American Catholic Church in the United States
The American Catholic Church in the United States (ACCUS) is an Independent Catholic church primarily in the United States. Founded in 1999, the American Catholic Church in the United States, being an offshoot of the Independent Catholic movement, has no ecclesiastical relation with the Catholic Church in communion with the Holy See. ACCUS claims apostolic succession through Duarte Costa. Overview. ACCUS is listed as 501(c)(3) under the name American Catholic Church, Frederick, MD. History. The American Catholic Church in the United States was founded in Frederick, Maryland, by Lawrence J. Harms. At the  beginning of 2018, ACCUS was composed of 1 bishop, 15 priests, and 3 deacons in 13 states. At that time, the jurisdiction's most active ministry was found at Holy Family Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, where four priests and two deacons ministered to more than 200 congregants who were gathering weekly to celebrate the Eucharist. Theology and sacraments. The American Catholic Church in the United States states that it adheres to "the essential Catholic doctrine and practice as expressed and implied in the statements of Vatican Council II, and in the light of the best contemporary thought." ACCUS celebrates  the seven sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Communion, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. Because the ACCUS "rejects artificial barriers to the reception of the sacraments based on marital status, sexuality or orientation", the sacrament of marriage can be celebrated for same-sex couples.