AMERICAN ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC CHURCH

WHAT WE ARE The American Ecumenical Catholic Church is a part of the Independent Catholic and Old Catholic movements which consist of various catholic bodies operating independently of Vatican while upholding time-honored tradional Catholic Creeds and liturgies, the centrality of the Gospel and the Sacraments. As an ecumenical church we affirm all denominations and faith traditions as being true witnesses to God's saving work in the world. Sharing the vision of Christ "That all maybe one...". We belong to the World Council of Churches as members of it's subsidiary, International Council of Community Churches. We work with and accept male and female clergy from various Christian traditions. We are committed to work for social, economic and religious justice on behalf of the marginalized and we have a special ministry to those who are not fully welcomed or sacramentally affirmed in other denominations because of gender, divorce, remarriage, sexual orientation, physical, psychological or mental challenges. While the historic Apostolic Succession of our bishops and clergy exists, we are not a hierarchical church. Bishops are elected by the laity and clergy and primarily serve a sacramental function. We are governed by elected lay and clergy officers at both diocesan and national church level. The American Ecumenical Catholic Church and its Diocese of Connecticut are incorporated in the State of Connecticut and are registered with the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt religious institutions. WHY ANOTHER CATHOLIC CHURCH At the time of the First Vatican Council(1870),a number of Roman Catholic Church's German, Dutch, and Swiss bishops believed the newly proposed doctrine of papal infallibility to be theologically and historically inconsistent with the Early Church's ecumenical councils. To maintain the continuity of the experience of the Holy Spirit that directed the Early Church, these bishops departed from the See of Peter(Rome) to the See of Utrecht and established the Old Catholic Church. As independent Catholic Christians we believe that it is by the grace of the sacraments that our faith in God is strengthened and sustained. Sacred Scripture and church traditions prepare us to accept and fulfill our obligation to God, ourselves and others. While some Christian sects have created boundaries such as marital status, gender, sexual orientation or denominational affiliation to determine who can or cannot receive the sacraments, the American Ecumenical Catholic Church deems these prohibitions as simply irrelevant to those who act in good conscience. This church does not make judgments but desires people to accept Jesus Christ, who through the Gospel, has fully revealed to us the love, mercy and redemption of God. CLERGY ROSTER 2005-2007 Diocese of Connecticut Most Rev. Dr. Lorraine Bouffard, Bishop. 30 Woodland Street, Unit 10 Hartford, CT 06105 860-560-0010 lbj4761@aol.com President: National Church Council. Volunteer Chaplain: Niantic Woman's Prison and Cedarcrest Hospital, Newington. Rev. Mickey Danyluk, Pastor: Mission of the Sacred Hearted Secretary/Treasurer:Diocesan Church Council and Vocation Director. 12 South Center Street Windsor Locks, CT 06098 860-623-4143 sheart1234@aol.com Rev. Mike Donnelly 27 Hebron Road Andover, CT 02632 mikeheidi@comcast.net Chaplain at The Bidwell Nursing Home and Westside Nursing Home-Manchester, CT Leads meditation hour at The Genesis Club House serving people with mental illness-Manchester, CT Serves on the State Regional Mental Health Board as an advocate for the mentally ill in our state. Serves the need of Andover's poor and mentally ill by promoting the activities of the Salvation Army, town Social Services, holiday baskets, and has advocated for transportation need of the disabled including the mentally ill. Produces programming for area cable access channel dealing with social issues. Available for weddings and other sacraments for all people no matter where they are in their life journey. Rev. Mr. Ryan Schieding President: Diocesan Church Council 451 Fern Street West Hartford, CT 06107 rschieding@lycos.com Available for Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals DIOCESAN COUNCIL Reverend Ryan Schieding, President Mrs. Heidi Donnelly, Vice President Reverend Fr. Mickey Danyluk, Secretary/Treasurer Mrs. Debbie Lynch, Trustee Mr.Leon W. Johnson, Trustee Most Reverend Dr. Lorraine Bouffard, Bishop Diocese of Massachusetts Most Rev. John French, Bishop 948 Old Bass River Road Dennis, MA 02638 508-385-1897 gllennstal@yahoo.com Rev. Linda Cranmer,Priest, St. Luke Parish 56 Fieldstone Dr Dennis, MA 02638 508-385-3073 linda.cranmer@verizon.net Rev. Linda Smith, Deacon If you believe you have a call from God to ordained ministry but have been hampered by the traditional process, or you are already ordained and have felt theologically restricted in your denomination, we welcome you to explore being a part of our clergy. What makes us unique is that we volunteer our time for the privilege of building the KIN-dom of God on earth.