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Christian Witness, Perspective, PNCC

A student discusses faith in college

From the GW Hatchet: Andrew Pazdon on Being Catholic in college

A former PNCC member talks about his experiences and his faith journey. I wish him well and support his effort at understanding his faith. Of course I do not appreciate his uninformed view of the Church in which he was raised. His limited comments on the PNCC seem to come out of an early 1900’s Roman Catholic diatribe against the PNCC – calling it a sect, and referring to its being a part of the Old Catholic Churches of Utrecht (no longer true since they long left Catholicism and we left them). Perhaps, as a student of international affairs, he should better understand the beliefs of others before labeling them.

As his journey continues, perhaps his views will be softened, and he will not disparage the faith in which he was raised, likely the faith of his parents and grandparents. He may also come to understand that the distinctiveness of the R.C. Church lies solely in claims which are disputed throughout the rest of Catholicism (Orthodoxy, Oriental, and PNCC). It has never been about the R.C. Church’s understanding of Catholicism, to which we all subscribe, but its troubling papal and doctrinal claims. The troubles the R.C. Church is having find their roots in those claims.

My faith has been tested, yet strengthened by my time on campus

Growing up in the woods of New Hampshire, the thought never crossed my adolescent mind that fasting, constructing advent wreathes from moss and pine trees in my backyard, spending hours in Church, and various other Catholic customs (with a hearty dose of Polish folk customs) were not normal.

That didn’t mean I didn’t dread sitting through Mass every week. But now that dread is gone and, in the midst of my 20-something partying years, it’s very likely you will find me every Sunday at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle.

My faith and relationship with the Catholic Church have evolved, been tested and, in the end, been strengthened. Today, I am just as likely to tell people I am Catholic as I am a Polish-American from New Hampshire. I am proud of both my heritage and my faith.

I didn’t grow up in the Roman Catholic Church, but rather in a sect of the Old Catholic Church called the Polish National Catholic Church. Despite this, and now in a time during which Roman Catholic Church pews are being deserted, I have found a reawakening of my relationship with God.

Through much of high school I was, religiously, a lamb that had wandered astray from the herd. I challenged my childhood religion. I considered my options, including agnosticism, Islam and other Christian denominations. But I knew something was ultimately missing from my religious and spiritual life. It wasn’t until I actually left home and came to D.C. that my faith really felt reaffirmed.

I didn’t think my faith would be strengthened in college. When I thought of college, I thought Sunday morning was for nursing headaches, not for Mass. I do not know for certain what changed inside of me. But perhaps it was the everyday freedom that allows for sleeping in and drinking that allowed me to feel on my own, in a no-pressure venue, the comfort of faith. Yeah, I’d like to sleep in sometimes, but I feel better when I act on my faith instead.

I’ve even found I’m not the only GW student who gets up early on the weekend to spend some time with Jesus Christ. There are a number of fellow Catholics I have come across who are also deeply religious, yet manage to lead normal college lives filled with partying, college hook-ups and hours spent Facebook-stalking instead of deep in prayer.

I found that faith of any kind does not have to be forsaken in college, even in a bastion of liberalism and free thinking that is GW. If anything, being at GW and college in general has taught me that my faith doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I can be a Democrat and a Catholic. And I can party as hearty as anyone else and still be Catholic. I can lead a normal life, enjoying the pleasures the world has to offer, while simultaneously fulfilling a spiritual and religious yearning.

It’s not an easy time to be a Catholic. The strength of the church has been tested at the same time the strength of my faith has. Back home, the clergy abuse scandal is local and hard-hitting. Many of the early allegations, settlements and incarcerations happened in New England towns not far or different from mine. These unimaginably horrible actions caused many of my hometown friends and their families to vacate the church. I certainly don’t blame them. But as an original outsider who came back into the flock, I have looked past these heinous acts and missteps by the church to find comfort and joy.

