ECCLESIA CATOLICA ECUMENICA CHRISTI
Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ
Ökumenische Katholische Kirche Christi
كنيسة المسيح الكاثوليكية المسكونية
Igreja Catolica Ecumenica De Cristo
Chiesa Cattolica Ecumenica Di Cristo
Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Georgia, Hong Kong, India,
Latin America New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia,
Ukraine, The Caribbean, The Philippines, USA
Holy See of The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ
International Headquarters
5247 Sheridan Street
Detroit, MI 48213
E-mail: cathedralst.anthony@yahoo.com
Cathedral Website:
http://www.cathedralofstanthonydetroit.org
Our worldwide website: www.ecumenicalccc.org
New Order Saint Francis and St. Clare:
www.theneworderofsaintfrancis.org
St. Anthony Liturgical House of Studies:
https://www.stanthonysliturgicalhouse.org
For a visit of our famous historical Glass Stained Windows, visit the Link below:
http://www.michiganstainedglass.org/collections/building.php?id=17-83-2BD
Credit and Special thanks to Mr. Michael Surdyk
On Radio: http://www.wbcq.com
Biblical Perspectives WBXQ 7490 Short Wave Radio. 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time North America and around the world. Special thanks to Fr. Tom!
Church Sunday Mass live:
https://www.facebook.com/St.AnthonyECCC
Join Facebook: Karl Rodig
From the Office of the Ecumenical Primate
Archbishop Dr. Karl Rodig
Please share with all, and if possible translate in to your local language. Thank you!
Por favor, comparta con todos, y si es posible traduzca a su idioma local. ¡Gracias!
Si prega di condividere con tutti, e se possibile tradurre nella tua lingua locale. Grazie!
Моля, споделете с всички и, ако е възможно, преведете го на вашия местен език. Благодаря ти!
Будь ласка, поділіться з усіма, і, якщо це можливо, перекладіть на свою місцеву мову. Дякую!
Пожалуйста, поделитесь со всеми и, если возможно, переведите на свой местный язык. Спасибо!
Please share with all, and if possible translate in to your local language. Thank you!
Por favor, comparta con todos, y si es posible traduzca a su idioma local. ¡Gracias!
Si prega di condividere con tutti, e se possibile tradurre nella tua lingua locale. Grazie!
Моля, споделете с всички и, ако е възможно, преведете го на вашия местен език. Благодаря ти!
Будь ласка, поділіться з усіма, і, якщо це можливо, перекладіть на свою місцеву мову. Дякую!
Пожалуйста, поделитесь со всеми и, если возможно, переведите на свой местный язык. Спасибо!
June 22nd, Saint Paulinus, A. D. 2021
The Ecumenical Primate Dr. Karl Rodig
+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Peace to you all brothers and sisters in the Good Lord!
It is with a heavy heart to let you know that our beloved brother, Fr. Dr. Rogelio Carrera, NOSF, has just passed away of complication due to the covid19 virus. I was contacted by his son Leo. Fr. Rogelio was so proud of his 4 sons and family. He has been a Franciscan in our Order since 2016. He was a very humble priest and he loved our Church. He supported our outreach for the poor and never stopped to let us know how thankful he was for the gift of humility and service for so many who were in his care as a Family Doctor. Our Condolences go out to his family and friends. Here is a little bit from our brother's obituary:
Fr. Rogelio "Roger" L. Carrera, MD, age 69, of Knoxville, TN entered the loving arms of Jesus on June 18, 2021. Born August 22, 1951, in Havana, Cuba, he was the son of Dr. Rogelio H. Carrera, MD and Asuncion Diaz Carrera. As a young child, he fled to the United States with his family before the borders closed following the fall of Batista. He obtained his Bachelor's degree at Tulane University, and his Medical degree at Compultense University of Madrid in Spain. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Air Force, where he served as a flight surgeon earning a Bronze Star and the Air Medal. He owned a family practice off of John Sevier Highway in Knoxville, TN prior to serving in Operation Desert Storm.
Upon returning home, he practiced as an emergency room physician across the country. His passion was family and serving others. He was beloved by all who knew him. He was a life-long member of the Catholic Church, and he was an ordained priest in the New Order of St. Francis and St. Clare of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents; He is survived by his sister, Alina (Jack) Grier; his sons, Scott, Leopoldo, Adam, and Jeremy Carrera; several grandchildren; and countless close friends that he considered family.
Upon returning home, he practiced as an emergency room physician across the country. His passion was family and serving others. He was beloved by all who knew him. He was a life-long member of the Catholic Church, and he was an ordained priest in the New Order of St. Francis and St. Clare of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents; He is survived by his sister, Alina (Jack) Grier; his sons, Scott, Leopoldo, Adam, and Jeremy Carrera; several grandchildren; and countless close friends that he considered family.
