THE ARCHDIOCESE OF THE WEST
ANGLO-LUTHERAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF CHRIST

Presenting a kinder and gentler version of Lutheran Christianity, we are the Archdiocese of the West, one of the regional dioceses of the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church (ALCC,) a Church within the Lutheran Evangelical Catholic tradition which also has roots in the Anglican Anglo-Catholic tradition. The archdiocesan chancery, St. Michaels House, is located in Kansas City, Missouri. This archdiocese is one of the ALCC's six geographic and two non-geographic Dioceses in the United States. The territory of the Archdiocese of the West covers the Western and Northern Midwest, the Central and Northern Plains States, the Mountain States North of New Mexico and Arizona, the West coast, and provisionally, Canada. Parishes are currently located in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, and Illinois.

Our Archbishop and Auxiliary Bishop, like all other clergy of the ALCC are ordained in the historic Apostolic Succession in over 20 separate lineages with the Duarte-Costa lineage of the Rebiban (or Vatican) Succession being the primary one. For information about the specific lineages of the historic Apostolic Succession held by this Church, please contact the Office of the Archbishop. The Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church is incorporated in the State of Missouri, is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation, is a member of the Augustana Evangelical Catholic Communion, the Sudanese Council of Churches, the Sudanese Council of Churches, USA, and is in Full Communion with the Traditional Church of England, the Anglican Church Traditional Rite (U. K.,) and the Evangelical Marian Catholic Church.

(http://www.geocities.com/littledogs2424/ALCC.html )

Information about the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church may be found on its new national website:

http://www.anglolutherancatholic.org

A LUTHERAN CHURCH IN THE EVANGELICAL CATHOLIC TRADITION

It has been written that all Roman Catholics are Catholics, but not all Catholics are Roman. All Lutheran denominations are part of what Comparative Religion scholars call "The Catholic Family of Churches". Lutheran worship is liturgical, centered on the altar instead of the pulpit, and follows the "Mass format." However, part of a pan - Lutheran movement leading to eventual visible, corporate reunion with the Roman Catholic Church, the ALCC worships using the rites of the Roman Catholic Church exclusively. The use of the many sacramental rites and "aids to devotion" common throughout Western Catholic Christianity are used as well. Additionally, all clergy of the ALCC have signed the Mandatum, which is a binding, contractual vow to “teach, preach, write, or publish nothing contrary to the Catholic Magisterium.”

A COMMUNITY OF FAITH

By Grace

As Evangelical Catholic Lutherans, we believe, teach and confess that love is one of God's attributes and that he continually draws all Christians to Himself by grace. God has never left Himself without witnesses among any people at any time. However, humanity is lost apart from the saving grace of God which is available to all through the sacrifice on the cross of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the whole World. Our emphasis is not on judgment and guilt, but instead on God's grace, warmth, forgiveness, acceptance and love. (Gen 15:6, Ps 19:1-4, Ps 139:7-12; Jn 1:12; Acts 14:17; Rom 1: 16-17; 3:28; Eph 2:8-10)

By Faith

As Evangelical Catholic Lutherans, we believe, teach, and confess that we are saved by grace through faith. This saving faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Christ has already accepted us, and our saving faith leads us into good works, which are essential as a response in gratitude to God for his gift of grace. We believe, teach, and confess that this saving faith in Jesus Christ is fed and strengthened by hearing the Word and receiving the seven Holy Sacraments of the Church. (Gen 15:16; Jn 1:12, 3:16; Rom 1:16-17, 5:1, 3:28, Eph 2:8-9)

Scripture

Lutheran Churches are focused on scripture. As Evangelical Catholic Lutherans, we believe, teach, and confess that God has revealed Himself progressively through the ages in the Books of the Old Testament (including the Apocrypha) and the New Testament, which, being Divinely inspired, are the Word of God written. The Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church accepts the following documents as its official statements on the nature and authority of Scripture and Revelation.

