External Communications - The North American Old Catholic Church

Communion a gift to all Christians

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When Communion is used as a weapon or tool to control, everyone loses

November 25, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] In response to the recent national press coverage of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence instructing Congressman Patrick Kennedy to refrain from receiving communion due to his pro-choice beliefs, Archbishop Michael Seneco, presiding bishop of the North American Old Catholic Church issued the following statement:

“The sacraments of the Catholic Church, most especially communion, in which Catholics from age to age believe to be the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, are a gift from God to all his children. When church leaders attempt to use the sacraments as a weapon or tool to exert control or to change people’s behaviors, it represents a true failure of the church, and further damages the relationship that God has with his children here on earth.”

“Bishop Tobin’s recent attempt to change Representative Kennedy’s stance on abortion by “asking” Kennedy to not receive communion betrays the very central and divine gift that communion represents- the ultimate gift of love and forgiveness. Christ was betrayed, crucified, and resurrected for all people – not just those who follow the rules set down by other men.”

“The Roman Catholic Church has failed in its teaching of their faithful, and they now are attempting to use the Body of Christ as a tool to control the mass exodus of faithful and clergy. Catholics are leaving the Roman Church and joining other Catholic or sacramental churches at a brisk pace. Bishop Tobin and his brother bishops have lost touch with the people they are called to serve, and the sacrament with which they are sacredly charged with making available to all who seek it.”

“The last time Christ’s body was used in this way was on the cross on Good Friday. Bishop Tobin is attempting, through fear, intimidation, and under the pain and threat of withholding that which was promised to all God’s children, to coerce, beguile, and force people to a place of belief that is not authentic, but rather uniformed and dispassionate.”

“For any church to abuse the Body of Christ in this manner is abhorrent, and we call Bishop Tobin to reconcile himself to God through an earnest reception of the Sacrament of Communion. For it is through the reception of communion that we all can come to a right relationship with our Creator.”

Communion in the North American Old Catholic Church is open to all baptized Christians. Congressman Kennedy and his family are welcome to pray and receive the sacraments at the Church of the Holy Paraclete, 208 Douglas Ave (inside Brooklyn Tea and Coffee House) every Sunday at 6:00 PM. When Kennedy is in Washington, he is invited to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (inside Specialty Hospital of Washington) 700 Constitution Ave NE every Sunday at 11:30 AM.

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Church to pray for Roman Catholic Bishops

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As Roman Catholic bishops gather in November, prayers offered that they “will act with Christ’s compassion.”

October 31, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] - The North American Old Catholic Church designated November as a month of “prayer to be offered for the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church.” It is the hope of the church that the prayers will bring Christ’s compassion to their hearts as they deliberate a new document on love and marriage.

The Roman Catholic Bishops announced that at their November meeting in Baltimore, MD they will consider the approval of a 57 page pastoral letter titled “Marriage: Love and Life in the Diving Plan- A Pastoral Letter of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops .”

The document, a draft of which was obtained by the Independent Catholic News Service, discusses marriage between men and women and that the bishops feel “…compelled to speak out against all attempts to redefine marriage so that it would no longer be exclusively the union of a man and a woman as God established and blessed it.”

“The document in its draft form contains many contradictions…” Archbishop Wynn Wagner III, Bishop Coadjutor of the church stated in a recent meeting; “while quoting the late John Paul II as saying ‘to form communion of persons is the vocation of everyone. All human persons are created in the image of God, who is a communion of love of three persons, and thus all are called to live in a communion of self-giving love.’ it goes on to state the only two purposes of marriage Procreative and Educative- denying both homosexual persons and heterosexual persons who cannot pro-create access to the sacrament of marriage.

We invite Catholics and people of all faiths to join us in prayer that the Roman Catholic Bishops will feel Christ alive within their hearts, and see their way clear to stand up for the Gospel of truth and love for ALL believers and all those who seek the blessings of God on their Christian marriage.