May you rest in the peace of our Good Shepherd who called you to the heavenly Kingdom, and may the angels and saints sing the Hymn of Glory when you enter.
Well done, good servant of God and His people.
We will miss you greatly.
We will have a requiem mass for his repose this coming Sunday.
.jpeg?timestamp=1624392528173)
.jpeg?timestamp=1624392570117)
Please be all safe out there.
Prayers promised,
remaining yours with my benedictions
+Karl
Ecumenical Primate
The Ecumenical Primate Dr. Karl Rodig
+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Peace to you all brothers and sisters in the Good Lord!
It is with a heavy heart to write to you about the repose of our beloved bishop in Panama, +Julian Castillo.
We are in sorrow of a good man, wonderful preacher of the Word of the Lord, and pastor and great theologian
that is greatly missed by his people and by us! He suffered from Leukemia and it has taken its toll.
We want to express our condolences to his family and all who were in his care.
Please say a mass in his memory this coming Sunday, the Feast of the Corpus Christi.
May he rest in the Peace of His Savior, the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ!
R.I.P
Some ECCC News:
On more joyful occasions:
With great Joy we receive and celebrate communions:
-On June 1st A. D. 2021, we have received in our Church Communion
Die Keltische Katholische Kirche and die Selbstaendige Katholische Kirche with
their Leader, Archbishop Thomas Andrew from Germany.
The SKD/KKD is a full member in the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ and is
canonically a Prelature in the ECCC.
-On April 30th A. D. 2021, we have signed an Intercommunion with
The Traditional Anglican Church in Colombia, with their leader,
Archbishop Archimedes Gomez Rojas.
-On May 30th A.D. 2021 we have signed an Intercommunion with
The Orthodox Church Patriarchate of Nations in France with their leader,
His Beatitude, Patriarch Nicola I.
-We working on our Membership with the WCCC in Geneva.
-We working on the legalization of our New Church in Egypt with their leader,
Archbishop Mina Tawfik.
-After communications, we finalizing to receive our first ECCC community under
Rex Thomas in Vanuatu, the Eastern Pacific.
-We have received the priest, Fr. Zachar with a community
in Jerusalem, the Holy Land.
I wanted to thank again our Nuncios: ++Agostino, ++Hristo, ++Sebastian,
++Godfrey who assisted in all of this.
You may see more of it on our international website with the respective countries.
We are eternally grateful to God Almighty who keeps giving us unworthy servants
Grace after Grace in all we do.
At last but not least, I wanted to emphasize -as in previous letters-
the beauty and importance of Education, be it for seminarians, lay people, or
as continued education program. We have a great School that is very happy
to receive you online wherever you are in this world!
Please contact them, refer students, lay people, your seminarians, and if you
know other Churches who struggle with education means, we welcome them,
we are ecumenical after all :o)
Please contact either: Mr. Garry Staszak admin@stanthonysliturgicalhouse.org
or Fr. Tom Roberts, Ph.D. sacralkingship@yahoo.com
who are more than happy to assist you.
As you know we have the school website posted everywhere on our websites.
Here it is again:
Thank you all for your service for God's people!
Sending you my apostolic benedictions
Remaining your servant of God
+Karl
Ecumenical Primate
(Please share with all)
Easter A. D. 2021
Christus Resurrexit Vere! Alleluja!
Peace and Greetings in the Name of the Risen Lord to you all, beloved brothers and sisters of our Worldwide Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ!
It fills me with great joy to greet you all on this blessed High Feast of the Church as we celebrate our Savior Glorious Resurrection!
We are at aw at this wonder of all wonders that God who gave all He had, Himself for our Salvation through His beloved Son who suffered, died and rose for us in the Holy Spirit.
There is no other Feast in the World that can show such deep Love of God for us, there is no other happening in any religion that can describe this deep meaning of God's Love for the world which He created.
As Christians we are filled with an inner spiritual awakening that will not end, we are drawn to God's presence in Christ Jesus among us caused by that Fire of the Holy Spirit.
Oh Love divine, how can we acknowledge such mystery given to us, oh beauty of this everlasting Joy that fills our hearts.
My dear brothers and sisters around the world, God has spoken to us through a final act of Redemption, God has delivered us from the claws of the Devil, God has shown us that He will never give up on us, pouring out this everlasting Love toward us and so that we are able to seek Him. Therefore, one day the Kingdom of Heavens will be filled with the unending number of faithful that returned this Love for God and Neighbor.
