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The Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International
is an exciting venture into the resurrection of the Church universal as established by our
Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles! FOCUS is a federation of
sacramental Churches based on the evangelizing Holy Scriptures and empowered by the Holy
Spirit. A Voice for True Catholicism.
It is the desire of FOCUS....Focusing
On Christians United Sacramentally....to restore the faithful of God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit to a body that is loving
(as commanded by Jesus), forgiving and united
to the glory of God. This would be a family that it would be
truly possible to say, "They will know My followers by their love for each
other."
The Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International
can serve as a 'Synod of Synods'! We value the uniqueness of
others, therefore, when a Synod unites with FOCUS, it does not have to 'give up' its' own
internal structure and governance. Individuals who do not have a Synod are invited to
participate and FOCUS will provide covering and be their Synod. This applies to Dioceses
who do not belong to a Synod and would like to be included, therefore, no longer 'going it
alone.'
The Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International
includes The Holy Orthodox Catholic Church, Diocese of Anchor, Celtic-Rite Diocese, The
Brotherhood of St. Alexander Nevsky (The Alexandrians), The Order of the
Culdee and The Order of the Servants of
Jesus; The Apostolic Orthodox Catholic Church which is comprised of five Dioceses
from coast to coast in the United States includes The Servants in the Service of Christ,
and The Daughters in God's Service; Christ Catholic Church International is comprised of
five Dioceses from coast to coast in Canada and in the United States, Diocese
of Scandanavia, Australia and
includes The New Order of St. Francis, St. Marys
School of Theology; Apostolic Episcopal Church, Province of the
West; ICAB; and The Old Holy Catholic Church at the present time. We number 22 Bishops and more than 150 clergy and
religious among our many ministries.
The Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International
personnel includes Archbishop +Seraphim MacLennan D.D. OSA SSBM is Presiding Bishop of
FOCUS and the HOCC, Archbishop +Donald W. Mullan D.D. is the Presiding Bishop of
CCCI, The Most Rev. Charles (Gorazd) Ingram is Presiding Bishop of The Apostolic Orthodox
Catholic Church, The Most Rev. Donald Buttenbusch presides over ICAB, Bishop William Bushnell presides over the Archdiocese of Christ the King and
Archpriest Thomas Brouillard OSA SSBM is Secretary to the Holy Synod and more to come!
FOCUS Background
...
Federated Orthodox Catholics United Sacramentally
The Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International
(FOCUS) is an outgrowth of the need of the many Orthodox
Catholic Churches on the American continent who do not have the benefit of a central body
for recognition and succor. Such a situation often brings about the suffering of isolation
and resultant loneliness. While it is true that Orthodox
Spirituality extols the virtues of such loneliness since this can lead one to seek
out a closer relationship with God, the opposite result of abandonment is often the case.
Further, the Church as established by our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ is one of ‘family’ orientation …the family of God. We are
advised that we work out our salvation in fear and trembling, naked and alone. Such is the journey of faith which each must follow. It is also true we are
advised that when ‘three or more are gathered in my name’ the Father will hear.
It also can follow that there is often a ‘peace which passes understanding’ when
those who seek to follow Him do it ‘alone together’ and not only alone.
Therefore, we recognize the need to come together in His Holy Name to seek and follow the
will of God as presented to us by His Son and guided by His Holy Spirit. It is the desire
of FOCUS to provide a meeting place where each expression of the ancient Orthodoxia can
‘come together’ and still not fear the loss of individual identity. The
'Orthodox' in the title does not refer to 'eastern' orthodoxy but rather to the true
teachings or Orthodoxia. We are orthodox (true) Catholics. The 'catholic' refers to the
original meaning as found in the creeds, universal in the fullness of Jesus
Christ' ministry.
There have been similar ventures, SCOBA comes to mind, where the commonality of the
participants is the meeting ground without each losing their identity or abandoning their
own Synodial relationships. FOCUS also provides such a meeting ground, but FOCUS is more
since it can provide a Synodial covering for those Orthodox bodies that for one reason or
another do not have one. This is unique…a Synod of Synods
within which those who have an active Synodial relationship can meet without abandoning
their own Synod…as well as a place where those bodies who do not have a Synod of
their own can participate with the benefit of Synodial covering and not lose their
identity! It is easy to say that this cannot be done based on past experiences of the
Church universal. However, within the framework of Jesus' great commandments to love which
every Christian is meant to follow, it can be done!
