CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC CHURCH
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Many times we see the same questions
repeated; so I am listing some definitions that have been asked for and some of
the questions with the answers here.
Questions concerning the beliefs, teachings, and practices of other then the
Catholic Charismatic Church will not be answered.
Additional questions and information will be added as needed.
SPECIAL DEFINITIONS
cath-o-lic (kath'e lik, kath'lik) adj [Gr. kata-, completely + holos, whole ]
- 1.
all-inclusive; universal
- 2.
broad in sympathies, tastes, etc.; liberal
- 3.
[often C-] of the universal Christian church
- 4.
[C-] of the Christian church headed by the Pope; Roman Catholic
- -n
1. a member of the universal Christian church
- 2
[C-] same as Roman Catholic.
cha-ris-ma [ka riz'ma n, pl, ka
riz-ma-ta [Gr]
- 1
a divinely inspired gift
- 2
a special, inspiring quality of leadership
-char-is-ma-tic adj. In referring to
the Church - - - divinely gifted and making full use of all the gifts of the
Holy Spirit. Showing His love for His people.
Q. How do you translate the word
CHARISMATIC?
A. We translate it as filled with the love of God for all His people, and
we live it by exemplifying this love in everything we do.
Q. As CHARISMATICS, do you also practice
the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as in 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14?
A. Yes, those of us that are so blessed do make full use of the various
Gifts of the Holy Spirit as outlined by
Q. What is the difference between
autonomous and autocephalous?
A. Autonomous generally applies to a religious house or society
in that they are their own highest authority in matters of internal
administration and discipline. Strictly speaking most monasteries are
autonomous, that is self regulating and free from interference from local
dioceses. They are subject to the
Autocephalous means self-headed, that is that not only are they self
regulating but they can elect and consecrate their own bishops. Have their own
council of bishops, Canon Laws, etc... Such a Church is independent of any
Q. What is a Patriarch?
A. This is the original title of the head of a branch of the Church. In
the early church there were five Patriarchates;
RELATIONSHIP
WITH OTHER CHURCHES
Q. Is the
A. No! The
In reference to the
Q. Are you then a part of the Orthodox
Communion?
A. No! The CCC is an Independent Catholic Church, not a part
of any other. Please reread the above answer.
Q. What is the CCC position on the Pope?
A. He is the Bishop of Rome, the Patriarch of the Roman Catholic
Church, properly called the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.
Q. How can your church be Catholic if it
is independent of the Pope?
A. This question indicates a confusion regarding the term Catholic. You
seem to imply that only those persons under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of
Rome can have any claim upon the term Catholic. This is a common but faulty
assumption. The term Catholic refers to the faith held and professed by a
person or a church.
From the earliest times in the Church, not every Christian was under the
jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome. In fact the vast majority of the Christians
were under the jurisdiction of the four other Patriarchs located at
Only in later times, after 1054 AD and the Great Schism between the East and
the West, was there any confusion about the term Catholic. The Christians of
the Eastern Church chose to use the designation Orthodox (correct belief), and
those of the West used the term Catholic (universal).
The fact of the matter is that both groups had a right to use both terms, since
both held to the correct belief concerning the universally held teachings of
the Church throughout all ages, or as others may say:... "The Faith once
delivered to the Saints."
St. Vincent of Lerins, a great theologian of the 5th century put it quite
clearly and simply; "Now in the Catholic Church itself we take the
greatest care to hold that which has been believed everywhere, always and by all.
That is truly and properly Catholic, as is shown by the very force and meaning
of the word...."
Q. The
A. No! They are all separate churches. The
Q. What is the difference between a
Catholic Church and a
A. A Catholic Church is a
Q. What is Apostolic Succession?
A. The ability to trace ones lineage as a bishop back to the Apostles
i.e. each bishop knows who the bishops were that consecrated him and who the
bishops were that consecrated them and can trace back through records each
prior consecration all the way back to the Apostles.
All the bishops of the
Further all the priests of the CCC, if not ordained by CCC bishops, have been
ordained by valid Apostolic Line Bishops, recognized by the CCC.
Q. What is 'EPISCOPAL OVERSIGHT'?
A. This old question keeps coming up. A priest acts in the stead of or
under the authority of his bishop. The fullness of the priesthood resides in
the bishop only, so therefore without a bishop a priest may not validly
consecrate the Eucharist or administer any if the sacraments.
