Old Catholic Church in Europe

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The Old Catholic Church in Europe or OCCE is a traditionalist Orthodox Catholic Church in the Old Catholic/Independent Catholic tradition, based in the United Kingdom. In May 2008 The Old Catholic Church in Europe (OCCE) became a member of the Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic National Churches and the representative in the United Kingdom of this worldwide Communion numbering some 4 million people.


The OCCE is a Eucharistic community in that it has at its core the sacrament of the Eucharist. Due to the dispersed state of the clergy and laity that the church comprises throughout the United Kingdom, the church sees its self as "a family of believers" and "a fellowship of persons living in charity and the love of Christ". Former Bishop-Metropolitan, Robert McBride attempted to build up and create a stable and vibrant Old Catholic jurisdiction in Europe that not only survives but has a leadership role in the years to come for those that wish to accept leadership from an orthodox Old Catholic jurisdiction. The success of the Bishop-Metropolitan will be assessed over time. The new Bishop-Metropolitan, Dennis Beevers assumed leadership of this profession of faith in March 2008 on the retirement of Bishop-Metropolitan Robert.

The OCCE sees itself as a Catholic church of the Western tradition and follows the Latin rite. The OCCE is also a recognised church enjoying fellowship with other ecclesial bodies internationally through international ecumenical bodies and is related through Apostolic Succession to the Catholic churches of the East and West (Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic).

However, it must be noted that, in keeping with Eastern Orthodox ecclesiology and the place of the Sacraments within that, which is reflected in their response to the branch theory, those who have passed through the ordination rites of the OCCE, being outside of the Orthodox Church, are not considered to be truly ordained in any sacramental sense, as explained by Kallistos Ware in his discussion on the application of economy to non-Orthodox sacramental rites [1]. This does not, of course, prevent the possibility of cordial and fruitful ecumenical discussion.

In a similar vein it should be noted that the Roman Catholic Church has issued no pronouncement on the validity or the efficacy or not of the OCCE's Holy Orders. The Apostolic Succession of this Church is both Old Catholic via Arnold Harris Mathew and Independent Catholic via Carlos Duarte Costa and therefore historically traces its lineage back to Roman Catholic Bishops. Roman Catholic commentators and the 1983 Code of Canon Law have written that sacraments administered by Old Catholics are sacramentally valid and a Roman Catholic may fulfill his Holy Day of Obligation by attending Mass celebrated by an Old Catholic priest if unable to attend a Roman Catholic Mass. However, these statements have never named or specified any particular Old Catholic denomination.

Contents

[edit] Mission

The Bishop-Metropolitan The Rt. Rev'd Dennis Beevers conceptualises the mission of the Church as being:

  1. To provide for Old/Independent Catholics unable in conscience to accept the new practices and faith of the Utrecht Union in Europe.
  2. To provide a point of reference for those individuals and Churches wishing to know more about or communicate with orthodox Old Catholics.

[edit] The OCCE and orthodox Old Catholicism in Europe

Two orthodox Old Catholic Churches retired from the Utrecht Union (Polish National Catholic Church USA and the Old Catholic Church of Slovakia) in 2004 regarding the new teachings and practice of the Union. Neither have an English language organisation in Europe.

The English Catholic Church (ECC) formed in the year 2000 was an orthodox Old Catholic daughter Church formed from the “Old Catholic Church of the United States” [2] or 'OCCUS'. In 2006, in consultation with other orthodox Bishops the English Catholic Church, re-named itself the “Old Catholic Church in Europe” 'OCCE'[3]. This was change of name was achieved so that the 'OCCE' would become not just an English language representative for orthodox Old Catholicism in Europe but also provide an organisation for orthodox Old Catholics to relate to and be cared for on the Western side of the European Continent

It is reported by the Church that the recent change of name has had a very positive effect. The Chancellery office in Northampton (UK) is said to receive enquiries from individuals and groups on the Continent requiring pastoral and sacramental support. The ability to locate, license and provide appropriate language-speaking priests is proving difficult to manage due to the geographical distances involved. The OCCE hopes that this situation will be successfully addressed as more people become aware of their mission and that priests and vocations will be forthcoming.