It is possible to acknowledge and strengthen the core similarities without damaging the
diversity, if the basic tenets of repentance, forgiveness and love
are observed. There can and must be a sharing of the Cup of Communion within and by those
who follow the teachings of Orthodoxia! The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ were not
intended to be a means of exclusion but, rather, a means of healing
and inclusion. The mansion of God has many rooms, but they are still in the one
mansion. The inhabitants of those rooms do not have to decorate their room the same as
their neighbors. Nor does this diversity of decoration need to be a source of fear and
repugnance resulting in a contrived piousness with the end to justify exclusion. Such has
all too often been the 'norm' amongst those who profess to be the Christian church. Cries
of 'canonical and non-canonical' echo through the ages as if they were some magic
shibboleth. Such has been successfully rebutted on purely 'canonical'
arguments. There is a distinct difference in the concepts of 'canonicity' between east and
west. The Canons are 'law' in the west and guidelines in the east! However, the supreme
'canonical law' is Holy Scripture and we all without exception can be said to be in
'canonical' violation of the Great Commandment to love one another! Better that we repent and seek forgiveness
with the resultant change in behavior as called for by our Lord. Such is the purpose of
the Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International.
Today, as in times past, the world, the flesh and the devil are very much with us. It is
not possible for an individual, or for a family, to live a truly Christian life apart from
the Church and its Holy Mysteries (Sacraments). Living Faith and the
Church should be as inseparable in our earthly reality as they are in the heavenly
reality. We do not think that the Holy Church should be judged by the beauty of its
buildings nor the elegance of its furnishings. The Church is, first and foremost, the family of God, a spiritual support group in which each member
seeks to be helpful to other Christians and, to all who desire it, to work towards union with God (Theosis) which is our salvation. FOCUS encourages
the coming together for worship and fellowship of all groups, be they large or small, even
in the home (cf. Acts 2:46). Holy Communion should be readily available for those members
of the Body of Christ who, properly prepared through repentance and forgiveness, desire
it. Therefore, in these troubled times the availability of ordained Clergy to consecrate
the Body and Blood of our Lord is crucial. The participants in the Federated Orthodox
Catholic Churches International provide a wider availability from one member Church or
another who are in Communion and located over much of the United States, Canada and even
in several locations around the world.
Some Details . . .
The word Orthodox as used
by the Holy Church is very ancient and has two meanings which are closely related. The
first definition is true belief which is often referred to as
'Orthodoxia'. We maintain and teach the faith of the Seven
Oecumenical Councils as accepted by the Universal Church. We reject the additions made
later that have occurred in both the East and West, as well as the distortion of
separatists who seek to interpret the Holy Scriptures or the Holy Canons without reference
to a Living Faith and Tradition of the Universal Church. The second definition is true worship. Holy Scripture tells us that those who were added to
the Church on the day of Pentecost "continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine
and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). Worship is the
life of the Church, and her central act of worship is the Divine Liturgy or Holy Mass as
first instituted at the Last Supper by our Lord himself.
We have recognized and approved for the use in our Parishes, all
authentic Christian liturgies, foremost the ones with ancient roots. This includes
the Sarum Rite, the Roman Rite ( Tridentine Mass) and its revised version of the
Novus Ordo, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostomos, the Liturgy of St. Basil, the Liturgy of
St. James, the Western Rite(Sarum) adapted by St. Tikhon, the Gregorian Rite, the Celtic
Rite, the Qurbana (conforming to the Councils), and the Gallican Rite. It is recommended
that the Liturgies be in the vernacular language, but Latin and Greek Liturgies are
permitted. Keep in mind that you worship God with your whole heart and that the
ritual or rite is an aid to achieve that.
The word "catholic" can be found in the writings of
the Holy Church Fathers in the second century. It is also embodied in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed which acknowledges "one holy catholic and apostolic church". Catholic means
that the Church is universal in the fulness of Jesus Christ, that she includes persons of all races and cultures, and
that she has preserved the fullness of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith.
