The Basic Faith - The Basic Faith of the North American Catholic Ecumenical Church, dba The Ecumenical Catholic Church, is based on the continuing traditions and history of the universal Catholic Church.
Articles of Faith
1) The Way of Salvation- Eternal Salvation is promised to humanity through the merits of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and upon condition of obedience to the teaching of the Holy Gospel, which requires Faith, Hope and Charity.
2) Faith, Hope and Charity Faith - is a virtue infused by God, whereby humans accept, and believe without doubting, whatever God has revealed in the Church concerning true Religion. Hope - is a virtue infused by God, and following upon Faith; by it humans put their entire trust and confidence in the goodness and mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, and look for the fulfillment of the Divine promises made to those who obey the Gospel. Charity, also called Love - is a virtue infused by God, and likewise consequent to Faith, whereby humans, loving God above all things for His own sake and their neighbors as themselves for God's sake, yields up their will to a joyful obedience to the revealed will of God through the Church.
3) The Church- God has established the Holy Catholic Church upon earth to be the pillar and the ground of the revealed Truth; and has committed to her the guardianship of the Holy Tradition, and the power of binding and loosing. Therefore the Catholic Church proclaims the Divine Presence of our Lord through these two pillars, Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
4) The Creed- The Catholic Church has set forth the principal Doctrines of the Christian Faith in twelve articles from the Council at Nicaea, as follows: I - We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is seen and unseen, II – We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father, by Whom all things were made; III - Who for us and our salvation came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man; IV – For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. V – On the third day He rose again, in fulfillment of the Scriptures; VI - He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; VII – He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom shall have no end; VIII – We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, with the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets; IX – We believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; X - We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins; XI - We look for the Resurrection of the dead; XII - And the Life in the world to come. Amen.
5) The Sacraments- The fundamental ordinances of the Gospel instituted by Jesus Christ as special means of conveying Divine grace and influence to the souls of all men and women, which are commonly called Sacraments (in Greek: Mysterium, or “Mysteries”), are Seven in number, namely Baptism (Christening), Confirmation (Chrismation), the Holy Eucharist, Holy Orders, Matrimony, Penance (Reconciliation), and Anointing (Unction). Baptism - is the first Sacrament of the Gospel, administered by immersion in, or pouring with, water with the words, "I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". It admits the recipient into the Church, bestows upon them the forgiveness of sins, original and actual, through the Blood of Christ, and causes in them spiritual change. They are now a new being and born again in Christ. They have joined the Christian family. Without valid Baptism, no other Sacrament can be validly received. Confirmation - or Chrismation- is a Sacrament in which the baptized person, on being anointed with holy oil, called “Chrism” and is consecrated by the Bishops of the Church, with the imposition of hands, receives the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit to strengthen them in the grace which they received at Baptism, making them a stronger Christian, confirmed in their faith. In the Western Church, Confirmation is seen as a Sacrament of adult faith, almost a Christian Rite of Passage from a juvenile faith and adherence to an adult faith and practice. The Holy Eucharist - is a Sacrament in which, under the appearances of bread and wine, the real and actual Body and Blood of Christ are given and received for the remission of sins, the increase of Divine grace, and the reward of everlasting Life. After the prayer of Invocation of the Holy Spirit over the Gifts in the Liturgy of the Mass, and by the Words of Institution the bread and wine are entirely converted into the true Body and Blood of Christ by an actual change of being, to which change the traditional and historical terms of Transubstantiation and/or Transmutation are rightly applied. The celebration of this Sacrament, commonly called the Mass, constitutes the chief act of Christian worship, being a true partaking in the sacrificial Memorial and re-Presentation of our Lord's death. It is not a repetition of the Sacrifice offered once for all upon Calvary, but is a participation of the Church in that ongoing once-for-all Sacrifice by Our Lord Jesus the Christ, as our Lord also perpetually offers it in heaven. It is a true and propitiatory Sacrifice, which is offered alike for the living and for the dead. Holy Orders - is a Sacrament in which the Holy Spirit, confirming apostolic succession through the laying-on of hands of the Bishops, consecrates and ordains the pastoral ministers chosen to serve in the Church, and imparts to them special grace to administer the Sacraments, to forgive sins in the name of Our Lord, and feed the flock of Christ. The North American Catholic Ecumenical Church ordains both men and women to Holy Orders, following St. Paul’s missive: “In Jesus Christ there is no Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female…we are all one in Christ our Lord.” Matrimony - is a Sacrament in which the voluntary union of spouses is sanctified to become an image of the union between Christ and His Church; and grace is imparted to them to fulfill the duties of their estate and its great responsibilities both of each other and to their children. Penance/Reconciliation - is a Sacrament in which the Holy Spirit bestows the forgiveness of sins by the ministry of the priest upon those who, having sinned after Baptism, confess their sins with true repentance, and grace given to amend their lives. It is not the priest who forgives sins (a common misconception), but Jesus Himself who acts through the human priest. Anointing/Unction - is the Sacrament in which the priest of the Church anoints the sick or dying with holy oil for the healing of the infirmities of their souls, and if it should please God, those of their bodies also. The efficacy of the Sacraments depends upon the promise and appointment of God; benefiting those who receive them worthily with faith, and with due preparation and disposition of mind.
