About St. Francis

St. Francis of Assisi, the Cathedral parish of the American National Catholic Church was was founded in the home of our pastor, Bishop George Lucey in West Orange, New Jersey, in August of 2007. The parish grew from Catholics encountering the Spirit of Vatican Council-II in other ministries Bishop George established and began asking where they could attend Mass. In 2008, the number of people attending Mass at Bishop George’s home increased and the parish moved to it’s current home. The parish, through the grace of God continues to grow in both size and spirit.

St. Francis of Assisi National Catholic Church, as the Cathedral parish of the American National Catholic Church, affirm that we are a valid expression of the ancient Catholic faith, theologically, sacramentally, and pastorally rooted to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church which flowed from the side of Jesus Christ as he hung upon the cross. We affirm that we are born of the same Holy Spirit which inspired the Apostles on Pentecost with the courage to proclaim in every tongue the all embracing love of God ever present in our world.

As a National Catholic Church we offer an alternative for those seeking a more inclusive Catholic experience. For years many have felt shut out from experiencing their Catholic faith in its entirety. St. Francis strives to provide the sacraments to all God’s people, regardless of creed, color, gender, Sexual orientation, political affiliation or social condition.

St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic parish was inspired by a vision of the Church of Vatican Council-II. We were founded by a group of committed Catholics who wanted to witness to the reality that the central tenant of the Catholic Church is the all inclusive and extravagant love of God, made Incarnate in his son, Jesus Christ, and manifested in the sacramental life of the Church. We that of to be a church of social change, speaking out for those who have no voice.

We offer opportunities for social outreach and ministry. We believe that actions speak louder than words and we are committed to living out our faith as Catholic Christians.

Our parish is made up of a diverse group of people, coming from all walks of life. No matter where you find yourself on life’s journey, this parish community welcomes you in the spirit of Jesus, who came for all.

We invite you to join us in our faith journey. Please join us for Mass and to embark on a new journey of faith. Become a member of a church that truly believes that Christ came for all of us and so that none may be lost!


All Are Welcome

The American National Catholic Church invites separated, divorced Catholics and other individuals who feel disenfranchised from the Church because of who they love.

All respected contemporary understanding of human sexuality tells us that sexual orientation is a inherent aspect of personal identity. We believe that some of God’s children are GLBTQ because we are all created in the image of God, and therefore, the GLBTQ community reflects a dimension of who God is. It is with great joy that we are able to welcome everyone into full pariticipation into sacramental life of the church. All of God’s creation is good and as such we welcome our GLBTQ brothers and sisters, divorced and separated persons in the fullness of the life of the church. Sacramental limitations on marriage and ordination are rejected. As such, we joyfully united same sex couples in the Sacrament of Matrimony and ordain qualified gays and lesbians called by God.

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How I came to my present understanding from my roots in Roman Catholicism!

Bishop George Lucey, ANCC

PREAMBLE: The "story" below is intended for our church community and the general public who may have an interest in the ANCC. It can be considered a response to FAQ, but all in one statement.

Even though I was raised in a strictly Roman Catholic family and environment, there are Church officials who, while acknowledging my legitimate ordination and episcopal rank, consider me a member of an illicit church organization.⁽¹⁾ Not only have I attended Catholic schools all my life and graduated from Regis College, the Jesuit Pontifical Faculty at the Toronto School of Theology with degrees in S.T.B, a Master of Divinity in theology and a Graduate degree in counselling psychology, my emphasis on the Gospel as a living testimony of God's consistent love and will for us is, nonetheless, not well received and remains subject to numerous and often erroneous interpretations and applications. How else could it be? Absolutist religious institutions require complete "loyalty" and obedience. In conscience I could not agree to that demand, choosing instead to preach, and hopefully live, the Gospel as a living testimony as revealed to the People of God.

For many, this very personal response is heretical because it is evolutionary and lacks approval by the magisterium which controls what the Church thinks, teaches, and demands of the faithful. History, on the other hand, indicates that over time the Church always comes around though a symbiotic relationship with society and its institutions. The Church has largely made peace with numerous and diverse civil authorities (democracies, dictatorships, monarchies, etc.), including revolutionary forces and their oppressors. Oddly, often at the same time. Many Bishops often side with the prevailing political authorities (perhaps for the protection of their wealth and power) and, at the same time, with their own clergy who bear witness to the poor and marginalized whose experience gave rise to the idea of "liberation theology."

