Yes, you have questions. Mabe they can be found here?
For a lot of people that come across the informaton on our religious order and church for the first time, there are several questions that pop up. Some of them have been asked so often, that we believe placing them here helps our visitors while they dig into the new and exciting information. If you do have other questions that you do not see here, do not hesitate and send us a message. We will gladly anser your question for you.
01
How can we be catholic if we are not in full communion the Bishop of Rome?
The Bishop of Rome does not define Catholicism, rather Catholicism defines the Bishop of Rome.
POPE FRANCIS -
“It has been possible to build new bridges of a more profound mutual understanding and practical co-operation. Convergences and consensus have been found, and differences have been better identified and set in new contexts.”
He then added that the separation between the two, triggered grave sins and human faults on both sides, but mutual forgiveness and humble repentance are key for reconciliation.
FIRST AND FOREMOST
The answer lies within the fact that the Old Catholic Church did not LEAVE the unified Catholic Church. They were initially separated by the issue of persecution. Therefore there has never been a real issue over the validity of the Old Catholics or their relationship with the Catholic Church.
SECONDLY
There have been repeated affirmations by the Roman Catholic Church though the Papacy and other governing bodies. Some of which are listed below.
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Utrecht receives Rights of Autonomy from Blessed Pope Eugene III in 1145.
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This Right is confirmed by Pope Leo in 1215 and becomes known universally as the Leonine Privilege.
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Privilege subsequently reconfirmed in two Church Councils in 1520 and 1717.
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The Roman Church recognizes the validity of Old Catholic Orders and Sacraments.”1974, Catholic Almanac, Our Sunday Visitor. A Concordat was signed between the Holy Father, Pope Paul VI, and Archbishop Glazmaker of Utrecht in 1976, recognizing the Catholic status of one another and the validity of one another’s Sacraments.
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Dominus Iesus issued by the Roman Catholic Magisterium in the year 2000, signed by John Paul II on June 16, and Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger on August 6, states:“The churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the (Roman) Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by Apostolic Succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular churches.”
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“The Old Catholics, like the Orthodox, possess a valid priesthood.”Separated Brethren, William J. Whalen
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“…Ordinations performed by the bishops of the Old Catholic Church are considered valid.”A Practical Commentary on the Code of Canon Law, Rev. Stanislaw Woywood, OFM, LLB
02
What do we believe?
The Doctrinal Essentials
We affirm decision-making based on the Holy Scriptures, Sacred Tradition, and Godly Wisdom inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Scriptures which spring forth from the Living Tradition passed on by the Lord Jesus Christ to his apostles and through them to the Apostolic Church are the primary and essential deposits of Truth requiring our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The Holy Scriptures and Sacred Tradition are the supreme authority in all matters of Faith and Life. The infallible and trustworthy written Word of God is a complete and unified witness to God's redemptive acts, which culminated in the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God, Incarnate and written, provides the foundation for the following which doctrines we affirm along with Apostles' and Nicene Creeds:
1. We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator, sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and worship forever!
2. Jesus Christ, the Messiah is the Living Word become flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His birth of the Virgin Mary. He who is true God became true man; His two natures are united in one person forever. He lived a sinless life and died on a cross, a perfect sacrifice for our sins, according to the Scriptures. On the third day He rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, seated at the right hand of the Almighty Majesty on High, He mediates as our High Priest and Head of the Church. Jesus Christ is the exclusive Messiah. The only Way to salvation, the only Truth and the only Life in whom people may put their trust and obtain eternal life.
3. The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to the hearts of sinful, repentant people. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Jesus baptizes His disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit and empowers them through multiple infillings to do the supernatural work of ministry in His Name. The Holy Spirit illuminates the Holy Scriptures, instructs the hearts of believers, and guides us into all truth.
4. Being alienated from God by our sins and looking forward to judgment with the present world, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God's unmerited favor and graciousness. God imparts His righteousness to those who respond with a living faith to the saving grace offered by Christ alone, thereby justifying them in His Holy Presence. Only those who are born of the Holy Spirit and embrace Jesus Christ, in word and obedient action, as Savior and Lord, become children of God, members of the Body of Christ and heirs of eternal life. Notwithstanding we affirm with our Catholic brothers and sisters throughout the world that those who through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by the grace of Christ in their heart, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience- those too may attain eternal salvation.
5. The one Holy Catholic and apostolic Church, the true Church, is composed of all persons who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, are united together in the Body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the Sacraments are administered in their integrity, scriptural discipline is practiced, and loving fellowship is maintained to nurture the believers in the life of Christ. For her perfecting, the Church awaits the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Jesus Christ will come again to the earth - suddenly, personally, visibly, and bodily - to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. We seek to faithfully serve Christ in the world as His ambassadors as we joyfully anticipate His appearing.
7.The Christian's mission is to follow the Messiah's first and principle command, the Great Commandment: "Hear" , "O Israel" separated unto Me and by Me, you who carry and are identified by My Holy Name, "The Lord our God is one" We, individually and corporately, are commanded and therefore choose of our own God-given will, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength. Our mission is to show that we are Christians by demonstrating our Holy Spirit inspired and empowered nature. Manifesting Almighty God's gracious love compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness through us, individually and corporately, in word and action, by pursuing the highest and best interests of our neighbors, showing the same concern we have for ourselves.
8. As we endeavor to meet the standards of God's love, we are to fulfill the Risen Jesus of Nazareth's Great Commission: "Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in The Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.
9. Human beings are created in His likeness and image. The creation serves and is sustained by the Creator. We were created for communion with God and one another in purity and in accordance with the Holy Scriptures. Communion with God and the believers is marked by love, joy, peace , patience , kindness , gentleness and self-control. Self-control includes fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman, and continence outside the bonds of marriage.
10. We affirm the Author of Life, the stewardship of creation, through environmental preservation, and the protection and validation of the irrevocable and inherent sanctity and dignity of all forms of human life, from conception to the grave. We affirm peaceful resolution and reconciliation of conflicts between persons, groups and nations.
03
What about Divorced People?
While divorce is a sin, it is not "the" unforgivable sin. Sacred Scripture clearly tells us that, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". Therefore, the sin of divorce must be addressed through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but it does not alienate a person from participation within the Body of Christ. God can and will heal us of all of our brokenness if we will with contrite heart come unto Him and seek Him.
" For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."
04
Do I have to baptize again to become a member?
No.
It is the historic teaching of the undivided church that the sacrament of baptism is valid in any place or time if offered in a Trinitarian formula. " There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
05
What liturgies are used?
As a religious order within the COICC we authorize the current acceptable liturgies that may be used: Novus Ordo, the New Roman Missal, 1928 BCP* (in England). Other than the mentioned liturgies the Cistercian Order of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary also uses the Cistercian Liturgy.
When the Abbot General is presiding the Holy Eucharist, the Cistercian Liturgy is always used.