THE SAINT AELRED MISSION is a Pastoral Extension of The Catholic Diocese of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux for Saint Miriam Old Catholic Pro Cathedral, worshiping in the Old Catholic tradition; under the Episcopal Protection and governance of the Presiding Bishop Provincial of The American Province of The Communion of Old Catholic Churches International. Jurisdictionally, independent from the Roman Catholic Church, we remain traditionally theological and fiercely Sacramentally Catholic. We keep to the Seven Catholic Sacraments and we hold to the authority of Apostolic Succession. We are a true expression of Emerging Catholicism, a Church that understands it's Catholic heritage- yet appreciates that the Church must be an accepting place for everyone within the Kingdom of God.
Many are surprised to know there are actually THREE Catholic Traditions. People just think "Roman Catholic" because they are most familiar with them, they have the most money and the most publicity (good and bad). CLICK on the book cover of the New York Times 'Bestseller' OTHER CATHOLICS (by Dr. Julie Bryne PhD, Chair of the Religious Studies Department at Hofstra University.) for a brief video on these differences. (Video produced by Saint Miriam Old Catholic Pro Cathedral, Philadelphia PA). Be warmly surprised.... maybe you're Old Catholic!
Many are surprised to know there are actually THREE Catholic Traditions. People just think "Roman Catholic" because they are most familiar with them, they have the most money and the most publicity (good and bad). CLICK on the book cover of the New York Times 'Bestseller' OTHER CATHOLICS (by Dr. Julie Bryne PhD, Chair of the Religious Studies Department at Hofstra University.) for a brief video on these differences. (Video produced by Saint Miriam Old Catholic Pro Cathedral, Philadelphia PA). Be warmly surprised.... maybe you're Old Catholic!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND RESEARCH
Unlike the Roman Catholic Church- which as we know, and take exception with, is under the control of The Pope and The Roman Curia- many of the Old Catholic Churches function jurisdictionally apart from each other, while still under the Episcopal Protection of the Old Catholic Diocese of Utrecht in the Netherlands and their Presiding Archbishop. This is similar to the Anglican Communion- where Anglican and Episcopal Churches, separated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 and though diverse worldwide, still hold in reverence the Archbishop of Canterbury as their protectorate.
You may access this link- https://www.facebook.com/ISMDatabase/ -which will provide a list of more than 100 bishops and priests and religious societies active in what is known as The Independent Sacramental Movement- that being those churches and clergy which hold to the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, but are outside of the control and jurisdiction of Rome. This listing is for the United States and Canada only and is provided for those who might be seeking churches or clergy outside of our New Jersey area.
One final note worth mentioning in this regard. While the Roman Catholic Church has considered Old Catholic Churches and other Churches within The Independent Sacramental Movement as "schismatic"- we note one curious fact. There are many who consider that it is The Roman Catholic Church- who is schismatic. It was in 1054 that Pope Leo IX initiated events that would ultimately lead to the Catholic Church relocating to Rome- while leaving the "true" Catholic Church- now the Eastern Orthodox Churches- under the leadership of Michael Cerularius , Patriarch of Constantinople.
There were many factors that caused this fracture in the Catholic Church. Some cite Rome- the Latin Rite at the time- and Pope Leo IX of wanting to move the Church closer to the crown heads of Europe and the Pope's take over of Greek churches within Italy. Further exacerbating this, the Pope demanded- even into Orthodox churches in far off Asia, that Mass be said only in Latin and then also declared the Pope had sole authority over all Catholic Churches. The Orthodox Churches maintain that such issues as to the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Orthodox Churches believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father only. Roman Latin Rite Churches maintain that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son- and changed the wording in the Nicene Creed to reflect this. It is a difference of opinion between Western and Eastern Churches that remains, even today. Also, Western Churches make Eucharistic Hosts using unleavened bread- while Orthodox Churches use leavened bread.
You may access this link- https://www.facebook.com/ISMDatabase/ -which will provide a list of more than 100 bishops and priests and religious societies active in what is known as The Independent Sacramental Movement- that being those churches and clergy which hold to the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, but are outside of the control and jurisdiction of Rome. This listing is for the United States and Canada only and is provided for those who might be seeking churches or clergy outside of our New Jersey area.
One final note worth mentioning in this regard. While the Roman Catholic Church has considered Old Catholic Churches and other Churches within The Independent Sacramental Movement as "schismatic"- we note one curious fact. There are many who consider that it is The Roman Catholic Church- who is schismatic. It was in 1054 that Pope Leo IX initiated events that would ultimately lead to the Catholic Church relocating to Rome- while leaving the "true" Catholic Church- now the Eastern Orthodox Churches- under the leadership of Michael Cerularius , Patriarch of Constantinople.
There were many factors that caused this fracture in the Catholic Church. Some cite Rome- the Latin Rite at the time- and Pope Leo IX of wanting to move the Church closer to the crown heads of Europe and the Pope's take over of Greek churches within Italy. Further exacerbating this, the Pope demanded- even into Orthodox churches in far off Asia, that Mass be said only in Latin and then also declared the Pope had sole authority over all Catholic Churches. The Orthodox Churches maintain that such issues as to the divinity of the Holy Spirit. Orthodox Churches believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from God the Father only. Roman Latin Rite Churches maintain that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son- and changed the wording in the Nicene Creed to reflect this. It is a difference of opinion between Western and Eastern Churches that remains, even today. Also, Western Churches make Eucharistic Hosts using unleavened bread- while Orthodox Churches use leavened bread.