Article I: The Church

After the Ascension of Christ took place Pentecost, from which originates the Christian community of Jerusalem, which engendered the universal Church. We know from the Acts of the Apostles that election was, in the early Church, the mode of entry into ecclesial ministry. Matthias was elected by the vote of his brothers and having been approved by the Holy Spirit, was integrated into the apostolic college (Acts 1,23-26). Also, for the ordination of the first deacons, the apostles convened the assembly of believers and proposed that they elect seven people to this office. These people were then presented to the apostles who ordained them by the laying on of hands (Acts 6,3-6). The gospels tell us that the apostles had the same power and the same authority. It was not to Peter alone that Jesus gave the power to bind and to untie, but to all the apostles. Likewise, when he said: “Go and teach all the nations: sins will be forgiven to those to whom you will forgive them and retained to those to whom you will retain them”, he was not addressing Peter excluding others (Mt 28,18; Jn 20,23; Mt 16,18-19). It cannot be doubted that Christ said to Peter: "You are Peter and on this stone I will build my Church". However, Peter was, on this occasion, the oracle of the Holy Spirit and the spokesman of the apostolic college. Besides, the promise "I will build" had begun to be fulfilled at Pentecost, and the seal and power of the Holy Spirit had come equally on all, just as all had been given the power to bind and untie. The Holy Spirit teaches us, in the Epistle to the Ephesians (2,20), that Peter is only one of the cornerstones of the Church. The prophets and apostles are the foundations, but it is Christ Jesus who supports the building.

Article II: The Holy Scriptures

Sacred Scripture is received as an inspired Word of God. This precious revelation is interpreted by the Church in continuity of tradition, under the light of the Holy Spirit.

Article III: Symbols of Faith

We retain the Symbol of the Apostles as well as the creeds of Nicea-Constantinople and Gallican said "of Saint Athanasius" which summarize the teaching of Scripture and the Church. ( See texts here )

Article IV: The Councils

We accept the general councils recognized by the Christian Churches, namely those of Nicea (353), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), Chalcedony (451), Constantinople (553), Constantinople (680) and of Nicea (787). We also accept the definitions of the Council of Trent which clarify the doctrine on the sacraments.

Article V: The Sacraments

We believe that the sacraments are the means used by the Holy Spirit to give us grace. And this, by virtue of the words spoken and the rites performed in faith and good dispositions.

1 and 2. Baptism and confirmation
We see baptism as the sacrament established by Christ to purify us in the sense of Jn 3,5 and to make us members of the Church. Confirmation in the Holy Spirit completes the rite of Christian initiation.
3. Penance
We believe that it pleased Christ to give his Church the authority to grant forgiveness to those who transgressed the law of the Gospel after their baptism. Validly ordained ministers have the power to absolve in the name and by the merits of Jesus Christ.
4. The Eucharist
We believe in the presence of the Lord in the Eucharistic species. In accordance with the Word of God and the practices of the old Church, this sacrament is celebrated in the vernacular and communion is given in the form of bread and wine (Jn 6,53).
5. The anointing of the sick
This sacrament was instituted for the healing of the soul and the body. The Epistle of Jacques (5,14-15) is explicit as to its effectiveness and its mode of administration.
6. The order
This sacrament confers the power to exercise the various functions of the ministry. The bishop is the ordinary minister.
7. Marriage
Marriage is a sacrament which sanctifies the legitimate union of a Christian. “The two are one flesh” (Eph 5,32).

Article VI: The Church and its head

The Church is a society in which believers are united in the profession of the same faith. This society has Christ as its Head and Source of holiness.

Article VII: The Episcopate

The episcopate is as necessary for the life of the Church as is breathing for the life of humans. Instruments of unity and guardians of tradition, the bishops see to it that the Church has only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Eph 6,5 ).

Article VIII: Images and Statues

The use of images or statues is not necessary for justification or salvation. People who use them for piety will do so in accordance with the rules of the Universal Church so that the abuses that can easily occur in this area are avoided.

Article IX: The Cult of Saints

There is only one mediator between God and humans: Jesus, Christ, our Lord (1Tm 2,5). If we invoke the saints, it is so that they assist us with their prayers as taught by writing and tradition.

Article X: The Unity of the Church

We consider Scripture and the general councils of the universal Church as the fountain of our common Christian faith. From this fountain emanates the flow of grace capable of erasing our divisions and the light to restore the unity of the Church.