Declaration of Autonomy: 101 Years of Fragmentation

On December 29th, 1910, Bishop Arnold Harris Mathew, Old Catholic Bishop of Great Britain declared autonomy from the continental Old Catholic Church, forming a 101 year (and counting) schism between the Union of Utrecht and his successors. Mathew announced 9 points of disagreement between his community and those of the Union of Utrecht:

1. Mathew accepted the Council of Jerusalem in 1672 and the belief that all 7 Sacraments are necessary for salvation although not all 7must be received by each Christian. 
2. Mathew stated that the Sacrament of  Reconciliation is necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sins committed after Baptism. 
3. Mathew stated, the veneration of the Communion of Saints must be maintained and never lost.
4. Matthew asserted that the Old Catholic Church cannot change the ancient liturgy and it must remain the same, although in the vernacular. Also, benediction must be retained. 
5. Mathew claimed that praying for the Pope must be retained in the canon of the Mass.
6. Mathew stated that the Eucharist should be celebrated daily. 
7. Mathew stated that the use of holy images, statues, and relics must be maintained. 
8. Mathew stated that the Eucharist should only be given to Catholics.
9. Mathew claimed that fasting and abstinence must be retained. 

With this declaration, Mathew ceased to be Old Catholic and then Old Roman Catholic. This date is not a proud date or a feast, but a day of reflection for those who are his successors. Today, very few churches adhere to the declarations of Mathew, but most adhere to some aspects of it. The question for those who claim to be his successors is, are you Old Catholic or Old Roman Catholic? And if so, why? 

Czech Old Catholic Christmas Message 2011

Dear sisters and brothers,
Christmas. Again, we open our hearts and listen to the message that speaks to us through the centuries, and yet is still the best news that you may hear: "Fear not, behold, bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be for all people. Today your Savior was born, Christ the Lord in the city of David. This will be a sign: You will find a baby in diapers, lying in a manger. "

Although this event occurred in the distant past, somewhere on the periphery of the world, but our faith may again and relive the night when God's time intersects with our human time and eternal God entered the world as a mortal man. God became one of us to bear his closeness and his love for us. He made it clear in a way that does not compare with anything.

A man who lost his due to his original Paradise home, one stripped of trust in God's friendship, unable to overcome the gears of guilt and fear for their existence, the bumbling life and all of its forces fighting for the faith in goodness, love and mercy, may suddenly look in the eyes of the Child, which came into his life by God. "When we see your Son, who was born to us today, we see you and we are captivated by love for the veil of the invisible God ..." - this expresses the Christmas liturgy.

At Christmas, we all keep in mind the holiday. Even people who do not want God, listen to a Christmas tune in a nice, quiet and idyllic atmosphere. The Christmas Gospel that we are accustomed to hear with such good news is reassuring, but we also considered many disturbing questions.:

Why do we, who, together with the shepherds of Bethlehem want to be approached by a heavenly revelation, to find a baby lying in a manger, for which there was not space under the roof of humans? What is this sign? God in a stable is easy to overlook, a sign of compassion, given to us by the ruler of the universe? How is it that God himself in Jesus came into his own, but his own received him not? What is the reason behind the mystery that although the Incarnation of God has occurred, why is it that our world is like there is no God in the heavens? Why did God issue the mercy of human folly and wickedness? And when we fear for the fate of Christianity in Europe, is it in fact that the world is actually afraid of a God?

The Saviour came into the world, with people going their own ways, unprepared to meet him. The people had for all times expected the coming of the Savior, but did not actually want or accept Him when he came.
Also, we celebrate Christmas in an environment in which the message of Jesus is often accompanied by neglect and indifference. There is plenty of folk creativity surrounding the event of the Incarnation of God, wrapped in tinsel to make His coming a harmless and meatless story. Even today, the coming Saviour is not given space in people's homes or in people's hearts, but they are hopelessly empty and longing for fulfillment. And maybe it's not just some strange and uninformed people before him not answering the door. Maybe with all of the distractions of everyday worries, we've forgotten the marvel at the angelic proclamation in Bethlehem, the night that God came towards men, and therefore came and stayed with us.

Many people, if they ever admit the existence of God, feel that God is a world away, he left because he is unwilling or unable to speak into our lives and our problems.

Christmas is a contrary message that existed once and for all time. Christmas is changing our lives and situations. When the angels said to the shepherds: "Fear not, behold I proclaim to you the great joy that will be for all people" , this is news for all who are bound by fear, insecurity and fear of the future. It is a message to those who are disappointed, who are at the heart of emptiness, with oppressive consciousness that his defeat on the cross was not able to remedy those in the dark alleys of life, even if only unconsciously, yearns to be loved, understood and accepted. The angel declared "Do not be afraid, " which became the refrain of all the great biblical stories, and now wants to reach people in distress, hopelessness and pessimism of our present.

Do not worry! Christ was born for those who are still not known to be his love. God is vulnerable, weak and defenseless as a child of Bethlehem, God is close, notable, solitary, who in his love is interest in all - for each of you. It is light, the light of Christmas, the shining night light in every darkness, a darkness that can not swallow the light. Do not expect dazzling lights that shine on ephemeral celebrities of our time. Christmas is happening in the hearts, where the light shines. My dear, I wish the grace of Christmas time to you in every situation, even in the darkest darkness may you find a light that enlightens every person that came into the world in Jesus Christ.

Slowly ending the year in which I was vouchsafed to thank the Lord for 40 years of priesthood and 60 years of life. I thank all my heart to you for your wishes and prayers. I thank Our Lord for you, for together we form the family of the Church, which He is the center and source of love and joy.
Blessed Christmas and God's protection and favor in the upcoming year and still you and your family!
Your brother,

ThMgr. Dušan Hejbal

Advent supported project in Tanzania

Expansion of a hospital ward of the Anglican Sisters of St. Mary in Sayuni.