The North American Old Catholic Church offers the sacrament of marriage to all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, ability or desire to pro-create, gender identity, or civil divorce.
Download Draft of USCCB Pastoral Letter by clicking here.

Church urges Congressional Passage of Public Option Healthcare

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Interference in democratic process by Roman Catholic Church un-American and un-Christian

October 31, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] Today, the North American Old Catholic Church urged all members of Congress to immediately pass health care coverage that includes payment for all reproductive services, including medically necessary abortions.

Archbishop Michael Seneco, Presiding Bishop of the church stated “The Roman Catholic Church is attempting to influence current health care legislation as it makes its way through Congress, hoping to derail the full public health care effort based on the payment for reproductive services to women.”

The Archbishop continued, “The US Government has a constitutional obligation to ‘promote the general welfare ’ of its citizens, and for the Roman Catholic Bishops to interfere with our democratic process is patently un-American. Further, for them to attempt to deny access to healthcare is contrary to the Gospel message of love and care for your fellow man.”

The North American Old Catholic Church is a pro-life church. As a church in the United States, we temper our pro-life stance with a high level of tolerance, and recognition that America was founded on the idea of a pluralistic society. No American is required to embrace the ideological or spiritual beliefs of any other American, and the Roman Catholic Church’s continued attempt to sway legislation to include its moral and ethical beliefs is contrary to the idea of a free and civil society, and flies in the very face of the founder’s vision for our country.

The North American Old Catholic Church believes that the key to decreasing the number of abortions provided in the US rests in drastic and sweeping changes, improvements and access to pre and post natal care, as well as to our foster care and adoption programs nationwide.

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Fostering a continued, strong commitment to catholic tradition, and the search for contemporary meaning, the North American Old Catholic Church is part of the worldwide, universal church of Jesus Christ.

For more information about the church, and to review or download our press kit, visit http://newsroom.naoldcatholic.com and click on *PRESS KIT*

You may also request a press kit by emailing pressroom@naoldcatholic.com

Ordination Set for Dallas

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 19, 2009

For more information:

Press-quality picture of Rev. Julio Chong:
http://www.ocdot.org/Images/ClergyPix/Rev-Julio-1-Med.png

Background Information about the Old Catholic Church:
http://newsroom.naOldCatholic.com

Ordination of Priest Set for Dallas

The North American Old Catholic Church, one of the largest Old Catholic bodies in the United States, announced today the ordination of Julio A. Chong, of Dallas, TX to the priesthood. Rev. Chong, a native of Panama, is currently a deacon. He is a graduate of St. Alban Seminary in California.

“We have had a great increase in the amount of vocations to the Old Catholic Priesthood this year.” stated Archbishop Michael Seneco, Presiding Archbishop of the North American Old Catholic Church.

Rev. Chong’s ordination is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at St. Mychal Judge, the Old Catholic Church in Dallas. The ordination will be presided over by The Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Hooker, Jr., bishop of the Diocese of Texas. Other bishops set to be attending include Archbishop Michael Seneco (Presiding Bishop), Archbishop Wynn Wagner (Regionary Bishop) and Bishop Luis Londono (Director of Latin Ministries).

When asked why the North American Old Catholic Church has seen a sharp increase in vocations to the priesthood, Mr. Matthew Velic, who sits on the board of trustees for Saint Wolbodo Seminary said, “We have a unique educational program that allows for a great amount of flexibility in the educational process, while still giving the students a good feel of community that one would find at a more traditional institution.”

Archbishop Seneco continued, “We also feel that the state of our Nation — with poverty on the rise; the exploding cost of health care; the housing market falling flat are just a few of the reasons people are answering the call God has given them. All our seminarians and applicants have expressed a strong concern for these and other issues, and a desire and commitment to work together to change things for our country, and her people.”

