The Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church

In 1951-52, during which time the Ancient Catholic Church was an autocephalous tropus of the Catholicate of the West, Mar Joannes I Nicholson founded three religious Orders, The Order of St John the Baptist, The Order of Ave Maria and The Order of S. Teresa - The Little Flower. These Orders were chartered by means of exquisite hand-illuminated documents prepared by Mar Joannes I himself that received the signatures of their founding members, and were registered in the archives of both the Ancient Catholic Church and the Catholicate of the West (which was at that time incorporated in India under Act XXI of 1860). The Catholicate of the West was formally dissolved in 1953.

As Patriarchs, Mar Georgius and Mar Joannes I reserved to themselves the powers to create religious orders for the benefit of encouraging members towards particular aspirations and works. The Order of St John the Baptist is dedicated to Preaching the Gospel, Healing the Sick and Comforting the Mourner. The Order of Ave Maria is dedicated to promoting love and devotion toward the Virgin Mary. The Order of S. Teresa - The Little Flower is dedicated to promoting the Devotional Life according to the example of S. Teresa of Lisieux and sustaining the Priests of the Church by means of love and prayer.

For further information about Mar Georgius as a fons honorum, please see this page.

Foundation Charter of the Valiant Order of St John the Baptist

In 2008, reflecting the fact that each Order was long-dormant due to the vicissitudes of the Ancient Catholic Church since their foundation, the present Metropolitan Primate regranted each of the Charters afresh, ensuring that each Order was now accorded perpetual validity within the Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church.

Renewal Charter of the Orders
Statutes of the Valiant Order of St John the Baptist

The Orders are in the gift of the Metropolitan Primate. The Valiant Order of St John the Baptist is the Church's merit order and is reserved in the first instance to members of the Church. All clergy are admitted as Companions on the first anniversary of their receiving Faculties in the Church. Further promotion is on the basis of service to the Church. In addition, senior clergy of other churches in amity with the LCAC are admitted to the Order as a means of furthering ecumenical relations.

Membership

Archbishop-Abbot
Bishop Andrew Linley OCR

Knights Grand Cross
Bishop Alistair Bate CCP
Archbishop Bertil Persson
Archbishop Francis C. Spataro

Knight Commander
Bishop Adrian Glover OCR, OAM

Knights
Pastor François Lépine
Mr Richard Hadingham

Companions
Fr. David Upton CCP
Br. Andy Hall CCP
Paul Maher