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A question about the Polish Catholic Church

…at Roman Catholic Resources. I posted a comment which reflects what I’ve written below. I think the writer is asking (?) whether the PCC believes in “papal infallibility.” My response (extended and revised):

The Polish Catholic Church (Kościół Polskokatolicki) is a member of the Union of Utrecht, but has very little in common with what remains of the Union. A little history:

The Union of Utrecht was formed after Vatican I in response to the “dogmas” of papal infallibility and the immaculate conception. The Union desired to stick with the Church’s common dogmas as established prior to 1074. At the time of its organization it primarily consisted of Churches in the Netherlands and Germany.

The PNCC was organized in the United States. The Rev. Francis Hodur was elected Bishop and was consecrated in 1907 by Archbishop Gerard Gul of Utrecht, Bishop John Van Thiel of Haarlem, and Bishop Peter Spit of Deventer, the Old Catholic Bishops of the Netherlands thus becoming a member of the Union of Utrecht. In approx. 1920 the PNCC sent a mission to the old country and attempted to establish parishes there. There was some success particularly in northern Poland.

Like the Orthodox we all see the Papal office as a man-made office established for the good order of the Church; not a Divinely instituted office ordained with special powers and privileges onto itself.

The Church in Poland was somewhat prosecuted by Roman Catholics as was the PNCC in the United States. During WWII the Polish Church’s bishop, as well as its priests, were arrested and imprisoned by the Nazi Germans. Its bishop, Jozef Padewski was released in a prisoner exchange and returned to the United States until after the war. On his return to Poland he was arrested by the communists, was tortured, and was martyred for the faith. The communist authorities in Poland then forced the Polish Church to break its ties with the PNCC and to independently establish itself (in other words PNCC and PCC were made administratively separate).

To this day the PNCC and the Polish Catholic Church consider themselves sister Churches but remain administratively separate.

While the Polish Catholic Church remains a member of the Union of Utrecht, the PNCC broke its ties with the Union in 2003 over the Union’s liberal innovations (“womanpriests” and gay “marriages”). The PNCC had previously broken its intercommunion with the Episcopal Church over the issue of women’s “ordinations” in 1978. The PNCC was the largest Church in the Union. What remains of the Union, excepting the Church in Poland, is rather small and insignificant. In my opinion it will eventually become a rump organization absorbed into the Anglican or Episcopal Church. Sadly, once a Church with close ties to Orthodoxy, it has become just another “church of what’s-happenin’-now,” another Protestant body with fancy externals.

As noted, the Polish Catholic Church remains a member of the Union of Utrecht even though it rejects women’s “ordination” and gay “marriages.” How long that union lasts remains to be seen.

A side note, there is a group in Poland that calls itself the “Polish National Catholic Church in Poland” (PNKK). Don’t be fooled. It is a group of deposed clergy and vagantes. It has nothing to do with the PNCC or the PCC.

PNCC, Poetry, Poland - Polish - Polonia,

August 26 – Beautiful Magnificent Star

Beautiful magnificent star,
Mary of Czestochowa,
|: To you we appeal,
O Maria, Maria! : |

Gratefully we have heard the voice,
Mary calling to us:
|: “Come to me, O my children,
The time has come, oh, the time has come. ” : |

When the songbird sings,
Mary is praised,
|: The nightengale’s grateful voice
Sing, oh sing. : |

And we who have gathered
Vouchsafe to greet us Mary
|: Purest heart of the Mother of God
Grant us, oh grant us! : |

Oh, most precious jewel
Of this world, Mary!
|: Who has you, is with you
Rejoice, oh they rejoice. : |

Translated by Dcn Jim

Gwiazdo śliczna, wspaniała,
Częstochowska Maryja,
Do Ciebie się uciekamy,
O Maryjo, Maryjo!

Słyszeliśmy wdzięczny głos,
Jak Maryja woła nas:
“Pójdźcie do mnie, moje dzieci,
Przyszedł czas, ach, przyszedł czas”.

Gdy ptaszkowie śpiewają,
Maryję wychwalają,
Słowiczkowie wdzięcznym głosem
Śpiewają, ach, śpiewają.

I my też zgromadzeni
Pokłon dajmy Maryi,
Czyste serce Bożej Matce
Darujmy, ach, darujmy!

O, przedrogi klejnocie
Maryjo, na tym świecie!
Kto Ciebie ma, ten się z Tobą
Raduje, ach raduje.

Perspective, PNCC, ,

Possibilities, not so much

From the Catholic Answers Forum: Anglican Church in America (TAC) and the Polish National Catholic Church

I wonder with all of the struggle of the TAC/ACA to move towards union with Rome (and the constant expectation of an announcement…over and over), why they do not look towards forming an alliance with the Polish National Catholic Church?

The PNCC has valid orders (according to Rome) and has limited intercommunion. They are seen in a way similar to the Eastern Orthodox in that in extraordinary circumstances the PNCC and Catholics can receive sacraments from one another.

This makes sense until you scratch the surface a little.

