Christ Catholic Church

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For the church founded by Karl Pruter, see Christ Catholic Church (Pruter)

Christ Catholic Church is a church of the Old Catholic tradition.

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[edit] History

It was founded in 1937 when several independent Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches joined together to create the Polish Old Catholic Church. Most of these churches were within the state of New Jersey, like New Brunswick, South River, Dover, and Dunellen, although individual churches as far away as Tampa, Florida were included as well. They elected Joseph Zielonka to be their first bishop. In 1959, the church changed its name to Christ Catholic Church to more clearly indicate that individuals and churches of all nationalities would be welcome in the church.

The following year, 1960, the church was found to consist of 22 parishes with about 7,200 members.

In 1961, Bishop Zielonka died and his suffragan bishop, Peter A. Zurawetzky, was elected as his successor. Bishop Zurawetzky started a new mission program within the church, and oversaw rapid growth within the church. Among the developements would be the founding of the Church of the Transfiguration in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1965, and, two years later, the creation of the Diocese of Boston under Karl Pruter, who was consecrated at the Diocese's first bishop. The following year the Christ Catholic Church, Diocese of Boston was formally recognized as an independent entity. It is currently headquartered at the Cathedral of the Prince of Peace, in Highlandville, Missouri.

[edit] Relations with other churches

Ordinations of the Christ Catholic Church are recognized as valid by the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church.

[edit] Practices

The traditional seven sacraments of Christianity are all adminstered by this church. It follows the Gregorian calendar. It also engages in such practices as the Matins and Vespers prayer services, Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary, novenas, and Stations of the Cross.

[edit] References