Wikipedia has this to say about the “AMERICAN CATHOLIC CHURCH”:
The
American Catholic Church in the United States (ACCUS) is a small
Independent Catholic denomination originating in the
Old Catholic Church…]. The ACCUS, which was founded in 1999, holds some similar theological beliefs and practices to the
Roman Catholic Church. It is not in
communion with the
Roman Catholic Church or under Papal jurisdiction. Its website states: “The ACCUS and its affiliated Worldwide jurisdictions are not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church and are therefore not subject to the same rules and regulations.”
Overview…]
This church belongs to the family of the Old Catholic churches…, from which it derives its claim to
apostolic succession. It is in communion with some Old Catholic and
Anglican/
Episcopalian Churches…
The American Catholic Church in the United States shares some theological and moral teachings with the
Roman Catholic Church, however there are major differences. The ACCUS is a post-Vatican II Church which teaches that nonjudgementalism takes precedence in regard to more difficult
questions. The ACCUS purports to reject what it deems “legalistic moral pronouncements” regarding such issues, holding that one’s faith in
Jesus Christ along with an informed and enlightened conscience, molded on the
Gospel principles of truth, justice, compassion and love, should be the ultimate motivating force in one’s life.
The ACCUS does not require its
priests, deacons, bishops or other clergy and/or religious members to be
celibate. Members of the clergy may be married, in a
domestic partnership, divorced, or widowed. The ACCUS also allows for the ordination of women. It also does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, marital status, or previous religious affiliations.
All members of the clergy are required to support themselves through outside
employment; clergy are prohibited from receiving a fee for the sacramental services they perform, however, they are allowed to receive gifts and monetary offerings (stipends) so long as they are not the ones suggesting the amount to be given.
Historyedit]
…
Theology and practices…
The American Catholic Church in the United States celebrates the seven sacraments of: Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation,
Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Last Rites. It claims to adheres to “the essential Catholic doctrine and practice
as expressed and implied in the statements of
Vatican Council II, and in the light of the best contemporary thought.”
[3] It also “rejects artificial barriers to the reception of the Sacraments based on marital status, sexuality or orientation.”
[4]
Ordained clergy of the ACCUS may marry or be united in a
gay/lesbian union.[
Thus, IF the above is the “church” of which you speak - it is, simply, just ONE of the couple of hundred ecclesial groups in the USA which contain in it’s name the words “Catholic” or “Roman Catholic”, and which - like the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) - are NOT in full communion with the Catholic Church. ](
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Catholic_Church_in_the_United_States#cite_note-5)
