The Orthodox Catholic Church

Archbishop John Robert (Collier)

Father Aftimios (Scheetz)

Bishop David L. Cooper

Bishop David Cooper

Apostolic Succession

The Apostolic Succession is the historically traceable lineage of hands-on Consecration (Ordination) of bishops that is an unbroken link with the Holy Apostles.

Our bishops have multiple lines of Apostolic Succession including schismatic Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican as well as others. Our bishops and their Consecrating prelates (bishops) and those before them are to be found in the books of the so-called "books of irregular bishops" that are known to scholars of the Apostolic Succession.

Even if a bishop breaks with any Church of the Apostolic Succession such as Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Moscow, etc. he is still validly consecrated for life and may pass on the Apostolic Succession along with other such bishops. Holy Orders are indelible.  There are some who wish that this indelibility did not exist--but it does. We have valid Holy Orders and can prove it.

We are, technically speaking, "Western Rite Orthodox"; this means that we are Orthodox yet using one of the Western Rites for administration of the Sacraments. As Orthodox we are in the true spiritual meaning of the phrase, part of the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic church" as referred to in the Creed used by all Churches of the Apostolic Succession since 381 AD.

The term "Western Rite" indicates that Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony, Confession/Absolution, Confirmation and Holy Orders are performed in the Roman or Roman derived rituals. The term Orthodox means "straight teaching" or "true teaching" and was first used simultaneously by Rome, Constantinople and the Ancient Churches with them after the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon in 451AD.

The term "catholic" means "universal" and has been used along with the term “Orthodox” since ancient times. The term “Catholic” has never been exclusively the property of the Church of Rome and it's ecclesiastic governmental divisions.

The SOC/EACS provides various ministerial services. Our Outreach Ministries provide the Mass and other Sacraments in nursing homes as a primary ministry. We will provide the Sacraments to any sincere follower of Jesus Christ. We have brothers, deacons, priests and bishops that regularly provide the Sacraments and will travel anywhere to do so.

The Spanish Orthodox Church and Ecumenical Apostolic Chaplains Service (SOC/EACS), "part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church", is an unincorporated association and is recognized as such by the State of California and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Father Aftimios (Charles Scheetz), OMM, JD, Father George Sarraf, KTG and Father John (Ed Sauerwald), OMM, M. Div. are priests of the SOC/EACS conducting active nursing home ministries.

We realize that some individuals are being denied the Sacraments from other churches. We try to help every individual that we can. You may contact our clergy directly:

Pope John Paul

In Papal utterances regarding the Orthodox, we are called ". . . Orthodox brothers of the Catholic faith which by God's grace we share."

Pope John Paul refers to the Orthodox churches as ". . . sister Catholic churches . . ."

OTHER INFORMATION:

We need priests! We operate our own seminary program leading to ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Married men are especially welcome. We are a conservative church and follow the most ancient rules in this regard which allowed for marriage of both priests and bishops. (Bishops were allowed to be married by the First Ecumenical Council in 325 AD. There were numerous married popes even after it was stopped.)

We want men who are interested in a primary ministry in nursing homes in their community. College graduates are preferred. If you are interested in this volunteer ministry please contact us by writing a letter expressing your intentions and future plans for service to:

Bishop David L. Cooper, OMM, KTG
President & Secretariat Officer
18533 Roscoe Blvd. PMB 195
Northridge, CA 91324

Bishop David Leon Cooper is also a prelate in the Order of Caring Chaplains. The OCC is an Orthodox Catholic entity affiliated with his Eminence +John Robert (Robert G. Collier), Archbishop - The Most Reverend Robert G. Collier, OCC, Archbishop.

Note: It is the Vatican that has said that the Orthodox share the Catholic Faith and are separated sister Catholic Churches. The Envoy Magazine article about Bishop Cooper is misleading. The terms Orthodox Catholic and Orthodox Christian are synonymous. There are independent Western Rite Orthodox jurisdictions all over the world. Bishop Cooper's Order does NOT have gay or women priests.

Bishop David L. Cooper's Credentials:

• Apostolic Succession: +George Bussman Line
• Apostolic Succession: +Walter Wood Line
• LA Daily News
• LA Asian Journal
• Consecration Certificate
• Knights of Religious Order
• Religious Military Order

California Legislature Assembly:

• Award from the California Legislature (Assembly)

Attention:

• We are a Conservative Church
• We DO NOT have women priests
• We DO NOT ordain women
• We DO NOT tolerate gays in our church

FOR AN INFORMATIONAL MESSAGE CALL:

• 800.871.5066 x11250

We also have an Order of Knighthood called the Knights of God. You may learn more about this by using this link: Orders of Knighthood (Knights of God)

You may also join our ecumenical movement to oppose the secularism and anti-Christian bias in our American society by joining our "Signatures for Christ

The SOC/EACS is an IRS recognized tax exempt 501C3 organization. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Visit our other sites at:

• www.knightsofchristsmercy.com
• www.signaturesforchrist.com

Other Related Sites:

• Independent Proof of Apostolic Succession Site
• www.weddingpriestnohassle.com
• www.catholicweddinginfo.com