I wish you all a blessed Easter Season as you all celebrate within our Church families of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ around the World.
May you all be filled with the Spirit of the Powerful Message of Christ: Peace be with you! May your brother and sister-hood be filled with the sincere desire to live toward the Kingdom of God that is for all of His Children born into this world.
Despite the Pandemic and all the restriction we need to abide in order to save lives, we are able to pray and celebrate with each other in a safe way the Risen Lord in His loving presence within our midst.
As Christians we are Easter People, may we therefore all grow in and through Christ for a more loving world, may we rise to the Way, the Truth, and the Life that He always will be for us. May we speak up when injustice attacks our world and wars slaughter our brothers and sisters, may we help as we can those who endure famine and expulsion, those who are homeless, those who are fleeing their countries seeking a better life for their families. May we always see when evil tries to tear us apart as brothers and sisters. We shall always let our faith speak with the Heart of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
I can't wait to see you all again in your countries, and also meet the many new members who have entered our Church in many parts of the world.
Greetings to all in your care, sending you my apostolic benedictions
Your Servant of Christ
+Karl
ECCC Wold NEWS
With the request and the acceptance by the 6 Nuncios of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ, the Nuncios will serve on the advisory board for the Ecumenical Primate
Africa:
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kenya:
Congratulations to our Nuncio for Africa, Archbishop Godfrey Siundu for his book, "The Power of Deliverance" he just finished! The expansion of our Orphanage and School is ongoing, and the Completion of the New Cathedral is celebrated. The faithful have grown in great numbers. Archbishop Godfrey could also welcome the Deputy Prime Minister of Kenya.
Our Nuncio is also in talks with new bishops and church members from other churches who would like to join the ECCC in different parts of Africa. He is also in communication with the Orthodox Leader in South Africa who wants to join our ECCC. Blessed talks, our prayers are with you.
Cameroon:
Bishop Didier is working hard to expand his religious Order of the Companions of St. Augustine. His orphanage and school are blessed with the beloved orphans, children and care takers.
Democratic Republic of Congo:
Rev. Deacon Munembwe Mukumba Damas has build up our school in Bukavu which he named after the Ecumenical Primate, Archbishop Dr. Karl Rodig Primary School. We send them all our prayers and love! Looking forward to visiting you all!
Liberia-Sierra Leone- Ghana:
Fr. Emmanuel, Rev. Deacon Martin and the brothers and sisters are helping refugies and persecuted Christians. Our Prayers are with you always!
Europe:
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Italy:
Our Nuncio for Europe, Archbishop Agostino Di Caro has been appointed Provincial of the NOSF (New Order of Saint Francis) for Europe. He has received new members of the Order in Italy and Hungary.
As Nuncio I have asked him to be in communication with bishop Mina, his clergy, seminarians in Cairo, Egypt, and clergy members in Lebanon and Jordan. I was informed the negotiations for full communion with our Church are moving forward. Blessings and welcome to Bishop Mina and his Church!
Bulgaria:
Our Nuncio and Archbishop Hristo has communicated with Archbishop Agostino to have new communities of our NOSF into the East: Bulgaria, Russia and the Ukraine.
Archbishop Hristo has also a priest in Jerusalem who will start a community of the NOSF in the Holy Land. Congratulations to you all for expanding the NOSF.
Blessings.
Asia:
India:
Metropolitan Archdiocese of India:
Congratulations Archbishop Dr. Sunny has acquired and renovated with his clergy and church members their new Arch
diocesan Center in Kerala. He is also on Board for the Human Rights and Social Justice Commission for India.
diocesan Center in Kerala. He is also on Board for the Human Rights and Social Justice Commission for India.
Dr. Sunny has also a Sister religious Orden who wanted to join our Church in India. Prayers for you all.
Sri Lanka:
Fr. Michael is working tirelessly for his mission that have expanded!
Vicar General Nicholas has revived his monastic life and creating a new spiritual environment for many to witness.
I am also wanted to extend greetings from our Fr. Dilkushan.
The Philippines:
Bishop Manuel is spreading the Good News of our Church at the Cathedral of the Sacrifice Valley. We wish him all the blessings in the large area of Bataan where he is serving so many.
Bishop Armando with his cathedral church is serving many people in the Luzon and Manila area.
Our Provincial for the NOSF, Fr. Ted has expanded our Franciscan Mission work and received new members in our religious Order. Welcome and many blessings to you all.
Latin America:
Our Nuncio and Archbishop Sebastian works tirelessly to travel and support out missions in Latin America. He went recently to Cuba to organize our missions there, expand our religious Order of the NOSF as well.
Colombia:
We have received a new priest, Fr. Leiber in Cucuta. Welcome!