Those in the TAC/ACA who long for Rome are really singleminded in that regard. They see no possible alternative, and if they did, they would have been there already. They are actually willing to give up their Episcopal Orders, their former Roman priests who had married, and anyone else in an “unclear” situation, casting them under the bus so to speak; sort of Machiavellian, which is ironic.

Others, who will quit the Church when it joins with Rome, are really Protestants. They like Catholic externals but don’t really believe in the infallibility of the ChurchIt’s one thing to believe that the person of the Bishop of Rome is not infallible, quite another to believe the Church is not infallible.. Not believing in the infallibility of the Church makes these folks a bad fit in any Catholic Church whether it be Oriental, Orthodox, Roman, or PNCC. They are headed for some far corner of the Anglican movement where they can maintain their ‘I’m smarter than the Church’ attitude.

I also think that marriages for the sake of convenience are a bad idea. Why partner with someone if they’re constantly looking over their shoulder for what they perceive to be a more handsome/beautiful/whatever prospect. Could the TAC/ACA accept the Declaration of Scranton in clear conscience? Could they be PNCC? I highly doubt it.

Speaking with Rome doesn’t mean you are at the place ACA/TAC perceived themselves to be, signing copies of the Catechism and FedEx’ing them off to Rome and praying for Newman to descend upon you. I’m sure there’s a few in the PNCC who long for unity with Rome just as there are those like myself who long for unity with Orthodoxy. But no matter. In the bigger picture we’re just PNCC and most of us are happy to work in that part of God’s field. To waste our time waiting, or courting for the purpose of courting, would be an affront to the gifts God has granted us and the work He has asked us to do.

PNCC, ,

Happy Birthday Middleport, PA

From the Republican-Herald: Middleport turns 150

Middleport Legion Post 144 members lead the borough's 150th anniversary parade, walking past St. Joseph's Polish National Catholic Church, St. Clair Street, on Saturday.
Middleport Legion Post 144 members lead the borough's 150th anniversary parade, walking past St. Joseph's Polish National Catholic Church, St. Clair Street, on Saturday.

MIDDLEPORT – When the borough council met for the very first time, there were only 33 states, Pennsylvanian James Buchanan was in the White House and the nation was headed for a civil war.

The country has changed radically between 1859 and Saturday, when Middleport celebrated its 150th anniversary. The speakers at Middleport Gardens, however, were nearly uniform in praising the timeless small-town values and attitudes they said they remembered growing up and still see today.

U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, D-17, contrasted how he was greeted with shouts of “Hey Timmy!” while walking in the noon parade with the greeting he’d get from neighbors on his morning walk to work in Washington.

“If you say ‘Hello’ to them, they look at you like you’re going to mug them,” Holden said to laughter. “But that’s not the way we live in Middleport and Schuylkill County, because we all know each other, we all care about each other and we all want to help each other.”

Mayor Josh Leshko echoed Holden’s sentiment when he issued a “simple challenge” for the future success of the borough.

“One person alone cannot drive the success of a town. What can we do? Can we share a friendly smile with our neighbors? Can we share the memories of Middleport with our younger generations?” Leshko said. “The smallest and simplest actions, when brought together, can make a profound and noticeable difference.”…

PNCC, Poland - Polish - Polonia,

Lajkoniki Polish Dancers from Holy Family at the International Village in McKeesport, PA

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: 50th International Village gears up in McKeesport. The event was held last week, from August 18th through the 20th.

Darryl Segina, McKeesport councilman and native and longtime chairman of the city’s much-anticipated International Village, says the event keeps on trucking for a reason: “Because we try to maintain the integrity of the ethnic foods, fun and entertainment. That’s our big secret.”

Not a secret very closely held because, even though it hits mid-week — from 3 to 11 p.m. next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the village always draws throngs, as people shuck their workaday selves to eat and dance, celebrating all things ethnic.

This year, a free children’s festival kicks it all off from noon to 6 p.m. Monday in the Renziehausen Park band shell with food, crafts, face-painting, a bouncing activity zone, water balloon toss and more.

This is the 50th year for the event. Mr. Segina has been involved for 27 of those, in charge for 15, and despite the decades, his enthusiasm is clear as he talks about the village to be set up on Renzie’s Stephen Barry Field.

“We’ll have 18 food booths out there. … You’re going to get a different ethnic food at each of them,” he says, noting that the festival celebrates the Old World roots that can be obscured by the years. “The mixing of the nationalities — that’s all lost sometimes,” he notes. “Grandparents pass away and [people] don’t eat that kind of food anymore. Well, we’ll have it out here.”

The expected ethnic participation runs from A to V: African American to Vietnamese, stopping at German, Greek, Lebanese, Polish, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian — even Hawaiian and English. There will be Hoppin’ John, halushki, pierogies, falafel sandwiches, spinach pie, lamb sandwiches, stuffed cabbage, shrimp or chicken fried rice, tabouleh salad.

There will be enough desserts to make your Yaya cry, from sweet potato pie to baklava to kolachi (fruit or nut-stuff rolls) to apple dumplings to chess pie.

