INSIDE OLD CATHOLIC

  By Dr. h.c. Miracle Gabriel-Ooc When people hear the word Catholic , their minds always go straight to Roman Catholic . But Catholicity has never been limited to one jurisdiction. For centuries, the Catholic Church has been expressed in many sees—Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, and yes, Rome. Old Catholicism is one of those expressions. So, what’s the difference between Old Catholicism and Roman Catholicism? Let’s break it down: 1. Shared Foundations Both Old Catholics and Roman Catholics believe in the same essentials of the Christian faith: The Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. The seven sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick). Apostolic Succession refers to the continuous transmission of episcopal authority, passed down through generations of bishops, reaching back to the apostles themselves. They profess the same Creed. 2. Where T...

By MOST REV. DR. JOHN A. ADEYEMO, DD - PRESIDING ARCHBISHOP, ORCC-LR, SUI IURIS & PRESIDENT, INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s views and does not necessarily represent the official stance of INSIDE CATHOLIC Nigeria’s rich Christian landscape hosts a variety of denominations, among which the Old Catholic Churches and the Roman Catholic Church notably coexist. Despite sharing roots in the historic Catholic tradition, these two bodies face tensions and hostilities, primarily from the Roman Catholic side, related to issues of authority, doctrine, and influence. The Old Catholic Apostolic Church in Nigeria was formally established in approximately 2014 through the leadership of Bishop Raphael Fagbohun, as a movement devoted to upholding what it sees as the original Catholic teachings apart from the dogmatic innovations of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Despite this, both Churches coexist within Nigeria, managing a relationship cha...

By Dr. h.c. Miracle Gabriel-Ooc The Sacred Heart of Jesus Charismatic Old Catholic Church is part of a global Old Catholic communion—an Independent Catholic Church that is not affiliated with, nor answerable to, the See of Rome. Its mother church is in the United States, rooted in the movement of bishops who, after the First Vatican Council of 1870, separated from Rome in response to new doctrinal definitions, particularly papal infallibility. This Church does not submit to the jurisdiction of the Roman Pontiff, nor is it bound by the Canons or Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church. Its identity and validity do not depend on external validation from Rome or any other jurisdiction. Instead, it stands firmly on the foundation of Christ Himself, who is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). While Old Catholics respect Rome as primus inter pares (“first among equals”), they do not subject themselves to Roman authority in matters of theology, faith, or practice. They hold to a unique ex...