"The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church"
(http://www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/PBCINTER.HTM) Pontifical Biblical Commission, 1994;

"The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation – Dei Verbum"
http://www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/V2REVEL.HTM Vatican II, Pope Paul VI, 1965

"The Catechism of the Catholic Church": Part 1, Section 1, Chapter 2, Article 3, http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_PP.HTM

"The Sacred Scriptures give support and vigor to the life of the Church. For the children of the Church, it is a confirmation of the faith, food for the soul, and the fount of spiritual Life. Sacred Scripture is the soul of theology and of pastoral preaching. The Psalmist says that it is 'a lamp to my feet and a light to my path' (Psalm 119:105.) Everyone should read the Sacred Scriptures frequently because, as St. Jerome wrote, 'ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.'"

- Catechism of the Catholic Church: 105-108, 135-136, 131-133, 141. http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess4.html#INSPIRATION

Because they are trustworthy witnesses to the Gospel, the ALCC accepts The Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, and the Definition of the Union of the Divine and Human Natures in the Person of Christ, Definition of the Faith, Council of Chalcedon, 451 A.D. ( http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/chalcedo.htm#2)

Insofar as they are trustworthy witnesses to the Gospel and in accord with authentic Catholic Faith and Tradition as defined by the Catholic Magisterium, the ALCC accepts the following documents from The Book of Concord (1580):

The Unaltered Augsburg Confession
( http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-boc.html#ac )

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
( http://www.ctsfw.edu/etext/boc/ap)

Insofar as they are trustworthy witnesses to the Gospel and in accord with authentic Catholic Faith and Tradition as defined by the Catholic Magisterium, the ALCC accepts the remainder of The Book of Concord (1580) except the Formula of Concord; with major modifications derived from the Canon Law Code of the Catholic Church (1983), the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994,) and the documents contained with the Catholic Ordinary and Sacred Magisterium.

( http://www.puseyhouse.org.uk/house/history/oxfordmovement )
(http://justus.anglican.org/resources/pc/tracts/ )
(http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1.HTM)
( http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P2Z.HTM )

Because they are trustworthy witnesses to the Gospel and to authentic Catholic Faith and Traditio, this Church accepts the documents, constitutions, and doctrinal decrees of all the Ecumenical Councils recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.

( http://www.catholicapologetics.org/ap040400.htm )

Because they are trustworthy witnesses to the Gospel and to authentic Catholic Faith and Tradition, this Church subscribes to the Lutheran/Roman Catholic Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, Augsburg, Germany, 1999. Because they are trustworthy witnesses to the Gospel and to authentic Catholic Faith, Tradition, and Spirituality, and because the ecumenical goal of the ALCC is visible, corporate reunion with the Bishop and Church of Rome, it accepts the documents and teachings of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church though it is not under Papal Authority at this time.

(http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html )
( http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM )

The ALCC recognizes the Pope as the Bishop of Rome, Successor to St. Peter, and Vicar of Christ; a prayer is said for him in our communion liturgy; and it accepts Papal Primacy and Papal Infallibility. (Ps 119:1-5; Jn 17:17; 2Tim 3:16; Rev 22:18- 19).

A WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY

The Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church upholds the Catholic Sacramental System of seven Sacraments (Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation/Penance, Unction, Holy Matrimony/Marriage, and Holy Orders/Ordination.) Mass (Holy Communion) is celebrated at all services in our parishes on Sundays and Holy Days. Masses may also be celebrated for specific intentions. All baptized Christians who believe that the consecrated bread and wine have become the Body and Blood of Christ are invited to receive Communion at our altar. Baptism is administered on request. For Infant Baptisms, no parent's or godparent's classes are required, though they are required before Adult Baptism or Confirmation. Private Confession (the Sacrament of Reconciliation) is available before Mass or by appointment. The Sacrament of Holy Unction (for healing as well as for "last rites") is administered upon request. (Mt 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22: 17-20; Acts 2: 24; 1Cor 11:17-29)