6) Holy Scripture - The Sacred Scriptures are writings inspired by God, and written by human beings in the language and vocabulary of their time and locale. Holy Scripture (The Bible) is given to the Church for her instruction and edification. The Church is therefore the custodian and the Divinely appointed interpreter of holy Scriptures. The Church encourages persons to read and meditate on the Sacred Scriptures as a source of holiness and inspiration for their own lives. Sacred Scripture forms one of the two Pillars of the Church, as the primary source of God’s revelation in our world.
7) Tradition- The Apostolic and Ecclesiastical Traditions received from the seven General Councils and the early Fathers of the Church may not be rejected; but are to be received and obeyed as being both agreeable to holy Scripture and to that Authority with which Christ endowed His Church. Matters of discipline and ceremony do not rank on the same level with matters of Faith or Morals, but may be altered from time to time and from place to place by the Authority of the Church, according as the welfare and greater devotions of the faithful may be furthered thereby. Tradition forms one of the two Pillars of the Church, as a source of making the Church and its faith and practices present and relevant to the People of God.
8) The Communion of Saints- There is a Communion of Saints in the Providence of God, wherein the souls of righteous people of all ages are united with Christ in the bond of faith and love. It is pleasing to God, and profitable to all humans, to honor the Saints and to invoke them in prayer; and also to pray for the faithful departed. The Saints are part of our Spiritual family, and as we can request prayers and petitions of our living family and friends to be made to God for our needs and intentions we may also request (pray) to the saints that they intercede with God for our intentions.
9) Religious Symbol -The relics and representations (pictures, icons, statues, etc.) of Saints are worthy of honor, respect, and veneration, as are also all other religious emblems; that our minds may be encouraged to devotion and to imitation of the deeds of these just Holy Ones. Honor shown to such objects is purely relative, and in no way implies a confusion of the symbol with the thing signified. Veneration of holy objects that take our minds to desire imitation of these dedicated individuals and their lives to Christ is not to be confused with adoration or worship which is given to God alone. The Triune Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit alone is worthy of our worship and adoration.
10) Rite and Ceremonies- It is apparent from history and the sciences of archeology and anthropology that people of all times and places have demonstrated an awareness that certain times of a person’s life need to be recognized through ritual and ceremony. These are most often the transitional times of birth, maturation, marriage and death, and from one station in life to another. Other significant life events are recognized as they occur. The Catholic Church recognizes the human need for ritual and demonstrates Divine faith and revelation of God in word and gesture called worship. It is the duty of all Christians to join in the worship of the Church, especially in the holy Sacrifice of Mass, in accordance with our Lord's express command: “Do this in Memory of Me”; and to conform to the ceremonies prescribed by holy Tradition for the greater dignity of that Sacrifice and for the edification of the faithful.
11) The Moral Law- All Christians are bound to observe the Moral Law contained in the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament, developed with greater love by our Lord through his Great Commandments in the New, founded upon the law of nature and charity, and defining our duty to God and to neighbor. Christ’s Mandate given to His apostles at the Last Supper is the pinnacle in nature and form of His divine Mission. The laws of the Church are also to be followed as proceeding from that Authority which Christ has committed to her for the instruction and salvation of His people.