Note that ‘catholic’ is meant to be inclusive here and not exclusive as some have opined. It is in that spirit that
The Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International practices ‘orthodox
catholicism' which is true to the early traditions of the Fathers and Holy
Scripture.
The Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches International is a dynamic,
growing community of Orthodox Catholic Christians who believe and practice this Holy
Apostolic, Catholic and Orthodox faith of the ancient, universal Church. Our jurisdictions
have the same heritage or ecclesiastical roots as the great Orthodox
Catholic Churches of the East and the West. We are ecumenical to the extent that we
believe in working closely with all Christians to put Christ back into the
center of the ailing
societies of our modern world. We are traditional in that we follow the traditions of
the Church.
The Holy Church, referred to in the Holy Scriptures as "The
Kingdom of God", was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ
who is the only head and high priest. He empowered the holy apostles to bring the Church
into all the world, led by the Holy Spirit, the Comforter
whom He sent "to guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). In the early centuries,
the Church grew around five historic centers, the Patriarchates, whose bishops were
honored and given special positions as 'first among equals'. Thus, the Church in the world
then developed as a collegial institution in which the bishops could not exercise
jurisdiction or authority beyond their own boundaries or dioceses.
The government of the Church was Conciliar as we see in the Seven Oecumenical Councils which defined the Holy Faith between the
years 325 and 787 A.D. - The Unity of the Church was first broken by several groups that
did not accept the decisions of the Great Councils and again in the 11th century when the
Patriarch of the West (Rome) attempted to exercise jurisdiction over the entire Church.
The Eastern Churches are primarily national churches which is
reflected in their particular ethnic customs, liturgies and culture. The great flood of
immigrants coming to America in the past two centuries brought this heritage with them.
This not only led to the multiplicity of church names (such as Greek Orthodox, Russian
Orthodox, etc.) and fragmentation of Orthodoxy, but also to isolation into ethnic enclaves
throughout the new world.
We believe in the essential unity of all Christians, and the
Sacramental unity of all Orthodox Catholic jurisdictions who hold to the Faith of
Holy Orthodox Catholic Christian Tradition, i.e. Holy Scriptures and the teaching of the
Seven Oecumenical Councils and the Holy Fathers. Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed: 'that they
all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in
us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me." (John 17:21) Because the Holy
Church believes that Christ is God incarnate, His words must be regarded as the revealed
will of God. It follows then, that anything contrary is heretical and of a sinful
nature.
For this reason, we regard as sinful the denial and refusing of the
Holy Sacraments to believing and practicing Orthodox Catholic Christians who are
victims of separation imposed at hierarchical levels. Jesus said: "the Sabbath was
made for man, and not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). We would like to add: The
Church was made for man, and not man for the Church!
We are true Catholics in the Orthodox sense and living our faith.
To 'practice what we preach' and not deceive with a Clerical elitism is our prayer. It is
our opinion that the Churches of the East made a most unfortunate decision when they
abandoned the use of 'catholic' to the West. This single action gave license to the West
to create the impression that they were the only 'true' catholic church. This is, of
course, not true now, nor has it ever been true. We indicate that we are neither
affiliated with the state church of Greece (or elsewhere) nor part of any Patriarchate. We
believe history has changed. We no longer live in patriarchal state-church societies which
tend to be 'feudal' by nature rather than unifying and see no scriptural or theological
mandate that would warrant the upkeep of such remnant. We believe structures must adjust
to the modern day world, just as they once did when the Church was reorganized from the
Catacombs to become state religion.
While the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the primary
Service of communal worship, we also encourage the use of traditional Offices, such as
Matins and Vespers, as well as Eastern and Western devotions that are genuine to their
particular rite. Some continue to follow the Julian Calendar
commonly used by most Eastern churches, but we permit variations based upon pastoral or
cultural concerns. The Gregorian Calendar is often used as
well.