With the alms of the Old Catholic churches in Germany and the collections for missionary work, the Community of St. Mary of Nazareth and Calvary (CMM) received support in Tanzania this year. The Sisters operate a health post, in Sayuni. The churches of the Union of Utrecht have been working for years to support the work of the Anglican Sisters in East Africa. The number of treated patients has increased rapidly in recent years, reports of Dr. Max-Beat Flückiger from Bern, who manages the project on behalf of the International Old Catholic diaconate. This also meant a greater demand for medicines and supplies.

Now the dispensary will be expanded into a hospital ward, thanks to donations and the hard work of the African Sisters: Cecilia, Anjelina, and Mariamu who are trained and experienced nurses. The development and supply of medicines was funded with 18,000 euros from a German Advent alms.


Address: The Convent, Kilimani, SLP 502, Masasi, Tanzania
Tel: +255-(59)251 0126

Old Catholic Church of America Feast Day: a lesson to be learned

Bishop Francis Xavier Resch

Bishop Carfora consecrated Francis Resch as bishop on December 8, 1940 who eventually became the archbishop of the Old Catholic Church of America (not a member or in communion with the Union of Utrecht).

Francis Resch qualified for the priesthood under Bishop Paul Francis Cope who ordained him March 5, 1939. Bishop Cope was consecrated by Archbishop James Bartholomew Banks of London who came specifically for that purpose to America and thus the Old Catholic Church of America was officially launched in May 1925. Bishop Banks was consecrated in 1922 by Bishop Willoughby and Willoughby in 1914 by Bishop Arnold Harris Mathew. 

As an Old Catholic priest, Father Resch was anxious to promote the growth and impact of the Church. Bishop Cope was, in the new priest's opinion, too conservative and deliberate, so yielding to the influences brought to bear upon him by Carforian clergy, withdrew from Cope's jurisdiction to that of Bishop Carfora. He describes this in a letter dated August 19, 1942 to Father Charles Bauer of Chicago:

"The growth of the church was very slow because of the Archbishop's great care and solicitude against taking in men who were not worthy of the trust. He hesitated taking men into the church until I came along . . . but because his hesitancy to expand and reach out, I withdrew and went over to the North American Old Roman Catholic Church. I was consecrated a bishop in that church by Carfora. I soon learned that I had made a great mistake in joining that church. I went back to Archbishop Cope, to bask again in the sunshine of a saintly man, a man of whom anyone could be proud, After coming back, he told me that he had intended to consecrate me to the bishopric and prevailed upon me to accept the office of auxiliary bishop, which I did. The Archbishop is very conscientious, and he has kept the church free from all evil influences."

Accepting Carfora's consecration of Resch as valid, Cope appointed Resch his auxiliary on June 15, 1941. He was insistent that the church distinguish itself as legitimately and theologically Old Catholic: 

"There are at the present time so many of the independent churches that it is hard to distinguish one from the other. There is only one way to know the Old Catholic Church of America and to distinguish it from the others, and that is by its purity of purpose, it honesty and its upright Christian polity." 

And again 

"We want to guard against Carforism. Our Church is clean and pure. Every man is a gentleman. Every man is a priest, a shepherd of souls. The Church is young and small but it is holy and without spot. The size of the church is less important than the nature and kind of clergy it possesses. We teach and believe all that ancient and historic Catholic Christendom teaches."

The Carforism which Bishop Cope wrote about was Carfora's policy of ordaining and consecrating clergy without formation, seminary, or laity who are calling for the ordination.  Fr. Henry Carfora had originally come from Italy as a Roman priest to work with the poor in America but found his work hampered by undue restrictions from his superiors and so left the Roman communion. He established several parishes in the United States and, being a volatile man, often embroiled himself in quarrels and squabbles concerning jurisdiction and church polity with his clergy. It seems that instead of taking the time and patience to work out difficulties, he would discover men with whom he thought he could work better and so would ordain or consecrate them bishops to supply clergy to his latest endeavors, often ignoring earlier efforts and the men he had ordained. Bishop Carfora was never averse to doing publicly that which tact would require be done privately and as a result the whole world would be a bemused spectator. This gave rise to many speculations about his work and the Old Catholic Church here in the United States which no doubt contributed to many of the problems encountered by Old Catholicism in its efforts to establish itself in the new country.

Today in America, there are still too many bishops following the spirit of Carfora versus the vision and practices of Bishops Cope and Resch. May all good souls find the courage to associate themselves with apostolic faiths which seek holiness and truth versus numbers and self promotion. 

Two Old Catholic Books Released

Old Catholic and Philippine Independent Ecclesiologies in History

This study researches the historical development of the self-understanding of the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Throughout the 20th century, both churches have been in a developing relationship with each other, resulting in full communion in 1965. In the same time period, both churches developed an ecclesiological self-understanding in which an ecclesiology of the national church gradually gave way to an ecclesiology of the local church. By outlining this development for each of these two churches and comparing the developments, the study gives insight both into the individual development of the two churches involved and shows how these developments relate to each other. In this way, the study presents a new historical portrait of these churches and their self-understanding. 
The book costs $217 USD or €159.00. If you are interested in the book but cannot afford it, consider recommending this book to your local library. You can do that from this website: Brill
Author
Peter-Ben Smit, Ph.D. (2005) in Theology, University of Bern; Habilitation (2009) in Theology, University of Bern; Th.D. in Anglican Studies (2011), General Theological Seminary, New York City, is Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies at VU University Amsterdam, Professor of Early Catholic Ecclesiology and Old Catholicism at Utrecht University, and Assistant Rector of the Old Catholic Parish of Amsterdam.