12) The Religious Life- The religious life, exhibited in the triune acts of community, prayer, and charity, duly regulated according to the laws of the Church, is a salutary institution in strict accord with Holy Scriptures; and is full of profit to those men and women who, after being carefully tried and examined, make full proof of their calling to professed religious life. These men and women demonstrate a dedication to our Lord and portray a model of life as an example to us all.
Organic Articles
1) Head of the Church The Foundational Head and Supreme Pastor and Bishop of the Church is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, from whom all Bishops and Pastors derive their spiritual powers and jurisdiction.
2) Obedience By the law and institution of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel, all Christians owe respect in spiritual things to those who have authority within the Church.
3) Ministerial Authority Our Lord Jesus Christ did not commit rule and authority with the Church to all the faithful indiscriminately, but to the Apostles and to their valid successors in due order.
4) Apostolic Succession The only lawful successors of the Apostles are the Orthodox and Catholic Bishops, united by profession of the self-same Belief, participation in the same Sacraments, and mutual recognition of the Faith, by the Sacraments, and by mutual recognition and inter-communion, is the source and depository of all order, authority and jurisdiction in the Church, and is the center of visible Catholic Unity; so that no Pope, Patriarch or Bishops, or any number of Bishops separated from this united body can possess any authority or jurisdiction whatsoever. The authority of this collective body is equally binding, however it may be expressed: whether by General Council or by the regular and ordinary consultation and agreement of the bishops themselves. It is an act of schism to appeal from the known judgment of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate, however it may have been ascertained; or to appeal from any dogmatic decree of any General Council even though such appeal be to a future Council. For the Episcopate, being a continuation of the Apostolate, is clearly a Divine institution, and its authority is founded in Divine right. But General Councils are not of themselves of direct Divine appointment; and so the Episcopate having clearly the Scriptural promise of Divine guidance into all Truth, cannot be hampered in the exercise of its authority by the necessity of assembling a General Council, which may obviously be rendered impossible through natural circumstances.
5) Church Authority The Bishops of he Church, the collective body of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate, united by profession and Intercommunion, being true successors of the Apostles, are by Divine right and appointment the leaders of the Church. In virtue of this appointment each individual Bishop is supreme and independent in that part and jurisdiction of the Church which has been committed to his or her care, so long as he/she remains in Faith and Communion with the united company of Catholic Bishops, who cannot exclude any from the Church save only them who stray from the path of virtue or err in Faith. By virtue of the same Divine appointment, the supreme Authority over the whole Church on earth belongs to the collective Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate. They alone from the highest tribunal in spiritual matters, from whose united judgment there can be no appeal; so that it is unlawful for any single Bishop, or any smaller group of Bishops apart from them, or from any secular power or state to usurp this authority, or for any individual Christian to substitute his/her own private judgment for that interpretation of Scripture or Authority which is approved by the Church. There have been seven General Councils only, which are recognized by the Whole of Catholic Christendom, held respectively in Nicaea (325 A.D.), Constantinople (553 A.D.), Ephesus (431 A.D.), Chalcedon (451 A.D.), Constantinople II(553 A.D.), Constantinople III(680 A.D.), and Nicaea II (787 A.D.). At no other Councils was the entire body of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate representatively assembled; and the decrees and pronouncements of no others must of themselves be accepted as binding upon the conscience of the faithful. The Authority of the Church can never be in abeyance, even though a General Council cannot be assembled. It is equally to be submitted to and obeyed in whatever way it may be exercised, and although it may be exercised only through the ordinary administration of their respective jurisdictions by individual Bishops.
6) Hierarchy All Patriarchs, Archbishops, and all Metropolitans (that is to say, all Bishops who exercise any authority over other Bishops) owe that authority solely to the appointment or general consent of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate; nor can they ever cease from owing obedience to the collective body of the Episcopate in matters concerning Faith and Morals.
7) The Five Patriarchs There are five historical Patriarchates, which ought to be united and form the supreme authority in the administration and government of the Holy Catholic Church. These are Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Alexandria and Constantinople. Unfortunately, owing to disputes and differences on the one hand, and to the lust for power and supremacy and domination on the other; the Patriarchs are not at present in Communion; and the welfare of Christendom is jeopardized by their disedifying quarrels.