A WITNESSING COMMUNITY

As an Evangelical Catholic Lutheran Church, we emphasize God's love, warmth, forgiveness and acceptance. We believe, teach and confess that God works to draw all of His beloved children to Himself through His free, unsolicited, and unconditional gift of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, then gently leads and nurtures us through Word and Sacrament. In loving response to His free gift of truly amazing grace, our gratitude leads us to share God's love with those around us, with true concern for both their spiritual welfare and physical well-being. As recipients of and witnesses of His grace and favor, we enthusiastically work as Christ's agents in the very midst of our secular humanist culture. We welcome the opportunity to strengthen and care for our all fellow human beings as we present Jesus Christ and His message of salvation to the entire world. (Mt 28:19-20; Lk 24: 46-49 Jn 1: 12-13; Jn 3:16; 2Cor 5)

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

To become a member of an ALCC parish, you need only to attend a brief series of conversations about the basic teachings of Lutheran Christianity as presented in The Unaltered Augsburg Confession and Father Martin Luther's Small Catechism followed by Baptism and Adult Confirmation or Affirmation of Faith. Or, simply present a letter of transfer or release from a congregation of any Lutheran denomination. Associate Membership is available for those who wish to keep their primary membership elsewhere. To find a parish near you, please check the listings below or contact the International Headquarters.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN

The ALCC does not have and never has had any female clergy. To learn why, read these documents:

Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (Pope John Paul II, 1994)
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_22051994_ordinatio-sacerdotalis_en.html

Responsum ad Dubium Concerning the Teaching Contained in
Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, 1995)
http://www.cin.org/cdfrad.html

OFFICIAL STATEMENT AGAINST THE ORDINATION OF
NON-CELIBATE HOMOSEXUALS

The Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church (ALCC) does not permit the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals or men who advocate for the so-called "gay culture."
To learn why, read the following document:

Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies
in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders
(Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, 2005)
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html

OFFICIAL STATEMENT AGAINST "SAME-SEX MARRIAGE"

The ALCC does not permit so-called "same-sex marriage." To learn why, read the following documents:

Catechism of the Catholic Church (Edito Typica) Part 3, Section 2, Article 6-II, paragraphs #2357-2358
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P85.HTM

Some Considerations Concerning the Response to Legislative Proposals on Non-discrimination of Homosexual Persons
(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, 1992)
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html

Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons
(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, 1986)
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html

Declaration Persona Humana
(Franjo Cardinal Seper, 1975)
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19751229_persona-humana_en.html

THE ANGLO-LUTHERAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church (ALCC?)
The ALCC is a Church in the Lutheran Evangelical Catholic tradition.

What is an Evangelical Catholic Lutheran?
An Evangelical Catholic Lutheran is first of all a Christian. An Evangelical Catholic Lutheran also believes that Lutheranism is not at all Protestant. Evangelical Catholic Lutherans believe that Lutherans are Western Catholics who were involuntarily expelled from the Catholic Church and are conscience-bound to return to the Catholic Church as soon as circumstances permit. Evangelical Catholic Lutherans consider Lutheranism to be "Protestant" only to the degree that it has accepted Calvinist (Presbyterian) influence through the centuries. Evangelical Catholics reject the doctrines and principles of Calvinism. This is nothing new. Whether they have been known as Gnesio-Lutherans, Old Lutherans, Romanizing Lutherans, or Evangelical Catholic Lutherans, they have been an integral part of Lutheranism since the time of Martin Luther.

Why is the word "Anglo" in your name?
Unlike other Lutheran churches, the ALCC has roots in Anglicanism as well as Evangelical Catholic Lutheranism. This is reflected in our Church's name and in its coat of arms (the Church of England's St. George's Cross and the Luther Rose.)

