Old Roman Catholic Church in Europe - Current State

Current State

Members of the ORCCE clergy believe that there is a role for a "niche chaplaincy" which meets the needs of smaller groups of people who are neglected in their churches of origin. Those who wish for the Latin Mass i.e. the Tridentine Mass in Latin or in the vernacular may be accommodated without problem.

Resources

The lack of funding available to Old Roman Catholic churches means that the ORCCE has few church buildings and this is true of many denominations. A lack of resources is considered a problem by Old Roman 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 churches of ancient Rome. However, wherever possible, public spaces e.g. places of worship belonging to other denominations, may often be used. The ORCCE Mission based in Brighton, Sussex broadcasts Masses daily over the internet for those unable to attend a service physically i.e. in person whether through disability, immobility or circumstance e.g. distance from nearest Mass centre or working hours. The ORCCE predominantly uses the Gregorian Rite, often referred to as the Tridentine Rite, for the occasional offices as well as the 1570 Breviary and Mass with pre-1955 rubrics e.g. the traditional Rites of Holy Week without the alterations instituted by Pius XII.

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 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 ORCCE continue to grow slowly over time. The missions of the ORCCE have brought the Gospel to people from very different backgrounds.

Ministry

Priests and bishops within the ORCCE 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 a solely internet-based ministry is adequate or appropriate as a means of knowing the Risen Christ.

Intercommunion

The ORCCE is in full communion with the Old Roman Catholic Church - Latin Rite which has a presence in North and South America, Africa and Asia. There is an intercommunion agreement in place between the Catholic Apostolic National Churches in the United States, Columbia, Philippines, Argentina and Zambia. Since August 2008, through the umbrella body of the International College of CANC Bishops, the ORCCE has been in dialogoue with the Holy See through the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.