There will be arts and crafts and music galore. Scheduled bands include such favorites as Henry and the Versa J’s, the Lil John Polka Band, I Paesani and Otets Paiisi. See the Duquesne Junior Tamburitzans, Polka Quads and the Lajkoniki Polish Dancers [from Holy Family Polish National Catholic Church]…

Current Events, PNCC, , , , ,

Fraternals face varying crises

From the Tribune-Review: Fraternal society puts $12 million lien on policies reflecting a issue confronting many of the country’s fraternal organizations. Pennsylvania has placed particularly stringent requirements on fraternal organizations and in particular on their operational liquidity. It should be noted that most, if not all are completely secure in terms of their death benefit funding.

The PNCC’s fraternal, the Polish National Union (Spójnia), which also includes the Russian Orthodox Catholic Mutual Aid Society (ROCMAS) is quite secure. The PNU was founded because Polish-American organizations acceded to Roman Catholic demands to exclude PNCC members.

Beaver-based Greek Catholic Union —” the state’s largest fraternal-benefit society —” has placed $12 million in liens on members’ policies in an unusual bid to shore up a capital base wracked by financial markets.

The balance-sheet maneuver equals an average $300 off the cash-surrender value, or 2 percent, of each member’s life insurance or annuity contract. The society explained the liens in letters sent to its roughly 40,000 members within the last month.

“As long as they don’t cash the policy, they don’t see any reduction in the value” of the insurance policy or annuity contract, GCU national President George Juba said Tuesday. Only those who cash in while the lien is still in effect are affected.

How soon the lien may be lifted, “only time will tell,” said Juba, “but as soon as possible.” He added “it depends on “economic and investment market conditions.”

The society’s surplus has dwindled from $23.2 million in March 2008 to $5.1 million this past March, according to the most recent data from the local organization.

GCU’s stock and bond investments have declined in value. The organization posted net income of $349,000 in the quarter ended March 31, according to the most recent data. It had a net loss of $858,000 the year earlier.

The Greek Catholic Union issues insurance and annuities products in 17 states. It was organized in 1892 by immigrants from the Carpathian Mountain region of the former Austro-Hungarian empire.

Fraternal benefit societies are nonprofit organizations that provide life insurance, annuities and health insurance to members. They are linked by a common ethnic or religious background, such as the Polish Women’s Alliance of America or the Mennonite Mutual Aid Association. More than 70 such groups in the United States and Canada sponsor a range of social- and community-service events.

Juba said “less than 3 percent” of members, or about 1,000 people, had contacted the society about the liens.

“They seem to be understanding of the current condition,” he said…

PNCC, ,

Spirits – earthly and otherwise

Abel Pharmboy writes the Friday Fermentable on wines, beers, and spirits and other assorted interesting stuff at Terra Sigillata. In The Friday Fermentable: Wine Authorities Spread the Gospel of Roséism he gives a nod to his days as an altar boy in the PNCC.

There are too many highlights to list but as a former Polish National Catholic altar boy, I particularly appreciate the incensing technique of the Jewish co-owner, Seth Gross, using a bottle of rosé. The nod to Jimi Hendrix at the end was also a nice touch of reverence.

I appreciate the sense of humor here, great information in general. For those who like a mix of science and practicality with a nod to the higher life, his posts are worth checking out.

By-the-by, we can always use a good recommendation for those post synodal dinners. Perhaps a recommendation?

PNCC,

Congratulations to Eric Nole

From the Times-Tribune: Eagle Scouts

Eric Nole, a member of Clarks Summit Scout Troop 160, has attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Family: Son of Sal and Maryanne Nole, sister, Deanna, brother, Michael; grandson of Helen Rowinski, Scranton, and the late Henry Rowinski, and Sal and Shirley Nole, Dunmore.

Education/community: Member of St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cathedral, 2009 graduate of Abington Heights High School, excels in art, will attend Kutztown University.

Project: Cutting, clearing and transporting wood across Abington Community Park for a lakeside firewood stockpile; cleared area will be used as a recreational park and a future campground.

PNCC,

Saints Cyril and Methodius to hold Back to School auction in Perth Amboy, NJ

From myCentralJersey: Church to host Chinese auction

PERTH AMBOY —” Saints Cyril and Methodius Polish National Catholic Church will host a Chinese auction at noon Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Parish Hall, 600 Jacques St., Perth Amboy. Doors open at noon. The auction begins at 1:30 p.m. There is a $3 entrance fee.

The auction enables the church to pay its bills and keep its doors open. The church has received some donations from people who are attending the auction. The remaining donations are given by members of the parish.

Additional tickets can be purchased for two sheets for $1. There are two tables with 24 items that are about $10 each. These tickets are six for $1. Another table has seasonal items that are $5 to $10. Tickets for this table are three for $1.

The theme of the auction is —Back to School.— Free cake and coffee will be provided.

Stop by and say hello to the parish’s pastor, the Rev. Mariusz Zochowski.

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