Let us call to mind, once again, our rich heritage and precious faith: Our Church, as
established by Christ, has a hierarchy of spiritual leaders:
the bishops, the presbyters, deacons. The highest spiritual office in the Church is that
of the bishop, and all the bishops of the Federated Orthodox Catholic Churches
International are equal in authority. Above each bishop is the authority of all the
bishops in Council (Synod) under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While one bishop may
preside, such as a Metropolitan or Archbishop, there is no universal 'Bishop of
bishops'.
Adhering to the biblical and apostolic principle that Holy Scripture can not be privately
interpreted, Orthodox Christians base their faith and practice on the Apostolic tradition which has been transmitted throughout the
centuries by the Holy Bible, the writings of the holy Church Fathers, the Church Councils
and the living witness of all true believers.
We retain the Holy Scriptures in their original form which
includes the Deutero-Canonica of the Old Testament (or as erroneously called
"apocrypha").
Though all men suffer from the effects of Adam's disobedience, our Church affirms
emphatically that man is truly made in the image of God. We
do not accept the interpretation of original sin which holds that man is born inherently
evil. Man is subject to the sin of Adam’s transgression to the degree that man does
not repent and accept the God-given sacrifice of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. In short, receiving the grace of the ‘new Adam’ and the ‘new
Eve’ in the persons of Jesus and Mary calls for an active response on the part of
humankind.
The Church teaches that each person must labor for one's own salvation. Again, the
response to our Saviour’s sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind. This is a
matter of responsibility, rather than guilt as inculcated by
some.
Salvation is an evolving, dynamic state. Therefore, the Church never characterizes anyone,
but the Saints (whose status we hope to reach also) as "saved". Salvation through Christ is a living, unfolding process. Therefore,
we urge upon all faithful the necessity for a personal, mystical union with God through a
total inner transformation.
Holy Baptism in our Church is held to be essential for salvation, as it is the means given
by Christ for the creation of the "new Adam", the cleansing of sins, and the
spiritual re-birth into the Kingdom of God. Baptism is by triple immersion in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, though the Church always has given
oikonomia for pouring in certain circumstances. Holy Baptism is not
a mere symbol, it is a real new birth in Christ.
Because of our human condition, which does not change after
baptism, sin continues to occur. For the remission of these sins, Christ gave the Apostles
(and through them to the Church) the power to forgive sins (John 20:23). This divine grace for the remission of sins is administered in the
Church through the Holy Sacrament of Forgiveness. It is often
called confession because the penitent has the opportunity to openly address his failings
and struggles as well as receive counsel. Thus the emphasis being placed on the sacrament
of forgiveness is a mode of spiritual counseling and reconciliation, rather than a mere
recitation of sins.
Orthodox Catholic theology holds that all life is sacramental
in the Church, especially Holy Baptism, Holy Chrismation, Absolution of sins, the Holy
Mysteries (Eucharist), Holy Anointing of the sick, the Divine Priesthood (ordination), and
Holy Union (matrimony). It is through the medium of the Sacraments that The Federated
Orthodox Catholic Church International seeks to bring about unity among Christians. The
Sacraments should be offered to all baptized, chrismated (confirmed) and properly prepared
through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Orthodox Catholics.
Our work is the same as that of the ancient Apostolic Church, to lovingly
offer the fullness of the Christian Faith and Worship to all who seek Christ and His
Kingdom. We encourage all of you to share this life-giving Faith with your families
and your neighbors through your example and witness.
Come and See!
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Contact
Information
All other inquiries send e-mail to: FOCUS@jesusfocus.org or EMMAUS@jesusfocus.org
CCCI to CCCI@jesusfocus.org
or the AOCC to AOCC@jesusfocus.org ; the OHCC to hamilton88@earthlink.net
,
The Diocese of Scandanavia to the Auxilary Bishop tk@nmh.no
; /ICAB DonVoice@aol.com
Link to CAO http://members.aol.com/caopage/index.html
Link to our other webpage (pictures) http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5834
Telephone 518-358-4168
FAX 518-358-9667
Postal address
407 Donovan Road, Brushton NY 12916
Electronic mail
General Information: FOCUS@jesusfocus.org
Webmaster: emmaus@jesusfocus.org
Comments and
Suggestions
Copyright FOCUS Feb. 1997
Last revised: August 02, 2002.