Most Lutheran Churches only have two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. Is this true for the ALCC?
No. In union with the Catholic and Anglican churches, the ALCC recognizes seven sacraments and celebrates them using the rites of the Catholic Church.

But don't the Lutheran confessional documents in the Book of Concord say that there are only two sacraments?
Yes. But the ALCC does not consider the Lutheran confessional documents in the Book of Concord binding when they conflict with authentic Catholic faith, tradition, order, and spirituality as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the other documents of the Magisterium.

What does the ALCC teach about Baptism?
The ALCC's teachings about Baptism is the same as that of the Catholic Church as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Baptism is regenerative, removes original sin, actual sin, and causes a profound ontological change in the baptized person--changing him into a "child of God." It is not a rite through which a person joins a congregation or a denomination. It is how a person becomes a Christian: It is how a person is "born again."

What does the ALCC teach about Holy Communion?
The ALCC agrees with the Catholic Church's teachings about Holy Communion (the Holy Eucharist or the Mass.) When consecrated by a priest, the bread and wine actually become the Body and Blood of Christ while retaining the outward appearance of bread and wine. This is called "the Miracle of the Mass." The technical term for this miracle is Transubstantiation. The ALCC rejects all Protestant Eucharistic theologies.

How is the ALCC different from other Lutheran Churches?
1. Unlike other Lutheran Churches, the ALCC accepts the Anglican 39 Articles of Religion from The Book of Common Prayer as reconciled with Catholic theology by John Henry Cardinal Newman in Tracts for the Times (only,) and even then only insofar as they agree with authentic Catholic faith, tradition, and spirituality as defined by the Magisterium.

2. Unlike other Lutheran Churches, the ALCC accepts the Catechism of the Catholic Church and all other documents of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church as its ultimate standard of Faith, Order, Tradition, and Spirituality. It believes and teaches nothing contrary to the Magisterium. All clergy and postulants for ordination are required to sign the Catholic Mandatum, and may not preach, teach, write, or publish anything contrary to the Magisterium.

3. Unlike other Lutheran Churches, the ALCC has accepted Papal Primacy and Papal Infallibility. Though it is not legally under Papal control at this time, it acts as if it were, and is actively working toward visible, corporate reunion with the Catholic Church. The ALCC also operates under Catholic Canon Law to the greatest extent practical in matters not covered by its own Canon Law Code.

4. Unlike other Lutheran Churches, the ALCC teaches that Bishops ordained in the historic Apostolic Succession are of the essence (esse) of the Church. The ALCC's clergymen are ordained into a sacerdotal (sacrificing) Priesthood consisting of the three Sacred Orders of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, in the historic Apostolic Succession in lineages recognized as valid by the Catholic Church, using the Ordination rites of the Catholic Church Catholic Church within the setting of the Mass of Pope Paul VI (Novus Ordo,) or the Mass from the Catholic Church's Anglican Use Book of Divine Worship exclusively. The ALCC's primary apostolic lineage is the Duarte-Costa branch of the Rebiban (Vatican) Succession, though it also holds the apostolic lineage of the Dutch Old Catholic Church among many others which have been ruled technically valid by various Popes.

5. Unlike other Lutheran Churches, the ALCC accepts the Catholic Church's teachings about "the Last Things," the Saints, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It encourages prayers and other devotions to Mary and the Saints, along with all of the other aids to devotion used in Catholicism.

6. Unlike other Lutheran Churches, the ALCC has the same ecclesiology (teachings about the nature of the Church, and how the Church is organized and governed) as the Catholic Church. It worships using the rites and ceremonies of the Catholic Church exclusively. It observes the Seasons, Holy Days, and Saints' Days of the Catholic Church's Calendar. The ALCC accepts the same books of the Bible recognized by the Catholic Church. The Pontifical Biblical Commission's magisterial document, "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church" has been officially adopted as the ALCC's official statement of the nature and authority of Scripture, the principles and methods to be used to interpret the Bible, and the rules, boundaries, and limitations of those methods.