This disease of abuse by clergy and the subsequent cover-ups has now spread to infect the church’s communicants all over the world. But this situation does not spell out the fall of the church. Rather, the church is now forced to seriously, unequivocally and firmly address structural problems. The current tenuous situation can become an opportunity for the church and its leaders to refocus on tending to the herd, so that everyone who wants to can find same comfort that I have found.

Life is full of ups and downs, but that is an integral part of the journey. My questioning of my own faith before and during college has helped to cement my commitment to it. I have faith too that my church will heal and many will once again heed the trumpet call.

Christian Witness, Perspective, PNCC, , ,

PNCC members – Planning a Wedding?

If you are planning a wedding there are certain cautions you should take as a member of the PNCC. If your intended is a member of the R.C. Church, and you plan to marry in the PNCC, your intended may face difficulties with their pastor or bishop.

The core problem is that the R.C. Church requires that your intended obtain a “dispensation from canonical form“This from the R.C. Archdiocese of Chicago. It gives the general principals etc. Your intended’s diocese may have different requirements. from their bishop. If they do not, your marriage will not be recognized by the R.C. Church. Note that if your intended does not do so, the Roman Church may consider you to be “living in sin.”

For years, the dialog between the PNCC and RC Churches has tried to resolve this issue (as well as the ability of PNCC members to stand as godparents in the RC Church). The PNCC has repeatedly requested that the Roman Church do away with this requirement. The main difference between the Apostolic Churches is that the sacrament in both the PNCC and Orthodox ChurchesA dispensation from canonical form is required for validity in PNCC marriages while it is only required for liceity in Orthodox marriages. The requirements should, at-a-minimum, be the same since the theological argument is the same. are based on one sacramental theology while that theology differs in the Roman Church. In the PNCC and Orthodox Churches the priest is the minister of the sacrament. In the Roman Church the couple is said to be the minister of the sacrament.

Also of note, if you plan to marry in the R.C. Church, some priests therein may deny the Eucharist to your intended and their family. You do need to cover this issue with them in advance. If they insist that they cannot give your intended’s parents or family communion, grab the nearest pew missal and point to the section in the back regarding admittance to the Eucharist. If that doesn’t help — well that priest (or deacon) isn’t following the rules, so you may want to seek marriage in your PNCC parish.

Both of these problems are roadblocks placed in the way of PNCC members who attempt to practice and hold true to their faith. It has also been noted that some R.C. pastors and bishops have made the process of obtaining a dispensation extremely cumbersome for those intending to marry a member of the PNCC. Of course this is an attempt to coerce members of the PNCC.

While we may not like something, we should respect the theology of the R.C. ChurchOf course it is inconsistent in relation to validity versus liceity.. We do expect them to respect ours in turn. So it comes down to politics and certain Roman bishops and priests who wish to “drive the point home” in opposition to the Roman Church’s own teaching on admission to Eucharist and avoidance of coercion.

So, take note and plan ahead. Talk to your intended’s pastor and attempt to obtain the “paperwork.” If you are marrying in his parish do cover the issue of Eucharistic reception because there have been well noted cases of grandma getting up to go to communion and being told to go away. That’s not the sort of sadness you need on your wedding day.

Everything Else, Perspective, Poetry, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , ,

2010 – the year ahead

Dearest readers,

I have several blogging projects I am going to work with in 2010.

I will likely not be doing a regular series on anything. The 2009 poetry project was a massive undertaking and frankly, was a bit too much. I’ve learned a lot in the process, but I need to take a break from that sort of posting schedule. Note too, there are a few gaps I still need to fill in for 2009 and will complete that shortly. I do hope that my poor personal translations, as well as my broader inclusions, will provide all of you with an appreciation of the depth and scope of Polish (and other) poetry. In some small measure I can see why Bishop Hodur encouraged the study of poetry. It is an inspiration, a history, a challenge, and part of humanity’s song.