There are many 'priests' out there who are alienated from their bishops, this
means that they do not have a bishop, and are attempting to celebrate the
Sacrifice of the Mass; but it is an empty act, there is no sacrament, no
sacrifice, nothing......
ARE YOU CALLED to serve HIM?
Q. Do you have a Seminary?
A.
Yes! We do have a seminary that is
under the title ‘Clergy Formation Center’ through which candidates
for the priesthood are prepared for ordination. The courses include among
others as needed, ‘Instructions in the Faith’ and “The life
in the Spirit Program’, which must be taken before a man is considered
for Ordination. These courses are through distance learning and where possible
personal mentoring.
Contact the Clergy Formation Center patriarch@priest.com or use
the following link for a membership application
http://mysite/M-boyle/MEMBERSHIP_APPLICATION.htm
There is also an additional seminary, ‘St. James
the Elder Theological Seminary’, offering a combined M.A.-Ph.D. in Christian Counseling, a
Doctor of Ministry, and a Bachelors in Christian
Education, all through distance learning. Other programs are in development.
Contact Fr. Heyward Ewart heywartewart@bellsouth.net
THE
MASS
Q. Concerning the Mass, is it principally
a sacrifice or a meal?
A. It is called the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a priest presides, so it
is first of all a sacrifice, but one at which the believers are fed the Body
and Blood of Jesus.
THE
SACRAMENTS
Q. When is a sacrament complete?
A. When the form, matter and intent have been satisfied.
Q. Can any of the sacraments be
administered by proxy? By phone? Mail? E-mail etc...?
A. No! Since the form matter and intend are not satisfied.
Q. How often may one be baptized?
A. One may be validly baptized only once in a lifetime, should there
ever be a question about the form, matter and intent, then one may be
sub-conditionally baptized. This means that if the individual was not properly
baptized, then he/she is baptized. The same applies to the sacraments of
Confirmation (Chrismation), and Orders.
Q. Do you practice infant baptism?
A. Yes. The child should be baptized as early in life as possible and
then lovingly raised in the Church by the parents and other relatives both
physically and spiritually.
Q. What are the conditions that make a
thing a sin?
A. For a sin to be committed four conditions are required:
- 1.
It must be a sin, which is anything contrary to the Ten Commandments.
- 2. You must know that it is a sin (if you do not know for a fact then your
conscience will be your guide).
- 3. You must intend to commit it. (Read as having `full consent of the will'.)
- 4.
You must do it or attempt to do it.
All this can take place in a
split second.
Q. Can one sin without knowing it or in
their sleep or if forced?
A. No! Full consent of the will must be present. Please read
the above question and answer.
Q. Is auricular confession (telling ones sins
to the priest) a necessity, or may one go before the altar and talk to
God and then ask the priest for Absolution?
A. Not in the
There are also those that need to ask about certain aspects of their lives and
if they are living according to the commandments of God, these may feel the
need for auricular confession and do make use of it.
Q. Exactly when are sins forgiven during
the administration of the sacrament of penance?
A. Sacramentally during the pronouncement of the words of absolution,
for it is at this time that the form matter and intent are satisfied..
There is also the possibility that God in His mercy has already forgiven the
sin as soon as the penitent feels the guilt and sorrow for the sin.
Q. What is the seal of confession?
A. The seal of confession is that guarantee that what ever is revealed
in auricular confession will never leave the confessional in any form. That is
that the confessor can not reveal anything that he has heard or seen and that
he can not make any recording or records of anything that is said or seen in
the confessional, he can't even make notes or discuss it with the penitent
outside of the confessional, unless the penitent brings it up.
It further guarantees that anyone who has overheard anything that was said in
confession or seen anything that has happened in confession is also bound by
this seal.
It also guarantees that the confessor can not use anything that he learnt in
the confessional in any manner.
Q. What color stole should be worn by the
priest when giving absolution?
A. Whatever color he has available at the time. Many of the priests in
the Catholic Charismatic Church use gold since the return of the prodigal
(sinner) is a joyous occasion and should be celebrated as such.
It should also be remembered that the stole is an external
and not a part of the form and matter of the sacrament and therefore need not
be used unless available.
