[2] The ANCC was founded with the mission of fully implementing its interpretation of the Second Vatican Council and is notably more liberal than the Roman Catholic Church in its acceptance of married clergy, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, the ordination of women, and use of contraception.
It does, however, hold belief in the Trinity, a form of apostolic succession, the salvific act of Christ, the economy of salvation, Mariology, and the number of sacraments.
[5] Since its founding in 2009, the ANCC has embraced a path of intentional growth in recognition that many other Independent Catholic jurisdictions failed because they concentrated on quantity at the expense of quality.
The American National Catholic Church states that it measures its growth in terms of four general aims: The ANCC is congregational rather than hierarchical.
Applicants previously ordained in other Christian churches must complete a pastoral internship and a diaconate assignment of one year, after which an additional two-year discernment period is imposed before full incorporation into the ANCC.