About the ANCC

When people refer to Catholics today, they often mean Roman Catholics. However, there are many other types of Catholics.  Some are associated with cultural groups like Byzantine Catholics or Polish National Catholics, while others such as Old Catholics span all cultures.

Some groups are in union with Rome; others like the American National Catholic Church have their own bishops in the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church.  We have seen many such independently-governed churches for well over the last 200 years.  Independent Catholic churches are worldwide and in nearly all languages.

The American National Catholic Church is a contemporary expression of an ancient faith.  We believe in a congregational or shared model of leadership where our parishioners join with locally-called clergy in discerning the movement of the Holy Spirt in the Church.  We are guided by the Spirit as a community which embraces a broader faith where all are welcomed and affirmed.  We understand the importance of supporting each other, while continually challenging ourselves to embrace the Gospel’s call to love one another.

As believers, we are committed to a life social action, of “walking the talk.”  In parishes and prisons, in hospitals and hospice, we are daily witnessing to the welcoming love of God so beautifully expressed in St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians:

 “There is neither Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for all are one in Christ Jesus.”

Our priests are not required to take a vow of celibacy; many are married with children.  Our priests, both men and women, live and work just as you do – as such, they are able to understand and relate to daily life in a unique and meaningful way.  In all things, we seek to witness the love of a God that is beyond our wildest imagining.