On other fronts, I plan a recap of things I liked, enjoyed, found inspiration in, and had fun with in 2009. I would like to do a little with Polish art works on an irregular basis. I do plan to complete my 10 reasons series. I’m working on a piece on “The Flag in the National Church ethos.” I will also keep you abreast of the news across the PNCC, the Catholic faith in general, ecumenism, and all the goings on in Poland and Polonia.

Beyond that I am up to managing 12 websites, 9 PNCC Parishes, 1 Reformed Church site, 1 not-for-profit, and this blog. There are at least 2 other projects in the hopper.

Again, my heartfelt thanks to all my readers, correspondents, and all who gather information, inspiration, and challenge in what I write. God bless you in this new year.

— Dcn. Jim

Perspective, PNCC, ,

Talking about the rules

…to fellow commentors at the Buffalo News in relation to their story: Anglican church considers Catholic transition: West Seneca congregation interested in pope’s overtures

They worship in a former Catholic sanctuary, led by a former Catholic priest.

And if any congregation in Western New York were to take up Pope Benedict XVI’s recent landmark overture to Anglicans, it most likely would be St. Nicholas Anglican Church in West Seneca.

The small, “Anglo-Catholic” congregation uses a liturgy that mirrors a traditional Catholic Mass, adheres to a male-only clergy and has parishioners open to the possibility of entering into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

“This would be very typically the type of congregation the pope is targeting,” said the Rev. Gene Bagen, rector of St. Nicholas…

The comment list is here.

Christian Witness, Perspective, PNCC, ,

To pray together in unity

Let all things now living unite in thanksgiving.
To God in the highest, hosanna and praise! …

From NorthJersey.com: A unified call to help the needy

PASSAIC —” Clergy from the city’s various churches gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate unity in a city rich in diversity.

The annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service on Sunday at Saints Peter & Paul Polish National Catholic Church, Passaic.
The annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service on Sunday at Saints Peter & Paul Polish National Catholic Church, Passaic.
The 28th Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service was held at Saints Peter & Paul Polish National Catholic Church, where leaders from Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Methodist churches gave thanks and cautioned against indifference to the needy.

Seventeen churches participated in the service, organized by the Passaic Ecumenical Committee.

“We also gather to offer thanks to God for the privilege of being citizens of this great country of ours,” said the Rev. Stanley Skrzypek, of the host church, in welcoming the congregation.

The message from the pulpit four days before Thanksgiving was to remember those who need help.

In a city where politicians have long debated, but never acted, on building a homeless shelter, members of the clergy urged the congregation to help clothe and feed those on the street.

“Today’s society is a society where it seems to have put faith aside and replaced it by indifference,” said Jody Baran, associate pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Cathedral. “That, my friends, is the greatest sin.”…

This is local ecumenism that works, Christians joining together to witness to Christ, not to belabor what divides us. Fr. Senior Stanley Skrzypek is one of the foremost ecumenists in the PNCC. He knows what works.

Similarly, I was at the North Colonie Ministerial’s 40th (or 41st, depends who you believe – and Fr. Skrzypek was there when it started) annual Thanksgiving prayer service and gathering. It was wonderful and did real good for the Capital City Rescue Mission. With the current economic crisis they are taxed to the limit.



Perspective, PNCC

A perspective

…on what it is to be Catholic. A well written, very short, synopsis that packs a lot in. I like the mention of the PNCC of course, but beyond that, the references to Catholicism’s influence on the world and its central role in the evolution of Christianity. See: Catholicism: The Widespread Belief In Jesus Christ by Susan Esterbill:

Catholicism is a general term referring to various things depending on the context to which the word is used. Despite the myriad of meanings associated with it, Catholicism is known to be that which encompasses the Catholic faith, its believers and its followers.

