The Old Roman Catholic Church in Europe (ORCCE), also known as the Old Roman Catholic Church Latin Rite in Europe, is a church operating as a communion of local churches in the Old Roman Catholic/Ultrajectine tradition in Europe, headquartered in the United Kingdom.
The ORCCE regards itself as a Catholic church of the Western tradition and follows the Latin Rite. It has fellowship with other ecclesiastical bodies internationally through inter-communion agreements and international ecumenical bodies (e.g. the World Council of Churches through the International Council of Community Churches) and is related through Apostolic Succession to the Catholic churches of the East and West (Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic).
The apostolic succession of the church is Old Catholic via Arnold Harris Mathew and 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 Roman Catholics may fulfill their Holy Day of Obligation by attending Mass celebrated by an Old Roman Catholic priest if unable to attend a Roman Catholic Mass. The Roman Catholic Church teaches, "The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches" in the 2000 declaration, Dominus Iesus, of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This speaks primarily to the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, but also to "separated churches in the West", which is understood to be a reference to Old Catholics.
Read more about Old Roman Catholic Church In Europe: Beliefs, Mission, History, Sacramental Validity, Ecumenical Relations, Current State, Hierarchy, See Also
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