Additionally, church officials site an outreach effort to clergy who left larger, institutional churches over marriage, gender or sexual orientation, as well as a significant and deliberate campaign to increase vocations in the African American and Latino communities.

Upon ordination, Rev. Chong will be a valuable addition to the staff of St. Mychal Judge.

Pictures, artwork and other collateral pieces

The North American Old Catholic Church does not assert copyright on any of the following. The pictures listed below are all contained in Adobe PDF files.

• A look inside St. Mychal Judge, the Old Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas USA.
• Picture of Archbishop Wynn Wagner, the Regionary Bishop of the Southern Province USA.
• Picture of Bishop Thomas Hooker, the bishop of the Diocese of Texas USA

Church to CVS: Unlock the Condoms!

Church joins the call for CVS to unlock condom displays in their stores

May 22, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] The North American Old Catholic Church joins the call for CVS/Caremark to end the practice of locking up condoms in their stores that are located in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.

“The practice of making someone ask for condoms stigmatizes condoms and those who use them, making it less likely that the consumer will purchase them.” said Mother Meredith Moise, vicar for Black and Latino Catholics for the church. “To make it more difficult for black men and women to obtain protection is a dangerous practice.” she concluded.

The statistics demonstrate the urgent need for easy access to condoms: Annually, 3 million teenagers acquire an STD and 750 thousand teenage girls become pregnant. It is believed that 46% of black gay and bisexual men are infected with HIV, and the general HIV infection rate is highest amongst black men who engage in sex with other men. HIV/AIDS is the number one killer of young black women, and the infection rate is four times higher in Hispanic women, and fifteen times higher in black women than it is in white women.

Access to condoms is crucial to stemming the tide of HIV infections and death from AIDS in the United States.

We urge CVS/Caremark to follow the examples of other pharmacy chains. CVS’s closest competitor, Walgreens, has a policy in place that prohibits locking up condoms in their stores.

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Church Issues Guidelines on Swine Flu

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April 28, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] The North American Old Catholic Church issued guidelines today to all parishes and ministers with regards to the Swine Flu outbreak.

These guidelines restrict several actions that occur in Catholic worship that may transmit the Swine Flu virus from one parishioner to another.

Until the Centers for Disease Control ends the health emergency declaration with regards to the Swine Flu, the following changes to the worship experience have been instituted:

• Physically exchanging the sign of peace by shaking hands, hugging, or other bodily contact is prohibited;
• Passing the communion chalice when non-alcoholic wine is utilized is prohibited;
• The practice of ‘intinction’- dipping the communion bread into the communion wine before consumption is prohibited;
• Passing the chalice when 12% by volume alcohol wine will continue to be permitted, however the communicant will not be allowed to hold the chalice as is sometimes the practice. The chalice will need to be held by the minister;

Clergy are also instructed to be sure to thoroughly wash chalices with warm soap and water between each use.

In a memo to the church, Archbishop Michael Seneco stated: “While these rules may seem excessive, and over cautious- the public perception of the Swine Flu issue is one of great concern and panic. These changes should continue to instill confidence in our parishioners for the duration of this public health emergency.” Seneco is the presiding bishop of the church.

A copy of the memo can be downloaded by clicking here Church Memo on Swine Flu

Reaching out to Micronesians

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Church working with Micronesian Government to protect the rights of Micronesian Nationals living in the US

April 23, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] The North American Old Catholic Church today announced reaching a working agreement and memorandum of cooperation with the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. Talks were held at the Micronesian Embassy with His Excellency, Yosiwo P. George, the Ambassador to the United States from the Federated States of Micronesia.

The North American Old Catholic Church, through its parishes and ministries in the Dallas, Texas, Central and Gold Coast regions of Florida will work to educate businesses and Micronesians on their rights under the Compact of Free Association that exists between the US and the FSM, by producing materials Micronesian nationals can take with them when they apply for jobs explaining their rights.

