From The Northwestern: Judy Russell: Emmaus ordination called a ‘first’ for Oshkosh
For what is called the first in Oshkosh history, a married person will be ordained a “Catholic Presbyter,” to serve the new Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community.
Thomas Altepeter, pastor of Emmaus, will be ordained to the priesthood at 6 p.m. Friday at First Congregational Church, according to information from the Christian community and Stan Kline, chairman of the Emmaus Steering Committee. Altepeter will be ordained by Bishop Peter Hickman, presiding bishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion. Also present will be Rev. Frank Krebs, vicar for the Midwest region of the ECC; and George von Stamwitz, ECC chancellor. The ordination ceremony is open to all.
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“There are many ways to express the Catholic faith, some which are not in full communion with Rome,” Altepeter said. “The ECC and the Polish National Catholic Church are two examples. As a member of the ECC, Emmaus shares common theology, sacramental and liturgical traditions with the Roman Catholic Church. Our deacons, priests and bishops participate in the same historic apostolic succession as do those of the Roman Catholic Church.”
This is the second recent article where the PNCC has been mentioned by folks who report on or are part of the ECC. It should be noted that while the ECC calls itself Catholic what it is is no more than another congregation ‘affirming’ whatever its members want to do.
Gregory Holmes Singleton writes on the Church’s website:
…if we are to honor our diversity there are Catholic perspectives and not a singular Catholic perspective. That is true whether we are talking about the Church Catholic writ large, the Ecumenical Catholic Communion, or a given congregation. Lest anyone think that the plurality of perspectives indicates that —anything goes,—
The unique part of Catholicism is an agreement on core issues, and the fact the the Church is indeed open to all who wish to come and pray (the real definition of diversity). The Churches that are Catholic agree that core issues are infallibly defined dogmas (by the Church, not just one bishop), Liturgy, and Tradition. Those things are not changeable in their essence. We cannot have ‘alternate marriages’ or women priests any more than we can use beer and pretzels for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (which discussion we had in my R.C. seminary days focused on exploring the differences between things that are licit vs. valid). We cannot have a liturgy that consists of banjo picking and hymn singing alone. We cannot say that Jesus was just a fun guy who faced down evil rulers.
No first here. The ECC is yet another anything goes Protestant denomination catering to the whims and desires of its flock. They define dogma as whatever may go at the moment.
The ECC appears to be headed by a former American Baptist pastor who somehow obtained “orders” through the Mathew line. They seem to have a strong tie to CORPUS.
Fair warning: although they seem to relish grouping themselves with the PNCC don’t be fooled, there is no relationship there. PNCC parishes in Wisconsin are listed here.
On the issue raised above regarding married (male) clergy, not something infallible, merely a discipline in Catholic Churches. Having married and celibate clergy vs. primarily celibate clergy doesn’t make one Catholic. Adhering to defined, infallible dogma and Tradition does.