We also in talks with a new priest in Bogota who will join us soon.
Blessings to you all.
USA
Archbishop Tony from California has been appointed Nuncio for the USA and her territories. His installation will take place at our Cathedral in Detroit on Pentecost. Congratulations and Blessings to your new task. Archbishop Tony is also working on our Manifesto for the Layman. And is in preparation for developing a cannon law department for our School.
Please pray for our bishop Jeffrey from Texas who is battling cancer!
Our Saint Anthony's Cathedral Liturgical House of Studies is doing very well! We seek to expand worldwide and are in communication in various Countries.
Fr. Tom Roberts, Ph.D. has been elected as the new Chancellor. Congratulations, Fr. Tom!
We wish you and the School board, and the advisory board much success in this honorable task!
Please when you have students who seek a study online, please contact our school, either Mr. Garry Staszak or Fr. Tom Roberts.
This is a great opportunity to seek a degree and expand your horizons in theological, biblical and spiritual fields!
|
Peace and Greetings in this Holy Seasons to you all in our
Worldwide Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ!
It is my sincere prayer and hope that you are all safe and well in this time that has become so different from times past. Our Advent's reflections this year might have been different this year as we had to take into account the onslaught of the Pandemic that has taken so many lives, and shown so much suffering and makes us speechless. We ask ourselves where can there be joy that we used to had, where are the big and happy family gatherings that we always were looking forward to...? Many of our church families had to form new ways of coming together for Sunday service, or have it suspended because of the danger of gatherings that could cause harm to others spreading the covid19 virus.
An yet, in all of this we are reminded that we can still find joy that is nearer than expected, a joy that is different from just casual social happiness, it is a joy of a deeper spiritual awakening that touches our hearts and moves our spirits. It comes from a Love that God has shown throughout the centuries, a Love that needs a response from us, and here is the key that changes our so settled minds. In the Gospel of Luke the well known Magnificat of Mary shall help us. What went through Mary's mind? She, like Anna in the book of Samuel (name meaning "God heard") giving their Sons to God, not holding back, but letting God lead in it all, becoming aware of a promise that finds fulfillment.
Only in her humility can Mary accept God's will expressed by the Archangel Gabriel. The struggle of the mind is present till she speaks this YES to God's Will and it changes everything that was not planned, that makes the ordinary extraordinary. For us this YES to God will lifts also our spirit removes the veil of our blindness caused by self-absorption and confusion, the worries that overtake our daily lives, the uncertainties toward what lies ahead for ourselves and our loved ones, our communities, our world...
Mary's and our unconditionally Yes to God is the breakthrough to a inner joy that others might call crazy, useless, misguided, etc.
Only in this simple yes to God find we the true meaning of the birth of Christ: our Savior is born! All the glitter and worldly glamour that we have become so keen to, as nice as it is, will no longer be the main reason why we celebrate Christmas, but our personal relationship to the human and divine Jesus of Nazareth will be our focus. And this can and will change us and the world around us when we take these words serious and make them our own: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid." This rejoicing shall be ours in these trying times, in our loneliness, in our despair, in our personal struggles, in our quest for the answers of the meaning of life, in our search for true and unconditional love, and the list goes on...
Our Yes to God is already the answer, and to whatever calling we find ourselves in, God will give us this inner joy that helps us to walk through this dark times, and to find new longing for a better world that has written justice and peace on its banner, becoming more and more His hands of a loving people.
The Magnificat has touched me this year more than ever. Ask yourself, what word of Scripture can and will touch you to find an awakening toward God's message shown us in the birth of His beloved Son, born to bring a New Way of Life, sent to us to find meaning in His Word and Action, seeing in His suffering the agony and loneliness of the Cross, and yet in this darkest of moments the Light of that eternal Love of the Father ever present keeps the promise of the resurrection and our Salvation. You might find solace and inspiration in one of the great prophets like Isaiah, or other writings in Scripture that have changed the lives of millions of Christians in the history of Salvation.
In this year's so fast changing world, we are being reminded that fear and suffering of this eon have not the last word, but that we shall become more aware, like Mary, in her Yes to God shown in her life's experience standing by her son's suffering, as he is put to death, and resurrect from the death beyond human imagination, she realizes that God's Love is always stronger than death, greater than earthly happiness, this Love that overcomes hate, denial, injustice, wickedness, deceit, war, cruelty and destruction... This God of so many names, so many mysteries, is the one that changes us, because "He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever."
From the bottom of my heart I wanted to thank you all for your great dedication in so many different services in our beloved Church, be it in the pastoral ministry, education, or social services, in the cultural and social environments we find ourselves in.