Q. Can a sacrament be administered against
a person's will or without their permission?
A. No! The form and matter would not be complete, since
consent and proper intent are not present.
The one exception is the baptism of infants, as
the parents speak for the child who obviously can not speak for him/herself.
Q. Exactly what is the purpose of EXTREME
UNCTION? [Anointing
of the Sick]
A. The purpose of Anointing of the Sick, [formally called Extreme Unction] is
first of all the conferring of grace, forgiveness of sin, lying on of hands for
healing of body soul and spirit, and if it is God's will the final healing. A
priest administers this sacrament whenever an individual is in danger of death
or when one is old.
Q. What color stole should be worn by the
priest when giving EXTREME UNCTION?
A. Whatever color he has available at the time. Many times this
sacrament is given at accident scenes and there is no time to go to get a
stole.
It
should also be remembered that the stole is an external and not a part of the
form and matter of the sacrament and therefore need not be used unless
available.
Q. How do you justify married clergy in
the CCC when the Bible says no?
A. I don't know what Bible this person read. All of the Apostles, with
the exception of John, were married. Also, try reading
Q. Shortly after I was ordained to the
priesthood I realized that the unmarried life was not for me. How do I become a
member of the CCC, and can I function as a married priest?
A. If possible get a letter of excardination from your bishop and take
it to our
Q. I was ordained a minister of XXX by my
father and ministered in YYY for many years, how do I have my credentials
transferred to the CCC?
A. Since NONE of the denominations that you have been with have
Apostolic Succession, you would have to go through a course of instruction and
work your way up through the various minor orders before being ordained to the
Deaconate and finally to the Priesthood and then being able to function as a clergyman in
the CCC.
Q. Do you ordain women to positions other
than deaconess or deacon?
A. No! We do not ordain women to
any position! There are some groups that say that women should be 'ordained' as
priests, but we do not. Jesus ordained His Apostles, all men not women, as
priests at the Mystical (Last) Supper. Read also Paul's letters 1 Tim 3:1-13
and Titus 1:6-9 they refer to men as the elders / bishops not women.
Women are a very important part of the church, but they are not a part of the
clergy and are therefore not instituted in minor orders or ordained to any of
the major orders in the Catholic Charismatic Church.
Q. What is your stance on homosexuality and same sex unions?
A. On the question of homosexuality; many are born with an inclination
to that lifestyle and are welcome and ministered to as members of the
congregations within our ministries in the hope that they will live a celibate
life.
They are NOT eligible to become
members of the clergy.
On the question of same sex unions; this would be in contradiction to a
truly celibate life, and a contradiction to our teachings on marriage being
between a man and a woman.
Q.
A local priest has been advertising in the Local Free Press as a
practitioner of Shamanism, Mediumship, and a teacher of Reiki healing and body
work techniques. Is this acceptable?
A. No! Shamanism
is a form of paganism, Mediumship is the supposed communication with spirits of
the dead and Reiki healing is New Ageism. None of which are even remotely
Catholic let alone Christian, therefore are not acceptable. Report this false
priest to his bishop, as he is not worthy of the title of priest.
TITLES AND RESPECTS
We frequently get questions as to the
proper form of address for our clergy. In order to straighten this out the
following is submitted;
PATRIARCH
(Letter) The Most Reverend (Name)
Your Beatitude; . . . Asking Your Beatitude's Blessing. I am Yours
Respectfully, (Name)
Your Grace: ... Asking Your Grace's Blessing, I am Yours Respectfully, (Name)
Your Excellency; . . . Asking Your Excellency’s blessing. I am Yours Respectfully,
(Name)
(Introduction) His Excellency, Patriarch (Name)
(Conversation) Your Excellency or Your Beatitude
ARCHBISHOP and BISHOP
(Letter) The Most Reverend (Name)
Your Excellency; . . . asking Your Excellency’s (
(Introduction) His Excellency (
(Conversation) Your Excellency or Your
MONSIGNOR
(Letter) The Very Reverend (Name) or Monsignor (Name). . . . . I am, Yours
Respectfully (Name)
(Introduction) The Very Reverend or Monsignor (Name) (Conversation) Monsignor
PRIEST
(Letter) The Reverend, or Reverend, or Reverend Father (Name). . . .
