Christ's Apostolic catholic church (CACC)
In the company of many other reformed Catholic Churches throughout the ages, Christ's Apostolic Catholic Church and its affiliated jurisdictions are an independent and autonomous church institution. As with other independent Catholic Churches, Christ's Apostolic Catholic Church and its affiliates do not fall under the jurisdiction of Rome and are, therefore, not subject to the rules and regulations that are established by the Roman Catholic Church. We are a lesser-known branch of the Catholic Church, with valid Sacraments and Apostolic Succession. We do, however, profess the same universal beliefs as expressed in the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds. We are governed by our own Code of Canon Law. We are a unique and independent branch of the Catholic Church.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We profess our belief using the words of the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds. We believe in one's individual relationship with God. As our name implies, we are Apostolic, meaning that we trace our lineage back to the Apostles through Apostolic Succession; we are evangelical, meaning that we strive to live according to the Good News of the Gospel; and we are Catholic. Whether clergy or consecrated religious or lay, all members of Christ's Apostolic Catholic Church are Catholics living the faith everyday in the world, bringing Christ's Church to the people.
Christ's Apostolic Catholic Church is Christ centered, welcoming, and all inclusive. No one who seeks God is turned away. We see no outcasts; in our church all are truly welcome. We are not concerned with who you were, but who you are and will be.
Christ's Apostolic Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit through the Synod of Bishops. Our Bishops, priests and deacons may be male or female, celibate or married, regardless of sexual preference. Our Church is sacramental; we celebrate the seven Sacraments of our Catholic faith. Our primary form of worship is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, also known as the Catholic Mass. We practice an open Eucharist; no baptized Christian is excluded from our table. Good Shepherd Parish is within the Holy Trinity Archdiocese which is led by Archbishop Roy Stevens III, SSFX, D.D. We invite you to join us at one of our parishes!
"Be an example to the believers in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).
At the Vatican on June 16, 2000, (Saint) Pope John Paul II ratified and ordered the publication of Dominus Iesus. This declaration of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith was signed and published by, then, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) in August of the same year.
In this declaration, the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the validity of Orders and Sacraments of other Catholic denominations with valid apostolic succession:
"The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Roman 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.
Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such... have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church." -IV. Unicity and Unity of the Church, 17.