Wherever you are in this world, from the Philippines to Sri Lanka, to India, Pakistan, Europe, Africa, Latin America and North America, I want to thank you for the so many letters you have written throughout the past year, expressing your gratefulness for being in our Church, your Concerns, and your Joys. I see your love and honesty toward the hard work you are doing for the poor, the marginalized, the downtrodden, the abundant in society in building new communities, being present for the street children. I want to thank our St. Anthony's liturgical house of studies that has taken of ground and is expanding, and it will reach the ends of our worldwide church. I want to thank so many of you in your episcopal leadership of our Nuncios, and our bishops for welcoming in an ecumenical spirit clergy and faithful from other denominations finding a home in our ECCC, be it our brethren of the Orthodox Churches who have signed the Tomos with our Church, members from the Lutheran and Anglican Churches that have joined our Church, and the list goes on.
At this moment, let our entire Church pray for our Synod in Italy that started in September 2020. It has been in preparation for quite some time. May it bear lots of fruit! God given, I shall be there for the Concluding Session in June of 2021.
Wishing you all a Blessed and Joyous Feast of our Savior's Birth.
May He be reborn in our hearts, so that we can see anew with the eyes of Love.
And as this Pandemic has hopefully changed the way of living and thinking of so many in the World, may the New year bring for all of us and all of humanity a better and deeper understanding of a world where we are all God's Children that belong to each other.
May God give the Grace to see each other again and the so many I have not met yet.
With my Apostolic Benediction
Yours
Servus Dei
+Karl Ecumenical Primate
USA:
The Ecumenical Primate, Dr. Karl Rodig has recommended that Fr. Dr. Tom Roberts be the new Chancellor for our St. Anthony's Cathedral Liturgical House of Studies, and Archbishop Dr. Sunny Alappat from India to be on the Board as well.
We have a new Seminarian joining our ECCC in California, Brother Alexey coming from Utah, he will be trained and guided under the auspicious of our Metropolitan Archbishop for California, ++Dr. Tony Scuderri in Sacramento.
Our Parish in Los Angeles, Archangel, with pastor, Fr. Jacob, is under Archbishop ++Dr. Tony Sucerri's episcopal and diocesan leadership.
I want also to congratulate Archbishop Tony for his new book he just published, "And What Peace Can I Receive From God: The Miracle of Francis and the Leper"
Despite the Pandemic, our Cathedral of St. Anthony in Detroit, Michigan, has been distributing clothes and food for many homeless. We also have prepared Christmas gifts for over 50 Children.
Our Cathedral was hit by a heavy storm in November of this year, it has ripped of the roof of one of the Bell towers, and also damaged some of the upper windows. We have organized a fundraising to help pay the repairs.
These are also encouraging news from the reform movements around the world of which we are also a partner:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
India:
Our Nuncio and Archbishop Dr. Sunny Alappat has shown great work by reaching out and receiving more clergy and religious into our Worldwide Communion:
3 Benedictine Anglican Friars with the leadership of Bro. Robin Sebastian, are becoming one of our religious communities. Legal documents of the religious trust registration are in process. Once the legal formalities in India is completed, there would be diaconate ordination to 3 members. Later completion of theological studies (3 years) we would proceed with priestly ordination.
We are praying for the church infrastructure in India, we are having the first cathedral religious house with a chapel at Kerala In India (Plot Size 8,700 Sq ft Appx. 5,000 Sq ft Building) . We have paid 70% of the amount and the balance 30% will be paid in Dec and the registration of the building will take place together with the last payment. All the funds are borrowed. We would run some services to generate income and return the borrowings.
As directed / verified / informed by Fr. Fernandez in Pakistan, there are 3 brothers ready for diaconate ordination. And there is a sister for her first profession of vows. He has invited me to Pakistan. According to the pandemic situation / international flight schedules on convenient travelling, further programs would be scheduled / organized.
Congratulations also to Archbishop Dr. Sunny Alappat for having become a member for the Human Rights Commission for India.
Pakistan:
Fr. Fernandez in Pakistan serves many poor people and has expanded his services. We have also received new inquiries for seminarians wanting to be in our Church. 3 brothers are ready for diaconate ordination and a Sister for her first religious vows.
Sri Lanka:
Fr. Nicholas, a former Benedictine Monk wants to revive the Order in his Country. Prayers and best wishes.
Fr Michael has expanded his mission and has 9 new lay ministers assisting him with the school and the new missions. Blessings for your work!
Africa:
Kenya: Our beloved Nuncio for the African Continent and Metropolitan Archbishop of Kenya, ++Godfrey Siundu, has been very active on many fronts, he is finishing the Church construction in Bungoma.
