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!