Ask and it shall be given to you; Seek and you shall find; Knock and the door will be open for you.
Matthew 7:7
1. Is ICABF Roman Catholic?
ICABF is an independent, self-governing Catholic church. We are not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church or any other independent Catholic churches. However, we share with them, through tradition, liturgy, and the apostolic succession of our bishops, a connection to the early sacred Catholic church.
2. Does ICABF believe that communion is a symbol of the actual, real, and true Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ?
ICABF declares its belief in the actual, real and true Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ; body, blood, soul and Divinity; in each and every portion of the Eucharistic Elements of bread and wine; from the moment of their consecration in the Liturgy until the moment of their dissolution.
3. Is ICABF sanctuarios use wheat hosts and grape wine for Communion?
Yes. ICABF follows the Catholic tradition of using valid wheat hosts and alcoholic sacramental grape wine.
4. Is Holy Communion received under both species?
Yes. ICABF Catholics are offered Holy Communion in the forms of both bread and wine. The person receiving the consecrated wine can obtain the wine by either drinking from the chalice or by intinction. When receiving the wine by intinction the faithful can accept the host and then intinct or "dip" the host in the wine. The person also can hand the host to the Eucharistic minister who instincts the host, and then places it on the tongue of the communicant.
5. Who can receive Communion?
All baptized Christians who approach communion reverently, regardless of their current ecclesiastical affiliation, may take communion
6. Can divorced people take Communion?
All baptized Christians who approach reverently are welcome at the table of the Lord. Divorce and remarriage are not impediments to the reception of the Holy Eucharist (cf. Matthew 10:8)
7. Is the order of the Mass the same as the Roman Catholic Church?
The Order of the ICABF Mass closely follows the order and prayers of Roman Catholic Churches, especially the NOVO ORDO in which Bp. Ferraz, former ICAB bishop (Though married) reinstated by the RCC and led the sub committee for liturgical commission during the advent of VATICAN II. ICABF uses also St. Germaine and St. John Chrysostom Divine Liturgy as part of Russian Orthodox lineage.
8. Does ICABF discriminate on the basis of race, gender, economic means, political beliefs, or sexual orientation?
ICABF follows the teaching of Christ that dictates that all are welcome. ICABF welcomes all people, regardless of gender, their marital status, political beliefs, or sexual orientation, to participation in the life and Sacraments of the Church; asking only moral conduct which is appropriate for all Christians.
9. Do members in your church celebrate the traditional sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation?
Yes. ICABF observes the seven sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick as signs of the Lord Jesus’ continuing Presence and action in His Church and channels of Actual and Sanctifying Grace. We offer catechism education to both adults and children.
10. Are ICABF priests able to marry?
In keeping with the ancient traditions of the early Church, ICABF does not impose mandatory celibacy on its clergy.
11. Does ICABF take an official position on political issues?
ICABF takes no official position on political or secular issues. Rather, ICABF calls all people to be imitators of Christ and to arrive at personal decisions in political and secular issues from a perspective that is deeply immersed in His teachings.
12. Does ICABF practice confession?
All people sin. Sin is a sad but inherent part of a human nature, which has yet to fully align itself with the Will of God. As sinners we recognize the need for repentance and reordering of our lives; but also trust in the infinite love and forgiveness of our Lord. Reconciliation is the great Sacrament by which those who have wandered on paths, which lead astray, are reunited and reconciled to the Lord and His People. Though not required, private confession is available from any priest by request. During the Penitential Rite of the Mass, general absolution is customarily granted to contrite penitents.
13. Can women be priests?
ICABF has gender restriction on candidates for Holy Orders. Vocations are discerned individually yet only men are candidates for Holy Order.
14. What are your relations with other churches?
We welcome all who come to us in the Name of the Lord. We believe that all communities of faith, honor and worship the one God. We extend to them the warmest of bonds of Love and Fellowship. They are our brothers and sisters in our common God. (cf. Mark 9:40)
15. What role does Mary, the Blessed Mother, play in the ICABF church?
ICABF Catholics venerate Mary because she is the Mother of God. By praying to and honoring Mary in a special way, we are led to love her and to imitate her many virtues, especially her total commitment to God's work. In our practice of asking for the intercession of the saints in heaven (Communion of Saints, cf. Revelation 5:8), we pray to the Blessed Mother to serve as a special intermediary in carrying our prayers to heaven.
16. How is ICABF governed?
The ICABF is an autocephalous catholic church. Primarily it is governed by the Bishop-Primate together with the Presbyteral Council. The priests, (the rectors of the churches) are the representatives of the bishop to the people. The Rectors create programs for their churches. The Pastoral Council headed by the priest helps implements and executes the programs.
The Bishop-Primate has the power to sanction any erring priests and faithful that causes division to the church, after a thorough and fair investigations.
17. Do ICABF bishops have apostolic succession?
Apostolic Succession has been transmitted to ICABF bishops by the laying of hands during episcopal consecrations that are performed by bishops previously consecrated within the apostolic succession. Episcopal lines are traceable back to the original apostles with early lineage shared with the Roman Catholic Church.