CACINA is an independent, sacramental, inclusive Catholic church that welcomes ALL. CACINA now celebrates 76 years in the United States. We call ourselves apostolic Catholics, because although CACINA is not institutionally connected to the Roman Catholic Church, we still adhere to core Catholic traditions, including the Mass, belief in the Real Presence in the Eucharist, Catholic liturgy, celebration of the seven sacraments, and Marian devotion. Apostolic succession has been transmitted to CACINA bishops by the laying of hands during episcopal consecrations performed by bishops previously consecrated within the apostolic succession. Episcopal lines are traceable to the original apostles with early lineage shared with the Roman Catholic Church.
CACINA values sacramental justice -- we believe that the sacraments were meant to be offered to the faithful without severe restrictions. That means that all who approach the altar in good faith are welcome to receive the sacraments of the church. Furthermore CACINA ordains clergy regardless of gender, gender identity, sexuality, or marital status.
We in CACINA have always felt a special calling to make sacraments available to underserved individuals and groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals, divorced and remarried persons, and women. This reflects our commitment to practicing both radical hospitality and social justice, as expressed among the people and clergy that make up our parishes and missions around the United States.
Are you looking for a different way to express your Catholic faith? It's possible that you hold a deep appreciation for the rich beauty of the sacraments and the cherished traditions of the Catholic Church, yet you find yourself grappling with certain teachings that don't resonate with your personal beliefs or experiences. You might be navigating the complexities of life as a divorced individual, identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, or belonging to another group that often feels marginalized within the church. The longing to celebrate your sacramental faith may be strong, but you might feel constrained by the church's established rules and doctrines. Know that you are not alone in this journey.
The validity of Apostolic Catholicism and other non-Roman Catholic expressions of the faith is a matter of both theology and ecclesiastical history. It is largely affirmed by the principle of Apostolic Succession. Non-Roman Catholic churches, such as the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America (CACINA), which the Julian of Norwich Mission is a part of, traces their lineage of bishops in an unbroken line back to the original apostles.
From the perspective of sacramental theology shared across most Apostolic churches (including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Independent Catholic), if a bishop's orders are valid (meaning they have valid Apostolic Succession), then the sacraments performed by clergy consecrated in that line are also considered valid. Many non-Roman Catholic bishops received their consecration through one of two main lines, the Catholic Apostolic Church in Brazil (Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa), and the Old Catholic Church in Europe. The Julian of Norwich Mission, and the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America, come from Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa.
Non-Roman Catholic communities affirm both their belonging to the larger Catholic tradition and their independence from the structures and strictures of the Roman church.
Because we are proud to be Catholic! We often say we are Vatican II Catholics, because at CACINA we have a space to practice our Catholic faith aligned with the values of that council: openness to the modern world, the dignity of all people, and the ongoing renewal of the church--especially so the church will be more effective in the modern world.