Free Catholic Church
The Free Catholic Church is a church in the Catholic tradition, based in Munich and springs from the Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil. It is independent of the Roman Catholic Church.
History
1945 broke up in Brazil until then Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa of Botucatu, because he accused the Vatican, among other things, a collaboration with the Nazis and fascists. It was the Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil, who came by the future Archbishop Johannes Peter Meyer under the name Free Catholic Church in 1949 after Germany. The seat was originally located in Cologne and moved to Munich in 1976.
Teaching
The Free Catholic Church sees itself as part of the one church of Jesus Christ and is committed as a non- Roman Catholic Church the tradition of the early Church. The bishops state that they have legitimate successor of the Apostle Peter, as they hold a valid apostolic succession. The acts of worship ( celebration of Mass, sacraments, weddings and funerals) are kept in their own, in the ordinary Roman or in the extraordinary Roman rite either. There is no celibacy.
Organization
The Free Catholic Church is organized as a registered association Free Catholic Church in Germany eV, established in Munich. It is subordinate to the Patriarchate of Catholic Apostolic Church of Brazil. According to its statutes, stands in Germany, the Primate Archbishop at the top, followed by his Vicar General, the priests and the consistory. The association is a non profit organization, funded by donations. The configured as a church club rooms are located in a former shop. Since 1955, the newsletter of the Free Catholic Church issued the shipment.
The Free Catholic Church acts in Germany in the parish of St. Peter and Paul in Munich. In addition, two missions in Manila and in the U.S. three communities in Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago are cared for.
Dissemination
According to information of the Religious Studies Media and Information Service ( REMID ) had the Free Catholic Church in Germany 2005, five communities, four local groups and slightly more than 400 members.
Succession
After the death of Johannes Peter Meyer was Georg Fröbrich and then Archbishop Hilarios Ungerer presiding bishop of the church.
Bishops
- Johannes Peter Meyer ( Archbishop, 1955-1976 )
- Georg Fröbrich (1975-1995)
- Hilarios Ungerer ( Archbishop, since 1976)
- Silverio Umipig ( Erzbischofkoadjutor, since 2004)
- Giovanni Gulielminetti (2008-2012)