Variety
A number of diverse groups are under this faith, although there are also variations in their ways and beliefs. Included in this list would be major groups, under apostolic succession who consider themselves Catholic. These are the Roman Catholic Church (Western and Eastern churches), Orthodox Churches (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican), the Evangelicals (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lutheran Church in Canada, etc.). …

Unity
Among these sects, it is the Roman Catholic Church that is considered the largest. In fact, it is estimated to have 1.1 billion members, all of whom believe in Jesus Christ and consider the Roman Pope as their highest Church leader, the one who serves as the church’s successor after the apostle Peter. Moreover, in the Roman Catholic hierarchy, the bishops take the place of the other apostles. …

Dissonance
On the other hand, the Catholic groups who don’t pledge allegiance to the Pope include those who follow Anglican ways like the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Organization. Moreover, there are also much smaller sects like the Philippine Independent Church and the Polish National Catholic Church. The history involving the evolution of Catholicism that brought about all these divisions and other differences in beliefs is a long and detailed account of centuries of religious conflict and spiritual growth. A number of other religions have also resulted from this faith and is said to be continuously growing in numbers. The influence of Catholicism is incomparable in size and magnitude, and its growth and development continue to affect billions of people all over the world. …

Influence
Catholicism and its role in shaping the history of mankind can be seen in the various cultures and nations that exist today. The learning of its key concepts and beliefs are essential to the comprehension of its complexity. Catholicism wasn’t built in a day, nor can it be fully learned and explored in a single day.

Perspective, PNCC, , ,

Being within the Church

Several things I have heard recently have caused me to reflect more on what it means to be within the Holy Church. Recent news of the Roman-former Anglicans provision for unity touches on the issue. That said, I see two aspects to being within the Church:

Union within the Church and under the Church’s Bishops:

I recently read a post by the Rev. Canon Chandler Holder Jones at Philorthodox in Notes on Holy Orders wherein he says:

Most Continuing Churches follow the historically Augustinian-Western approach to this subject. I should deem the practice of some other Continuing Churches, the Polish National Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy to be Cyprianic in origin.

The whole issue of orders and belonging was covered extremely well, some time ago, in a post on the Cyprianic understanding of Holy Orders at Ad Orientem in Once a Priest , Always a Priest? (Thanks to the Young Fogey for the link to this). I recommend those interested in the theological difference between the Cyprianic and Augustinian understandings of Holy Orders read it.

To have Orders and to be a deacon, priest, or bishop requires that you be within the Church. Simply said, we have to be agnostic about what occurs outside the Church. Certainly we could use the cudgel of “without grace” for those outside the Church, as some online pundits do, but it is really an unnecessary exercise. All we can know for sure is that those within the Church, who have unity with its structure and Bishops, most particularly its priests, are only able to do what they say they are doing while they are in the Church under their Bishop. We are within the Church as long as we are grafted onto the Church — part of Her. If we are deposed and outside we might as well be cave men, satanists, or witch doctors — what we say is void of meaning and affect apart from the Church. Same words and actions as mimicry — no affect.

In the PNCC the issue arises from time to time in those who were formally of the clergy and who have been formally deposed. The case of Mr. Tomasz Rybka, a former priest in Poland is a case-in-point as are folks like Robert Mary Clement of the American Catholic Church or Ramzi Musallam of the Arabic Catholic Church (I won’t link to them, Google if you wish, the same vagante type stuff you see everywhere) and a few others. In the end all we can say is that whatever those outside the Church do, say, or suspect they do — regardless of the ritual used — is of no account.

The first aspect of being within the Church is an outward sign of unity, being part of the Church under the authority of its Bishops. That is a sure guarantee of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring for our lives and the life of the Church.

Unity of belief:

This one is touchier because it requires intellectual and spiritual honesty. You can pull-off of a total lack of belief in what the Church says and believes without any outward sign you are doing so. You can lie to yourself, to your wife, children, Bishop, and to God. To be within the Church however requires that you bring yourself into unity with what the Church believes; that you square your beliefs with the Church’s requirementsBecause the Church is infallible in what it teaches on Faith and Belief..