No. 49 Canon Law in Ecclesiological Context

On Friday December 2  the Center for Religion and Law at the Free University and the Old Catholic Seminary organized a Friday afternoon reading about the new book by Prof. J. Hallebeek: Canon law in ecclesiological context. An introduction to the canon law of the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands (Sliedrecht / Amersfoort: Book Merwe / Old Catholic Central Book House, 2011) (Publication Series Old Catholic Seminary 49). The meeting starts at 15:00 pm in BV-0H21 (Bellevue Building, next to the Main Building), De Boelelaan, Amsterdam. 
Canon Law in the Context of ecclesiological by Prof. J. Hallebeek. This book provides an introduction to the canon law of the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands (290 pages, illustrated). Professor Brook Hall's syllabus of Canon Law  over 25 years has grown into a handbook, which explains the historical context and identity of the Old Catholic church law. A very interesting and readable edition!
The book is written in Dutch and € 27.95 which can be purchased with an international credit card at: Bookstore
Author
Prof. Jan Hallebeek is Professor of European Law at the Faculty of Law of the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and professor of canon law at the Old Catholic Seminary. 

Where are the members of the Church of Christ in this time?

As we celebrate 140 years of the Old Catholic Church in Austria we ask, "Where is Christ's church heading at this time?" This question is a theme of our anniversary, it is a question to which - first of all - there is no clear answer, but it is a question to be asked, especially in this day and age. Yes, of course the direction of the church has many divergent forces. It often seems as if the breath of the Holy Spirit leads the ship of the church with no clear direction. There are numerous conferences and discussions in the ecumenical field, but especially in the Utrecht Union of Old Catholic Churches. This theme also affects the members of the church and especially the church leaders, bishops and synods.


Our question actually provokes another question: Where are the members of the Church of Christ in this time, What direction do the individual church members see in the church? As in all areas, we humans have very different opinions, and especially when it comes to the church and faith. Perhaps it is clear, when the person to the right and left of us in the pews pray the Creed. Some of them are willing profess it, because it is among the venerable treasures of our Church. Some people say it because it is long life habit, because - without thinking about why - we feel it just belongs to a complete service. Others are divided. Some people may struggle with the first sentence,  Creator of heaven and earth, and others may question the virgin birth, so what do we do? Still others find their anger that they should be constantly tied to something that is foreign to them, while others may hold the Creed as an internal discipline. And still others say even in the silence as they stand well outside the boundaries of the Church, when the creed is the connection among the Christians.


Answers to the question "Where is the Church of Christ in this time?" Could therefore postulate depend on the different opinions of church members and the claim: "It is the responsibility of the Church to conform to the present time, the modern people and their way of life and clean up old records and phrases - in short: The Church of our needs has to satisfy today'. When the Pope visited Germany last month was indeed exactly such a claim of the church members which had been formulated against the Pope: the Church has the needs of people today to satisfy! Satisfy the needs, sounds quite cheap and one-sided. The church leaders must look at each case to maintain dialogue with the church and members. But the church is not man-made institution, not a club. The church is not meant to satisfy needs, but to celebrate, especially mysteries. Here, dear sisters and brothers, we are at the heart of the matter. And it's useful to be aware, particularly in connection with our celebration of it. If we humans ask "Where is the Church,"  we express the need for a guide. We are looking for guidance during the confusion of our time and our world.


We are now call to mind that we are celebrating in Austria the 140 years the Old Catholic Church, and bring to attention just one of the most important landmarks of the church, the church service. In the celebration of God's Word and the Eucharist, prayer and singing of songs we actually live spirituality. The spirituality meets a need of many people of our time. This is evidenced by the bookstore shelves today, there are a lot of books on spiritual topics. What is important now, however, is that we not only to read such books, but to live the spirituality with other people in the community of worship and the whole church and celebrate this faith.


There are people who criticize and complain, that the service is always the same. This is true, so we can train our ability to focus and spirituality, much like we do for the mental and physical fitness. But the proclamation of the Gospel message each time draws attention to another aspect. The readings also show for today's feast:


There is this famous and popular Psalm 23 in which the Lord is represented as a shepherd who cares for us, protects us in our lives, comforts us in dark and difficult times, and strengthens, refreshes and nourishes our souls, so that we lack nothing and we are safe in it. In this psalm also appears the signs by which we have earlier expressed our need. It is the shepherd himself in verse 3 it says: "He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name" The Good Shepherd shows us the way and lead us so that our lives can succeed. But we must keep asking ourselves whether we really move forward on this right path, if we let ourselves be guided by the shepherd, if we have learned to listen to his voice.


Even the teachers of the law, we meet in Luke's Gospel for today's feast is, the question of whether he is on the right path. With his question, what he must do to gain eternal life, but he puts Jesus to the test. This question, however, is asked in return: "What does the Law say? What do you read there? Immediately comes the detailed response of the teacher of the Law: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart and soul, with all your strength and all thy mind, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself. The teachers of the law therefore knows perfectly well where the meaning of life can be found: in the love of God, to themselves and to others. All people know that a meaningful life has something to do with love. If we were to ask random people how to imagine a meaningful and happy life, then hardly anybody's money, external beauty and the power would be at the center. We all know that true happiness is only in the gift-giving and love and can be found in healthy, redemptive relationships. The commandment of love is all that is written into the human heart.