He had been chosen by different church and religious leaders, including the Roman Church to lead an ecumenical Conference in Kenya that was very successful. He also welcomed the Deputy President of Kenya and his delegation.
Our Church is growing and showing her presence with a lot of respect by other denominations, religions, and politicians.
Thank you for your wonderful Work!
Cameroon:
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cameroon under the leadership of Archbishop Jean de la Résurrection AMOUGOU will ordain Father Ferdinand KOA to the sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ on December 31, 2020. This brings the number of priests of the archdiocese to 13. We congratulate you and all your wonderful people!
Msgr. Didier with the Religious Order of the Companions of St. Augustine with their missions in Cameroon has become a Prelature. This will be a first step to establishing a new Diocese. Congratulations! Thank you for taking care of the orphanage and school for the poor children!
Ivory Coast, Senegal:
Fr. Emmanuel is working very hard for the poor in his country, especially for the abundant children. Prayers for all his good work!
Democratic Republic of Kongo:
Rev. Brother Munembwe Mukamba Damas, NOSF
2020-2021 School year, Monsignor Karl Primary School opened its doors in Kabare for orphaned and most vulnerable children of society.
From March 2021, the Reverend Deacon MUNEMBWE MUKAMBA DAMAS will make pastoral trips to the following provinces: Maniema Province, Greater Katanga Province and North Kivu...Thank you for all your good work! Be all blessed, especially the abundant children!
Latin America:
Thanks to all the efforts of our beloved Archbishop and Nuncio for the Territories of Latin America, ++Sebastian Pla, we can report the following:
The Ecumenical Seminary founded in Costa Rica by Archbishop Sebastian Pla is providing service to seminarians in Central America and the Caribbean, to date we have 24 seminarians, we also provide training when requested by a brother Bishop of the church within our territory.
Central America and Caribbean: Active missions in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti
Bishops in South America, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Mexico, a new Vicar General in Colombia, Father Leiber Rojas.
Cuba: The NOSF, and the Ecumenical Franciscan sisters having an new Mother Trinidad Mora Cabrera, the Orthodox Rite and the Latin rite are under Mons Fanurios Bishop Elect for Cuba and Canon Mons Stefanos.
Archbishop ++ Sebastian Pla has ordained 3 deacons in December 2020, including members of the NOSF.
The Latin rite is growing on the island.
Mons Fanurios has worked very hard for the Church in Cuba, there were also confirmations and baptisms during Archbishop Sebastian's Pla visit in Cuba. A special Thank you also to Fr. Adalberto who has been instrumental for this event.
The names of the new deacons are:
1. Rev. Jesús Díaz Hernández
2. Rev. Maykel Crúz Rodríguez
3. Rev. Jorge Luis García Cesar (C. C. Brother Bernardo)
Congratulations for the Priestly ordination of Fr. Adalberto conducted in Italy by our Archbishop Agostino de Caro in Sicilia. Many years in the vineyard of the Lord!
Costa Rica:
Besides our missions in Costa Rica, there is also public soup kitchen for the poor within social works.
We have developed Catechesis, social pastoral, vocational pastoral, we have generated teaching and regulations based on the manifesto that has allowed us to regulate and govern the church in the territories added to this the result of the two local synods. We formed the Ecclesiastical Tribunal for the dissolution of the bond, by 2021 we are fostering our efforts for the expansion of the church.
El reporte de la administración apostólica y la Arquidiocesis Metropolitana de Costa Rica
Seminario Ecuménico fundado en Costa Rica bajo mi episcopado esta brindando servicio a los seminaristas de América Central y el Caribe, hasta la fecha tenenos 24 seminaristas, también brindamos la formacion cuando nos es solicitada por algún hermano Obispo de la iglesia dentro de nuestro territorio.
Tenemos activas las misiones en Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica Panamá, Cuba, República Dominica y Haiti
Lógicamente existen Obispos en Sur América, Perú, Ecuador, un Vicario en Colombia que es Padre Leiber Rojas, Venezuela y México.
