Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada

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The Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada traces their heritage and apostolic succession through the Old Catholic Church, which succeeded from Rome in 1870. They are also a part of the Charismatic movement which seeks to bring back the reality of first century Pentecostal experience (Acts 2:4).

1 History
2 Beliefs
3 Practices
4 See also
5 External links
- 5.1 Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada Churches

[edit] History

The apostolic lineage of the Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada, also known as the Catholic Charismatic Rite, began under the mandate of Clement XI, Patriarch of the West in 1693 when James Goyon de Matignon, Bishop of Condon consecrated Dominic M. Varlet as Bishop of Ascalon (in partibus) and Coadjutor to the Bishop of Babylon, Persia. Bishop Varlet in turn consecrated Peter John Meindaerts, Bishop of Utrecht who with other bishops and priests helped sustain the Ancient Church of the Netherlands founded by Saint Willibrord of Utrecht in the seventh century.

From 1693 to the present day the Union of Utrecht Church survives throughout Western Europe, North America, Central America, and South America. The historical lineage includes the Old Catholic Church, the Polish National Catholic Church, the Catholic Church of Brazil, the Liberal Catholic Church, and the Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada, among others. Collectively these churches enjoy an open association and retain independent jurisdiction.

The Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada was established and organized by Patriarch Andre Barbeau in 1968. Barbeau was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on November 21, 1940 and served in that capacity for 28 years in the Archdiocese of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In 1968 Barbeau was consecrated bishop and first patriarch of the Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada by pro-uniate Old Catholic bishops in Europe. Barbeau served in this capacity until his death on February 14, 1994. Succeeding Barbeau is Archbishop Andre Le Tellier, who was installed shortly after Barbeau's death in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Cite de Marie.

The Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada immediately erected churches and communities in Canada and in several northeastern states in the United States; by the early 1990's the church's jurisdiction had spread as far south as Florida and later into the southwest including Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas.

[edit] Beliefs

The Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada believes in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, for these explain the Faith in plain and uncomplicated manners. They believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. They believe the seven sacraments are outward signs instituted by God to give us Grace. They believe the Godhead consists of God the Father who is attributed with the creation. God the Son, co-Creator and Redeemer. God the Holy Spirit, life of the Church. They believe the Church is one holy catholic and apostolic. Christ is the root and the Church is the main stem, and we a branch of the Vine. They maintain that they are the Charismatic Branch or Rite of the Church. They believe the saints are those baptized people who are in perfect harmony with God and who are still living, as well as the dearly departed who have already entered the Kingdom and are in the presence of God. They often pray to God through the saints and often ask the saints to intercede for us to God for they are already in His presence. They believe that the validity of the sacraments is the test through which the administration of a sacrament is judged to be valid. In order for a sacrament to be valid the proper form, intention, and matter is to be used with the proper minister administering this sacrament. The administrator of the sacrament must have been ordained by a bishop possessing the valid lines of apostolic succession. They believe that the purpose of life as we understand it is to know, love and serve God in this world, so as to be happy with him in the next.

[edit] Practices

The Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada is more conservative than some other branches of the Old Catholic Church. They do not believe in the ordination of women to ordain women to the offices of deacon, priest or bishop, for this has not "been believed everywhere, always, and by all" (The Declaration of Utrecht). They do allow their clergy to marry.

They refer to their rite as Charismatic, believing in the spiritual gifts and in the moving of the Holy Spirit. Although they follow a set liturgy, they also allow the operation of the gifts of the Spirit (such as tongues and prophecy). They use contemporary praise and worship songs. Their sermons are Bible based. One could describe them as Orthodox in belief, Catholic in practice, and Charismatic in worship.