How is the ALCC different from the Old Catholics and Independent Catholics?
Unlike Old Catholics, the ALCC accepts and enthusiastically proclaims the doctrines of Papal Primacy, Papal Infallibility, and the teachings about the Blessed Virgin Mary proclaimed by the First Vatican Council. The ALCC's Apostolate is working (from within Lutheranism) for the return of large numbers of Lutherans (and those from other Communions as well) to visible, corporate reunion with the Catholic Church. This is the "bottom line."

Then why doesn't the ALCC simply join the Catholic Church?
The ALCC is actively working on just that, and is making excellent progress toward that goal. But such things take time. In the meantime, we have been blessed by God with the unique task of being a bridge for those who understand Christ's prayer and call that we “all may be one,” but do not want to “swim the Tiber” alone. We feel particularly called to assist those who feel lost or cast aside as a result of recent problems in the mainline denominations of Protestantism. Visible, corporate union with the Roman Catholic Church in whatever form is deemed appropriate by the Vatican, bringing along as many Lutherans and those from other Communions who want to be fully Catholic along with it, is the ALCC's apostlate and goal.

ADMINISTRATION

Archdiocesan Headquarters

Office of the Archbishop
Archbishop: The Most Rev. Irl A. Gladfelter, C.S.P., D.D.
Office of the Director of Temporal Administration and Finance
St. Michael's House 1200 N. E. 81st Terrace,
Kansas City, Missouri 64118-1361
Chancery : (816) 468-9691
E-mail: ALCClutherans@kc.rr.com

Office of the Vicar General
The Rev. Msgr. Terence Belcher, Vicar General
Office: (816) 471-3148
Residence: (913) 538-5191
Cell Phone: (816) 359-0065
E-mail: terence.belcher@att.net

Office of the Vicar General for Minnesota and Wisconsin
The Rev. Msgr. Thomas Stover, D.Min.
112 Marcin Lane
Burnsville, MN 55337
Office (612) 554-5368
E-mail: tom@holytrinity.alcc.org

PARISHES

Minnesota

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church ALCC
The Rev. Msgr. Thomas Stover, O.S.A., D.Min., Pastor
1115 East 19th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Office: (612) 554-5368
E-mail: tom@holytrinity.alcc.org
Home Page: http://www.holytrinityalcc.org/index.cfm?i=8365

Missouri

St. Benedict of Africa Lutheran Church ALCC
(A parish of the nongeographic ethnic Sub-Saharan African Diocese of St. Benedict of Africa)
The Most Rev. Chaplen Luyimba Kweri, O.S.A., B.A.Th., M.Div., D.D.
     Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Benedict of Africa
     Archbishop Pro Tem of All Africa
     Titular Rector
4606 N. Kenwood Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64116
Office and Rectory: (816) 454-3172
E-mail: bishopkweri@sbcglobal.net

St. Michael's Lutheran Church ALCC
Archbishop: The Most Rev. Irl A. Gladfelter, C.S.P., D.D., Rector
The Rev. Phil Appling, O.S.A. M.Div., Associate Rector
1200 N. E. 81st Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64118-1361
Office and Rectory: (816) 468-9691
Home Page: http://www.stmichaelsalcc.org
E-mail: ALCClutherans@kc.rr.com

St. Patrick's Lutheran Ministries ALCC
The Most Rev. Irl A. Gladfelter, C.S.P., D.D., Episcopal Visitor
1200 N. E. 81st Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64118-1361
Office: (816) 468-9691

St. Philip Church ALCC
The Rev. Msgr. Terence Belcher, Rector
Vicar General, Archdiocese of the West ALCC Church Office: (816) 471-3148
Rectory: (913) 538-5191
Rector's Cell Phone: (816) 359-0065
E-mail: terence.belcher@att.net

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