So what is direction of Church of Christ? Or: Where is the leadership of the Church of Christ at this time? When it comes to the church it is not merely a secular society, a club, but about the church, which is the Body of Christ, then the answer is clear. The Church as a whole, its members, part of the Body of Christ must be guided in all their actions, thoughts and feelings to the Lord the Church of Jesus Christ. He is the guide for us. It indicates the direction. We must follow him. He told us: "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh to the Father except through me" (Jn 14, 6).



+ Fritz-René Müller
Bishop Emeritus of the Old Catholic Church of Switzerland


[Translated poorly by Fr. Jakob Lazarus. It is not a good translation but it was too good of a homily not to attempt a translation] 

Dr. Peter-Ben Smit: The New Testament Canon in the Early Church

"The New Testament Canon in the Early Church: Development and Significance"
On November 30, 2011, theologian Prof. Dr. Peter-Ben Smit gives his inaugural address at Utrecht University. He will examine how the canon of the New Testament was created in the early church, and how the function of the canon was the explanation - or exegesis - of Scripture. 
Can something come about by human hands and become absolute authority? And how earlier generations and interpreting communities determine how a text is read? These questions are in the background when it comes to the formation of the biblical canon in the early church, and the historical and theological importance.
Smit states in his speech it is not the form or extent of the canon which is of central importance in the early church "canonical exegesis, but rather the interaction between text, faith and community. This thesis brings it into dialogue with current biblical studies and church history and tradition of the ancient Catholic practice of theology."
The lecture is open to the public.
Prof. Dr. Peter-Ben Smit professor at Utrecht University Foundation for the Old Catholic Seminary, teaching in the Old Catholic Church structures (as well as holding doctrines and history of Old Catholicism). He fulfills his teaching at the Faculty of Humanities, Department of Religious Studies and Theology. 
Recently published by him, Old Catholic and Philippine Independent Ecclesiologies in History. The Catholic Church in Every Place Brill's Series in Church History 52 (Leiden: Brill, 2011) and Franz Segbers: Alberto B. Ramento. Bishop of Workers and Peasants. A prophetic testimony of a bishop and his church (Hilversum / Goes Sync. Creative Productions / Nilsson, 2011).

Interview with the Bp. Ludwig Michael Jaklonski, of the Mariavite Old Catholics

[please forgive my poor translation]

The last, 26 meetings of the mixed committee for theological dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Old Catholic Church Mariavites has held in Wloclawek.

Those who took part in the dialogue were Michael Bishop Louis Mary Jablonski (Old Catholic Church's chief bishop Mariavites RP, Bishop of the Diocese of Warsaw-Plock), Bishop Bronislaw Dembowski (Professor papal theological faculty in Warsaw). The ceremonial meeting was also attended by Bishop Piotr Libera of Plock.

CONVERSATION WITH Maria Ludwig Michael Jablonski

Rafal Kowalski: Did the deliberations of the committee bring the Roman Catholic and Mariavite Old Catholic communities nearer or more further apart?

Michael Bishop Louis Mary Jablonski: The differences remained. The Roman Catholic Church continues to uphold the decision of 1906 of excommunication St.Mary Frances Kozlowska, founder of the Mariavites. Although it was emphasized that the excommunication does not apply to now living Mariavites. We, in turn, do not accept the findings of Vatican Council I concerning the primacy and infallibility of the pope.This does not mean that there is a gulf between us. On the contrary, one and the other party are of the opinion to emphasize what is common. Mariavites and Roman Catholics recognize seven such sacraments, celebrate Mass., Adoring the Blessed Sacrament, veneration of Our Lady. At the same time celebrate Christmas, Easter and Corpus Christi. It is worth quoting the words of Mary Frances Kozlowska: "How the hope in the coming of the Messiah-King of the Jews failed, faith in the dogmas of the division of nations, so love unites all." And at the end of the meeting the committee hear words referring to the reconciliation of Christians: "We believe and confess together that reconciliation, if it occurs, is not only our human work, but primarily the work of the Holy Spirit.".

As Bishop how do you react, to seeing Roman Catholics coming to the temple to pray Mercy and Love?

- I see nothing surprising in this. They are attracted by the atmosphere of our church and know that God is one. In every temple of the Christian cross hanging reminiscent of the saving sacrifice of the Son of God. I think it dispels doubts Skępego annual pilgrimage to which a number of years stopped briefly in front of our cathedral to honor the presence of the Eucharist, the Saviour of the World. It is worth noting that our temple invariably attracts tourists and płocczan. You should have seen the crowds of participants walking holiday, which was organized recently.

Despite this, Bishop meets with Mariavites stereotypes?- Perhaps in Polish society, which is the dominant Roman Catholic church, still remembers the founder mariawityzmu only as a person was anathema, does not recognize her revelations - the work of the Grand Charity as a last resort for the world in reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and the invocation of Our Help of God. We continue to occur over time in some publications - or in the history of the parish, in which a Mariavitism - information that we heresy or sect. Mariawitom sometimes attributed to events that never took place. Here's an example. In the history of a parish located in Warsaw, was the information about the alleged burning of the church by Mariavites. By moving this matter at a meeting of the committee, Bishop Bronislaw Dembowski action and my humble self, managed to remove offensive Mariavites text. And one more thing: could hardly anyone knows, but close to us in the church of St. Bartholomew on one of the side altars placed an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help offered by Saint. Frances Maria Kozlowska. It is our common Mother of God and let connects us all Christians.

From these negative voices on Mariavites?- Maybe there is lingering approach to minorities? Yes it is still, unfortunately, that when we see someone on the street with a different skin color, at least to wonder.But this is changing. Even in Plock, as evidenced by at least an annual week ecumenical, Catholic-mariawicka commission or pilgrimage to Skępego said. Yes, it happens that we smash the glass. But I hope it's only a hooligan behavior.

It is difficult to maintain such a large church?