Bishop-Metropolitan Robert and Bishop Dennis
Bishop-Metropolitan Robert and Bishop Dennis

[edit] The OCCE and other orthodox Catholics

The OCCE does not regard itself as the sole expression of traditional Old Catholicism in Western Europe but is already regarded by some as a representative body through its membership of various ecumenical and interdenominational bodies and relationships with orthodox Old/Independent Catholic Churches internationally. The OCCE has welcomed collaboration from other similar jurisdictions locally to share in this important work and discussions are ongoing.

The Old Catholic Church in Europe has been approached by traditional Anglicans both within and without the Anglican Communion seeking cordial relations. The OCCE sees no immediate objections to the formulation of relations with orthodox Anglo-Catholics in this way.

There is great concern generally by Western and Eastern Catholics for reunion with the Holy See. Remaining true to the stance of the Declaration of Utrecht, the OCCE feels that any such reunion would require discussion and agreement on the understanding and practice of the Petrine Ministry necessarily different from that promulgated as doctrine by the Roman Church during the First Vatican Council. The OCCE prays for the day when such discussion and agreement can be made that Christ's Church may be united once more on earth.

[edit] Current state of the Old Catholic Church in Europe

It is generally accepted that there is a falling number of adherents to the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Churches. This decline in numbers may indicate that there is a disaffection with what was once considered mainstream religion. Members of 'OCCE' clergy believe that there is a role for ‘niche chaplaincy’ which meets the needs of smaller groups of people who are neglected in their Church of origin. Those who wish for the Latin Mass, the Tridentine Mass, English Missal or Mass of Paul VI may be accommodated without problem.

Beauty in worship
Beauty in worship
Resources
The lack of funding available to Old Catholic Churches in the United Kingdom means that the OCCE has no Church buildings and this is true of many denominations. A lack of resources is considered a problem by Old Catholic clergy when larger groups wish to gather although it does lead to positive partnership working arrangements with other Christian groups and community organizations. The positive feature of such innovative partnerships is that resources are not wasted and clergy assert that sharing resources creates a linkage of people with ministry.
Religious services
Services are often held in a private house reflecting the house Church of ancient Rome. Sometimes services are held in a spare room or a garage converted into a small private chapel for the celebration of the sacred mysteries. Such spaces are often beautiful and reflect a wish to give back to God some of his creation.
Geography
The bishops and priests sometimes travel considerable distances to bring worship to small groups. Whilst time consuming and personally exhausting for individual clergy, this ministry demonstrates a real need for a responsive chaplaincy [4]and reflects needs that are not being met by mainstream denominations.
Missions
Despite a lack of state funding and prejudice from the more established denominations, the missions of the OCCE continue to grow slowly over time and. The missions of the OCCE have brought the Gospel to people from very different backgrounds in Sussex [5], The North, The South, The Midlands and East Anglia [6]. With the recent incardination of a Parish in Southampton [7] the church grows and flourishes. The web site of the OCCE reports the inclusion of a new ministry in Belgium from December 2007.
Ministry
Priests and bishops within OCCE express their commitment to a real ministry and a ministry working with real people. Clergy have collectively asserted that they will not have relations with those who believe that an Internet ministry is adequate or appropriate as a means of knowing the Risen Christ.
Intercommunion
In May 2008 this denomination became a full member of the Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic National Churches and a representative of that Communion in the United Kingdom replacing an earlier ecclesial body. This intercommunion agreement consolidates continuing and developing relationships with the Catholic Apostolic National Churches in the USA and Columbia.

The OCCE warmly invites approaches from any others in pursuit of granting Our Lord's prayer for His Church Ut Unum Sint "that they may be one".

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Preceded by
The Most Rev. Robert Matthew Gubala.

D.D., SCR.

Bishop of Rhode Island.

Old Catholic Church of the United States.

 The Rt. Rev'd Robert McBride. OSP.

Consecrated July 16th 2000.

Bishop of Mercia and The Marches
Bishop Metropolitan 2000-2008

 Succeeded by
The Rt. Revd. Dennis Beevers OSP

Bishop Metropolitan 13th March 2008 - To date