The doors of Agnus Dei Old Catholic Society are open to everyone. Non-Catholic Christians and the unchurched are welcome to attend our worship services and receive the celebration of The Holy Eucharist ~ The Bread of Life, regardless of faith or background.
It is our goal to always: Remember Christ; Celebrate and Praise God; Help the unfortunate; Love those who show no love; Pray for our brethren, and most of all - To Believe.
Our church laws respect the preservation and sanctity of marriage; however, those who have been subjected to the misfortunes of divorce are allowed the privilege of re-marriage without receiving a prior annulment under the teaching that Jesus has taken up the burden of all sins. Within our church, the divorced and unchurched are treated in a pastoral manner. We encourage, acknowledge and uphold the traditional establishment of marriage between one man and one woman.
Our clergy are willing to travel to outside locations for the purpose of delivering The Holy Sacraments; therefore, weddings and baptism can be held at a location of your choice.
Women are allowed to serve as members of the clergy (Galatians 3:28, Romans 16: 1-16, John 20: 16-18) Priests are allowed to marry (Matthew 8:14, I Timothy 3:12). Clerical celebacy is optional among Old Catholics. Our services are usually spoken in local customary vernacular, but we also allow traditional Latin celebrations. We value human life, which is the Gift of God. Clergy are ordained through The Independent Old Catholic Church. The head of our society is Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
RECOGNITION
Although we are not under the authority of the Roman Pope, throughout the centuries, we have been recognized as a valid Catholic Church through the Holy See of Rome.
1. The original Old Catholic Church of Utrecht was granted Rights of Autonomy from His Holiness Pope Eugene III in the year 1145.
2. A confirmation of this was declared in 1215 by Pope Leo, and is known as The Leonine Privilege.
3. Reconfirmations were subsequently granted by the Church Councils of 1520 and 1717.
4. In 1976, a document was signed by Archbishop Glazmaker of The Old Catholic Church of Utrecht and His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, recognizing the Catholic validity of each other's churches and the validity of one another's Holy Sacraments.
5. On June 16, 2000, Pope John Paul II signed the document, "Dominus Jesus," which was also signed on August 6, 2000 by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. This document reads:
"The churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the (Roman) Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by Apostolic Succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular churches...........Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such.....have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as menas of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church."
Modern Texts of Confirmation
"When a Catholic sacred minister is unavailable and there is urgent spiritual necessity, Catholics may receive the Eucharist, penance or anointing from sacred ministers of non-Catholic denominations whose Holy Orders are considered valid by the Catholic Church. This includes all Eastern Orthodox priests, as well as priests of the Old Catholics or Polish National Church,"...... Thomas P.Doyle, O.P., from his book, "Rights and Responsibilities: A Catholic's Guide to the New Code of Canon Law."
"The Roman Church recognizes the validity of Old Catholic orders and sacraments," .......Felician A. Foy., O.F.M., from Catholic Almanac, Indiana, 1974.
"The Old Catholic Church has received valid episcopal consecration," .....Reverend Konrad Algemissen, from his book, "Christian Denominations."
