The
Old Catholic Apostolic Church in the United States started
in 2008, when the Late Monsignor Anthony Guadialardo (of blessed
memory) joined our movement from the Roman Catholic Church. Having been
an RC priest all his life, he left to express his serving in a liberal
environment so he would be free to have a late life relationship with
someone that he had known since childhood. It is difficult to express
just how much he did for our church in creating the work which
continues today, and which has seeded other churches on the way. After
Msgr Tony's untimely death due to surgical complications, Bishop Jack
Stafford took on the mantle and led our church in the US which quietly
grew for a couple of years. Bishop Jack left to resume a maritime
career and we appointed Monsignor Edmund Cass to lead our work in the
US. There followed a period of considerable growth attributed in part
to +Cass: other bishops and communions joined, and the Patriarch (Mar
Trimlett) travelled to the US and consecrated Bishop Cass and others in
2012. In 2013 most of the church in the US broke away to form another
church. Whilst disappointing, we know that if God is in it, it is a
church seeding. Today, the work is the same as
the first day when Msgr Tony started it off for us: to be a relevant
Christian outreach church; a body of Christ that enables and empowers
people to serve as they are called; relevant for today, yet with the
benefit of heritage; alive because Christ lives in us; spiritually
aware and keen to serve. We are small numbers in the US, and hoping for new people to join; could it be you?
Bishop ad tempus: The Patriarch, Bishop Adrian oversees this province.
Revd. Dr Clinton Bennett
Clinton
is a Baptist Minister who joined the Old Catholic Apostolic Church by
incardination in June 2022. He was on the Register of Nationally
Accredited Ministers for the Baptist Church of Great Britain from 1979
when he served with the Baptist Missionary Society in Bangladesh as an
accredited Baptist Minister before returning to the UK. He took up a
pastorate at Highgate in 1985 until 1992 when he took up a post as
lecturer at Westminster College, Oxford. This concluded in 1998 but he
remained on the Baptist Union of Great Britain Accredited List until
2011 when he moved to the United States.
He holds a BA in Theology (Manchester), MA and PhD (Birmingham) both in
Islamic Studies and an M.Ed from University of Oxford in teaching and
learning with a focus on adult education.
Clinton has served as a Missionary in Bangladesh, 1979-1981. University
Chaplain, 1985-1986, Staff member, British Council of Churches
1987-1991. College Assistant Chaplain, 1992-1996. He has also served on
World Council of Churches committees. In worship ministry he was Associate Pastor of
Highgate Baptist Church, Birmingham, England 1985 – 1992, and later
co-Pastor of Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church, Kingston, New York
state 2018-2022. He is currently a member of the National Council of
Churches USA’s Interreligious Relations body.
He is the author of numerous books and academic papers.
Revd. Dr Daniel Medina
Daniel
is a teacher in Miami, Florida. He was formerly priest in the
Independent Catholic Church of America and joined the Old Catholic
Apostolic Church by incardination in November 2022. Fluent in English
and Spanish, Daniel is an artist who believes in the integration of art
and faith - creativity and spirituality and that the world today needs
Christ more than ever. He serves bi-vocationally as pastor at a United
Church of Christ in his locality and brings Christ to the people in
their circumstances and environment as they explore what Jesus means in
their lives.
Rob
has studied at St Joseph's College, Maine gaining a BA in Theology; St
Leo's University in Florida gaining an MA in theology as well as
studies at Ave Maria University and the Sheldon Jackson College in
Alaska. Having been part of several Catholic, Orthodox and Episcopal
churches in various roles including Eucharistic Minister, Rob has
joined OCAC to further his path to the priesthood. He is a member of
the Order of Saints Francis and Clare describing the Franciscan charism
as 'vital' to him as a catholic.
His serving has included meals for the homeless and food distribution
programs as well as in academic administration. He lives and serves in
Ketchikan, Alaska.
Brother Robert has the bishop's dispensation to wear the clerical collar in minor orders.
Revd. Arthur Martinson - 'Marti' - Deacon
Marti
incardinated into OCAC from a liberal catholic church. Marti grew up in
Texas and then spent 6 years in the US Navy. He lived in Washington DC
for 24 years and participated in the LCCI and a Christian congregation
in the Unitarian-Universalist Association. He completed the full course
of study at St. Alban Seminary of the LCCI. He reads Compline each
Saturday night in his St. Adalbert Oratory. He was ordained Deacon in July 2022. Link to St Adalberts Oratory is Here.
Marti
incardinated into OCAC from a liberal catholic church. Marti grew up in
Texas and then spent 6 years in the US Navy. He lived in Washington DC
for 24 years and participated in the LCCI and a Christian congregation
in the Unitarian-Universalist Association. He completed the full course
of study at St. Alban Seminary of the LCCI. He reads Compline each
Saturday night in his St. Adalbert Oratory. He was ordained Deacon in July 2022. Link to St Adalberts Oratory is Here.Rt. Revd. Terry Elkington
Prior
of the Benedictines after St Louis, Terry is a hospital visitor
(chaplain) and visits the homebound. Mass is regularly celebrated in
his small oratory and prayers regualrly offered for those in need.The link to the Benedictine order, The Benedictines of the Holy Spirit is here.
Revd. Jason Vondenberger - Deacon
Jason has a growing ministry in prisons and
re-settlement organisations chaplaincy. Jason was ordained Deacon in July 2022. Bishop Ted Wooldridge Emeritus Bishop OCAC USA.
Bishop
Ted was involved in the progress of the church in the United States for
many years until bereavement and then ill health curtailed his serving.
Originally from the UK, he served tirelessly and faithfully in OCAC USA
until circumstances changed, and since then has been prayerfully
holding us all before the Throne of Grace. The Patriarch, Bishop Adrian Trimlett-Glover
Msgr. Anthony Guadialaro
.