- It is not easy. Effort to maintain the Temple of Mercy and Love with the monastery complex is incumbent upon all the faithful of our Church. In Plock, there are about a hundred. In 2014 we will celebrate our centenary building of the cathedral, and I hope that by then we will get sufficient funds to complete renovation of the monument. Needed are a lot of money, but I always have to have hope. Therefore I would like to express my gratitude to the authorities for the renovation of the existing Plock installation illuminating the dome of the temple and for bearing the costs of its maintenance. Due to these acts of vandalism I hope also that will be installed close monitoring.

Religions for Peace

This coming Thursday, 1 December 2011, the group "Religions for Peace" celebrates in Regensburg its 20th anniversary. Bishop Matthias Ring will attend the ceremony, which will take place in the ballroom of Regensburg Thon-Dittmer-Palais.Regensburg as a pastor he was Vice Chairman of RFP Regensburg.
The Religions for Peace group in Regensburg began with a common prayer for peace of over five hundred people of different faiths and religions on the eve of the Gulf War in 1991. Since then, the Regensburg group well over a hundred events have played in dialogue with religious communities in the city. The focus of the "RFP Regensburg group" is the monthly meeting with people of other religions in the religious centers of Regensburg. The multi-faith prayer for peace with participants from at least four major religions is the annual highlight of the meeting work. The Old Catholic Church is an active member since 1993. RFP is an international organization in 1970 as an accredited at the United Nations NGO (Non Governmental Organization) was constituted.

Bishop Dr. Ring at Jewish ordination ceremony

Rabbi Dr. Walter Homolka 

On 23 November  five graduates of Abraham Geiger College at the University of Potsdam Rabbis were ordained. The ordination ceremony was attended by Bishop Matthias Ring.

The Old Catholic Diocese has good and friendly relations with the Abraham Geiger College. The rector of the college, Dr. Walter Homolka, took part in the 2010 Episcopal consecration of Dr. Matthias Ring in Karlsruhe and spoke a word of blessing. The Pastoral Synod in Bad Herrenalb in 2000, took place  in the presence of Chief Rabbi Dr. Homolka, a clear acknowledgment of guilt for the failure of the Old Catholic Church in the era of National Socialism. The then Bishop Joachim VoBB then said in his speech to launch the request for forgiveness: "It was not just the fault of this or that Christians, this or that Old Catholics, the personal debt that the parties must agree with themselves or had . There was and is also the fault of the institution and its official representatives in official mission! It was founded by pastors and synodal bodies here and there hailed the dawn of the new era! It was the public position of some abused for praise of the leader. ... It was not stopped even before the Holy: Chance were sermons misused for propaganda, sacraments, to the exclusion of "Bishop VoBB emphasized at the time, with a few exceptions had to find a reasonably bold statements or at least clear delineation attempts of the Church in the period in question compared to the Nazis in vain. Bishop Matthias Ring has written a dissertation published in 2008 about the Old Catholic Church in Germany in the era of National Socialism.

Five years of lesbian and gay services in Karlsruhe

For five years, the Old Catholic Church in Karlsruhe is the host of the so-called "Queer services" that are held about every two months in the Old Catholic Church of the Resurrection. To mark the anniversary, Bp. Matthias  Ring attended the church service.

Dialogue between Roman Catholic and Old Catholic Church continues

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, together with Msgr. Matthias Türk, the delegation of the Old Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Union of Utrecht was received for an interview in Rome. The Old Catholic Archbishop Joris Vercammen delegation comprised Chairman of the Old Catholic Bishops 'Conference of the Union of Utrecht, Prof. Urs von Arx, University of Bern, and the Rev. Joan L. Jebelean from Lucerne, ecumenical officer of the Old Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Union of Utrecht.

The representatives of the two churches informed each other about the reception of the report "Church and Community Church" of the International Joint Commission Römisch-katholisch/Alt-katholischen . The conversation took place in a very cordial and trusting atmosphere. It is understood that it was chosen with the work of the Commission's "Dialogue in Truth and Love" managed to create a new basis of mutual trust, which will be further expanded.

There was an exchange about the current state of ecumenical talks between the two churches with other churches. The reasoning of the Old Catholic side, possibly to act as observers in the Old Catholic / Roman Catholic dialogues with the Orthodox and Anglicans, is checked with the dialogue partners.

It was further noted that the issue is the relationship between universal and local Church is the most important problem of the dialogue. This ratio should be related to the primacy issue here. Even the early church consensus "no Eucharist community without a church community" deserves more attention, listening in connection with the discussions between the Catholic Diocese of Old Catholics in Germany and the Evangelical Church in Germany, which took place in 1985 and to an "agreement on a reciprocal invitation have led to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist. " Even the church communion between Anglicans and Old Catholics should be addressed. Other topics to be addressed are the issues of women's ordination and the Marian dogmas.

Finally, the delegations agreed to continue the work of the Commission the text of "Church and Community Church." A new international dialogue commission will start working in early 2012. In addition, the text "Church and Community Church" will soon be in English and French are available.

German Old Catholic awarded for work in Rwanda

Old-Catholic Volunteer receives Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for volunteer work in Rwanda.

25-year-old Saskia Scholten wins along with 13 other young women and men of the Federal President Christian Wulff with the Medal of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ceremony will took place in the park of Schloss Bellevue. The awardees are all 25 to 31 years old. Overall, the President has invited 170 young people committed to the celebration. Saskia Scholten has worked in a special way for partnership working in Rwanda.

Saskia Scholten was born in 1986 in Landau. Their spiritual roots lie in the Old Catholic parishes in Landau and Karlsruhe. Since 1993 she is member of the German scouts St. George. "The scouts I've learned with open eyes to go through life, to look and me to form my opinion - but to stand and to act accordingly," said Ms. Scholten. She was one of 200,000 Scouts and Boy Scouts in Germany, the world would leave little better than they found them ..

