Evangelical Catholic Church (Independent Catholic)

The Evangelical Catholic Church (ECC), formerly known as the Independent Evangelical Catholic Church in America (IECCA), is an Independent Catholic church headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1997,[1][2] it claimed about 1,500 members in three parishes in 2014.[2][3] In 2017, the ECC claimed four parishes in Chicago, Illinois; Bend, Oregon; Providence, Rhode Island; and Watertown, Wisconsin.[4]

Evangelical Catholic Church
TypeCatholic
ClassificationIndependent Catholic
OrientationEvangelical Catholic
BishopJames Alan Wilkowski
OriginJuly 7, 1997
Chicago, Illinois
Separated fromRoman Catholic Church
SeparationsNorth American Catholic Ecumenical Church
Congregations4
Members1,500
Other name(s)Independent Evangelical Catholic Church in America
Official websiteevangelicalcatholicchurch.org

The Evangelical Catholic Church professes two creeds: the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.[5] Its theology differs from that of the Roman Catholic Church in that it permits both men and women, married as well as unmarried, to become deacons, priests and bishops; accepts gay marriage; encourages divorced and remarried worshipers to receive Communion; and allows birth control.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Welcome to the Evangelical Catholic Church". Evangelical Catholic Church. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Morris-Young, Dan (June 10, 2014). "Turnout for Oregon breakaway church's opening weekend exceeds expectations". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  3. ^ "Bishops and Clergy". Evangelical Catholic Church. Archived from the original on February 12, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  4. ^ "Parish Locations". Evangelical Catholic Church. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  5. ^ "The Catechism of the Evangelical Catholic Church: The Creeds". Evangelical Catholic Church. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
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