“Under the compact, Micronesian nationals are allowed to work and live legally in the US without applying for traditional permission (green cards, resident alien and worker permits) from the US Department of Homeland Security.. Unfortunately, many FSM nationals find it difficult to obtain legal employment in this post-911 era, as most Americans are unaware of the rights of FSM nationals under the Compact of Free Association.” said Archbishop Michael Seneco in a prepared statement: “It is our hope that we can assist FSM nationals in their employment quest, and at the same time, educate business owners on this valuable pool of ready workers.” he concluded.

The Compact of Free Association, originally negotiated in 1969, and most recently ratified with amendments in June of 2004, gives FSM nationals the right to work in the US and to serve in our military. In exchange, the US provides military security for Micronesia, and gives the US a firm foothold in the South Pacific, which is strategic in our nation’s war on terrorism.

The church will also begin to work with the FSM government to monitor reported abuses in the recruitment and treatment that some FSM Nationals have reported when being employed on the US Mainland, specifically in agribusiness and poultry production.

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US Code Reference: The Compact of Free Association - US Public Law 108-188, December 17, 2003 House Joint Resolution 63

Church to offer Health Care Benefits

030609-benefit-package-press-release.

Full heath care and dental plan to launch June 1, 2009

March 6, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] The North American Old Catholic Church, in its continued efforts to support its current clergy and attract new clergy and seminarians will offer comprehensive health care benefits to its clergy, seminarians, and lay staff beginning June 1, 2009.

“By making the decision to offer this benefit, The Congregation of Bishops of the church demonstrated today its continued commitment to supporting our clergy efforts to remain engaged in ministry, free from distractions.” said Matthew Velic, Moderator of the Curia of the National Church.

The Congregation of Bishops is the supreme authority in the North American Old Catholic Church.

In a statement to clergy, Archbishop Michael Seneco, presiding bishop commented: “The ability of our particular church to offer health insurance to our clergy and staff is a major step forward in our continued, consistent growth and expansion. We believe that offering a full compliment of benefits, which includes health care, will aid us in our vocations and recruitment efforts, which is crucial to bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to new people in new and innovative ways.”

The health care plan, operated by Blue Cross Blue Shield will cover doctor and dental visits, hospitalization and drug costs. Coverage includes coverage for chronic and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, asthma, HIV/AIDS.

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Fostering a continued, strong commitment to catholic tradition, and the search for contemporary meaning, the North American Old Catholic Church is part of the worldwide,
universal church of Jesus Christ.

You may also request a press kit by emailing pressroom@naoldcatholic.com

Four Men Ordained Deacons

New Catholic Deacons embrace Christ’s call to service.

February 6, 2009 – Washington, DC [ICNS] The North American Old Catholic Church, part of the universal, worldwide church of Jesus Christ, announced today the ordination of four men as Catholic Deacons.

Ordained on Saturday, February 14th in New Haven Connecticut were:
Tim Johnson of Amherst, NH - Tim will serve as public safety chaplain to the Amherst police and fire departments. Tim is married to his wife Cassie Johnson, and works as a public safety dispatcher for the City of Amherst, NH.

Jakob Thibault of Providence, RI – Jakob will begin to minister through presence and counseling to the gay community in Providence. Jakob is married to his husband Jamie Thibault, and is completing his Juris Doctor degree at the Southern NE School of Law;

William Christ of Baltimore, MD – Bill will be assigned as a parish deacon at Saint Michael the Archangel parish in Baltimore, MD. Bill is married to his husband, the Rev. Joe Steward. Bill owns BC Graphics, an architectural design firm in Baltimore, and is a published fiction writer.

Duff Eakes of Hampton, VA – Duff will continue studies and work in the special projects office of the national church. Duff is engaged to Russell Johnson, and works as a mental health professional.

The ordination was held in New Haven, CT at Dwight Hall Chapel, on the campus of Yale University on Saturday, February 14, 2009. Archbishop Michael Seneco was the ordaining prelate.