Respectfully Yours, (Name)
(Introduction ) The Reverend Father, or Father (Name)
(Conversation) Father
DEACON
(Letter) Reverend Mister or Father Deacon (Name) Reverend Sir or Reverend
Deacon (Name). . . Respectfully Yours, (Name)
(Introduction) The Reverend Deacon (Name)
(Conversation) Sir
MINOR ORDERS
(Letter) Brother (Name)
Dear Brother (Name) . . . . Sincerely Yours, (Name)
(Introduction) Brother (Name)
(Conversation) Brother or Sir.
It is also acceptable to start the letter
with simply the title or rank such as Dear Father * * * , Dear Bishop * * * ,
Dear Archbishop * * * , etc.
It must be remembered that it is the office
that you are addressing, and that the honor of the address is directed to that
office more then the individual concerned.
Q. Why do some people kiss a bishops ring?
A. They do this for two specific reasons, the first is
to recognize his office and the second as a sign of respect for his office, and
in the case of clergy it is a sign of respect and sub-mission to his
bishops’ authority.
Q. What is 'EPISCOPAL OVERSIGHT'?
A. This old question keeps coming up. A priest acts in the stead of or
under the authority of his bishop. The fullness of the priesthood resides in
the bishop only, so therefore without a bishop a priest may not validly
consecrate the Eucharist or administer any if the sacraments.
There are many priests out there who have alienated from their bishops, this
means that they do not under the authority of a bishop, who are celebrating the
Sacrifice of the Mass, but it is an empty act, there is no sacrament, no
sacrifice, nothing......
Q. Somewhere I have seen reference to
'faculties'. Just what are they and who has what?
A. Another word for faculties is license. Remembering
that the Bishop is the fullness of the priesthood, therefore he is the head of
the diocese and the priest or deacon is his local representative, the bishop
issues a license to them to do certain things within his jurisdiction.
The Deacon is licensed to assist
the priest during Mass, to distribute the Holy Eucharist, to baptize, to
officiate at Communion Services (using
pre-sanctified elements), preach the Gospel and deliver
homilies, teach catechetics, officiate at wakes and committals, and bring the
Eucharist to the sick and shut-ins.
The Priest In addition to all
that a Deacon is licensed to do, is further licensed to bless persons and
objects, to Celebrate Mass, to anoint the sick and dying, to hear Confessions
and grant Absolution, and in some cases under special license to Confirm not
just converts but others as well.
The Bishop In addition to all the
above has the right to grant or withhold such licenses, he is the ordinary
minister of Confirmation [Chrismation], to Ordain Priests, to be a Consecrator
or Co-Consecrator of another Bishop, and supervise the priests within his
jurisdiction.
Q. What is a Monsignor?
A. This title is one of respect due a Bishop, a Priest
who has been elected to become a Bishop.
It may also be conferred on a Priest with a special job within the Church, such
as the Chaplain to the Patriarch, editor of the Church Newspaper.
The honorary title
of Monsignor is conferred by a letter of
elevation from the Patriarch, and may be renewed or
forgotten by his successor.
In the
Q. Why do we see a cross (+) either before
or after a Priests name?
A. A cross before the name usually indicates a Bishop or Archbishop. A
Cross after the name usually indicates that the man is a Monsignor.
Some people have affixed the cross after their name as a sign of being
Q. We sometimes see a priest wearing a
sort of beanie, what is the purpose of this?
A. The beanie as you call it is a zucchetto. There are
many stories as to its origin and reason for its use. E.g., it keeps the part of the head that is
tonsured (shaved)
from getting cold. (I prefer the answer that a Rabbi
gave for the use of the yarmulke [zucchetto], 'it reminds us that there is
someone above us (GOD) and we should be humble before him'. M+)
It may be worn by all ordained clergy in the CCC. Remembering that the
patriarch uses white, bishops use red and the priests and deacons may use
black.
Q.
Have you ever heard of a priest using a walking stick and is this legal?
A. Yes and yes, many use walking sticks of various sizes
and types, however care must be taken that it will not be interpreted as a
crozier.
Q.
I have heard of a prayer called the
A. You
will find it and a teaching on it at JESUS PRAYER
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Updated 15 APRIL 2008