In 2005, she went through a volunteer service for five months after Rwanda. There she has taught include AIDS orphans in English. She describes her experiences in a Rwanda-diary (published in Iatros-Verlag). The proceeds from the book sale is a social project for orphans in the twin city of Landau, Ruhango benefit. In January 2011, Ms. Scholten finished her psychology degree and continuing to make a psychological psychotherapist.

"I can hardly believe that I was just selected" as Saskia Scholten. "To a certain extent I take the Merit also representative of many Scouts and Girl Scout, and otherwise contrary to Committed."

The other awardees are committed to including environmental and climate change, international and intercultural youth work, in the prevention of sexual violence, for children of parents who died of AIDS in the volunteer fire department and in the international dialogue among Christian youth.

Bp. Alberto Ramento martyr, the bishop of the workers and peasants

This fall, Old Catholics in the Netherlands remember  the five years since Bishop Ramento was murdered in the Philippines. The Old Catholic Church in Amsterdam celebrates a Mass for Bishop Alberto B. Ramento and other martyrs for justice and peace.

That afternoon, a book about Bishop Ramento was presented as a small monument. It is a tribute to someone who was a shepherd for his people and set an example for everyone who has taken on ecclesiastical office.
Five years ago, Bishop Alberto Ramento killed for his testimony. With more conviction than ever the Philippine Independent Church chooses to stand on the side of the poor. Violence has an incompatible alliance with Christianity and those who are oppressed. The book is about this alliance. There are texts written by Bishop Ramento himself and others that followed his tragic death have brought their relationship into words. Our hope is that the publication of these texts in Dutch may encourage us all more to the "alliance": the poor in the Philippines in particular, and with all who suffer for righteousness in general.
The price of the book is 15.95 euro (excl. shipping). The next week will be ordered through the webshop. The bishops have requested during the service on October 9 not only to being the book to attention to the parish but also to bring Bishop Ramento and other martyrs for justice and peace to our prayers.

Its German title is: "Catholic at the time of globalization. In memory of Bishop Alberto Ramento martyr, the bishop of the workers and peasants". The book is also being translated into French.

Church in Zaandam back into use

It is not often anymore, but the Old Catholic parish in Zaandam will again use the Mary Magdalene church. The organ was restored and the interior renovated.
Since the merger of two parishes in 1978, the church in Zaandam was no longer in use as a parish. But the parish board of Krommenie believes that at least once a month Mass can be held for parishioners interested in Zaandam. These churches are courageous for attempting this expansion at this difficult time.


History
After the reformation in 1574, Catholics were no longer allowed to go to church in their familiar St. Mary Magdalen Church. This church was stripped of its altar and its images.The church was like any other Catholic churches in the state church of the Reformed or Calvinists.
It lasted until 1630 when a priest from Purmerend came to Zaandam on the calf farm in a remote place where he could keep his services. This is quite late compared Krommenie where this took place in 1612 on a similar farm.
A small church was built in 1652. A real and larger church was only built in 1695 at the Jacob Dirkxpad. There was a lot of pressure not to have this church  but it was still allowed. Here one can hardly speak of clandestine church.
In 1725 the building after some struggles by the mayor and elders assigned the church to the Roman Catholic Bishops of the Old Clergy, who later were called  Old Catholics. It was not until 1798 that religious freedom was guaranteed.
In 1806 the gallery has been removed and the organ was transferred in 1809 from the then closed hidden churches.
The Zaandam Mary Magdalene parish in 1978 merged with the parish of St. Nikolaus of Krommenie.
This church has not been back in use because of its state of dilapidation, and there was a plan to demolish the church and a new building to put there. By matter of Conservation and several charitable organizations, this building has been saved.
The church space is difficult to describe, one must in its serenity and stillness, experience its beauty with its antique furniture and paintings.

Old and New Catholics

Bishop Vercammen's book "Old and new Catholics the spiritual quest of other Catholics " is now available through the webshop .Price:  € 15.95 excl shipping (with postage € 18.00). 

A good mission statement of the Old Catholic Church and material for discussion.

The traditional churches have a hard time. Amid the turbulent developments in culture and society they fail to speak to the world in a positive way. Life has not become any less complex, in recent decades. That just makes the need for great inspiration. Fortunately, most people have everything they need to live comfortably. But it is this gnawing spiritual need which is not satisfied. Sometimes faith communities respond to this, but often it seems that the church has not been able to create that space. Catholic spirituality holds freedom as a central element of the faith. The freedom allows us to be connected to one another. Catholicism connects  the culture and society, with fellow-believers in global Christianity, and all their churches, but also with other religions. In that connection we find each other in church meeting rooms, conversations and celebrations. Such a church offers the space for believers to decipher traces of the Trinity. Such a church builds from the bottom up. In this way it contributes to the quality of life and the dignity of the living. The Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands knows how to serve that ideal. Old and New Catholic outlines the spiritual quest of the 'other Catholics'. As a contribution to a modern Catholic religious experience "homegrown". Valkhof Press Edition.ISBN 9789056253530.

New Pastor in Ninove: Fr. Kenneth Coppens

Last Sunday, Fr. Kenneth Coppens (25) became the new pastor of the Chapel of Our Lady of Beech Tree. during Sunday's Eucharistic celebration. Fr. Kenneth is the young priest in the Ecumenical Catholic Community of the Good Shepherd, a community neither under the Vatican or Utrecht.

The chapel is not easy to find. Especially in the summer because the chapel is surrounded by greenery. But through the business area Brakelsesteenweg you come after one hundred meters to the Mariaweg. The path takes you to the idyllic chapel.

