Since the time of the Apostles, the church
catholic has existed. During the course of history, many branches
of the one, catholic, and apostolic church have evolved. Whichever
branch it has been, one thing remains constant, that is each
has maintained an unbroken line of succession from the Apostles.
The Apostles were the original Bishops of the Church and their
authority as episcopos has been passed down to this day.
Some persons called to a life
of service as a member of the clergy have a deep desire to remain
in communion with their Catholicism, but for a variety of reasons
are not able to be ordained in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox or
other catholic faiths. This may be because they are unable to
attend a Seminary or are somehow otherwise precluded from doing
so. For this reason, The Independent Catholic Union was formed.
In this sense the word catholic
is used as meaning universal and not anyone particular denomination.
There are many Rites in the
one, catholic and apostolic church such as the Roman Rite, Anglican
Rite, Celtic Rite or Orthodox Rite (Eastern and Western Rites), Gallican Rite to suggest a few. All are valid expressions of
the Orthodoxy of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
The Independent Catholic Union is now accepting applications
for ordination/incardination with the following guidelines.
Ordinations initially will
be into the Order of Deacon. A person ordained as a Deacon will
serve in this office for a period of at least one year, or at
the discretion of the Bishop Ordinary or Archbishop. This is
learning and training period. Deacons may have a ministry, but
can not be pastors of a parish. Deacons serve their community
and may perform baptisms but may not celebrate (consecrate) the
Holy Eucharist or perform Marriages. The one year time period
may be modified by the Bishop.
After one year, Deacons MAY
be elevated to the Priesthood. Persons already ordained into
the Priesthood with valid lines of succession may be incardinated
into the Independent Catholic Union as Priests.
- Persons desiring ordination/incardination should realize that the ICU is a Latin Rite jurisdiction. Our sister communion, the , is open to other Rites and Traditions.
- All, persons ordained into
the Independent Catholic Union are independent ministers and
are responsible for their actions.
- However, each minister IS
answerable to the ICU and does come under the Episcopal oversight
of the Bishop orArchbishop.
Please keep in mind that persons ordained into the Independent
Catholic Union have received a valid, legitimate, Christian ordination.
You are catholic (in the meaning of universal). You can not be
catholic today and nondenominational or interfaith tomorrow