| American Orthodox Catholic Church, Western Rite (previously known as - Western Rite Mission, Diocese of New York) | |
| Seal of the American Orthodox Catholic Church, Western Rite | |
| Geographical areas | New York, Florida, Colorado, Texas, Virginia, Nevada |
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| Founder | The Most Rev. Joseph J. Raffaele |
| Origin | December, 1976 Suffolk County, New York |
| Separated from | Mount Athos Synod |
The American Orthodox Catholic Church is part of the Universal Catholic Church. Its first Bishop, Archbishop Timetheos (Joseph R. Vilatte) was consecrated for the Americas on May 29, 1892 by Archbishop Alvarez, acting under mandate of the Syrian Patriarch of Antioch, assisted by two bishops of the Church of Malabar (India). Since this consecration, there has been an unbroken succession of Bishops. In addition to its Syrian Roots, the American Orthodox Catholic Church enjoys episcopal (meaning bishop) lineage from Greco-Russian-Ukrainian legacy of Archbishop Propheta. As late as July 21, 1952, Cardinal Mercati of the Vatican Library declared, “All consecrations of the Syrian Jocobite Church are valid.”
The American Orthodox Catholic Church Western Rite Diocese of New York is the legal corporation title of an American Independent Catholic Church which adheres to the catholic deposit of faith as revealed by God the Father, taught by Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit through tradition and scripture down through the centuries. Rooted in history of the best of tradition, our Diocese celebrates the Mass via the Tridentine Rite in Latin, and the Tridentine Rite in the Vernacular which has always been the case since the latter half of the 19th Century when the first bishop, Archbishop Timetheos began his missionary endeavors in mid-America bringing the catholic faith, free of error and prejudice, to those who sought a closer union with Christ. As was the mind of the first bishop, so too is ours in that the needs of the people are first and foremost, therefore although the Tridentine form of liturgy and devotions may be premiere, it is by no means exclusive, if legitimate needs of the faithful require an alternate Eucharistic expression today. Catholic Dogma cannot be changed, customary or disciplinary; canons are changeable according to the time, place, and needs of the followers of Jesus Christ. We preserve the best of the past, utilize the best of the present, and look with anticipation to the needs of the future. While some diversity in practice lives, there is always unity in faith, morals, and obedience to the Church as Christ’s visible body on Earth.
In 1986, as a result of spiritual renewal in the American Orthodox Catholic Church Western Rite, a new rite of Mass was installed to meet contemporary needs. Called “Worthy is the Lamb: The American Mass,” the new liturgy captures salvation history through its roots in Old Testament scripture, on through New Testament Christian witness and doctrine with a prophetic look to future events as expressed in the Book of Revelation. The conservatives and contemporaries alike may remain united under one roof utilizing either liturgical expression for their sacramental needs.
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In the 1999, the AOCCW ordained Theresa Margaret Wilson, a nun and founder of the Benedictine Order of St. Michael the Archangel, to the diaconate. Wilson, the first female ordained in the denomination would then go on to be ordained as a priest and finally, in 2005, became bishop of the Diocese of Colorado.
In 2004, a mass ordination ceremony was conducted in Red Oak, Texas, in which John Nunez was also elevated as bishop at that time. He was later excommunicated in 2005 when he was found guilty of performing an illegal ordination and then trying to pursue schism. In 2006, Monsignor Antonio Garribay was elevated as bishop and Texas then became a diocese within in the denomination.
Many of the clergy in these churches are part of the Worker-Priest system; this is, they work for a living [secularly], rather than depend on the congregation for support - thus giving their share of support to the church also.
No one attending Mass in an American Orthodox Catholic Church is denied the Sacrament because they are divorced.
Although the Church teaches that Marriage is forever, there are those exceptions, that even after attempts at reconciliation have failed, and divorce results, the divorcee may still have a chance to remarry within the church.
Priests are permitted to be married or shall freely embrace celibacy as they choose. The AOCC also welcomes women to all roles of ordination (deacon, priest and bishop). Ordination is not limited on the basis of denominational background, gender, gender identity, affectional orientation, marital status. There are certain age limitations.
On December 18, 1966, agents of the American Orthodox Catholic Church in New York City, under the leadership of Archbishop Propheta, jointly celebrated an ecumenical service in St. Raymond's Church together with the then Bishop Terrence Cooke, Vicar General to Cardinal Spellman of the Roman Church.
The American Orthodox Catholic Church is Orthodox, but not Eastern in teaching the Faith, Catholic but not Papal in liturgy and government.
Thomas Squiers, former clergy/AOCCW
American Orthdoox Catholic Church website The Pueblo Chieftan