future oriented
shaping church leaders for the 21st century
shaping church leaders for the 21st century
The American National Catholic Theological Institute is pleased to announce the addition of the Rev. Fr. Bernardo Cardon to our faculty. Fr. Bernardo brings a wealth of experience in developing programs for lay people, and we look forward to his role as an instructor for our seminarians and others in Institute programs.
Fr. Bernardo Cardona completed his philosophical studies at Our Lady of the Rosary Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manizales and his theological studies at Mary Immaculate Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Ibagué, consolidating a solid ecclesial formation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education (BSed) from the Catholic University in Colombia, with a specialization in Religious Sciences. He also holds a master’s degree in human Rights, Management, and Community Development (M.HR.CD), is a Specialist in Pedagogy, and has an Associate Degree in Religious Sciences (A.RS). He will soon receive a master’s degree in the Social Doctrine of the Church from the International Catholic University in West Virginia.
Father Bernardo is a priest of the Franciscan Community of Mercy, Pastor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Kearny, New Jersey, and Vicar of the Hispanic Apostolate, as well as a seminarian formator within the ANCC.
Read more about Fr. Bernardo and other members of our faculty and administration HERE.
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Most Rev George R. Lucey, FCM, Presiding Bishop of the American National Catholic Church (ANCC) ordained to the Scared Order of Deacons Br. Raphael Aguon, CMMLA, and Mr. Frank Riggio-Preston at Our Lady Undoer of Knots ANCC parish in Baltimore, Maryland, where Rev Fr. Albert Risdorfer is pastor. ANCC priests and deacons from around the Church welcomed Deacons Frank and Raphael into the company of ANCC clergy.
Deacon Frank (top photo, left) and Deacon Raphael (top photo, right) are members of the Baltimore parish and will continue to serve their diaconal ministries at the parish. Deacon Frank was ordained a permanent deacon, while Deacon Raphael is a transitional deacon, meaning he will later proceed to ordination to the presbyterate upon completion of his formation and proper recommendations and approvals.
A COMMUNITY OF DEACONS
Both new deacons now help form a community of ANCC deacons, which includes Deacon Mary Hurley (bottom photo, left), a permanent deacon, and Deacon James Conti (bottom photo, right), a transitional deacon. We rejoice in the ministries each of our deacons performs in his or her local church community.
Congratulations to ANCC seminarian Milton Naranjo, who was admitted to the minor order of Lector by Presiding Bishop George R. Lucey, FCM, during the fall clergy gathering on Saturday, September 6, 20225, at the convent of the Community of St John Baptist. The minor order of Lector is the first formal step a seminarian takes in his or her formation towards ordination.
Milton is a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ANCC in Kearny, NJ. Shown holding the book of Gospels, Milton stands with Bishop George and Fr. Bernardo Cardona, FCM (right), Sacred Heart’s pastor, and Fr. Luis Octavio Heute-Altamirano (left), associate pastor.
