The Anglo-Catholic Society of Saint Dunstan
The "ACSSD" is a society of traditional Anglo-Catholic clergy in the Holy Celtic Church International, laity and their respected parishes founded specifically to offer valid sacraments and ministries according to Anglican Rites.
+We are a Society (lay and ordained) who minister in all parts of the world bringing the Holy Gospel to all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
+We maintain and preserve the use of the English Prayerbooks of 1549, 1552, 1662, 1928 American, 1928 Oracion Comun (BCP), The Canadian 1962 Book of Common Prayer, The Scottish Book of Common Prayer 1929, the Scottish Liturgy of 1970 and Welsh Prayerbook of 1984.
+We maintain solid Catholic teaching and catechesis by honouring the place of scripture, tradition and reason.
+We seek to administer and affirm the Seven Holy Sacraments
+Seek to affirm and restore the Sacrificial nature of the Priesthood, and uphold the three-fold ministry of Deacon, Priest and Bishop for Male candidates only.
+We have restored the biblical role of women in the office of Deaconess.
+We do not subscribe to the 39 Articles of Religion
+Our Clergy may use all services from the Book of Common Prayer, withthe English Ritual supplement for administration of the Sacraments. The use of anointing with Holy Oil for Baptism, Confirmation and Visitation of the sick is Mandatory. Our normative Ordinal is that of the Liberal Catholic Church .
+We minister in the areas to which we are assigned, providing Holy Orders to qualified candidates and equipping laity with the tools for lay ministry where appropriate.
We find such a beauty in tradition, and maintain it not only as a relic, but as a living testimony to the continued faith of the Catholic church. This is an age were modernism has prevailed in the churches for the most part and its fruit is that of carelessness, insecurity, little or no growth, and very little spirituality. We wish to restore the spirituality of the ancient Church and to bring all who are called into her body to the rich tradition found in Anglican liturgy. We believe that the Church must shun chaos and modern gimmicks to remain relevant in our times as we know that time honored tradition, careful planning, and compassionate ministry are tools that contribute to a successful mission.
+We are a Society (lay and ordained) who minister in all parts of the world bringing the Holy Gospel to all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
+We maintain and preserve the use of the English Prayerbooks of 1549, 1552, 1662, 1928 American, 1928 Oracion Comun (BCP), The Canadian 1962 Book of Common Prayer, The Scottish Book of Common Prayer 1929, the Scottish Liturgy of 1970 and Welsh Prayerbook of 1984.
+We maintain solid Catholic teaching and catechesis by honouring the place of scripture, tradition and reason.
+We seek to administer and affirm the Seven Holy Sacraments
+Seek to affirm and restore the Sacrificial nature of the Priesthood, and uphold the three-fold ministry of Deacon, Priest and Bishop for Male candidates only.
+We have restored the biblical role of women in the office of Deaconess.
+We do not subscribe to the 39 Articles of Religion
+Our Clergy may use all services from the Book of Common Prayer, withthe English Ritual supplement for administration of the Sacraments. The use of anointing with Holy Oil for Baptism, Confirmation and Visitation of the sick is Mandatory. Our normative Ordinal is that of the Liberal Catholic Church .
+We minister in the areas to which we are assigned, providing Holy Orders to qualified candidates and equipping laity with the tools for lay ministry where appropriate.
We find such a beauty in tradition, and maintain it not only as a relic, but as a living testimony to the continued faith of the Catholic church. This is an age were modernism has prevailed in the churches for the most part and its fruit is that of carelessness, insecurity, little or no growth, and very little spirituality. We wish to restore the spirituality of the ancient Church and to bring all who are called into her body to the rich tradition found in Anglican liturgy. We believe that the Church must shun chaos and modern gimmicks to remain relevant in our times as we know that time honored tradition, careful planning, and compassionate ministry are tools that contribute to a successful mission.
The Patron of the SOciety
Our patron of the Society, St Dunstan (909 - 988), was Abbot of Glastonbury and later Archbishop of Canterbury. He therefore forms a bridge between the Celtic west of Britain and the English east, whilst as a monk he was an important figure in the development of English Benedictinism, which in turn greatly influenced the Anglican prayerbook tradition.
Structure
a) Primus: The Primus of the HCCI, is given a special reverence as a channel of the grace of episcopacy and point of unity.
+Current Primus is The Rt Revd Dom Alistair Bate, OSBA csr
b) Superior General: The Superior General (who is always a bishop) is appointed by the Primus. The office of Superior is to see to everyday work of the Society, to direct the faithful, to establish missions, appoint clergy, and to settle disputes among other clerics. The Superior must preside at the Annual meeting, and act as Moderator second only to the Primus. The Superior is delegated tasks by the Primus and may provide Episcopal services to all members and parishes in the Society at direction of the Synod. The Superior is responsible for the Episcopal supervision of clergy (who are not already receiving episcopal supervision) from another bishop of the HCCI. HCCI bishops who may wish to join the society remain solely under the supervision of the Primus.
+At present the position of Superior General is held by Bishop Elect, the Very Revd Dom Chad Shaw OSBA csr
c) Assistant Superior: The Assistant Superior is an appointed Archpriest who acts as a representative for activities of the Society and is to assist the Superior General in all functions of the Society and activities.
+The Current Assistant Superior is Archpriest Elect, the Revd Dom Columba Rodriguez, OSBA csr
+Current Primus is The Rt Revd Dom Alistair Bate, OSBA csr
b) Superior General: The Superior General (who is always a bishop) is appointed by the Primus. The office of Superior is to see to everyday work of the Society, to direct the faithful, to establish missions, appoint clergy, and to settle disputes among other clerics. The Superior must preside at the Annual meeting, and act as Moderator second only to the Primus. The Superior is delegated tasks by the Primus and may provide Episcopal services to all members and parishes in the Society at direction of the Synod. The Superior is responsible for the Episcopal supervision of clergy (who are not already receiving episcopal supervision) from another bishop of the HCCI. HCCI bishops who may wish to join the society remain solely under the supervision of the Primus.
+At present the position of Superior General is held by Bishop Elect, the Very Revd Dom Chad Shaw OSBA csr
c) Assistant Superior: The Assistant Superior is an appointed Archpriest who acts as a representative for activities of the Society and is to assist the Superior General in all functions of the Society and activities.
+The Current Assistant Superior is Archpriest Elect, the Revd Dom Columba Rodriguez, OSBA csr
Seminary Studies
All candidates study with St Gall’s Seminary which provides online theological education for all members of the Holy Celtic Church International. We are grateful to Dom Alistair’s efforts to provide a quality theological education at a manageable price. Click on the link below to learn more about our offerings in Theological education.
Associate members
Whilst necessary for full membership of the Anglican Society of St Dunstan, membership of the Holy Celtic Church is not a prerequisate for Associate Members. The only qualification required of them is that they subscribed to the “Landmarks of the “Guild of the Holy Apostles” and are therefore in comunion with us.
Apostolic Succession
The Holy Celtic Church International, can trace several lines of succession via Anglicanism, most notably the Order of Corporate Reunion, "Celtic-Hebraic" and Irish lines of succession.
Click Here to learn more about the holy celtic church international
*We are NOT affiliated with the Local Roman Catholic Archdiocese*
