Katholisch-Apostolische Kirche Europa

Welcome to the website of the Catholic Apostolic Church Europe (KAKE).

Archbishop Gioacchino (Gino) Collica

Important clarification regarding identity

The Catholic Apostolic Church Europe (KAKE) – Autonomous Episcopal Prelature Germany e.V. is an independent Christian Church and is not identical with the historical “Catholic Apostolic Congregations” (Irvingites) that arose in the nineteenth century.

There is no organizational or church-historical identity between the Catholic Apostolic Church Europe (KAKE) and those historical Catholic Apostolic congregations.

The Catholic Apostolic Church Europe traces its ecclesial tradition and apostolic succession to the line of succession presented on this website and is led by Archbishop Gioacchino (Gino) Collica.

This clarification is intended in particular to distinguish clearly between different Churches and communities that bear similar names.

Ministry and ecclesial tradition

Archbishop Gioacchino (Gino) Collica is the head of the Catholic Apostolic Church Europe, an autonomous episcopal prelature. Our Church comes from the Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira (ICAB), the Brazilian mother Church founded in 1945 by Bishop Dom Carlos Duarte Costa.

In this worldwide communion we share the same apostolic succession, celebrate the sacraments in fidelity to ecclesial tradition, and commit ourselves to justice, charity, and service to the poor and those in need.

Apostolic Succession – the Rebiba Line

The identity and sacramental ministry of our Church are founded upon the uninterrupted transmission of the episcopal ministry from the Apostles. The line of consecration of Archbishop Gioacchino Collica is documented and is traced through the historically recognized Rebiba line. Through Dom Carlos Duarte Costa, this succession connects us with the Roman Catholic episcopal tradition.

Spiritual heritage and liturgy

We recognize in the ancient Church of Antioch and in Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II an important guardian of the apostolic tradition. As a Church independent of Rome yet rooted in apostolic tradition, our liturgy brings together elements of Eastern and Western rites and draws upon the spiritual richness of the whole Church.

Our mission

Our mission is to proclaim Christ, build communion, and become a blessing in every country in which we live. In fidelity to the Gospel, we practice a compassionate pastoral ministry that excludes no one, according to the motto: “For the glory of God and the salvation of humankind.”