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Our mission at the Diocese of Rhondda is to share the love and message of Jesus Christ with our community and the world, and to have disciples who will follow Him.
We will also have a community outreach programme, which we will develop with the diocesan council. The council will be drawn from representatives of each parish, and interested community groups, from within the diocese. The recommendations of the diocesan council, must not contravene Biblical and church teachings, and the diocesan bishop with have final approval.
Each parish within the diocese, will have a parish council, drawn from members of each parish. The recommendations of each council, subject to the approval of the parish priest, and subject to being in accordance with Biblical teachings ultimately, church teachings. The diocesan bishop the final approval.
The current bishop is His Eminence Cardinal Dr. Tony Pigott, D.D. S.o.B.B.
We offer a variety of ministries, including deacons, priests and bishops.
We also offer the sacrament of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick.
We also offer home and open air Masses, home visitations, and spiritual guidance.
As the diocese begins to grow, we plan to offer programmes, small groups, outreach and missions, prayer and pastoral care, and more.
Yes, our teachings are based on the Holy Bible, especially the Gospels, which are the teachings of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who is truly God and truly man; in the tradition of the Old Roman Catholic Church.
No, although we do have Vatican recognition. In fact, we are independent of the Roman Catholic Church. "Catholic" means "Universal". Many people do not realise, there is more than one denomination of the Catholic (Universal) Church. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest, and better known denomination.
The leader of our church (our Pontiff), is His Holiness Khern Oliver. He is based in Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
Yes, the bishops of the Ancient Catholic Church, have multiple lines of valid Apostolic Succession, which can be traced back to the Twelve Apostles, and ultimately Jesus the Christ.
Our lines of Apostolic Succession, are through different churches, and hence to different apostles. These include, but are not limited to: Roman Catholic Church, Old Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Utrecht, Liberal Catholic Church.
This ensure that the services, Masses, sacraments, and blessings are valid.
We are a relatively small and new church. Worldwide, we have approximately two million members. We are also an "umbrella" church, for a number of other smaller churches around the world. Some are in full communion with us, and some are in partial communion, and others are completely independent.
Our church is a voluntary church. Our clergy are not paid by the church. We depend of donations, and charitable grants. We do not charge for any of our services.
While donations are not expected, they are appreciated, to help cover the essential costs of providing the ministry.
The diocese and each parish will setup two separate bank accounts One to hold church funds, and to pay essential expenses. The second with be used to lodge 60% of any monies remaining in the diocesan account, following the payment of essential expenses. This fund will only be used for local worthy charitable causes, including those local people within the diocese suffering hardship.
Each parish priest will be allocated a portion of these funds, depending on the size of available funds, and the size of the parish.
The diocese and each parish, will each form trustworthy finance committees, to oversee the funds of the diocese and each parish, and the dispersion of charitable funds fairly.
Each parish financial committee will allocate a portion of their allocation, which may be used on an ad-hoc discretionary basis, by the its parish priest.
The same will apply to a trustworthy diocesan finance committee, who will likewise, allocate a portion of their allocation, for ad-hoc discretionary charitable causes, by the diocesan bishop.
Funds in the charitable fund, shall not be used for any other purpose (not even church related expenses), other than worthy local diocesan charitable causes
In the instance of accountability and transparency, a summary of income and payments made, shall be produced on a quarterly basis, and published on the diocesan website and newsletters for both the diocese and each parish, by the finance committees.
The parish priest will be the chair of the parish council and the finance committee, and will be responsible for keeping the diocesan council or finance committee updated on the status of each account, and any significant events related to each account.
The diocesan bishop will be the chair of the diocesan council and finance committee.
The church is not here to make people rich. Records will be kept of all income and (including vouched essential expenses) or charitable donations to local worthy causes, related to each relevant account, This shall also apply to not just the diocesan accounts, but also to the accounts of each parish. These records will be made available for inspection by the diocesan bishop or nominated representative.
You can donate to Diocese of Rhondda online through our website, or in person during our services. Your donations help us continue to serve and minister to our community.
We follow the Commandment "Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath". With this in mind, we believe that it is important for Catholics/Christians to attend Sunday Mass, and to refrain from doing unnecessary work? Having said that, we believe that individual members have extenuating circumstances, and we ask that any one who might be troubled in this regard, would sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to help them to discern this matter. We would also ask, that those who are, for whatever reason, are unable to attend Mass on a Sunday, would at least spend sometime in prayer on that particular Sunday.
When receiving any of the sacraments (with the exception of the sacrament of Reconciliation), but especially Holy Communion, we would ask that people would:
The times of our Sunday Mass and other services, are subject to consultation and consensus, to find a time which best suits the most people. Details maybe found here: Mass & Other Service Times.