"It was built in 1661 by a man who was thankful for the miraculous healing of his wife. Unfortunately, vandals have recently passed and many windows were smashed, but the insurance is taking care of it, "says Brother Kenneth of the Ecumenical Catholic Community.

"The difference with Roman Catholics? We are not bound by celibacy, we also accept gay men and lesbians or divorcees. My own parents divorced. Who are we to force people into a miserable life going forward? "

Born in Ninove

The installation of the young priest for the chapel is unique because that town never before had someone qualified in the 350-year history to serve as a priest. The priest came to celebrate mass sometimes, but they never dedicated the chapel. This compliments Brother Kenneth's role as pastor for funerals in Bruges. "

Brother Kenneth was born and raised in Ninove Onkerzele. At a young age he felt the calling to become a priest. His preparation for the priesthood began in 2006 and he became a priest in 2010.

The chapel dates from 1661. From now on they will be used daily. "I want to celebrate mass every day at 5:30. Half an hour earlier there will be a rosary because this chapel is a pilgrimage place. "

In the chapel are currently 50 seats in a pavilion nearby, there are even more.

"I'm happy with 50 believers."

The appointment took place Sunday, June 26 at 5:30pm. Brother Kenneth was installed as Pastor by Brother Gino, Bishop of the Good Shepherd communities in Belgium.

Feast of St. Willibrord: dancing procession of Echternach

Echternach - 14 June 2011 - Since the medieval town of Echternach, Luxembourg is the center of the so-called "dancing procession" in honor of St. Willibrord (ca.658 -739). On 'the third day of Pentecost, "many thousands of Catholic pilgrims commemorate the Anglo-Saxon monk who established Christianity in northwest Europe.

The celebrations were inaugurated last night in the basilica by Mgr. Fernand Franck, Archbishop of Luxembourg. Bishop Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg in Germany held a recital. Bishops from across the Benelux, France and Germany were present.

The pilgrimage was happy today, besides sun and a good temperature, there was considerable international interests, both from the participants and the spectators. Since last year, the procession to the Immaterial World Heritage List of UNESCO, which only increases the interest.

The participants of the procession are connected with white handkerchiefs and jump to special marches forward, alternately on their left and right foot. The origin of this use is unknown.

Like other years the procession began and ended in the center of town to the abbey founded in 698 by Willibrord. In the crypt lie the bones in a marble sarcophagus that covers the simple Merovingian coffin.

Willibrord was known as the "apostle of the Frisians' (or 'apostle of the lowlands'), spread out from the Lauwers to Luxembourg and Germany until well into the existing Denmark. Willibrord  was consecrated archbishop of the Frisians in 695 by Pope Sergius I. It was an old Roman fort on the site of the present seat of Utrecht. The St. Willibrord, the patron of the Dutch church province.

Both the Roman Catholic archbishop Wim Eijk as the Old Catholic Archbishop Joris Vercammen, were both present at the procession in Echternach, and are considered (the 71st and 83rd, respectively) successors of Willibrord. Both the Roman Catholic St. Catharine's Cathedral and the Old Catholic Cathedral  of St. Gertrude house relics of St. Willibrord.

Kerken Nacht "Church Night" 2011

At least ten places on the weekend of 24/25/26 June will hold a church night. Even a few old Catholic parish will participates in this. For an evening and night the churches' massive doors opened and offer a varied spiritual, social and cultural programs. The Church Night allure was once highly enjoyed in the Dutch countryside.

Koos van Noppen is coordinator of the church in Amersfoort night and everyday life working for the Inner Mission League (IZB). In some articles, he explained the background of the organization of such a large event. His story is about the Bedrock, but stands as a symbol for the other towns.

Church Night 2011 is the largest event that the local Council of Churches in Amersfoort has ever organized. As many as 45 Churches and Christian faith communities will open their doors Saturday night June 25, each with its own program.

The initiative for the organization was born in the bosom of the Protestant town of Amersfoort. Soon hooked to the Roman Catholic parish, together, the two major church denominations seventeen locations throughout the city. But under the umbrella of the local Council of Churches is a whole string of other smaller denominations, ranging from the Reformed Church, to the Orthodox Parish, to the Old Catholics, and the Dutch-Reformed.

Link to: kerken nacht

Dutch Delegation Condemns Violence Against Homosexuals

Members of the Dutch delegation of the World Council of Churches, asked the Idaho initiative to support and to condemn violence against homosexuals. Ds. Peter Verhoeff, president of the general synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, made this call during a workshop which dealt with homosexuality.

Ds. Wielie Elhorst, chairman of the HTL (National KoördinatiePunt homosexuality and church groups) had Tuesday challenged the churches in the Netherlands during a forum in the cathedral to the position of homosexuals firmer to raise during the international peace conference in Kingston, Jamaica. The Dutch churches signed a Declaration against Violence against homosexuals: "Our aim is committed to including in our international church contacts with representatives of other religions who are homophobic, have gay hostility, gay hatred and have violence to fight against homosexuals. "

The Old Catholic Church was represented by the Bishop of Haarlem, Mgr. Dick Schoon.

Verhoeff came back to this in Kingston. With Geesje Werkman Church in Action, he visited the workshop of the European Forum of LGTB (Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Transger groups). Geesje Werkman says, that there are about fifty people attended the workshop from all over the world. The room - which was quite small - was packed.

Geesje Werkman spoke of the inspiring meeting. "The power was palpable. There were portraits of people who have been tortured, or murdered because of their sexuality and people were humiliated and were placed in isolation. One prominent example is the murder of David Kato in Uganda."