For those raised in the PNCC this is really no problem. They have had consistent and constant teaching in what the Church believes. That becomes part of them. Lifelong PNCC members have been catechized in accord with the beliefs of the Church. They don’t trip over things like the Pope (most don’t give the issue a second thought), the creed (proceeds from the Father), unheard of dogmas (Immaculate Conception, Assumption, Papal Infallibility), original sin, an understanding of Orders, scholasticism, phony homiletic constructs (every homily has to tie to the Eucharist, to a pro-life message, etc.), how the sacraments are “counted,” heaven, hell, the intermediate state, the Church’s infallibility (not one man’s), or differing Solemnities.

Former Roman Catholics, I am among them, had to trip and fall over these things. Getting there is not an overnight process and it definitely requires a conscious effort at stripping out belief systems pounded into our heads in R.C. schools, confraternity classes, and most particularly Roman seminary. It isn’t easy and takes time, but unless one is focused on being a member of, priest or deacon in, the PNCC you cheat yourself and all the members of the Church. More than that, I believe that you put yourself outside the Church in being less than faithful to It.

The PNCC welcomes everyone with open arms and speaks ill of no one who finds they must follow Jesus in another way, but if you wish to stay — if you wish to be honest with yourself and the Holy Church – with the Holy Spirit — you must purpose yourself to learn about, believe, and profess what the Church professes.

It is a huge fallacy to compare the PNCC to the Roman Church and to say: ‘We are the same except…” I used to do that. I don’t anymore. Former R.C. members of the Church carry in a lifetime of learned beliefs and in many ways they do not match with the PNCC. Can a person transition? Absolutely! I’ve done it and I’ve seen wonderful former Roman Catholics, including priests, who have committed to the honesty that change requires.

For those considering the PNCC, know that through the process of learning, which takes time and patience, you find the beauty and joy lifelong PNCC members know. You can bring yourself into unity of belief. PNCC members are open to teaching you about the PNCC’s beliefs, its prayers, its Solemnities, and Our way of life.

Bringing it together:

What is necessary is honesty on entering the Church. Honestly know that we are not Roman nor a subset of anyone else. Know that we ascribe to no dogmasDogmas are created in response to heresy. None of those dogmas, created in Rome, was a response to any heresy regarding the holy, even blessed Mother Mary. The issue of Papal infallibility was in response to the ever decreasing worldly power of the Pontiffs. invented in the past few hundred years. Know that we have our own way of life which you can be a part of. Honestly know that to be within the Church requires outward unity with your Bishop and inward honesty in believing and professing what THIS Church believes and professes.

Christian Witness, Perspective, ,

Quincentenary of Calvin

CalvinTo mark the occasion an interesting blog type website called Calvin 500.

Of course we know the issues here, reform was necessary, but it became more than reform. Reform without infallibility in faith, doctrine, and morals becomes just another human invention, subject to change and whim. The pitfalls of fashioning a religion where everyone decides for themselves on matters of faith, doctrine, and morals plagues us to this day, and even the Reformed Church in America is struggling with changing belief patterns enlightened by current fashion.

I am not saying is that each person cannot decide for themselves. Indeed, each person must make their own decision for, against or indifferent to Christ’s Gospel. Rather I posit that when a person does decide for Christ, when they are regenerated, their regenerated lives can best be fulfilled in a path with clearly defined guideposts, guideposts only the infallible Catholic Church can adequately provide.

PNCC,

Corrections…

to the [Roman] Catholic Answers Forum on the subject of the PNCC.

I do not post in forums, learned my lessons in that regard long long ago. To break this down and to correct a few of the misleading statements posted there:

  • The Roman Church considers the PNCC to be schismatic, not heretical (for those who care about such things. 99.9% of PNCC members don’t — they don’t even think about it).
  • The PNCC has not changed its name — it is still the Polish National Catholic Church (no you don’t have to be Polish to join™).
  • The PNCC does indeed allow its priests to marry. We do not see marriage as an impediment to the priesthood or priesthood as an impediment to marriage.
  • As with any Church we hold talks with the Roman Church. That doesn’t mean reconciliation is immanent. Just like Orthodoxy, that won’t happen unless Rome changes its view of the papacy.

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