It is not easy being a universal, multi-national organization spanning continents and national borders. Indeed, the word Universal Church means just that; we are all members, and children of God regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, etc. St. Paul says it best: "nothing separates us from the love of God!" He actually meant no sin, lifestyle, social condition, action or activity. God is always calling us to him/her! All are welcome and forgiven. ⁽²⁾

As a bishop and pastor, I am ever aware of this. For me the church and liturgy are places for healing not judgment. "Judge not, least you be judged;" "Let you who are without sin cast the first stone." Thus, communion is not meant for the holy or sinless, but for the sinner who needs the bread of life to become healed! In modern terms that would be the "outlier" or marginalized: The poor, the imprisoned, the different, the undocumented and unwelcomed, etc.

To be sure, these are social categories and not rigid or righteous social realities, except when society makes them such. And when that happens, we begin thinking in these terms and believe them to be real or ontologically true even though they are social constructions. Thus, notions like "inter-racial marriage," deviance, same-sex marriage, Catholic female clergy automatically became anathema. No discussion; just rejection! And many of us internalize these judgements and live with self-abnegation.

To be sure, it is a struggle to "re-socialize" oneself...to shred the past and take on a new persona. There is guilt and fear and the possibility of error. Yet, ultimately, we must live with ourselves and perhaps even die for our convictions as did so many of our saints and those the church persecuted.

Fortunately, St. Paul gets it right. He writes beautifully about the Body of Christ, noting that there are many parts, but the same body and that God gifts each one of us a part to play in building the Kingdom of God. St. Paul writes that "to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." It is important that as we form followers of Christ, we remember this, each person plays a part. Everyone has a position and function. "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."

We need to help people discover what their place or vocation is within this covenant, and now, "holy community". Not everybody is called to ordained ministry. But some are. Others may have never entertained the idea for one reason or another. It might be because they grew up Catholic and who they are or desired to be was incompatible with the practice or life of the Roman Church, i.e. female, married, homosexual. On the other hand, some who have historically been excluded may hold a deep conviction that they have been called by Christ to ordained ministry and other ecclesiastical positions⁽³⁾. Yet, they lack a home from which they can minister.

In the world of American Catholicism, one can only imagine what shape the Church will take. Nunneries are empty, vocations to the religious are declining, some parishes have only part time clergy and Catholic elementary schools are closing regularly⁽⁴⁾. These schools were the foundation of the church, bedrock of faith and the vehicle of upward mobility⁽⁵⁾. Religious literacy is at an all-time low in that so-called Religion Classes have replaced substantive theology courses.

Yet, there are still church affiliated, identified and involved Catholics in every diocese. When asked why they remain Catholic (remember: recovered Catholic T-shirts), they say it was because of the Church's "social justice" ethic.

And this is what we are committed to at St. Francis of Assisi and throughout the National Church. Social inclusion IS social justice! This is why gays and lesbians are welcomed as are the divorced. Why the disengaged and disenchanted regularly return and participate in the life of the parish as Sunday school teachers, lay ministers, deacons. Why women are ordained and why general absolution is given at every Mass.

So, I will continue to preach the Gospel as the living word of God to any and all who wish to listen and receive God's gifts. All are welcome. Come join us!


Endnotes

¹My priestly ordination was administered in 2005 by Bishop Robert Detlor who is the Abbot Bishop of the White Robed Monks of Saint Benedict. I was ordained to the episcopacy in June 2008 at the Saint Augustine's chapel at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. My principal consecrator was archbishop John T Kelly. My apostolic succession comes from Rome through Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa in Brazil and I also have Ukrainian Catholic lines of succession through one of my co-consecrator's, Bishop Dennis Fontbonne.

²There is a theology here which needs to be acknowledged. For many, it requires confession, absolution, and penance. For others, it can be given generally by the priest celebrant. The Eastern Church has confession, but it is not a demand to be done on schedule. It is more like a conversation with "the minister." Many Protestant sects do not offer this sacrament in a formal way at all.

³A married Catholic clergy is a long-time tradition and still exists among all the Eastern Rites: Maronites, Greek Catholics (Melkites, Ukrainians, Carpathia-Ruthenians), etc. In the United States, there are dozens of such clergy functioning in parishes. It was the denial of this custom and the need for national parishes by the Latin Church here that lead to huge schisms among the faithful.

⁴The Archdiocese of New York and Newark began active ministry to Latinos around 40 years, spurred on by the writings of Rev. Joseph Fitzpatrick, SJ at Fordham University. The diocese went from infrequent and badly timed liturgies in basement churches to full recognition and integration into the dominant community.

⁵Oddly, the urban parishes are declining as Catholics became educated and move to the suburbs where religion is not central to identity and public schools work well. Catholic High Schools are few in number and expensive. The only real successes in New Jersey are St. Benedicts in Newark and St. Peter's in Jersey City. Some Catholic Universities and Colleges, while increasing their endowments (Seton Hall University) others with vast property (St. Elizabeth's in Convent Station) have extraordinarily low enrollments.