Holy Family Parish History
Holy Family and the Ecumenical Catholic Communion finds its roots in the history, theology and tradions of the early church, especially the first 1000 years of Christianity, thus much of our theology is closely aligned with the Eastern Orthodox Church. This early church was very democratic as they elected their bishops and church was local as they gathered around their bishop. It is from this early church that we have our Ecumenical Councils. Leaders both laity, clergy attended these Councils.
Our founding bishop Peter Hickman grew up as a American Baptist and was ordained a Baptist minister. He eventually found his way to the Catholic traditions. He was ordained as an Old Catholic priest in 1986 serving the people of St. Matthew Church in Orange, California. In 1996 as they were growning and developing missions his congregation called him to be their bishop. After the formation of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion in 2002 and the Constitution ratified in 2003 he was called to be the first Presiding Bishop. His apostolic succession come from the Old Catholic, Duarte-Costa (Brazilian-Roman Catholic) and Anglican Lines.
The Ecumenical Catholic Communion grew out of home eucharistic churches around the country. served by fomer clergy. These early faith communities looked to form a communion/federation of churches. Starting with just about a dozen communities there are about 50 communities world wide serving people who have felt alienated. The Ecumenical Catholic Communion is Open and Afffirming with ordination open to both men and women married and single.
We are Catholic:
We have seven sacraments
We are the three fold order of clergy: Deacons, Priests and Bishops
We believe in Sacred Scriptures and Tradition
We recite the ancient creeds and follow the Ecumenical Councils of the early church.
We are Ecumenical:
We have an open communion table, thus all are invited to receive the Body and Blood of Christ
We engage in open dialogue with all brothers and sisters of faith.
We are Communion:
We are a Synodal Church governed by a Constitution where the laity, clergy and bishops engage
in open dialogue.
We elect our bishops for a term of office, although they are sacramentally consecrated for life.
Our founding bishop Peter Hickman grew up as a American Baptist and was ordained a Baptist minister. He eventually found his way to the Catholic traditions. He was ordained as an Old Catholic priest in 1986 serving the people of St. Matthew Church in Orange, California. In 1996 as they were growning and developing missions his congregation called him to be their bishop. After the formation of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion in 2002 and the Constitution ratified in 2003 he was called to be the first Presiding Bishop. His apostolic succession come from the Old Catholic, Duarte-Costa (Brazilian-Roman Catholic) and Anglican Lines.
The Ecumenical Catholic Communion grew out of home eucharistic churches around the country. served by fomer clergy. These early faith communities looked to form a communion/federation of churches. Starting with just about a dozen communities there are about 50 communities world wide serving people who have felt alienated. The Ecumenical Catholic Communion is Open and Afffirming with ordination open to both men and women married and single.
We are Catholic:
We have seven sacraments
We are the three fold order of clergy: Deacons, Priests and Bishops
We believe in Sacred Scriptures and Tradition
We recite the ancient creeds and follow the Ecumenical Councils of the early church.
We are Ecumenical:
We have an open communion table, thus all are invited to receive the Body and Blood of Christ
We engage in open dialogue with all brothers and sisters of faith.
We are Communion:
We are a Synodal Church governed by a Constitution where the laity, clergy and bishops engage
in open dialogue.
We elect our bishops for a term of office, although they are sacramentally consecrated for life.
