Igreja Catolica Apostolica Brasileira

Archbishop David Bell co-celebrating Mass with His Beatitude, Patriarch Castillo Mendez (4th Bishop consecrated by the former Roman Catholic Archbishop Duarte Costa),with Bishop Josivaldo at the Patriarchal Cathedral Church in Brazil.

The Most Reverend David Bell. His Lordship the Archbishop of London, Diocesan. with Bishop Josivaldo, Co adjutor Bishop of Rio de Janerio. Patriarch of ICAB Churches, Patriarch Castillo Mendez and Bishop Olinto, Diocesan Bishop of Rio de Janerio .

The purpose of this page is to answer some of the frequent questions asked about our church and the reasons for its existence.

Are you really Catholics?

Most Certainly Yes. We remain faithful to the liturgy and beliefs of the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).

The Traditional Tridentine Latin Mass

What do you mean by "Traditional" Rite of Mass?

We mean that this Mass goes back in its essentials to the earliest days of the Church. It was this Mass which was taken all over the world by countless missionaries. The Saints attended this Mass.

What does the term "Tridentine Mass" mean?

"Tridentine" means "of Trent". After the Council of Trent in 1570, Pope St Pius V issued this rite of Mass and decreed that it should be celebrated by all priests of the Roman Rite without change for evermore. He strictly forbidden any changes to be made to the Mass - the same Mass that we celebrate in this church.

Is the Mass said in Latin?

The Apostles and the first missionaries throughout the Roman Empire in which the common language was Latin in the West and Greek in the East spread the Faith and the Mass. Since our everyday language (English) continues to change, the Church prays in a language that, because no one speaks it, does not change meaning every 20 or 30 years. Latin gives a standard to which all translations are referred. However we also pray in English a Universal language, it therefore greatly helps to maintain unity of worship and prayer.

Why does the priest not face the people?

Because he is offering the Mass in Christ's name and in His Person, to God the Father and he is leading his people in adoration and worship.

Why is much of the Mass celebrated silently?

All the prayers are addressed to God not to the people. This solemn silence is the most effective expression of adoration and reverence due to God who comes to us in the mystery of the Mass.

Does this Mass fulfil the Sunday Obligation?

Of course! - As it has done for nearly twenty centuries

What are the requirements here for receiving Holy Communion?

While you are most welcome to assist at Mass with us whenever you wish, we trust that you will respect our requirements for Holy Communion:

Non-Catholics and those who do not accept the Church's traditional teachings are not permitted to receive Holy Communion.

Communion here is received on the tongue only, and never in the hand.

Those who receive Holy Communion should be in a state of sanctifying grace ( they must have confessed and been absolved from any mortal sins they may have committed),

Why do you maintain silence in the Church?

In many parish churches these days, it is considered acceptable to carry on conversations in church before or after Mass, or to make occasional comments to one's neighbours during the course of the service.

Here. However, we request that you follow the custom of maintaining silence in church before, during and after Mass. It is a sign of reverence in the presence of God and demonstrates your spirit of consideration

What is the position of the Society of Pope Leo XIII.

ICAB-UK, Australia,North America and Italy was actually founded by His Holiness. Patriarch Luis Castillo-Mendez of the Igreja Catolica Apostolica Brasileira, Patriarch of Brazil. We share communion directly with the Patriarch.

Like the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, The Society of Pope Leo XIII is Roman Catholic faith and part of One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The Church is One because it was founded by Jesus Christ. The Church is His Mystical Body of true believers who share the same faith.

Liturgical Worship specially the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist i.e. (The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass) is celebrated in the Tridentine Rite. This will be celebrated in either Latin or English, In reality this rite in its essentials is much more than it’s title suggests.

The Canon goes back to the Apostolic times. This rite is the normative rite of the Society of Pope Leo XIII.

The Society of Pope Leo XIII is a community of Catholic Christians who’s beliefs stem from the Roman Catholic Church pre-Vatican II.

Our Bishops and priests just like the Roman Catholic, Catholic and Orthodox Churches, have received Valid Holy Orders, Our Apostolic Succession comes from the Roman Catholic Bishop (Pre-Vatican II) Bp Carlos Duarte Costa, who was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest and then elected to the episcopate of the Roman Catholic Church, he was consecrated by Cardinal Sebastiao Leme da Silveira Cintra.

Why are you Roman Catholic Bishops Pre Vatican II.

Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa broke with the Holy See in 1945 over doctrinal issues, for which later within Vatican II was established, therefore such issues barely exist, therefore such difference has now united fellow Roman Catholic Bishop’s directly stemming from the Roman Catholic Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa back with Rome.

This is the reason as to why SPLXIII bishops state that they are Roman Catholic Bishops Pre Vatican II.

The SPLXIII is a Member of the International Council of Community Churches (ICCC)

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