Are Old Catholic Holy Orders recognized by the RC Church?

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Are the Holy Orders of the Priesthood of the United Catholic Church (UCC), an Old Catholic/Independent Catholic Church, recognized by the Pope and the Roman Catholic (RC) Church ?

The lines of Apostolic Succession reach back into the Western, Orthodox, and Eastern Lines. I understand that an Old Catholic Priest is not a RC Priest, but wish to know if the UCC Priests are accepted/recognized by the RC Church? Is there a beginning of Unity between Roman Catholic and Old Catholic?

Thanks & God Bless Rick

-- Rick Reed (richardocr@yahoo.com), June 08, 2004

Answers

Bump to New Answers to invite comment.

-- (bump@bump.bump), June 08, 2004.

Since there is no way of knowing the lines of succession in heretical churches, no, they are not recognized by Rome.

In Christ, Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@Hotmail.com), June 09, 2004.


It depends on the church.

The Charismatic Episcopal Church traces it's line to Carlos Duarte- Costa, a Bishop who left the Roman Catholic Church and founded the Brazilian Apostolic Catholic Church.

The CEC has had dialogue with the Vatican about formal recognition.

I don't know the name but one Bishop who left with Costa returned to the Roman Catholic Church. His lineage may be valid. I wish I knew more of the details or had time to look it up.

The direct Old Catholic Church lineage has been argued as valid by some theologians.

Schism, though, is never a good thing. God bless.

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), June 10, 2004.


Dear Brothers,

In regards to "Old Catholics" you may wish to check out the Official U.S. Catholic Bishops site in Washington, DC. Possible intercommunion with PNCC (Polish National Catholic Church), Orthodox and Assyrian Church of the East. Believe the 1983 Canon Law Codex reflects this under Canon #844.

Peace John Pat (friarjon@Lycos.com)

-- John P. Doughty (friarjon@Lycos.com), June 28, 2004.


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