En el territorio Cubano existe NOSF, y las hermanas Franciscanas Ecuménica teniendo a la Madre Trinidad Mora Cabrera y tememos el Rito Ortodoxo y el rito latino con el apoyo de Mons Fanurios Obispo Electo para Cuba y Mons Stefanos Canónigo,
En Costa Rica existen misiones y un comedor público para pobres dentro de las obras sociales, hemos desarrollado Catequesis, pastoral social, pastoral vocaciónal, henos generado magisterio y reglamentos basados en el manifiesto que nos ha permitís normar y regir la iglesia en los territorios sumado a esto el resultado de los dos sinodos locales. Conformamos el Tribunal Eclesiástico para las disoluciones del vínculo, para el 2021 estamos dirigiendo nuestros a la expansión de la iglesia
Cuba:
Archbishop ++Sebastian Pla ordenado 3 diáconos entre ellos miembros de la NOSF, el rito latino está creciendo alla en la isla y hemos tenido el apoyo de Mons Fanurios Obispo Auxiliar Electo de nuestro Rito Ortodxo para con ellos, Mons Fanurios es una persona que se ha esforzado y trabajado muy duro por la Iglesia en Cuba, tendremos confirmaciones y bautizos en m visita, la Madre Trinidad superiora de las franciscanas Ecuménica le envía su saludo, se hace necesario realizar estas 3 ordenaciones por necesidad pastoral para poder atender adecuadamente las comunidades de rito latino. Gracias tambien por Fr. Adalberto and Mons. Fanurios que eran instrumental por este eventos.
Los nombres de los nuevos diáconos son:
1. Rev. Jesús Díaz Hernández
2. Rev. Maykel Crúz Rodríguez
3. Rev. Jorge Luis García Cesar ( C. C. Hermano Bernardo)
2. Rev. Maykel Crúz Rodríguez
3. Rev. Jorge Luis García Cesar ( C. C. Hermano Bernardo)
Europe:
Italy:
1. In oct. 4th we begun the N.O.S.F. The two friars: fr. Andrea and fr. Pietro
2. We have ordained as a deacon rev. Piero Barulli
3 we have incardinated Rev. Mother Maria Vittoria Longhitano from the Anglican Church in Italy.
4. We begun the experience of the theological study within the St. Anthony's Liturgical House of Studies with our seminarians
On October 4th we will have the profession of the first two Italian friars of the new order of St. Francis and St. Clare.
On September 28th we will give the cassock to three new seminarians who will begin their formative journey with us this year. They are very motivated and enthusiastic. In all, at the moment our Archdiocese has 5 seminarians (4 men and 1 woman), one of them will be ordained deacon in December.
Almost all the offices are now open, albeit with many limitations, so finally on September 30th at 12.00 we will be in front of the public official to sign the founding act of the church .. after two years of hard work!
Attached in this email you also can see the planning and order of the Metropolitan Synod for Italy under the leadership of Archbishop ++Agostino di Caro
Archbishop di Caro is also appointed to be the Provincial for the New Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, NOSF, for Europe helping to better organize our Religious Order.
Hungary:
Rev. Akos Konya, NOSF who is a hospital chaplain, has reported of the sacrifices that the Pandemic has brought upon so many. He is doing his work with great vigor. Blessings and stay safe with your family!
Holy See of The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ
September 28th, Saint Wenceslaus, A. D. 2020
Peace and Greetings to my beloved brother in Christ, Archbishop Agostino, my beloved Priests, Deacons, Religious, Seminarians and all beloved faithful in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Italy.
It is with great joy to greet you all on the Eve of your Metropolitan Archdiocesan Synod for Italy that will bring deep spiritual moments of prayer gatherings, fruitful discussions, a new outlook for your ministry in Christ and a stronger sense of being growing and loving communities.
Again, I want to greet you all with the beginning of the letter to the Philippians by Saint Polycarp, bishop and martyr (Cap. 1, 1-2, 3: Funk 1, 267-269)
"From Polycarp and his fellow presbyters to the pilgrim church of God at Philippi: May you have mercy and peace in abundance from Almighty God and Jesus Christ our Savior.
I rejoice with you greatly in the Lord Jesus Christ because you have assumed the pattern of true love and have rightly helped on their way those who were in chains. Such chains are becoming to the faithful; they are the rich crown of the chosen ones of our Lord and God.
I am glad, too, that your deep-rooted faith, proclaimed of old, still abides and continues to bear fruit in the life-giving power of our Lord Jesus Christ. He, for our sins, did not refuse to go down to death, and God raised him up after destroying the pains of hell. With a glorious joy that no words can express you believe in Christ without seeing him. This is the joy in which many wish to share knowing that it is by grace that you are saved and not by works, for so God has willed through Jesus Christ.
So prepare yourselves for the struggle, serve the Lord in fear and truth. Put aside empty talk and popular errors; your faith must be in him who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and gave him a share in his own glory and a seat at his right hand. To him everything was made subject in heaven and on earth; all things obey him, who will come as judge of the living and the dead. All who refuse to believe must answer to God for the blood of his Son.
