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 †Gabriel Obiano, D.D. The "Filioque" Clause: A Western Addition and Eastern Dispute The Nicene Creed stands as one of Christianity's most foundational declarations of faith, a concise yet profound statement summarizing core beliefs held by billions across denominations. Recited in liturgies and studied in theological schools, it serves as a powerful testament to the early Church's struggle to articulate the mystery of God. However, within its ancient lines lies a subtle yet significant difference that contributed to the schism between the Christian East and West: the addition of a single word in Latin – the "Filioque." To truly understand the Nicene Creed is to journey back to the very roots of Christian doctrine, and to appreciate the rich, complex tapestry of its development. I must admit that the Council of Niecae did a great job. This is the Genesis of it all. The Genesis of the Creed: Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople The original form of the Nic...

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...