Two practices that stand out as different in American National Catholic Church (ANCC) parishes when compared to those of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) is that the former offers general absolution and open communion during mass. But what does this mean?
In the RCC absolution is offered through private confession. This is when the church member goes to the priest in private and shares their sins. In response the priest offers absolution and generally instructs the believer on how to show penitence. This could be through a number of "Hail Marys" and/or "Our Fathers," or through some other means the priest thinks appropriate. In the ANCC this is available to members who want it. However, each week at the beginning of mass the priest or bishop offers a general absolution for the entire congregation. This is at the point in the mass where the people confess their sins in a general sense, with the words "I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters...." I have not found a written explanation for why absolution is offered to the gathered parish as a whole rather than strictly individually, but it does take down one of the barriers to participation that people can feel. Again, though, private confession is available by prior arrangement with the bishop or priest that is available.
The Eucharist is the high point of the mass, and in ANCC parishes everyone is welcome to participate. The thought is that the sacraments are the gifts of God, not rewards. While we say that everyone is welcome to the table, and I have never seen someone turned away, I do believe that in theory it's meant for all baptized Christians in particular. The ANCC does hold to the Real Presence in the Eucharist, but on a Sunday morning no one is grilled about their beliefs regarding the sacrament.
These two sacraments, while practiced differently in the ANCC from the RCC, are deeply meaningful and contribute to sustaining the faith and spirituality of the parish.
