Old Roman Catholic Church in Europe - Ecumenical Relations

Ecumenical Relations

The ORCCE does not regard itself as the sole expression of traditional Old Roman Catholicism in Western Europe and has relations and dialogue with similar traditionalist Old Catholic and Independent Catholic jurisdictions internationally. 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 and is regarded as the representative presence of that church in Europe.

The Old Roman Catholic Church in Europe has been approached by some traditional Anglican individuals and bodies, both within and without the Anglican Communion, seeking cordial relations. The ORCCE sees no immediate objections to the formulation of relations with traditionalist Anglo-Catholics in this way and welcomes such enquiries.

Remaining true to the stance of the Declaration of Utrecht, the ORCCE feels that the possibility of reunion with the Holy See would require discussion and agreement on the understanding and practice of the Petrine Ministry necessarily different from that promulgated as dogma by the Roman Church during the First Vatican Council. 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. At present there is no known Old Roman Catholic petition to the Holy See for a Canonical solution similar to that of Anglicanorum Coetibus offered for Anglicans despite an historical ORC concept of becoming a Pro-Uniate Rite.

The ORCCE has also been following with interest the recent development of the Union of Scranton currently consisting of the Nordic Catholic Church and the Polish National Catholic Church for Old Catholic churches disaffected with the Utrecht Union. The theological framework upon which the Union is based is currently being reviewed by the ORCCE hierarchy. However, the historical theological differences that developed between Old Catholicism (Utrecht Union) and Old Roman Catholicism (Mathew) and became visible in 1910 may provide some issues.

The hierarchy of the ORCCE hopes, after achieving a wider and more cohesive consensus of feeling and desire amongst other Old Roman Catholic jurisdictions, to approach the Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and Alexandria for clarification and praxis regarding the existing intercommunion agreement extant since 1911 that has never been formally retracted by either party.

The ORCCE prays for the day when such discussions and agreements can be made that Christ's Church may be united once more on earth and to this end actively encourages its member congregations to participate in ecumenical activities and partnerships both at the local and where possible, national level in their respective countries. At the international level the ORCCE enjoys membership of the World Council of Churches through the International Council of Community Churches.