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 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 Sacraments are objective signs of the continued
Presence and saving activity of Christ our Lord among
His people and His covenanted means of conveying His
grace. 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 in accordance
with Christ’s will, institution and the Universal practice of the
Church.
