CATHOLIC FAITH
ANGLICAN WORSHIP
Anglican and Catholic?
What does that mean?
We are Anglican because we follow the traditional faith, worship and teachings of the Church of England.
We are Catholic because we believe in the universal Christian Church and in the faith handed down from the Apostles.
The word Catholic means universal. It does not simply mean one particular denomination. When we say in the Nicene Creed, “I believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church,” we are speaking of the whole Church of Christ.
The Church is traditionally described by four marks:
One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.
Our History
The Anglican Catholic Church began in 1977.
Church leaders and clergy came together because they wanted to preserve the traditional Christian faith and the historic Anglican way of worship.
The first bishops of the Anglican Catholic Church were consecrated in 1978.
The Church came to Australia in 1987 and New Zealand in 1988.
Today, the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia and New Zealand continues to preserve and share the traditional Anglican expression of the Catholic faith.
Our Worship
Our worship is based on the historic Book of Common Prayer and the traditional Anglican Liturgy.
We use historic forms of worship, including the 1549 English, 1928 American and 1962 Canadian Books of Common Prayer, together with various Anglican Missals.
Our Church continues the historic ministry of Bishops, Priests and Deacons, passed down through the Apostles.
What We Believe
We believe that the Christian faith has been handed down through the Bible, the Apostles, the Creeds, the Sacraments and the teaching of the Church.
We look to the early Church and the Fathers of the Church for guidance in understanding and living out the Christian faith.
We believe that the Sacraments are an important part of the life of the Church, through which God gives His grace to His people.
Our aim is to remain faithful to the historic Christian faith and to pass it on to future generations.
We seek to live and proclaim the faith that we have received.
We also pray for the unity of all Christians and for everyone who is seeking to know and love God.
As the prophet Jeremiah says:
“Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah 6:16
You Are Welcome
If you would like to learn more about the Anglican Catholic Church, you are very welcome to come and worship with us.
Come and experience our traditional Liturgy, hear the Word of God, receive the Sacraments, and discover the richness of the Christian faith.
The Anglican Catholic Church
Preserving the Past — Shaping the Future
+ Ian Woodman
Bishop – Episcopal Visitor to Australia and New Zealand
WHAT DO WE BELIEVE
Our Beliefs
The Anglican Catholic Church believes in Word, Sacrament and Tradition. We believe that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church and strengthen Christians in their faith and witness.
The Bible
The Bible is the Word of God. The early Church gathered the inspired writings of the prophets and apostles, together with the Good News of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His disciples, to form the Holy Scriptures.
The Christian Faith
For more than four hundred years, the early Church met in Holy Synod to consider and resolve differences in the understanding of the Christian faith.
The Seven Ecumenical Councils helped establish the common faith of the Church. Their teachings and the Creeds they produced remain an important foundation of Christian belief.
Apostolic Ministry
Jesus appointed the Apostles to lead and serve His Church. The Apostles then appointed others to continue their ministry.
Today, the Anglican Catholic Church continues this Apostolic Ministry through Bishops, Priests and Deacons, maintaining an unbroken succession from the Apostles.
The Sacraments
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. Jesus continues to be present with His Church through the Sacraments.
Through these visible signs, God gives His grace to His people. We experience Christ's presence especially through:
- Holy Baptism
- The Holy Eucharist — the bread and wine of the Mass
- Holy Oil
- The Laying on of Hands
As Scripture tells us:
“The Word was made flesh.”
John 1:14
Our Values
Our Worship
Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem humanity. After His Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, He remains with us through the Holy Spirit.
In the Sacraments of the Church, Christ continues to meet us and share His grace with us.
Our worship therefore uses the historic prayers and texts of the Church, beautiful symbolism and meaningful ritual. Through our worship, we proclaim the God who has renewed His creation through Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
We are a family of believers seeking to live out the faith once delivered to the Saints (Jude 1:3).
We believe the words of Scripture:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
The Anglican Catholic Church honours the faith and witness of Christians throughout every generation.
We seek to remain faithful to that same Christian faith today, carrying it forward for future generations and for the age to come.
Our Invitation
You are warmly invited to come and worship with us.
Speak with one of our diocesan clergy if you would like to learn more about the Anglican Catholic faith.
Come and experience the Liturgy of the Church, hear the Word of God proclaimed, and join us as we seek to live and share the faith of Christ crucified and risen with the world.
Our Clergy