He who raised him from the dead will raise us too if we do his will and keep his commandments, loving what he loved, refraining from all wrongdoing, fraud, avarice, malice and slander. We must abstain from false witness, not returning evil for evil, nor curse for curse, nor blow for blow, nor denunciation for denunciation. Always remember the words of the Lord, who taught: Do not judge and you will not be judged; forgive and you will be forgiven; be merciful and you will find mercy; the amount you measure out to others will be the amount measured out to you. Blessed are the poor and those who suffer persecution, for theirs is the kingdom of God."
Saint Polycarp's words are uplifting for our faith life -as they were 1900 years ago- when we want to get rid of the chains of our modern society and some extreme religious authorities posturing in their prejudices: hate, persecution and exclusion because of what one is and believes differently as a Christian, and so we experience often the chains of hopelessness. It is therefore the manifestation of our very existence that we believe in this Love of Christ that will liberate us and show us a light that shines for all of God's Children in this world who seek understanding, acceptance, and a life in love.
A your Synod is guided by the Holy Spirit, it will open new horizons for the deepening awareness of Christ's Love and presence among you.
It is my desire that you all read and deepen the spirit of our Church "Manifesto" and the different documents of our Church guidelines which can be easily accessed on our international website.
Please see them under the website page, "Church Documents": The Worldwide Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ
May you find through your Synodal gatherings a better understanding of our Ecumenical Spirit as a Church in this earthly home, like:
The Christian Church is Ecumenical in Nature; Peace and Unity among all Churches; All are welcome means inclusive; A permanent way of living as a Catholic Christian: Renewed daily - A ministry of Hope through Christ Jesus - No matter what.
Our Cathedral Mission Statement of St. Anthony may enlighten a little what we are all striving for, and what we represent:
The Cathedral Family of Saint Anthony is centered in Christ,
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, anchored in the Holy Bible,
And nourished by the Sacraments.
We proclaim, witness, and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ in her liturgical services
And community efforts shall advance the peaceful
And continued building of the Kingdom of God.
In our ecumenical relationships with other Church Denominations,
We celebrate Church Unity to the Glory of our loving God.
I pray for you and hope, God willing, I can be present at the conclusion of your Synod to which I look very much forward.
I want to conclude with the letter of Saint Augustine in his famous words, "For you I am a bishop; with you I am a Christian" from his Sermon 340,1 PL 38, 1483-1484
"The day I became a bishop, a burden was laid on my shoulders for which it will be no easy task to render an account. The honors I receive are for me an ever present cause of uneasiness. Indeed, it terrifies me to think that I could take more pleasure in the honor attached to my office, which is where its danger lies, than in your salvation, which ought to be its fruit. This is why being set above you fills me with alarm, whereas being with you gives me comfort. Danger lies if the first; salvation in the second.
To be honest with you, my obligations involve me in so much turmoil that I feel as though I were tossed by storms on a great ocean. When I remember by whose blood I have been redeemed, this thought brings me peace, as though I were entering the safety of a harbor; and I am consoled, as I carry out the arduous duties of my own particular office, by the blessings which we all have in common. By finding my chief you therefore in the redemption, which I share with you, and not in my office, which has placed me over you, I shall the more truly be your servant; and so not only fulfill the Lord’s command, but also show myself not ungrateful to him for making me your fellow servant. For my Redeemer has a claim upon my love, and I do not forget how he questioned Peter, and asked: Do you love me, Peter? Then feed my sheep. He asked this once, then again and then a third time. He inquired about his love, and then he gave him work to do; for the greater one’s love is, the easier is the work.
How shall I repay the Lord for all the blessings he has given me? I could say perhaps that I repay him by feeding his sheep, but even though I do this, it is not really I who do it, but the grace of God within me. So when all that I do is the gift of God’s grace, how can I possibly repay him? As a matter of fact, I hope to be repaid myself, and this for the very reason that I love him freely and feed his sheep. But, you may ask, if I feed his sheep because I love him freely, how can I demand payment for feeding them? It is indeed unthinkable to ask for a recompense for love freely given unless that recompense is the loved one himself.
But even if feeding his sheep could repay him for redeeming me, what could repay him for having made me his shepherd? To be a good shepherd I depend entirely on his grace, for without his help I should be a very bad one, there is so much evil in me. Pray, then, that I may not be a bad shepherd, but a good one.
And for you, my brothers and sisters...Make my ministry a fruitful one. You are God’s garden, and you should therefore welcome the laborer who does the visible work of planting and watering the seed, even though the growth comes from one who works invisibly within you. Help me both by your prayers and by your obedience, for then it will be a pleasure for me, not to preside over you, but to serve you."
Sending you all my Apostolic Benedictions
With my prayers united in your journey
In Christ, our Savior
Yours
+Karl