Holy Catholic Church—Western Rite
The Holy Catholic Church—Western Rite (HCC—WR) is a Continuing Anglican church. It is represented in the United Kingdom, Latin America, the United States of America, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Rome and Spain. It originated with a separation of a group of bishops of the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) led by Bishop Thomas Justin Kleppinger, Bishop McNeley, Bishop Seeland, Bishop Leslie Hamlett and Bishop Victor Cruz-Blanco, who were concerned about what they considered to be the ACC's doctrinal comprehensiveness and moral relativism. In 2005 Bishop Leslie Hamlett was deposed and Bishop Wright was later elected as Metropolitan. He held that position until his death in 2009. In a recent unity move, the Holy Catholic Church—Western Rite, while also maintaining its name where represented by it currently, united with the Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite under Metropolitan Archbishop Thomas Kleppinger of the HCCAR.
The HCC—WR adheres to the doctrines of the undivided church of the first millennium. It believes those doctrines to be embodied in the Orthodox churches, which in their belief have never added to or subtracted from the "holy tradition". While identifying totally with the Catholic and Orthodox churches in matters of faith, the HCC—WR Diocese of Europe uses the ancient Western liturgy of the Mass - hence the term "Western Rite". The HCC—WR Diocese of Europe (but not the HCC-WR itself) is a member of the Anglican Church International Communion (ACIC).
Letter of Unity
On March 1, 2010, the HCCAR and HCC—WR signed the organic unity document as follows:
+ In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, Amen. To all the Faithful in Christ Jesus throughout the World, Greeting:
Whereas the Holy Catholic Church - Anglican Rite and the Holy Catholic Church - Western Rite have been in communion, be it known that we have entered into a full organic communion (communio in sacris) effective this First Day of March in the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Ten.
As a united body in the Family of Catholic Churches, our goal is to perpetuate the Faith, Order, Worship and Witness of Western Catholicism as it existed in the Church of England from around 200 A.D., to the time of the Great Schism, and set forth by the “ancient catholic bishops and doctors,” and especially as defined by the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church. The Holy Catholic Church - Anglican Rite is Catholic, because it accepts the doctrines of the ancient Church, which have been “believed everywhere, always, and by all.” The Affirmation of Louis is a sufficient statement of our faith, belief and teaching in fostering the faith once delivered to the saints in the great Anglican Tradition until His second Coming.
Be it resolved, that the Holy Catholic Church - Anglican Rite (HCCAR) also known as the Anglican Rite Catholic Church (ARCC), henceforth also be deemed as the Holy Catholic Church - Western Rite (HCCWR) as applicable in the different parts of the world it is represented.
Be it resolved, that the Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite (ARCC/HCCWR) comprise of the following Dioceses: Diocese of Holy Trinity and Great Plains, Diocese of the Pacific and Southwest, Diocese of the Resurrection (HCC-AR), Missionary Diocese of the American Indian People, Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada (South America), Diocese of Europe and Diocese of Umzi Wase Tiyopiya (Africa).
Be it resolved that we work towards the promulgation of three Provinces namely the Original Province of America, the Province of the Caribbean and New Granada and the Province of Europe and Africa.
The HCC-AR College of Bishops consists of the Bishops of the Diocese of Holy Trinity and Great Plains, Bishop of the Diocese of Resurrection, Bishops of the Diocese of Pacific and Southwest, Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of the American Indian People, Bishops of the Anglican Diocese of Caribbean and New Granada and Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of Umzi Wase Tiyopiya and Episcopal Visitor to the Diocese of Europe with Archbishop Thomas Kleppinger as the Metropolitan. All Coadjutor Bishops, Assistant Bishops, and Retired Bishops have Seat, Voice and Vote in the College of Bishops.
Be it resolved that while the role of the College of Bishops of the HCC-AR is to address the spiritual,theological and pastoral concerns. Each Diocese has full autonomy of Government, Judicial-Pastoral Discipline,and Administration, and are expected to operate in accordance with their local and national laws and requirements. Given under our hand and seal this date. March 1, in the year of our Lord 2010.
[signed] The Most Rev’d Thomas Kleppinger, Diocese of the Resurrection and Metropolitan
The Rt. Rev’d Leo Michael, Diocese of the Holy Trinity and Great Plains
The Rt. Rev’d Henry King, Diocese of the Pacific and Southwest
The Rt. Rev’d Anthony Rasch, Bishop Coadjutor, Diocese of the Pacific and Southwest
The Rt. Rev’d Kenneth Kinner, Missionary Diocese of the American Indian People
The Rt. Rev’d James McNeley, Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of the Holy Trinity and Great Plains
The Rt. Rev'd Ronald Greeson, Suffragan Emeritus, Diocese of the Holy Trinity and Great Plains
The Rt. Rev’d Samuel Banzana, Diocese of Umzi Wase Tiyopiya; Episcopal Visitor, Diocese of Europe
The Rt. Rev’d Victor Cruz-Blanco, Anglican Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada
The Rt. Rev’d Luis Carlos Garcia Medina, Bishop Assistant, Anglican Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada
The Rt. Rev’d John Jairo Garcia Salazar, Bishop Assistant Anglican Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada
The Rt. Rev’d Jesus Maria Galvez Hoyos, Bishop Assistant Anglican Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada
The Rt. Rev´d Domingo Ramón Rivero Coronado of the Diocese of the Caribbean and New Granada was not a signer.