Canon 1: Introduction

1.1 The Name of this church and jurisdiction is The Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church.

1.2 It can also be referred to its short name of THACCC, this jurisdiction or this denomination.

 

Canon 2: Canon Law designation

• The Canon law and By-Laws of this jurisdiction are solely independent of any other denomination that exists.

 

Canon 3: Doctrine

 

• This spiritual faith community shall dedicate all hours of worship to the Divine Creator Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
• This spiritual faith community shall play an active part in God’s Kingdom and therefore embracing fully all persons of faith and all persons seeking to reconnect to their faith.
• This jurisdiction shall empower its clergy and laity to establish Diocese’s, Parishes etc to further God’s work in the Vineyard.

 

Canon 4: Membership

 

• As a spiritual faith community any member of the public may petition to the jurisdiction’s Primus for membership either within the Laity or the Clergy (or both for Clergy who wish to become a member without leaving their current jurisdiction.)

 

 

Canon 5: Baptism

 

• Baptism is the route to a new life and is therefore celebrated in the Christian faith. It is validly conferred by the washing of Holy Water and through liturgy of the word. In this faith community we believe that anyone who is already baptised may in certain circumstances may Baptise another when a member of the Clergy is not present.
• The Baptism is to be conducted by either full immersion or by the pouring of water over the head. Baptism’s can be performed in Churches, private houses and gardens. Anyone can receive the sacrament of Baptism starting from Birth to senior age.
• To be considered for the role of Godparent or Sponsor the person must be already Baptised and must be over the age of 16.

 

Canon 6: Confirmation

 

• Confirmation is the next important stage of Christian life. Only a validly consecrated Bishop can confer this sacrament.
• To be confirmed the candidate must be over the age of 16 and must be of sure of faith and certainty.
• The sacrament of Confirmation can take place inside a church, in a private residence or garden (weather permitting)
• The candidate for this sacrament will receive an appropriate amount of instruction and through Confirmation classes will come to understand what it means to confirm their faith.

 

Canon 7: Eucharist

 

• The celebration of the Eucharist is to remember the passion of our Lord and Saviour.
• The celebration of the Eucharist can only be offered by an Priest or Bishop and the reserve sacrament can be given by a Deacon in certain circumstances.
• The Sacred Eucharist must be celebrated unless special circumstances given with Bread and Wine (Grape Juice etc is also permitted.) with a small quantity of water.

 

Canon 8: Confession

 

• The Seal of the Confessional is unbreakable unless a crime has been committed and if there is someone at risk. All Priests and Bishops must inform the Primus in such circumstance.
• If an interpreter is needed for confession to take place, they must also preserve the seal of the confessional.

 

Canon 9: Sacrament of Sick

 

• The anointing the of sick and afflicted is one the purest forms of service a person can offer.
• The anointing must take place using blessed Holy Oil.
• Clergy are automatically authorised to anoint the sick but in certain circumstances a member of the laity can anoint as well.

 

 

Canon 10: Marriage / Civil Union

 

• The union of two souls of any gender and of any sexuality is celebrated in this jurisdiction.
• Both parties must be free without any impediment to form this union and must be consented.
• Marriage / Civil Union can be contracted through an interpreter.

 

Canon 11: Holy Orders

 

• Some are called to be workers in the Vineyard and are called to be fishers of men. This jurisdiction offers prior to Major Holy Orders, the minor orders of Cleric, Reader, Exorcist, Acolyte, & Sub-Deacon. Each step takes a minimum of six months to learn about serving at the Altar.
• Major Holy Order consist of Deacon, Priest and Bishop.
• All candidates for Minor Orders and Major Holy Orders must be Baptised and Confirmed prior to any training or conferral of Office.
• The Minimum age for acceptance of Orders is 21 years of age.
• Both stages of Orders must be conferred by the imposition of the Laying of Hands and the anointing of Holy Oil.
• Any Bishop in this jurisdiction can confer upon an individual the offices of Minor Orders and can also ordain Deacons and Priests. Only the Primus as Chief Consecrator along with two other Bishops can confer the office of the Episcopate.
• In order to be ordained or to have minor orders conferred the candidate must be free and consenting.
• A criminal background check must be completed before any offer of conferral of office is given.
• The following are immediate exclusions for any conferral of any office (Minor Orders & Major Holy Orders.)

• A person who has committed homicide
• A person who has committed sexual assault
• A person who has committed fraud.
• A person who has committed any acts against minors.

 

2.0 The Ordaining Bishop will give the newly ordained or welcomed minor order person a church authorised certificate.

 

Canon 12: Clerical Incardination

 

• Candidates for incardination must supply a letter of excardination from their previous church.
• Candidates for incardination must follow Canon 11.

 

Canon 13: Episcopal Incardination

 

• Candidates for Episcopal Incardination must follow Canon 11.
• Candidates for Episcopal Incardination must make their application as stated on the churches website. The Primus will act as Episcopal Vocations Director.

 

Canon 14: Bishops

 

• Bishops shall serve in either Auxiliary, Titular or Diocesan roles within the church and it will be decided by the Primus.
• Candidates for the Episcopy must have at least one year Priestly experience prior to candidacy and must be in good standing within their previous church or current church.

 

Canon 15: Office of Primus

 

• There is one Primus who is also the Presiding Bishop of this jurisdiction.
• The Primus shall serve as the Spiritual Shepherd of this church and faith community.
• The Primus shall be supported by the Primus’ Council, which is a group consisting of laity and ordained members of the church.

 

Canon 16: Disciplinary Action and Absences

 

• In matters of Disciplinary action in the first instance a verbal warning shall be issued, then a written warning and then a final warning. If no improvements are made then Clerical Termination shall be authorised by the Primus.
• If a member of the laity and or clergy are found to be telling false truths Canon Law 16 – 1.1 can be waived upon an investigation and the member is offered 5 days to provide evidence.
• Laity and Clergy can request a leave of absence from their ordinary to be temporally relieved of their responsibilities until a mutually agreed return has been approved by the Primus.

 

Canon 17: Resignation

 

• Any member of the church whether Laity or Ordained can leave the church by submitting a letter of resignation to their ordinary or to the Primus.

 

 

Canon 18: Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons

 

• This jurisdiction takes matters relating to the protection of minors and vulnerable persons seriously and any reports given will investigated thoroughly.
• Any Safeguarding concerns or reports must be in full and no details are to be redacted.
• Laity and Clergy are to be provided with details of appropriate Safeguard training however this jurisdiction is unable to pay for said training.

 

Canon 19: Criminal Record Checks

 

• Every member whether they be laity or clergy must have an up-to-date Criminal Record Report or DBS (Disclosure Barring Service UK) certificate.

 

Canon 20: Ministry Lone Working

 

• If any member of laity and clergy are required to Lone work, they must be accompanied by a second adult over the age of 21. If a second adult cannot be found then lone working cannot take place.

 

Canon 21: Avoidance of False Allegations

 

• All volunteers (Laity and Clergy) shall conduct themselves in such a way that no allegations of misconduct shall arise. If any allegations are made, they shall be thoroughly investigated and the said volunteer shall be put on temporary suspension whilst receiving full support of the Primus and the Primus’ Council.

 

Canon 22: Courses and information sessions relating to the Sacraments

 

• No Laity or Clergy in this jurisdiction are permitted to charge any financial amount for any courses relating to the sacraments or information sessions.