American Catholic Church in the United States

The American Catholic Church in the United States (ACCUS) is an Independent Catholic church primarily in the United States. Founded in 1999, the American Catholic Church in the United States, being an offshoot of the Independent Catholic movement, has no ecclesiastical relation with the Catholic Church in communion with the Holy See. ACCUS claims apostolic succession through Duarte Costa.[2]

For the denomination founded by Joseph René Vilatte, see American Catholic Church (1915).
American Catholic Church in the United States
ClassificationIndependent Catholic
GovernanceMixture of episcopal and congregational polity
FounderLawrence J. Harms
Origin1999
Frederick, Maryland
Separated fromDirectly from the Free Catholic Church
Members5500[1]
Clergy1 bishop, 16 priests, 3 deacons
Websiteaccus.us

Overview

ACCUS is listed as 501(c)(3) under the name American Catholic Church, Frederick, MD.[3]

History

The American Catholic Church in the United States was founded in Frederick, Maryland, by Lawrence J. Harms.[4]

At the beginning of 2018, ACCUS was composed of 1 bishop, 15 priests, and 3 deacons in 13 states.[5] At that time, the jurisdiction's most active ministry was found at Holy Family Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, where four priests and two deacons ministered to more than 200 congregants who were gathering weekly to celebrate the Eucharist.[2]

Theology and sacraments

The American Catholic Church in the United States states that it adheres to "the essential Catholic doctrine and practice as expressed and implied in the statements of Vatican Council II, and in the light of the best contemporary thought."[6] ACCUS celebrates the seven sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Communion, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. Because the ACCUS "rejects artificial barriers to the reception of the sacraments based on marital status, sexuality or orientation",[6] the sacrament of marriage can be celebrated for same-sex couples.[7]

References
  1. Handbook of Denominations in the United States, 14th Edition. Abingdon Press. 2018. p. 73. ISBN 9781501822520. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  2. Ross, Robyn (June 2017). "Critical Mass: An Austin church remakes Catholicism without the Pope, celibate priests, or most of the other rules". Texas Monthly. Austin, Texas. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  3. Internal Revenue Service
  4. "Obituary of Archbishop Lawrence J. Harms". Frederick, Maryland. April 28, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  5. "Individual State Locations of the ACCUS". American Catholic Church in the United States. Retrieved April 11, 2018..
  6. "What is the American Catholic Church in the United States?". American Catholic Church in the United States. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2012..
  7. "'Gay unions OK:' Local cleric officiated at many". The Frederick News-Post. Frederick, Maryland. April 5, 2004. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
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