Articles of Faith
1) The Way of Salvation- Eternal Salvation is promised to humanity through the merits of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and upon condition of obedience to the teaching of the Holy Gospel, which requires Faith, Hope and Charity.
2) Faith, Hope and Charity Faith - is a virtue infused by God, whereby humans accept, and believe without doubting, whatever God has revealed in the Church concerning true Religion. Hope - is a virtue infused by God, and following upon Faith; by it humans put their entire trust and confidence in the goodness and mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, and look for the fulfillment of the Divine promises made to those who obey the Gospel. Charity, also called Love - is a virtue infused by God, and likewise consequent to Faith, whereby humans, loving God above all things for His own sake and their neighbors as themselves for God's sake, yields up their will to a joyful obedience to the revealed will of God through the Church.
3) The Church- God has established the Holy Catholic Church upon earth to be the pillar and the ground of the revealed Truth; and has committed to her the guardianship of the Holy Tradition, and the power of binding and loosing. Therefore the Catholic Church proclaims the Divine Presence of our Lord through these two pillars, Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
4) The Creed- The Catholic Church has set forth the principal Doctrines of the Christian Faith in twelve articles from the Council at Nicaea, as follows: I - We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all that is seen and unseen, II – We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father, by Whom all things were made; III - Who for us and our salvation came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man; IV – For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. V – On the third day He rose again, in fulfillment of the Scriptures; VI - He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; VII – He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; and His kingdom shall have no end; VIII – We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, with the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets; IX – We believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church; X - We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins; XI - We look for the Resurrection of the dead; XII - And the Life in the world to come. Amen.
5) The Sacraments- The fundamental ordinances of the Gospel instituted by Jesus Christ as special means of conveying Divine grace and influence to the souls of all men and women, which are commonly called Sacraments (in Greek: Mysterium, or “Mysteries”), are Seven in number, namely Baptism (Christening), Confirmation (Chrismation), the Holy Eucharist, Holy Orders, Matrimony, Penance (Reconciliation), and Anointing (Unction). Baptism - is the first Sacrament of the Gospel, administered by immersion in, or pouring with, water with the words, "I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". It admits the recipient into the Church, bestows upon them the forgiveness of sins, original and actual, through the Blood of Christ, and causes in them spiritual change. They are now a new being and born again in Christ. They have joined the Christian family. Without valid Baptism, no other Sacrament can be validly received. Confirmation - or Chrismation- is a Sacrament in which the baptized person, on being anointed with holy oil, called “Chrism” and is consecrated by the Bishops of the Church, with the imposition of hands, receives the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit to strengthen them in the grace which they received at Baptism, making them a stronger Christian, confirmed in their faith. In the Western Church, Confirmation is seen as a Sacrament of adult faith, almost a Christian Rite of Passage from a juvenile faith and adherence to an adult faith and practice. The Holy Eucharist - is a Sacrament in which, under the appearances of bread and wine, the real and actual Body and Blood of Christ are given and received for the remission of sins, the increase of Divine grace, and the reward of everlasting Life. After the prayer of Invocation of the Holy Spirit over the Gifts in the Liturgy of the Mass, and by the Words of Institution the bread and wine are entirely converted into the true Body and Blood of Christ by an actual change of being, to which change the traditional and historical terms of Transubstantiation and/or Transmutation are rightly applied. The celebration of this Sacrament, commonly called the Mass, constitutes the chief act of Christian worship, being a true partaking in the sacrificial Memorial and re-Presentation of our Lord's death. It is not a repetition of the Sacrifice offered once for all upon Calvary, but is a participation of the Church in that ongoing once-for-all Sacrifice by Our Lord Jesus the Christ, as our Lord also perpetually offers it in heaven. It is a true and propitiatory Sacrifice, which is offered alike for the living and for the dead. Holy Orders - is a Sacrament in which the Holy Spirit, confirming apostolic succession through the laying-on of hands of the Bishops, consecrates and ordains the pastoral ministers chosen to serve in the Church, and imparts to them special grace to administer the Sacraments, to forgive sins in the name of Our Lord, and feed the flock of Christ. The North American Catholic Ecumenical Church ordains both men and women to Holy Orders, following St. Paul’s missive: “In Jesus Christ there is no Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female…we are all one in Christ our Lord.” Matrimony - is a Sacrament in which the voluntary union of spouses is sanctified to become an image of the union between Christ and His Church; and grace is imparted to them to fulfill the duties of their estate and its great responsibilities both of each other and to their children. Penance/Reconciliation - is a Sacrament in which the Holy Spirit bestows the forgiveness of sins by the ministry of the priest upon those who, having sinned after Baptism, confess their sins with true repentance, and grace given to amend their lives. It is not the priest who forgives sins (a common misconception), but Jesus Himself who acts through the human priest. Anointing/Unction - is the Sacrament in which the priest of the Church anoints the sick or dying with holy oil for the healing of the infirmities of their souls, and if it should please God, those of their bodies also. The efficacy of the Sacraments depends upon the promise and appointment of God; benefiting those who receive them worthily with faith, and with due preparation and disposition of mind.
