At the conclusion of the Second World War, Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa, a Roman Catholic Bishop who voiced his disapproval on many practices of the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil and did so very strongly, which led to his being excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. This church movement has spread to several countries, and came to the United States in 1947, two years after its foundation i
n Brazil. From coast to coast, the National Catholic movement continues to grow and to spread, bringing Christ to many, who had given up the hope of Catholic reforms or even their Catholicism altogether. This Church differs from the Roman Catholic Church in some of its discipline, but maintaining all authentic Catholic theology and doctrine as it existed prior to the First Vatican Council. Differences of discipline are as follows:
*The secular clergy are allowed to marry.
*The divorced are allowed to receive the Sacraments.
* Divorced people are allowed to re-marry. These are just a few of the practices. One of Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa's first reforms was the translation of the Mass from the Latin into the native language of the people. The Roman Catholic Church codified the same change, nearly 30 years later. Perhaps, over time, Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa's other disciplinary changes may be adopted by Rome as well. In the meantime, this Church remains a glowing torch of hope for Catholics in need of acceptance and understanding. Beliefs and History
One Roman Catholic Bishop of Brazil, the Most Reverend Carlos Duarte Costa, formerly the Bishop of the Diocese of Botucatu, (Botucatu is a city in the southeastern region of Brazil and is located 224.8 km from São Paulo, the Capital of the State of São Paulo) had a vision of change for the Church. Largely unknown to contemporary Catholics, Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa was considered a rebel by the Vatican and a "saint" by the countless thousands served by his ministry. An advocate for the poor, he criticized the political leanings of the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil. The Church, in Carlos Duarte Costa's view, enjoyed a position of favor with the wealthy government; a government under which the privileged thrived while the countless poor were starving in the streets. Duarte Costa was critical of the Vatican's policy of silence during World War II (little did he know, that so-called “silence” would save thousands of Jews from the N***s). Carlos Duarte Costa championed the abolition of celibacy and called for "a National Catholic Church," Independent of Rome. Multitudes of mainstream Catholics, because of divorce and re-marriage or the practice of artificial birth control, feel unwelcome in the Roman Catholic Church. We welcome all who seek a sincere relationship with God through the Sacraments of the Church. NCACUS is rooted in the beliefs and worship of the Roman Catholic Church. Our priests are ordained by Catholic Bishops whose lineage is of the Holy Roman (Catholic) Church and thus to the Apostles in an unbroken Apostolic Succession. Similarities and Differences
We are connected to the Roman Catholic Church through the episcopacy and our common Faith as professed in the Nicene Creed. The following compares the practice of the Faith embraced by the NCACUS with the current practices of the Roman Catholic Church. We believe that the Pope is the "Primus inter Pares" ( First among equals) who sits in the Chair of St.Peter. All Sacraments celebrated by the NCACUS, are considered VALID by the Roman Catholic Church.
*Like the Roman Catholic Church, we recognize clerical celibacy as a beautiful gift which enhances the ministry of those who freely choose it and which bears a powerful witness to the glorious reign of God.
*Like the Roman Catholic Church, we regret the tragedy of divorce, but in light of the Gospels, we do not see the exclusion of remarried Catholics from the sacraments as consistent with the spirit of Christ's ministry.
*In our Church, divorced Catholics can re-marry before a priest and live out their marriage in full communion with the Church.
*Like the Roman Catholic Church, we see Baptism as the sacrament of initiation which makes all of the other sacraments available to us.
*Like the Roman Catholic Church, we respect, pray for, and hold the Pope in the greatest respect, whose ministry is one of preserving truth and unity.
*Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, we see him as the First among equals. In the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council, we read, "The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but who ... have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter. For there are many who hold sacred scripture in honor as a rule of faith and of life, who have a sincere religious zeal, who lovingly believe in God, the Father Almighty, and in Christ, the Son of God the Savior, who are sealed by baptism which unites them to Christ, and who indeed recognize and receive other sacraments in their Churches or ecclesiastical communities. Many of them possess the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. There is furthermore a sharing in prayer and spiritual benefits; these Christians are indeed in some real way joined to us in the Holy Spirit for, by his gifts and graces, his sanctifying power is also active in them". We pray that you will find a home with us. May you find peace on your life’s journey. Our Websites: www.ncacus.com
