Although our parish embraces an Anglican ethos and uses the Anglican Rite in worship  we are not a member of The Episcopal Church, nor is it part of the Anglican Communion. 

All Souls is a member of The Ecumenical Catholic Communion and our  presiding Bishop is The Right Rev. Peter Hickman.

Our Suffragan Bishop for Anglican Affairs is The Right Rev. Dr. Rick Hollingsworth.

Our parish is part of a small denomination that traces its apostolic lineage from the Old Catholic Church.  Like all other independent catholic churches in America, who claim an Old Catholic heritage, we are not officially recognized by the Union of Utrecht.  Our denomination does however affirm the Declaration of Utrecht as set out in 1889. 

The Old Catholic Church is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as having valid apostolic succession even though it is not under the jurisdiction of Rome.  The Old Catholic Church separated from Rome over the decision of Vatican 1 and its declaration of the infallibility of the Pope. Since 1931 the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht has been in full communion with the  Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church in the US. 

The Ecumenical Catholic Communion is a relatively new denomination.  It sees itself as a communion rather than a church because it is made up of various strands of independent catholic churches that have been brought together under a spirit of unity and cooperation.  The ECC seeks fuller unity with other catholic denominations  who share a common theology and Old Catholic style of governance and is in full communion with other independent catholic jurisdictions: The Apostolic Catholic Church; The American Catholic Church, Diocese of California; just to name two.

The ECC is a member of the Conference of North American Old Catholic Bishops.  It has been working regularly with the Rev. Bjorn Marcusson, a priest in The Episcopal Church and an Old Catholic Church theologian.  Fr. Marcusson has been instrumental in helping the denomination in understanding the importance maintaining the characteristics of a true apostolic church while envisioning its governance and structure for the future.

Bishop Peter and Bishop Rick have experience and wisdom regarding church leadership and unlike some other independent catholic denominations, serve as the rectors of their respective parishes. 

To see the announcement of All Souls joining the ECC, please click here.

About Our Denomination

All Souls Ecumenical Church

Phone: 610-621-1738; P.O. Box 15020, Reading, PA 19612-5020

Worshipping at Calvary UCC, 640 Centre, Ave., Reading, PA 19601

 

               To contact us:  Info@allsoulsecumenical.org