ACCUS

http://www.accus.us/index.htm

I have chosen to look at the American Catholic Church in the United States (ACCUS). It was founded in 1999 and based in Maryland. A major focus for ACCUS is that it is inclusive - on their about page they write that they reject "artificial barriers to the reception of the Sacraments based on marital status, sexuality or orientation". Similarly to the view of the first settlers in America that religion could now move away from dogma, ACCUS has moved away from strict rules about how people should live their lives - they go on to say that they teach their Catholic values "with respect for the human freedom and dignity". This echoes American preoccupation with freedom and individual choice. ACCUS even allow their clergy to marry. Although the ideas of freedom may be rooted in the founding fathers, ACCUS have also embraced the diversity of modern America. It seems to recognize that people have different lifestyles and so  has updated its teachings to include a view of a more modern, diverse America in which people get divorced, are gay and believe in equality between genders.

ACCUS has taken some steps to distance itself from the Roman Catholic church. This seems to be a reaction to abuse of children by some Roman Catholic clergymen. It shows a willingness to work with civil authorities by having it written into their policy that any suspicion of abuse has to be reported to the authorities and not handled within the church. This is an example of their more progressive nature than that Roman Catholic church and reveals that there may be some tension felt between the two groups. This speaks to a divisiveness within American religion, which can be seen such splintering within denominations. ACCUS go on to say that they are "not under the jurisdiction of the Pope or the Roman jurisdiction", which again ties into American concerns for freedom and self-governance.


ACCUS has churches spread across America, although only around the edges. There are no churches in the 'middle' states such as Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. This suggests that Americans in these states are perhaps more traditional and have not welcomed this denomination of Catholicism. This points to diversity within America.