Cross Denominational Mission
The Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch (Malabar Rite) describe
themselves as a limb of the one Christian church, the Mystical Body of
Christ and acknowledge the Christ as founder, living head, and eternal
high priest.
A Catholic Church in the original, universal, sense of that word as
well as in their form of sacramental worship. Neither Roman Catholic,
Eastern Orthodox, nor Protestant, though they trace their Holy Orders,
or “apostolic succession” through Roman Catholic and Orthodox lines.
They hold that the sacraments are visible signs of a manifestation of
divine grace, and are powerful aids to spiritual growth. Holy Eucharist
(Communion), Reconciliation (Penance), Holy Unction (healing of the
sick), and Holy Matrimony are made available to all who seek them.
Baptism is the rite of formal initiation into Christ's church
Confirmation seals the commitment to a Christian way of life and Holy
Orders are an initiation available to those who wish to serve as clergy.
The Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch are a modern church, maintaining that eternal truth cloaks itself
in garb appropriate to the age, and that the outward form of religion
should keep pace with human development. Their form of Independent
Catholicism embodies an ancient truth for a new age, they do not shrink
from new knowledge: but provide an intelligent alternative traditional
worship with the free exploration of new ideas and techniques.
Their church is a spiritual fellowship of followers of the Spirit and a
church of love. "We accept Saint John's testimony that God is Love For
us, Christ's ministry is the law of love: “Love the Lord, thy God, with
thy whole heart, thy whole mind and thy whole strength; and love thy
neighbor as thyself. This is the whole of the Law and the prophets.”
Saint Augustine epitomized Christian ethics in the precept, “Love and
do as you will.”
The Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch maintain that the Holy Spirit acts through pure channels
everywhere, regardless of age, sex, race, creed or culture. There is
only one true God, however this God is known or worshipped; hence,
there is eternally only one holy universal Church, regardless of the
cultural form it happens to assume in a given time and place. They
revere the saints, sages, and holy ones of all ages and places. They
describe the one true God as speaking with both feminine and masculine
voices: "We listen for it. We maintain that God touches us in many
ways. We respond. The Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine manifest
through and in us. We act. We seek not one or the other, but rather the
co-mingling and integration of all that is God. Experienced inwardly
and expressed outwardly, the Divine Presence moves us with Grace toward
a stillpoint where we can abide in Peace, rest in God, and co-exist
with all that is."
A mystical church, a spiritual church and a sacramental church and hold
that the chief purpose of the church is to perpetuate the historical
sacramental tradition as instituted by Jesus Christ, and as preserved
through apostolic succession. The sacraments are channels of divine
grace and should be easily available to all. All reverent persons are
welcome to receive the sacraments, whether members of the Church of
Antioch or not. The Church of Antioch is a member of the Independent Catholic Churches Council.
Holy Orders are open to all, regardless of gender, marital status, or
sexual orientation, Whilst valuing of the principle of the “priesthood
of the laity,” but also recognizing the importance of valid of Holy
Orders for the administration of the sacraments
Links
The Catholic Church of Antioch Official website
A typical parish: Christ of the Desert Catholic Church of Antioch website