Any human society needs laws to govern its common life, both as an expression of its social identity and in order to ensure that each person is treated fairly. The Church and local churches have been creating and revising such laws since Apostolic times. The American Catholic Church, Diocese of California is governed by its own Constitution and Canons. Below, you will find excerpts from this document that deal with the very identity of our Church. Should you wish to read the entire document, you can do so here.
Canon I-2. Purpose of this Church
A) This Church is a voluntary association of the members of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church which unites all Christians and exists for the purpose of making known the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus the Christ to all people within its jurisdiction and to provide the Sacraments of this Church and/or other pastoral care to all people.
B) This Church shall worship the One True Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and shall be part of God’s Kingdom, unconditionally embracing all persons of faith and all persons seeking to discover or rediscover their faith…
D) This Church declares itself to be an open and affirming inclusive Catholic faith community that particularly welcomes all those who have been injured or disenfranchised through religious bigotry or hatred, fear or ignorance. This Church welcomes individuals and couples who have been divorced and remarried, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and those of the trans-gendered community, as well as those questioning their sexuality.