Are you Catholic?

When people speak of Catholics today, they often mean Roman Catholics.  However the term catholic was first used in the letter of Saint Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans (about AD 110) in reference to the “universal” church.  

The following is a definition for the word “catholic”: Catholic Abbr. C..
a  . Of or involving the Roman Catholic Church.
b. Of or relating to the universal Christian church.
c. Of or relating to the ancient undivided Christian church.
d. Of or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives of the ancient undivided church.  

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition [1]

There are in fact many Communions (Churches) that are part of the Catholic Church as they can trace their beliefs, teachings, and origins to the ancient undivided Apostolic Church. One of the primary attributes of a Catholic Church is that each maintains a line of Apostolic Succession in their clergy thus making them part of the “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church” as proclaimed in the Nicene Creed.   

Some of these Communions are the Orthodox (Greek, Serbian, Russian, Coptic, and many more)
Anglican (Episcopal), and Old Catholic.  

What is “Old Catholic ”?  

The Old Catholic Church traces it roots to the 7th century. It was during this time when the church was one
and undivided that the Anglo-Saxon monk Willibrord missionized the area of Europe now known as the
Netherlands and France.  The name "Old Catholic" began to come into use in 1741 when the Church in
Utrecht turned from Rome and began to refer to call themselves as Roman Catholics of the “Old Episcopal
Clergy” (Old Catholics).

It wasn't until late 19th century in Europe when over the refusal to accept Papal Infallibility that the Churches in Europe formally adopted the name "Old Catholic".

Click here to see our 'History' page which details the history of the Old Catholic Churches

It is this earlier “undivided” Christianity that was taught to the people in this part of the world and it is that “undivided” Church that Old Catholics seek to restore.

Are you in communion with the Roman Catholic Church?

No. The Old Catholic Churches separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the late 19th century over the refusal to accept the dogma of Papal Infallibility. [2] Old Catholic sacraments are, however, recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as being valid.  The Canons of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Old Catholic Churches make provision for their members to receive sacraments from the other church as
necessary.

Old Catholic - does that mean your Mass is in Latin?

No. The name Old Catholic was chosen to signify the desire of the Church to return to the traditions and teachings of the undivided Church prior to the great schism of 1054. Our services are conducted in the language of the people.

In addition each parish is allowed to use a rite that suites the local congregation. For example some parishes may use the current Roman Rite, others the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, others the Old Catholic Rites of the European Churches, etc.

Since you are not under the authority of the Pope then who is the
head of your church?

Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and as proclaimed by the Early Church Fathers; the Holy Spirit is the Vicar of Christ.   However, our parishes and clergy, like all other Catholic Communions, are under the guidance and authority of a Bishop.  

Our denomination maintains valid lines of Apostolic Succession, which can be traced to the ancient and
undivided church. All clergy in the OCCNA are ordained by the “laying on of hands”.   

I noticed that you are married. How can this be?

Celibacy was not required in the Roman Communion until the 13th century. Celibacy is not required in most of the other Catholic Communions.   Our bishops believe that to refuse the full sacerdotal ministry to a married individual is to act in a manner as to limit whom God may call to His service.

Do you allow women to be ordained?

Yes. Once again our bishops believe that to refuse the full sacerdotal ministry to an individual is to act in a manner as to limit whom God may call to His service.

My spouse is not Catholic may they receive Eucharist/Communion?

Yes. The OCCNA believes that any person Baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a member of the body of Christ (Church) and therefore may receive Communion.

I am divorced and remarried may I receive Communion?

Yes. While the OCCNA looks upon matrimony as a sacrament, and believes that marriage should be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman we do realize though that situations will arise that will lead to divorce.   It is our opinion that to refuse Communion to a divorced individual who is sincerely seeking to repent and turn to Christ is to inflict additional emotional pain and suffering.

Do I have to go to confession?

If you are asking if you must confess and repent of your sins to be forgiven – then the answer is yes.
If you are asking must you confess your sins before a priest to be forgiven then the answer is no.

The OCCNA teaches that the sacrament of Reconciliation is provided in both the General Confession and Absolution, which is included in the Mass, and through private confession to either a Priest or Bishop. It is our belief that the INTENT (sincerity) of the individual takes precedent over form.

What is the Incarnation?  

The Incarnation refers to Jesus Christ's coming "in the flesh."  The eternal Son of God the Father assumed to Himself a complete human nature from the Virgin Mary.  He was and is One Divine Person, fully possessing from God the Father, the entirety of the divine nature, and in His coming in the flesh fully possessing a human nature from the Virgin Mary.  

By His Incarnation, the Son forever possesses two natures in His one Person.  The Son of God, limitless in His Divine nature, voluntarily and willingly accepted limitation in His humanity in which He experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, and ultimately, death.

The Incarnation is indispensable to Christianity....There is no Christianity without it.  The Scriptures record,
"Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God" (1 John 4:3).  By His Incarnation, the Son of God redeemed human nature, a redemption made accessible to all who are joined to Him in His glorified humanity.  [3]

Why is name of the Mission "Incarnation?"

The name of the mission was chosen as "Incarnation" because it is the central focal point in our salvation history.  Without the incarnation, Jesus could not have been born of the Virgin Mary. It is the Incarnation that brings about the Paschal Mystery.

What does the OCCNA teach about abortion?

The OCCNA considers abortion at any time during the pregnancy to be the taking of a life. We encourage any woman faced with an unwanted pregnancy to consider adoption over abortion. We realize that at times a woman is faced with making a decision about a pregnancy that could result in harm, or even loss of life, to herself consult with qualified professionals and clergy prior to making her decision. The OCCNA
will never turn away a woman who has had an abortion from the loving embrace of Jesus.

Do you have the same Sacraments as the Roman Catholic Church?

Yes, we profess and provide seven sacraments. They are:

Baptism:
The means of spiritual rebirth through which we are made children of God and heirs of Heaven:  ``Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.'' (John 3:5. Also see Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:2-6).

Confirmation:
Confers the Holy Spirit to make us strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ: ``Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.... Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.''
(Acts 8:14-17. Also see Acts 19:6).

Eucharist:
Also known as Holy Communion, which nourishes the soul with the true Flesh and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, under the appearance, or sacramental veil, of bread and wine:  ``And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body.  And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, he gave it to them.   And they all drank of it. And he said to them:  This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many.''
(Mark 14:22-24. Also see Matt. 26:26-28, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:52-54, 1 Cor. 10:16).

Reconciliation:  
Also known as Confession, through which Christ forgives sin and restores the soul to grace:  ``Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. '' (John 20:22-23. Also see Matt. 18:18).

Anointing:
Sometimes called Unction, which strengthens the sick and sanctifies the dying:  ``Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord . . . and if he be in, sins, they shall be forgiven him.'' (James 5:14-15. Also see Mark 6:12-13).

Holy Orders:  
Empowers priests to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, administer the sacraments, and officiate over all the other proper affairs of the Church:  ``For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that pertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins...Neither doth any man take the honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was.''
(Heb. 5:1-4. Also see Acts 20:28, 1 Tim. 4:14).

Also:  ``And taking bread, he gave thanks, and broke; and gave to them, saying:   This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.'' (Luke 22:19).

Marriage:  
Unites a man and woman in a holy bond: ``For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh.  Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.''
(Matt. 19:5-6. Also see Mark 10:7-9, Eph. 5:22-32).