spirit to invite all Catholic Rites to equally participate, to present, and to discuss reform issues that call for a revision of the CIC of the Roman Church and Canons of other Catholic Rites in a forum of dialog.

We acknowledge the advantage of Canon Law, supporting as it does the pastoral care of the people of God by providing guidelines for the structure of the whole Church, the Mystical Body of Christ in the world. In the past the CIC has undergone reforms because the need for reforms in a changing world was recognized: “etiam a praesertim de reformatione normarum novo mentis habitui novisque necessitatibus accommodanda… ” (CIC 1983, Praefatio XXXVIII).

Now, as part of God’s people who are worldwide in search for reforms, we affirm the need for additional changes in Canon Law. We support establishing a forum of dialogue, one that would pave the way to revising Canon Law, so it can adequately accommodate the new conditions in which the entire Catholic Church now lives. As Canon Law itself acknowledges,“…praesertim autem urgens novae recognitionis necessitas in luce ponitur, ut Ecclesiae disciplina mutatis rerum condicionibus apte accommodetur”

In light of the worldwide call for changes by the great number of Catholics who are refocusing their lives through spiritual renewal and who are longing for unity with other Catholic rites, we believe it necessary to abolish those Canons of the CIC that erect obstacles to needed reforms* and to re-articulate certain provisions of Canon Law so that they can better serve the daily faith-life of Christians in this increasingly secular world.

The Vatican’s appointed commission for the revision of the CIC (from Vaticanum II to 1983, when the new edition was published) has demonstrated great achievements. This revised Codex states that Canon laws are not alien to charity and the human aspects of life because they are infused with the Christian Spirit. Aware of the new conditions of today’s changing world, we recognize that the time has come for the Roman Catholic Church to reassert her willingness to use the richness of her resources to revise the CIC whenever needed, “…insuper, cum sit a caritate, aequitate, humanitate non alienum, atque vero christiano spiritu plene perfusum…simulque eius condicionibus ac necessitatibus in mundo huius temporis consulere exoptat…ac deinceps nova recognitione indigebunt, tanta virium ubertate Ecclesia pollet ut, haud secus ac praeteritis saeculis, valeat viam renovandi leges vitae suae rursus capessere…” (CIC 1983, Praefatio LXIII). But instead of relying only on her own resources to reform the Codex, she should also tap the resources of her sister Catholic rites, considering them as guided by the Holy Spirit, who works all things to good.

*See reform issues outlined under no. II. 3 of the Manifesto of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ.

The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ prays for a fruitful dialog among all Catholic Church leaders and their lay representatives since informed discussions and prayerful contemplation of issues of faith, ones that affect Catholics’ daily lives around the world, can only support the goal of this dialog, Catholic unity and solidarity. We need to rethink some of our theologies, making them adequate for the more informed mentality of post-modern Christians.

May God bless all the efforts of The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ and all of God’s Holy People who sincerely seek unity, healing, and reforms, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I just want to be a Nobody, willing to tell Everybody,
that there is Somebody, who can save Anybody. Cornelius +

Pictures of 8 December Pilgrimage in Lourdes can be seen on our intercommunion page