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TRINITARIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Greetings and may God bless you abundantly! The simple explanation of who we are is to tell you that we are Catholics, but we are not “Roman” Catholics. We are a valid, autocephalous Catholic Jurisdiction that is not in union with Rome. Our clergy are ordained in Apostolic Succession according to the recognized Rite of Ordination that is used to ordain clergy in the Roman Catholic Church. We belong to an ever-growing movement of Catholic laity and clergy who wish to remain true to our Catholic faith while standing firmly in opposition to certain dogmas, policies and pronouncements of the Roman Church. It is very important to know that while we are not in "perfect communion" with the Roman Catholic Church, as an Apostolic Church, our Sacraments and Holy Orders are recognized as valid by the Vatican. For reference, these excerpts, from the Declaration, Dominus Iesus are provided here: At the Vatican on June 16, 2000, Pope John Paul II ratified and ordered the publication of Dominus Iesus. This Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was signed and published by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (who later became Pope Benedict XVI) in August of the same year. In this Declaration, the Roman Catholic Church recognizes the validity of Orders and Sacraments of other Catholic denominations. "These Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the (Roman) Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, and are true particular Churches." "Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such...have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church." IV Unicity and Unity of the Church, 17 As a "true particular Church", not in perfect communion with Rome, we are not, therefore, Protestants, even though we have great love and respect for our many Protestant sisters and brothers. Rather we have, by the grace of God, remained faithful to the essentials of our Catholic faith and to our mission to repair the Church in the name of Jesus Christ. From small beginnings, we are witnesses of a Catholic Church which does not discriminate against any of God’s people: a Church where the poor, the alienated, the disenfranchised and all those who are seeking an open and affirming welcome will find a home at long last. Building a community of faith is never an easy task. Read the Acts of the Apostles and other writings about the Early Semetic-Christian era and you’ll soon understand what I mean. We can be quite thankful that present day civil authorities have long since abandoned the practice of throwing Christians to the lions. Even so, we share in many of the difficulties and obstacles that our sisters and brothers experienced in the Early Semetic-Christian community as well as a number of new obstacles that are particular to our modern world. Thankfully, because of the Internet and other modern means of communication, we can do some things that they could not have imagined. The fact that you found us while browsing the Internet and are reading about us is proof of that. If after reading about us, you feel called to the Catholic faith and wish to join our Church, or would simply like to write to us, we would like to hear from you. Our Metropolitan Diocese of Hope includes all of New England, New York and New Jersey. We are a grass-roots group of Catholics with a fresh vision of a Church that is open and welcoming to all of God's people. It may take some time before a TCC parish is established in your area. We need to hear from individuals and small groups who are willing to work with us to create study groups, missions and parishes. We especially need good people who are willing to embrace leadership roles and who will be willing to organize small faith communities. We especially need to identify those people who are seeking to become ordained to Holy Orders so that we will have deacons and priests available to serve the sacramental needs of people throughout our metropolitan diocese. We are never in competition with other independent, Catholic Churches for members. If you live outside of our jurisdiction, we'd be happy to help you find an open and welcoming Church in your area. If you reside within our jurisdiction and believe that you are called to join us, please contact us. If we don't have a study group, mission or a parish where you live, you could be instrumental in helping us to begin one. Write to us and we'll help you get some information. Our diocesan jurisdiction includes New England, New York and New Jersey. Adult men and women who feel called to become deacons and priests in our Church will be given equal consideration regardless of marital status, age or sexual orientation. Please come back and visit our web pages often as that we will be adding to it from time to time. Always remember that no matter who you are, God's love for you is unconditional!
May the peace and love of God through Jesus Christ, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always!
Your brother, in Christ,
+The Most Reverend Russell F.
Coates, Jr., FDP, M.Div.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change
the world.
TRINITARIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
The Jurisdiction of the Trinitarian Catholic Chuch:
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