A question often asked by those seeking to get married within The Old Catholic Tradition is: "do weddings performed by OCCI clergy meet the requirements of validity of the Roman Catholic Church?" This is a two fold answer of yes and no. Let us take a moment to explain. Most do not know there are three branches of the Catholic Church- Old Catholic (including Polish and Dutch Catholic Churches- and our own, of course!), Roman Catholic and Orthodox Catholic (the Eastern Churches- Orthodox, Coptic, Greek, Serbian, Romanian and Russian Catholic Orthodox Churches.)
First, all weddings officiated by OCCI clergy are both legal and valid. All weddings are recorded and kept for perpetuity within the Church archives of OCCI, and are also filed with the appropriate civil authority as required by law.
We must also remember an important fact here. Catholic is a word rooted in Greek (Katholikos), which refers to the original Universal, One, Holy and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. The OCCI, with her valid lines of Apostolic Succession and beliefs, is Catholic in the truest sense of the word. We hold, honor, participate and exercise all seven Catholic Sacraments
We are not however, Roman Catholic. (Refer to our page entitled History). This foundation was laid in the Old Catholic Movement, when a separation was made with the Roman Catholic Church over theological issues of Papal infallibility and church doctrine. Some of these issues may need to be considered when you are planning your wedding day.
The Roman Catholic Church, unlike our Old Catholic Churches; have protocols, rules and restrictions that are not flexible. The Roman Catholic Church has restrictions on many things that a happy couple might like to plan together. Such things as music, location, non-traditional format, a prohibition against wedding ceremonies conducted outside and also who may participate- just to name but a few. There are also more serious considerations- such as a prohibition of divorced persons, homosexuals or interfaith couples getting married within the sanctity and blessing of the Catholic tradition. The OCCI is without those strict rules. We will work with you to build your celebration. As we like to say: Old Catholic ~ the traditions without Roman restrictions.
We also like to mention a technical theological fact- as with our sister Orthodox Churches, we like to believe it is the Roman Catholic Church who first broke from the true original Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church. In the Great Schism of 1054, Pope Leo IX- "officially" moved the Catholic Church from Constantinople to Rome. The Churches remaining in Constantinople became, what is known today as the Eastern Orthodox Churches- remaining true to the original Orthodoxy of the Church. They consecrate their own Patriarch- who stands today on equal footing with the Pope in Rome. Unlike Roman Catholic Bishops, bishops in the Old Catholic tradition receive "dual" consecrations- in the Roman Line of Apostolic Succession and in the Orthodox Line of Apostolic Succession. We feel this validates our bishops above those requirements of the Roman Church.
We believe the OCCI is better prepared today to meet the needs and desires of persons looking for the acceptance and love of Jesus Christ. You can be previously married with divorce, a marriage of mixed religions or even not so much "into Church" ~ as long as you have a faith in a Spiritual God. The most important "requirement" for a couple to be married is that your relationship is built on fidelity, respect and love. Love for each other and love for God.
If this is your feeling as well, then let us celebrate and bless your love and lives! Catholic traditions without Roman restrictions!
First, all weddings officiated by OCCI clergy are both legal and valid. All weddings are recorded and kept for perpetuity within the Church archives of OCCI, and are also filed with the appropriate civil authority as required by law.
We must also remember an important fact here. Catholic is a word rooted in Greek (Katholikos), which refers to the original Universal, One, Holy and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. The OCCI, with her valid lines of Apostolic Succession and beliefs, is Catholic in the truest sense of the word. We hold, honor, participate and exercise all seven Catholic Sacraments
We are not however, Roman Catholic. (Refer to our page entitled History). This foundation was laid in the Old Catholic Movement, when a separation was made with the Roman Catholic Church over theological issues of Papal infallibility and church doctrine. Some of these issues may need to be considered when you are planning your wedding day.
The Roman Catholic Church, unlike our Old Catholic Churches; have protocols, rules and restrictions that are not flexible. The Roman Catholic Church has restrictions on many things that a happy couple might like to plan together. Such things as music, location, non-traditional format, a prohibition against wedding ceremonies conducted outside and also who may participate- just to name but a few. There are also more serious considerations- such as a prohibition of divorced persons, homosexuals or interfaith couples getting married within the sanctity and blessing of the Catholic tradition. The OCCI is without those strict rules. We will work with you to build your celebration. As we like to say: Old Catholic ~ the traditions without Roman restrictions.
We also like to mention a technical theological fact- as with our sister Orthodox Churches, we like to believe it is the Roman Catholic Church who first broke from the true original Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church. In the Great Schism of 1054, Pope Leo IX- "officially" moved the Catholic Church from Constantinople to Rome. The Churches remaining in Constantinople became, what is known today as the Eastern Orthodox Churches- remaining true to the original Orthodoxy of the Church. They consecrate their own Patriarch- who stands today on equal footing with the Pope in Rome. Unlike Roman Catholic Bishops, bishops in the Old Catholic tradition receive "dual" consecrations- in the Roman Line of Apostolic Succession and in the Orthodox Line of Apostolic Succession. We feel this validates our bishops above those requirements of the Roman Church.
We believe the OCCI is better prepared today to meet the needs and desires of persons looking for the acceptance and love of Jesus Christ. You can be previously married with divorce, a marriage of mixed religions or even not so much "into Church" ~ as long as you have a faith in a Spiritual God. The most important "requirement" for a couple to be married is that your relationship is built on fidelity, respect and love. Love for each other and love for God.
If this is your feeling as well, then let us celebrate and bless your love and lives! Catholic traditions without Roman restrictions!
Just published in May 2016,
this ground breaking book by
Dr. Julie Byrne, professor of Catholic Studies
at Hofstra University ~
tells the story and examines the reality of
"The Other Catholics".
"Catholic traditions without Roman restrictions."
Meet Dr. Byrne at our Church on August 18, 2016 @ 2pm.
this ground breaking book by
Dr. Julie Byrne, professor of Catholic Studies
at Hofstra University ~
tells the story and examines the reality of
"The Other Catholics".
"Catholic traditions without Roman restrictions."
Meet Dr. Byrne at our Church on August 18, 2016 @ 2pm.