6) Holy Scripture - The Sacred Scriptures are writings inspired by God, and written by human beings in the language and vocabulary of their time and locale. Holy Scripture (The Bible) is given to the Church for her instruction and edification. The Church is therefore the custodian and the Divinely appointed interpreter of holy Scriptures. The Church encourages persons to read and meditate on the Sacred Scriptures as a source of holiness and inspiration for their own lives. Sacred Scripture forms one of the two Pillars of the Church, as the primary source of God’s revelation in our world.
7) Tradition- The Apostolic and Ecclesiastical Traditions received from the seven General Councils and the early Fathers of the Church may not be rejected; but are to be received and obeyed as being both agreeable to holy Scripture and to that Authority with which Christ endowed His Church. Matters of discipline and ceremony do not rank on the same level with matters of Faith or Morals, but may be altered from time to time and from place to place by the Authority of the Church, according as the welfare and greater devotions of the faithful may be furthered thereby. Tradition forms one of the two Pillars of the Church, as a source of making the Church and its faith and practices present and relevant to the People of God.
8) The Communion of Saints- There is a Communion of Saints in the Providence of God, wherein the souls of righteous people of all ages are united with Christ in the bond of faith and love. It is pleasing to God, and profitable to all humans, to honor the Saints and to invoke them in prayer; and also to pray for the faithful departed. The Saints are part of our Spiritual family, and as we can request prayers and petitions of our living family and friends to be made to God for our needs and intentions we may also request (pray) to the saints that they intercede with God for our intentions.
9) Religious Symbol -The relics and representations (pictures, icons, statues, etc.) of Saints are worthy of honor, respect, and veneration, as are also all other religious emblems; that our minds may be encouraged to devotion and to imitation of the deeds of these just Holy Ones. Honor shown to such objects is purely relative, and in no way implies a confusion of the symbol with the thing signified. Veneration of holy objects that take our minds to desire imitation of these dedicated individuals and their lives to Christ is not to be confused with adoration or worship which is given to God alone. The Triune Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit alone is worthy of our worship and adoration.
10) Rite and Ceremonies- It is apparent from history and the sciences of archeology and anthropology that people of all times and places have demonstrated an awareness that certain times of a person’s life need to be recognized through ritual and ceremony. These are most often the transitional times of birth, maturation, marriage and death, and from one station in life to another. Other significant life events are recognized as they occur. The Catholic Church recognizes the human need for ritual and demonstrates Divine faith and revelation of God in word and gesture called worship. It is the duty of all Christians to join in the worship of the Church, especially in the holy Sacrifice of Mass, in accordance with our Lord's express command: “Do this in Memory of Me”; and to conform to the ceremonies prescribed by holy Tradition for the greater dignity of that Sacrifice and for the edification of the faithful.
11) The Moral Law- All Christians are bound to observe the Moral Law contained in the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament, developed with greater love by our Lord through his Great Commandments in the New, founded upon the law of nature and charity, and defining our duty to God and to neighbor. Christ’s Mandate given to His apostles at the Last Supper is the pinnacle in nature and form of His divine Mission. The laws of the Church are also to be followed as proceeding from that Authority which Christ has committed to her for the instruction and salvation of His people.
