Archdiocese of St. Mary

CATHOLIC Charismatic CHURCH

Office of the PATRIARCHATE OF SAINT JOHN

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What you need to know

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The Pastoral Companion – A Canon Law Handbook for Catholic Ministry – Third Edition by John M. Huels, J.C.D. page 335 states:

 “The principal condition is that these Sacraments can be received only from validly ordained ministers.  These are ministers who belong to “churches that have preserved the substance of the Eucharistic teaching, the sacraments of orders, and apostolic succession”  This would include all Eastern non-Catholic Churches, the Polish National Church, Old Catholic, and Old Roman Catholic.

 “We have no reason to doubt that the Old Catholic Orders are valid.  The Apostolic Succession does not depend on obedience to the See of Peter, but rather on the objective line of succession from apostolic sources, the proper matter and form, and proper intention…likewise Old Catholic Bishops are bishops in Apostolic Succession…The Old Catholics,, like Orthodox, possess a valid priesthood. “  (William J. Whalan, pp204,248)

“Catholics may receive the Eucharist, penance, or anointing from sacred ministers of Catholic denominations whose Holy Orders are considered valid by the Roman Catholic Church.  This includes all Eastern Orthodox priests, as well as priests of the Old Catholic or Polish National Church.”  (Thomas P. Doyle, O.P., p.44)

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