Why Anglicanism?

The Community of the Holy Cross adheres to the Christian theological and spiritual tradition known as Anglicanism for two reasons. First, Anglicanism at its best is authentic “mere Christianity” – that is, Christianity that is neither sectarian in its emphasis, nor bound to a particular culture. This ethos is perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that Anglicanism has no doctrinal statement other than the Scriptures, the ancient creeds, and the teachings of the seven ecumenical councils.

Second, the Anglican churches are in apostolic succession, which means that Anglican bishops have been consecrated to their office in an unbroken line of bishops back to the Apostles themselves. Anglicans have this in common with other ancient churches: the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Coptic Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and a number of others.

Is the Community of the Holy Cross a religious order?

No, but we have certain things in common with religious orders – a life of daily prayer together, a focus on a particular charism (in our case, intercessory prayer and catechetical excellence), and an ethic of long-term commitment to the community. We are different from religious orders in that we are a community comprised not just of celibate males or celibate females, but instead open to people in various walks and stages of life – single people, married couples, families with children, and widows/widowers. In this way we are similar to Christian communities of the early Celtic Church. Those who have discerned a call to vowed celibacy are welcome to consider whether the Community of the Holy Cross may be the context in which the Lord would have them live out that vocation.

How is the Community of the Holy Cross different from a parish church or congregation?

We have some things in common with a parish church – namely, that we gather to observe the Lord’s Day every week and major feast days throughout the year, and that we offer opportunities for both study and fellowship. We differ from a parish church in two important ways: 1) Belonging to the Community of the Holy Cross is a more rigorous commitment. Whereas one may belong to a parish church simply by attending service weekly (or even less often), our community members are committed to participate in regular, daily community prayer whenever possible, and to cooperate in performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. 2) Whereas one’s membership in a parish church is usually contingent upon the other commitments in one’s life (for example, where one’s job or school is located), membership in our community is practiced according to the spiritual concept of ‘stability’ – i.e., a commitment that is long-term and may (after a period of discernment) become lifelong.

Are you evangelicals?

“Evangelical” is one of the most important words in a Christian’s spiritual vocabulary – but also one that is most often misused. “Evangelical” is simply the adjectival form of the word “gospel” – in other words, it means by the gospel, for the gospel, of the gospel. So yes, we definitely are evangelicals because we believe the Gospel and seek to live as disciples of Jesus. We do not reject the sacraments or liturgical prayer, as some often mean when they use the term “evangelical.”

Are you Catholic?

This is the other extremely important but often misused word in the Christian’s spiritual vocabulary. Although it has come to be used synonymously with “Roman,” particularly in the United States, this word in its original context meant “faithful to the Apostolic Tradition, rather than belonging to a heretical sect” such as the Gnostics or the Pelagians. Since we revere Apostolic Tradition and seek to be faithful to it in all that we do, and are in full communion with bishops in apostolic succession, we are indeed catholic. We are not, however, part of the Roman Catholic Church.

Three Caveats

Immunizations

In order to protect the health of our members and to contribute to public health in general, membership is not open to those who on principle oppose vaccinations.

Male-only ordination to priesthood and episcopacy

The Community of the Holy Cross is committed to an understanding of ordination to the priesthood and the episcopacy that is rooted firmly in Apostolic Tradition. This means, among other things, that we understand priestly and episcopal ministry to be a gender-specific role limited to men. This doctrine does not in any way limit or preclude women from leadership roles in our community or in the Church at large, or from service as teaching theologians.

Orthodox Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality

The Community of the Holy Cross is committed to the an understanding of marriage and sexuality that is likewise rooted firmly in Holy Scripture and Apostolic Tradition – namely, that marriage consists of the lifelong union of one man and one woman, that marriage has as one of its chief aims the begetting and rearing of children, and that any use of the sexual function outside marriage is sinful.