Workman: "It's sad to see how churches often have dirty hands in this area. The LGTB showed a part of the work, including training, Bible study, empowerment and coaching. This work is weather or other local groups, regional development, and contributes to the emancipation of homosexuals in many places in Europe.

Workman: "We talked in groups about how to create safe places for people with a different orientation in the church. The results were, although with some difference in one direction, namely: The church is a place where Christians relate with fellow believers and with God and Jesus, but if churches create barriers to be there, then people will not hear the message. The churches has to go for inclusiveness, said the tenor of the group, including its theology must include people, not exclude, and this applies not only in terms of homosexuality, but in many areas.

Ds. Peter Verhoeff advised all present to their church to call for and end to violence against homosexuals and for the vast majority of the Dutch churches to mark the International Day Against homophobia (IDAHO) and put their signatures under a statement of that effect.

The organization took us back to a statement by Bishop Desmond Tutu: "Jesus was very serious when He said that God is our Father, and we all belong to one family ... Lesbian and gay, so called straight people - people of all origin and colors-all belong to this family, and all are loved and precious. "

Finally, it was reported that the work of the Forum among others, is possible thanks to a sizeable contribution to the Church in Action.

Below is the verbatim text of the Religious Declaration against Violence against homosexuals
Utrecht, May 17, 2011


In our country, violence occurs regularly - subtle and less subtle - to gays and lesbians. They are beaten, harassed, bullied or abused, and may live to see their cars being vandalized or defaced their home is. In many places they do not dare to come out that they are homosexual.


To mark the International Day Against homophobia (IDAHO) , we declare as representatives of the Dutch churches following:

We do not think in all respects to homosexuality, but we are one in the belief that man is created in the image of God and precious in his eyes. Therefore, people treat each other with dignity - respectful, peaceful and loving - and violence against homosexuals, in whatever form, out of the question.

From violating human rights, we say now: that is wrong. Today we highlight in particular with the violation of human rights concerns of homosexuals. This includes all forms of physical, psychological and verbal violence against homosexuals and inciting such violence. Anyone who uses violence against the person as image bearer of God, ignores the call of Christ to God and to love our neighbor. In our faith communities, the human dignity of homosexuals sometimes violated by unloving and without understanding them to go.

We want our work to ensure in every possible way the dignity of all people to defend. We call upon believers in our churches not to give power to any form of violence against homosexuals. Churches want the example of Christ, for meeting space. They want a safe place for everyone, including homosexuals.

We call on everyone to their own place in society to provide an environment where gays feel safe and so are contributing to a secure environment in our society.

We would always endeavor to church in our international contacts and our contacts with representatives of other religions homophobia, gay hostility, hatred and violence against homosexuals gay combat.

History reminds us that violence contradicts the will of God

Panelist of the Peace Conference

A delegation of nine Dutch attended the peace conference of the World Council of Churches in Kingston (Jamaica) from 18 to 24 May 2011. Approximately one thousand representatives of churches and non-governmental organizations are working together to find a way to achieve peace in the whole world in accordance with the message of Jesus.

The council declared, "we believe that peace and working for peace an irreplaceable aspect of our faith." Peace is a gift and and a vocation. The convention examines the big picture, but is nevertheless not naive. Peace begins with the recognition that human trafficking is a form of violence. The convention was not discussing peace as if they were in a vacuum. All the major crises of the last seventy years have passed. Testimonies were impressive to listen to as a survivor of Hiroshima, the Dalits in India or the Armenian Archbishop of Baghdad, Mgr. Avak, and much more. It was also that in some conflicts, the churches were directly or indirectly involved. Sometimes it was the rulers who shamelessly used religion to resort to arms. Churches have sometimes been complacent because they do not otherwise dare, or - which is worse - because they believe themselves to profit from it. The final message states that Christians are therefore complicit in the violence in the world.

But we have also made progress, according to the findings. Together with other religions we are ready to regard "peace" as a core value of faith . Now all believers declare that war should be declared illegal. Immediately a concrete action. Christians and churches must meet at this point to continue to lead the way by inspiring each other, and to correct each other. On his own, no one can guarantee their own integrity, there is too much impurity which can easily seduce. But fortunately there are also broader social movements, such as Amnesty International, who are committed to reducing violence and war. It would be a good thing if more churches would declare solidarity with the aims and actions of these movements.

No peace without justice: peace is always a "just peace" or it is not peace. Of course, it is all good to reducing violence, however, that does not solve the problems of social injustice. Weapons will only be silenced for good when the most rejected in the world achieves justice. The churches should be counted on to fight oppression and discrimination, for whatever reason.

The same is true for environmental issues. "The environmental crisis is fundamentally a moral and spiritual crisis," the final message. Churches would therefore like to urge governments to work to develop an ecologically sustainable economy which will immediately brings us to fight poverty. It is scandalous that so much money goes to weapons while we desperately need to combat poverty so that all people have enough to eat. There must be a shift in economic thinking and acting towards an economy where social responsibility is the focus of the assessment.
"History reminds us that violence contradicts the will of God and is never able to resolve conflicts." Therefore, we must not depend on the doctrine of 'just war', which is not actually a road to peace. Instead we need to develop a doctrine of 'just peace'.

The ecumenical movement puts justice and peace as the heart of the movement. The commitment of the churches for justice and peace is indeed the nature of the churches' relationship with each other, even more than the theological projects they undertake together. Yet this commitment of the churches is even furthered by theological thought. There are already important steps in the call for just peace- the preparatory document for the convention (by the Council of Churches published in Dutch in 2009) - remains an important task for the future. The project "Catholicism and Globalization" has already been started by the Union of Utrecht with the Philippine Independent Church and the Episcopal Church.