Canonical Relationships

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Mutual Recognition. Professional Connections. Colleagues in Equal Standing

These three terms are the basis and motivation for the Evangelical Catholic Church’s desire to eagerly begin fostering relationships between like-minded serious jurisdictions within the Autocephalous Catholic Movement.

The ECC desires to build the Church. Not to play dress up Church.

Canonical relationships between churches generally refer to how different churches recognize each other's validity, sacraments, ecclesiology, liturgical expression and clergy within the broader Christian tradition. These relationships are often defined by theological factors.

For the Evangelical Catholic Church, Canonical Relations with other jurisdictions within the Autocephalous Catholic movement refers to the fullest possible and appropriate degree of interactions and dialogue between the Evangelical Catholic Church and other autocephalous jurisdictions or religious communities.

These connections aim to foster mutual understanding, respect, commitment and collaboration in celebration the gifts of our vocations to serve the People of God.

The Evangelical Catholic Church believes that by building the bonds of understanding, respect, commitment and collaboration within the ACM, we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us on a journey that more effectively invigorates our sacramental and spiritual lives and enables us to further enrich our ability to serve and embrace the lives of the People of God – especially those who have been rejected and orphaned by others.

Thus the Evangelical Catholic Church has created three possible options for jurisdictions to connect with the ECC:

Option 1: Saint Barnabas Concordat of Recognition

The Saint Barnabas Concordat of Recognition offers an avenue for other jurisdictions and the ECC to acknowledge their common validity, foundations and ministries by entering into a Concordat relationship. In secular terms and practice, the Concordat is akin to two nations establishing diplomatic relations that would entail mutual good will, co-operation and respect with each other.

Option 2: Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych Decree of Uniate Relations

Uniate Status between religious jurisdictions has had a long history in Christianity – sometimes they have been successful and other times not.

The Evangelical Catholic Church seeks success, not failures.

Jurisdictions wishing to continue with their ministries under the supportive consortium umbrella of the ECC as an autonomous (meaning self-governing with the ability to make one's own decisions and act without external control) colleague, in-communion with the ECC and able to use a larger springboard for fulfill their pastoral goals.

In this Uniate dynamics, the Presiding Bishop for the ECC would act as “bishop-protector” for any and all Uniate jurisdictions under the ECC umbrella.

All internal forum matters shall continue to remain “in-house” within each Uniate jurisdiction.

Option 3: Saint Thomas Becket Decree for Jurisdictional Incardination

Should a jurisdiction discern that it would be in their best interest to request the Evangelical Catholic Church for the opportunity to apply “en masse” for Incardination, the Saint Thomas Becket Decree for Jurisdictional Incardination would the canonical instrument employed to fulfill this goal.

As in cases dealing with petitions for individual incardination, the same due diligence in vetting potential candidates would remain the responsibility of the ECC.

Upon the completion of the process for Incardination, all new members of the ECC will hold equal status and rank with all other members of the ECC.

It is our hope and prayer that through the bonds of respect, commitment and collaboration the ACM can, in the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, “Set the World on Fire” and to use our collective talents and resources to make a positive impact on the world and serve God and His Peoples.

So, let us begin a relationship in Building Bridges, Promoting the Spirituality of Social Justice and Peace, bringing the Sacraments to those in need and Sharing in the Common Personal experiences of our journeys in faith with the People of God.

We wish to close this page with the following prayer:

Jesus, because of Your death and resurrection, we are part of Your body—the global Church. Help us take our role in it seriously, knowing that our choices reflect how Your Church is perceived. Use us to bring hope, love, and joy to the world, and empower us to build others up. Bring revival to Your people, so that Your body can represent You authentically and powerfully. Amen.

Thank You and God Bless

“A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in the Catholic Tradition”