The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ (ECCC) is an Independent Catholic denomination founded by Archbishop Karl Rodig.[1] Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, the ECCC uses a former Roman Catholic parish—the Cathedral of St. Anthony.[2] The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ aims to minister disaffected Roman Catholics and others.[3]
The ECCC became a topic of international interest after it merged with Christ Catholic Church International in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.[4] Founder and Archbishop Karl Rodig has consecrated clergy for Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ to serve in countries as far away as Kenya.[5]
History
The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ was originally founded in 1998 as The Reformed Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church after Karl Rodig left Roman Catholicism, initially disagreeing with clerical celibacy.[1] In 1999, Rodig was consecrated by Archbishop Maurice McCormick of the Old Catholic Church in North America and was therefore excommunicated latae sententiae by the Catholic Church.[6]
In 2007, the church changed its name to the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ. By 2010, Rodig purchased the shuttered St. Anthony Cathedral (a Roman Catholic parish) in Detroit, Michigan; the church was closed between 2006 and 2007 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit.[2][6] Following this purchase, Rodig and the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ were considered invalidly ordained by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit,[6] although clergy in the ECCC validate themselves through the dogma of sacramental character (see also: validity and liceity).[7]
With the death of Bishop Mark Steven Shirilau in the similarly named Ecumenical Catholic Church—and the appointment of David John Kalke in 2014—some churches realigned themselves to the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ.[8]
Doctrine
The ECCC affirms married clergy, and women's ordination. The church also affirms and ordains LGBTQ+ clergy.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Founding Archbishop Dr. Karl Rodig". Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- ^ a b "Cathedral of St. Anthony". Historic Detroit. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- ^ a b "Unusual church in no-man's land welcomes everyone". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- ^ "Church merger brings leaders to city". Niagara Falls Review. 2007-10-27. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "I did not want to live a lie, says former Catholic priest who opted to marry". Nation. 2020-06-21. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ a b c "Statement regarding "Archbishop" Karl Rodig and the Cathedral Abbey of St. Anthony". Archdiocese of Detroit. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- ^ "Church Documents". Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ. Retrieved 2023-06-29.
- ^ Marcotullio, Giovanni (2019-08-05). "La "Chiesa Cattolica Ecumenica di Cristo"… e altre storie". Aleteia.org – Italiano (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-02-03.