AF asks:

Discussing the current situation of our oldcatholic churches in the German-speaking forum “Kreuzgang” some questions aroused concerning the PNCC, which I hereby present to you in the hope, you are so friendly to answer them.

How many members does the PNCC actually have?
Does the PNCC still teach that the proclamation of the Word of God is a sacrament?
Is hell a temporally state and is the teaching of eternal condemnation in opposition to your doctrine?
Is the PNCC in communion with the Oldcatholic Church of the Czech Republic?
Do you recognize churches as catholic, who are admitting women to the sacramental order of the diaconate?
Will the PNCC break communion with the Polish-Catholic Church in Poland, when they maintain their communion with the churches of the Utrecht Union in the case of the consecration of a woman-bishop?
How does the PNCC describe the current situation to be in communion with the Polish-Catholic Church, who itself is standing in continuous communion with UU-churches even after the introduction of women-ordination? Is it an ecclesiological problem for the PNCC or in some regards a matter of debate? Can this specific situation be described as “triangular”?

Is among the faithful or the clergy of the PNCC the hope still alive, that our churches will repeal the false doctrines introduced during the last decades (some of us regard at least the introduction of this and other innovations as irregular)?
Is there a consciousness that we – upon the common faith as declared in the declaration of Utrecht and in respect to the enjoyed communion of over 90 years – are belonging to the same church-family? Is the schisme felt as a deplorable state, that according the Lord’s will should be healed?
Or would you describe it as a permanent separation, that due to the circumstances inevitably occurred and will last for a indefinite term, so that we, the tiny group of guideless Oldcatholics in Western Europe should seek protection by an orthodox (PNCC-)bishop?
And at last: Do you know a German-speaking priest or theologically educated layman, who would like to join our online-discussion?

In the hope to be endorsed in your prayers!

AF

P.S. If you permitt, I would eventually quote some of your answers in the forum. We gather there as disillusioned old-catholics being concerned about the state of faith in our motherchurches after having realized that we are governed by ideologically fixed liberal ex-roman-catholic convertits.

AF,

Thank you for your questions. Please feel free to quote my answers, but please do understand that I am answering not on behalf of the entire Polish National Catholic Church.

Currently, the PNCC in the United States and Canada has around 8,000 – 10,000 members or parishioners.

The PNCC does still uphold the Word of God as a Sacrament, in the hearing of the Word and the preaching of the Sermon.

There was some historical confusion about the teaching of eternal hell or damnation in the PNCC due to an article written by Bishop Hodur. Some accused him of being a ‘universalist’ concerning salvation and damnation. However, this is not accurate as Bp. Hodur also wrote on several occasions about God’s judgment upon each person. To be honest, at one time the theology on eternal hell could have been different, however, it is my opinion that due to the large number of Roman Catholic clergy and laity that have embraced the faith of the PNCC that the current teachings are in line with the Roman Catholic Church. We still confess our sins at every mass and in private, and we still pray for the souls of the departed.

We are not in communion with the Czech Church.

Last year, the Bishops of the PNCC issued the ‘Declaration of Scranton’ which is mostly based on the ‘Declaration of Utrecht’ but does include the PNCC’s position on womens ordination and gay marriage as being ‘inventions’ of the UU and Anglican Communion which the PNCC does not uphold as part of the Catholic faith. So the PNCC does not recognize the churches of the UU as being validly Catholic anymore.

We consider the Polish Catholic Church (PNKK) to be a sister church and only time will tell what will happen with their relationship to the rest of the UU and the PNCC. But for now, we are sister churches.

I do believe the the clergy and laity of the PNCC are not hopeful that the UU churches will recant of their liberal inventions and thus the PNCC will not return to full communion with the UU.

Recently, some Lutherans in Norway and an Episcopal Church in Italy have come under the wing of the PNCC due to our Bishop of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese, Bp. Peplowski’s willingness to work with them at a distance.

I think it would be wonderful if those Old Catholic Churches in Europe who have maintained an orthodox Catholic faith would seek refuge under the guidance of a PNCC bishop!

I currently do not know of any PNCC priests who speak German. But I will pass the message along that you are seeking someone to join your discussion.

You will remain in my prayers,

Fr. Adam Egan

Tyler asks:

I have been reading about the National Catholic Church on the internet. I have visited several blogs and parish websites, and I really think that this denomination has potential! It seems to be a breath of fresh air, but why is the PNCC not promoting itself?

Is there any attempt to do some kind of national advertising campaign?

It is a shame that no one really knows about this Church.

Nice blog!

AskthePNCC answers:

Tyler, thank you for your question and comments!

I am going to be honest and critical for a moment, as is my right, at least I think it is since I am a priest in the PNCC; to be hard on the Church if need be!

We are not doing enough to promote the mission and faith of the PNCC!  That is why no one knows about the denomination.  There does need to be a stronger effort to ‘get the word out’ about our faith.

For some parishes this task has been taken on by running television ads.  I am not sure as to the results of these ads though.  I think this might be discussed at our next General Synod in October of 2010 (or at least I hope it is).

And here is the critical part;  advertising on a national level would take serious funding, and while I do believe that the faithful of the Church would be willing to raise money for a national campaign we are currently raising money for other ventures instead.  Our priorities need to be focused on growing in mission and faith. 

Thanks again for your questions, and if you live near a PNCC parish stop in some Sunday morning!

Anna Frederick asks:

“Are the priests ordained or how do they become priests? Is the Polish National church a part of the Roman Catholic church? Is it under the Popes jurisdiction? and if not who is the head of the church and how are the priests ordained?”

AskthePNCC answers:

Anna,

The priests of the Polish National Catholic Church are indeed ordained by either the Diocesan Bishop or by the Prime Bishop.   The Holy Orders of the PNCC are valid according to our ordination rite.  The Holy Orders of the PNCC are recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

The PNCC is not under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, although the PNCC does recognize the Pope as “First Among Equals” the same as the Orthodox Churches.

We have a Prime Bishop, similiar to the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church or Lutheran Church.  The Prime Bishop is located in Scranton, PA and is usually the one who ordains men to the preisthood.

To view some photos of a priestly ordination in the PNCC please click the following link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/george.urciuoli/Ordination#5271480299554928626

Thank you for your questions,

Peace be with you!

Fr.  Philip Reese asks:

Does your Church have any monastic institutions? If a parishioner in your parish is inspired by St. Benedict or St. Francis and feels called to this way of life, where would you send him (or her)?

AskthePNCC answers:

At the current time, the PNCC does not have any monastic institutions. As far as I know, there was a group of sisters in Chicago who ran a hospital that were part of the PNCC, but it has been a long time since then.

I myself would love to see a religious community in the PNCC, but we have had little to no interest from members of the PNCC in beginning such a community.

Also, the PNCC does not have anything in the Constitution for the acceptance or formation of a religious community, so this would have to be written in, which would not take much.

If a person came to me with a call to monastic life, I would refer him/her/them to the diocesan bishop in hopes that if they are truly called and committed, then the bishop would be willing to work with them to begin a community.

Thank you for you question,

Peace Be With You!

The most Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Polish National Catholic Church have been posted on the FAQ’s page, please feel free to browse the questions and answers. 

If you would like to ask more questions about the PNCC please feel free to post a question.

Peace be with you!

Welcome to askthepncc.wordpress.com. 

The purpose of this site/blog is to answer any questions you may have about the Polish National Catholic Church. 

Please feel free to send your questions via a comment to a post and a PNCC clergyman will respond to your question as quickly as possible. 

God Bless!

- askthepncc