MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS
The Evangelical Catholic Church supports the
traditional Catholic belief that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary,
and at the end of her life on Earth was assumed into eternal life.1
We believe that Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ continues
to play a pivotal role in our spiritual life. We believe that Mary
intercedes on our behalf when prayers are offered to her as first
among the blessed in heaven and first among the saints.
We encourage all to celebrate the traditional feast days
accorded to Mary.
We encourage all who have devotions to Mary to continue
doing so.
We believe that because the role of Mary is so important
and unique in our lives, that we not blur her significance by
assigning titles or functions inappropriate to her.
Historically, the tradition of Mary’s perpetual virginity
has been a litmus test for Catholics. However scholars are at a loss
to provide a scriptural justification for this tradition. For many
scholars the issue of Mary’s perpetual virginity remains a mystery
of the Faith.
Therefore, the Evangelical Catholic Church respects the
various opinions on this matter, and calls upon all to respect the
opinions of others. This Church accepts the time-honored prayers and
references to Mary for the good of tradition.
1 Traditional Catholic teaching is that Mary, the Mother
of God was unique among humans in that she did not suffer the common
human fate of bodily corruption after death, but was assumed into
heaven without having to endure that indignity.
Approved July 1, 2001