PPP -- The Great Pretenders

As previously noted and explained within our "Time-Line", Pope Pius IX over-reacted to a contrived political controversy (Jansenism) lodged by the Jesuits against the See of Utrecht. The Pope then "restored” his Vatican hierarchy by appointing a new counter Archbishop for Utrecht in 1850.

The predecessor Roman Catholic Church in Utrecht was then formally identified as the “Catholic Old Diocese of Utrecht” to distinguish it from the replacement Roman Catholic Diocese of Utrecht. Shortly thereafter, these orthodox originals were simply called the "Old Roman Catholics." Ever since then, we, the remnants of them, remained TRADITIONAL in ever sense of the word.

Therefore, in that sense, the name "Old" Catholic was indeed used prior to Bavarian priest Professor, Dr. Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger, and his various crypto-Lutheran ethnic brands of European "Old Catholics". (So it was applied to our distinct school before these modernist newcomers corrupted it.) In 1870, this RC theologian, Dr. Ignaz von Dollinger brought the Old Catholics into existence to offer separatist resistance to the dogma of Papal Infallibility.

The Utrecht Union of OC Churches began with the consecration of the first bishop by the ORC Bishops of Utrecht, Deventer and Haarlem, Holland in 1873 shortly after Vatican Council I abolished the principle of appeal to a general council of the Church and defined Papal Infallibility as binding Church dogma. At that time, the grievously wronged ancient Church of Utrecht was persuaded to provide these dissidents with a bishop, which, tragically, it did.

In 1889, an amalgamation was forged between Utrecht and these new “Old Catholics”. Thus the unsuspecting Church of Utrecht laid the foundation for her subsequent fall into Modernism. The Traditional Old Roman Catholic Church has no connection with these "churches" other than via these historical origins.

from
Archpriest Anthony Augustine

One should be cautioned not to confuse the Old Roman Catholic Church with those groups which call themselves "Old Catholic," nor with those usurping the name "Old Roman Catholic." [Those groups co-opt our name and misidentify themselves as ORC — NOT by teachings or praxis, but only by virtue of the tactile Apostolic Succession of one or some of their ORC co-consecrators.] Most of these renegades try to collect all 17 lines of “apostolic succession” to bolster their pedigree. That is sinful. Promoting this kind of confusion has been a favored tactic of those hoping to promote schism within the traditional OR Catholic resistance to contemporary Modernism.

Much (but NOT all) which in this era calls itself “Old Catholic” represents some personal compromise with Protestantism, or, in a wider digression, with the non-Christian cult of theosophy and/or new ageism which, other then by a few externals, bears very little resemblance to traditional Catholicism.

Canonical Old Roman Catholics rightfully lay claim to orthodoxy in their ecclesiology and also embrace the Cyprianic School of theology. Partially and simplistically: the frauds stop dead in their tracks -- right there. That’s what differentiates them from us. They fail to recognize the patriarchal structure of The Church: that the Bishop is collegiate and NOT a force unto himself! "The Episcopate is one, each part of which is held by each one for the whole." ("On the Unity of the Catholic Church" by St. Cyprian)

If all ORC’s would only base Old Roman Catholicism on Cyprianic theology rather then the great pretenders’ sole appeal to the Augustinian principle of "Apostolic Succession" and Holy Orders (which our ultrajectine tradition also subscribes to) – then their egotistical pretensions could not face up in the light of day.

-- A Bishop's appointment MUST be recognized by other Apostolic communions.
-- HE must succeed another man in Episcopal office as the head of a specific community.
-- HE cannot spring up by himself.
-- There must be an organic, living connection to the Apostolic Church.
-- There is NO Bishop without a Eucharistic community.
-- There are NEVER any vagrant bishops or clergy.
-- The Bishop is in The Church and The Church is in the Bishop.
-- Those who would separate themselves from the assembly (schism) are NOT part of The Church
-- There are NO "new or independent churches." Each must be recognized by the others.
-- The Ministry of "The Keys" is held by ALL bishops -- not just the Pope.

If we do embrace Cyprianic theology regarding Holy Orders then we must accept ALL of it or none of it. What constitutes "valid Apostolic Succession" in that regard?

1.) IT MUST be carried along by the living continuation of Eucharistic communion or community. THAT IS TRUE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION!

2.) HE MUST be properly elected by the Diocese he is to shepherd -- not by one outside it or by one who is disinterested in his destination. (With "he" being the operative word and gender.)

3.) HE MUST be approved by the legitimate governing synod to which he will be accountable.

4.) HE MUST be consecrated by orthodox and traditional bishops and remain faithfully in communion with them.

Therefore episcopi vagantes, "bishops at large" and other "free-lancers" are NOT within the Apostolic Succession if one embraces Cyprianic theology as many Old Roman Catholics and some Old Catholics only claim to do. The Holy Spirit will not abide a lie. Therefore these truths cannot be found in heretical sects. There's no such thing as half a truth or another version of it. (And Papal Infallibility is an ancient Catholic truth DEFINED, not invented.)

Apostolic Succession passed along solely by legalistic imposition of hands (such as biblical "Bishop" Simon Magus attempted to purchase and St. Peter rebuked) would be a magician’s trick if it had any semblance of ecclesiastical reality. I am NOT stating that the Augustinian concept of Episcopal Consecration on heretics or apostates impedes the efficacy of their sacraments. I'd be guilty of the Donatist heresy if I believed or taught that.

This ORC archpriest believes and teaches that Apostolic Succession is much more than unbroken lineage from the Apostles. This life-giving force imbued by the Holy Spirit goes far beyond one, two or three bishops laying hands upon a priest (tactile succession). It is ALSO the origin and continuity of the community which the Bishop heads.

Apostolic Succession begins with Baptism. Apostolic Succession rests in the continuing Eucharistic life of an apostolic community. Break off and start your own thing and the Apostolic Succession is lost because Christ cannot be divided. The Mystical Body of Christ cannot be divided if it is truly The Church. Therefore, the true litmus test for Traditional Old Roman Catholicism is about what we believe, practice and teach.

One of these apostolic doctrines is Papal Infallibility as explained above... "We hold communion with the Apostolic churches because our DOCTRINE is in no respect different from theirs. This is our witness of TRUTH" ("On Prescription Against Heretics" by Tertullian). To be apart from the Apostolic Succession as many of us ORC's understand it -- and to still hold truth is inconceivable. It just can't happen. That would be a contradiction in terms.

Do your own thing by disregarding Scriptures and unbroken Apostolic Tradition then one has invented something other than the Apostolic Faith. If one does not keep the Traditional Faith then they have broken the Apostolic Succession. Apostolic Succession goes down the line several ways. The tactile "laying on of hands" is NOT solely sufficient. It takes more than that. Apostolic Succession, as canonical ORC’s understand it, has more to do with the Bishop HIMSELF than with his consecrators and/or co-consecrators. That is basic Cyprianic theology which many Old Catholics and some ORCs claim to endorse, but do not practice.

These too (like the RC "replacements") are the "Great Pretenders". However, each "Old Catholic" mitered clown is a pontifex maximus unto his or her self. Of these spiritually demented purple people, Caveat Emptor ("Let the buyer BEWARE!")