OUR
FAITH
We acknowledge the Rule of Faith laid down by St.
Vincent of Lerins: “Let us hold that which has
been believed everywhere, always and by all, for that
is truly and properly Catholic”. The Church
is the Body of Christ at work “in the world,
but not of it.” As Christ’s Faithful Bride,
she is different from the world, and must not be conformed
to it. We repudiate all deviation or departure from
the Faith in whole or in part and bear witness to
these essential principles of evangelical Truth and
Apostolic Order.
THE
SCRIPTURES
The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
are the authentic record of God’s revelation
of Himself. We acknowledge this revelation of His
dealings throughout history and His moral demands
upon us; a complete plan for his "convented people".
The fruition and fulfillment which was formed before
the foundations of world were created manifested itself
when, "the Word became flesh and dwelt
among us". This moral law and all revealed
truth contained herein are a full and valid expression
of the Divine Will, for all men and all time.
THE
CREEDS
The Nicene Creed as the authoritative summary of the
chief articles of the Christian Faith, together with
the Apostles’ Creed and that known as the Creed
of St. Athanasius to be “thoroughly received
and believed” in the plainest sense they have
always been understood by Mater Orthodoxa Ecclesia
Anglicana.
TRADITION
The received Tradition of the Church and its teachings
as set forth by “the ancient Catholic Bishops
and Doctors”, as defined by the Ecumenical Councils
of the undivided Church, especially the first four,
to exclusion of all errors, ancient and modern.
THE
SACRAMENTS
The 7 Sacraments namely; Baptism, Confirmation, the
Holy Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders and
Holy (Extreme) Unction are the objective signs of
the continued Presence and saving activity of Christ-God
among His people. They are the chosen Vessels of His
abiding love He has left to the Church for the sanctification
and Blessing of His redeemed. These channels of grace
are our guarantee of His Covenant to "be with us;
even until the end of the age" made in the name of
the Comforter. In particular, we affirm the necessity
of Baptism and Holy Communion in God’s plan
for the spiritual well being of His people. Baptism
as generating and incorporating us into Christ, with
its completion in Confirmation as the Seal of the
Holy Spirit. The Holy Eucharist unites us to the all
sufficient sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The Sacrament
of the Altar is the central act of Christian worship
in which He spiritually feeds us with His Body and
Blood.
SACRED
MINISTRY
The Holy Orders of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons are
the perpetuation of Christ’s gift of apostolic
ministry to His Church. We acknowledge the necessity
of a Bishop in Apostolic Succession (or a Priest ordained
by such) as celebrant of the Eucharist. This Sacred
Ministry consisting exclusively of men being in accordance
with Christ’s will, institution and the Universal
practice of the Church.
