American Orthodox Catholic Church

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This morning doing some surfing on the Web, I came across a church called the American Orthodox Catholic Church, Western Rite. Assuming this to be a Rite of the Catholic Church, I decided to read some of it’s information. What I found was that as far as I could tell it was neither Orthodox or Catholic but a liberal leaning branch of what was known as the Old Catholic Church (please correct me if I am wrong).

I have seemed to run across several of these type churches on the internet. Most of the time you have to read quite a bit to find that they are not what you assume them to be.

If I were visiting a strange city and saw their name on the church marquis, I would assume I was either stopping in for a Catholic or Orthodox Mass or Divine Liturgy. Although I think a person should worship however they wish, it seems a bit deceptive to me to utilize a name that so closely mimics an established church. I am sure it works on occasion to corral an unsuspecting recruit. I am curious what other forum readers thought about this.
 
It is not a “branch” of the Roman Catholic Church. According to what I have just read…they seem to embrace Eastern Orthodox theology to some extent, and are very “liberal”…in many senses, and in those senses they do not go with Eastern Orthodoxy. Here is what I mean by “liberal”…and to my knowledge the Eastern Orthodox Churches do not embrace these issues:

From here: aoccw.org/about/issues.htm

** Ordination. Ordination in the AOCC is open to all those who meet the requirements for holy orders. The AOCC has and does ordain both men and women regardless of all race, background, former religious/denominational affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other common forms of discrimination. The AOCC reserves the right to do a full background check on all those who seek holy orders in the church.

Role of Women. The AOCC has a rich history of incorporating women in all facets of ministry in the denomination. Since the 1990s, women have even served actively as clergy. We continue to encourage women to follow their calling in the church - be it ordained or lay ministries.

Same-Gender Marriage. The AOCC upholds that the Union between two adults bound in a covenant made with God and the Church not be limited to just one man and one woman. The AOCC affirms marriage for those candidates that have completed marriage counseling and have received the blessing of a minister. It should be understood that marriage is not something to be entered into lightly, but whole-heartedly and with the intent that it is a lifelong covenant. Whether the union is same-gender or opposite-gender, marriage is to be understood as a sacrament upheld in the Church. **

More here: aoccw.org/about/facts.htm

Not my cup of tea…
 
RobHom said:
It is not a “branch” of the Roman Catholic Church. According to what I have just read…they seem to embrace Eastern Orthodox theology to some extent, and are very “liberal”…in many senses, and in those senses they do not go with Eastern Orthodoxy. Here is what I mean by “liberal”…and to my knowledge the Eastern Orthodox Churches do not embrace these issues:

From here: aoccw.org/about/issues.htm

** Ordination. Ordination in the AOCC is open to all those who meet the requirements for holy orders. The AOCC has and does ordain both men and women regardless of all race, background, former religious/denominational affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other common forms of discrimination. The AOCC reserves the right to do a full background check on all those who seek holy orders in the church.

Role of Women. The AOCC has a rich history of incorporating women in all facets of ministry in the denomination. Since the 1990s, women have even served actively as clergy. We continue to encourage women to follow their calling in the church - be it ordained or lay ministries.

Same-Gender Marriage. The AOCC upholds that the Union between two adults bound in a covenant made with God and the Church not be limited to just one man and one woman. The AOCC affirms marriage for those candidates that have completed marriage counseling and have received the blessing of a minister. It should be understood that marriage is not something to be entered into lightly, but whole-heartedly and with the intent that it is a lifelong covenant. Whether the union is same-gender or opposite-gender, marriage is to be understood as a sacrament upheld in the Church. **

More here: aoccw.org/about/facts.htm

Not my cup of tea…
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…what? you don’t like hemlock?😛
 
RobHom said:
Can’t say as I do… 😃

Tell me, have you looked at that Rite…if so, what is your take on it, especially as compared to your Rite?
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It is not in any way, shape, or form an Orthodox Church. It is a bunch of crazies playing church.
 
Nicholas82 said:
It is not in any way, shape, or form an Orthodox Church. It is a bunch of crazies playing church.
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That’s pretty much what I thought… Not long ago, I also saw a page for a church that was similar to Roman/Latin Rite…that made them look quite similar to Roman Catholic…except that they pretty much said the same things as that site…if you just removed all references to Eastern or Byzantine and replaced them with Roman/Latin…

Perhaps these people are similar to the people creating all the problems within the Episcopalian Church? The “anything goes” crowd?
 
The AOCC was founded in 1976 by Joseph Raffaele. The AOCC had separated from the Mount Athos Synod, yet another Old Catholic community. They are in the Old Catholic tradition and use the Baltimore Catechism. They also use the 1917 Code of Canon Law. They are; however, liberal in practice. It has already been pointed out that they ordain women and are an open-communion group. They also do not collect tithes during services. This is paraphrased from Wikipedia, but these are accurate statements.

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius:cool:
 
Hello all …

I am Metropolitan +Samuel, Metropolitan Primate of The American Orthodox Catholic Church … NOT the AOCC Western Rite.

Our foundation came in 1964 by a former Ukranian orthodox Priest named Walter Myron Propheta … who some of you may recognize.

Unlike the AOCCW, the AOCC I shepherd holds to the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the Nicene Creed without the Filioque Clause, and the Traditions and Praxis of the Holy Fathers of Orthodoxy through the ages.

Our website, if I may post it, is … forministry.com/USNYAMOCCNOCCN

We are a rather large autocephalous Orthodox Jurisdiction, in 10 countries on 4 continents.

We, also, do not ordain women to the Episcopacy or Presbyterate, nor do we ordain homosexuals.

May God give you His peace …

Metropolitan +Samuel
 
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