12) The Religious Life- The religious life, exhibited in the triune acts of community, prayer, and charity, duly regulated according to the laws of the Church, is a salutary institution in strict accord with Holy Scriptures; and is full of profit to those men and women who, after being carefully tried and examined, make full proof of their calling to professed religious life. These men and women demonstrate a dedication to our Lord and portray a model of life as an example to us all.
Organic Articles
1) Head of the Church The Foundational Head and Supreme Pastor and Bishop of the Church is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, from whom all Bishops and Pastors derive their spiritual powers and jurisdiction.
2) Obedience By the law and institution of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel, all Christians owe respect in spiritual things to those who have authority within the Church.
3) Ministerial Authority Our Lord Jesus Christ did not commit rule and authority with the Church to all the faithful indiscriminately, but to the Apostles and to their valid successors in due order.
4) Apostolic Succession The only lawful successors of the Apostles are the Orthodox and Catholic Bishops, united by profession of the self-same Belief, participation in the same Sacraments, and mutual recognition of the Faith, by the Sacraments, and by mutual recognition and inter-communion, is the source and depository of all order, authority and jurisdiction in the Church, and is the center of visible Catholic Unity; so that no Pope, Patriarch or Bishops, or any number of Bishops separated from this united body can possess any authority or jurisdiction whatsoever. The authority of this collective body is equally binding, however it may be expressed: whether by General Council or by the regular and ordinary consultation and agreement of the bishops themselves. It is an act of schism to appeal from the known judgment of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate, however it may have been ascertained; or to appeal from any dogmatic decree of any General Council even though such appeal be to a future Council. For the Episcopate, being a continuation of the Apostolate, is clearly a Divine institution, and its authority is founded in Divine right. But General Councils are not of themselves of direct Divine appointment; and so the Episcopate having clearly the Scriptural promise of Divine guidance into all Truth, cannot be hampered in the exercise of its authority by the necessity of assembling a General Council, which may obviously be rendered impossible through natural circumstances.
5) Church Authority The Bishops of he Church, the collective body of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate, united by profession and Intercommunion, being true successors of the Apostles, are by Divine right and appointment the leaders of the Church. In virtue of this appointment each individual Bishop is supreme and independent in that part and jurisdiction of the Church which has been committed to his or her care, so long as he/she remains in Faith and Communion with the united company of Catholic Bishops, who cannot exclude any from the Church save only them who stray from the path of virtue or err in Faith. By virtue of the same Divine appointment, the supreme Authority over the whole Church on earth belongs to the collective Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate. They alone from the highest tribunal in spiritual matters, from whose united judgment there can be no appeal; so that it is unlawful for any single Bishop, or any smaller group of Bishops apart from them, or from any secular power or state to usurp this authority, or for any individual Christian to substitute his/her own private judgment for that interpretation of Scripture or Authority which is approved by the Church. There have been seven General Councils only, which are recognized by the Whole of Catholic Christendom, held respectively in Nicaea (325 A.D.), Constantinople (553 A.D.), Ephesus (431 A.D.), Chalcedon (451 A.D.), Constantinople II(553 A.D.), Constantinople III(680 A.D.), and Nicaea II (787 A.D.). At no other Councils was the entire body of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate representatively assembled; and the decrees and pronouncements of no others must of themselves be accepted as binding upon the conscience of the faithful. The Authority of the Church can never be in abeyance, even though a General Council cannot be assembled. It is equally to be submitted to and obeyed in whatever way it may be exercised, and although it may be exercised only through the ordinary administration of their respective jurisdictions by individual Bishops.
6) Hierarchy All Patriarchs, Archbishops, and all Metropolitans (that is to say, all Bishops who exercise any authority over other Bishops) owe that authority solely to the appointment or general consent of the Orthodox and Catholic Episcopate; nor can they ever cease from owing obedience to the collective body of the Episcopate in matters concerning Faith and Morals.
7) The Five Patriarchs There are five historical Patriarchates, which ought to be united and form the supreme authority in the administration and government of the Holy Catholic Church. These are Jerusalem, Antioch, Rome, Alexandria and Constantinople. Unfortunately, owing to disputes and differences on the one hand, and to the lust for power and supremacy and domination on the other; the Patriarchs are not at present in Communion; and the welfare of Christendom is jeopardized by their disedifying quarrels.
