Things You Ought to Know About Us

What is the central act of worship in the PNCC?

The Holy Mass or Divine Liturgy is the central act of worship in all churches of the Catholic Community, including the National Catholic Church. The Mass is the Sacrifice of the New Testament and is celebrated completely in the language of the people.

How is Holy Communion administered?

Holy Communion is given under two forms, Bread and Wine, which are the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The principal method used is Intinction, which simply means that the Sacred Host is dipped into the Consecrated Wine and administered to the faithful at the altar. Only Priests and Deacons administer the Eucharist and it is always placed on the tongue, not in the hand.

What does the church teach concerning confession?

A humble confession of our faults to Almighty God, followed by the assignment of penance and absolution given by the priest, is the way the congregation obtains forgiveness of its sins. The sacrament may be administered in one of two ways: public or private. Private confession is required for all members under the age of sixteen. Public confession is a part of every Mass. In this form, the faithful confess their sins directly and privately to God. The entire congregation then recites the Prayer of Confession together.

What is the teaching concerning birth control?

The utilization of birth control is a matter of personal judgment for husband and wife. It is not the responsibility of the church to tell its communicants how many children they must or must not have. Marriage serves other major purposes besides the procreation of children.

Is abortion permitted?

No. Abortion is morally wrong, for it is the ending of a life that has already begun. The church does not sanction it.

Can a divorced person participate fully in parish life?

Yes. There are no discriminatory regulations against those who have suffered from a divorce; divorced people may participate in Mass and receive Holy Communion. The Church has an obligation to lend its support and ministry to those who have divorced, as it would to casualties of other social ills.

Can a divorced person re-marry?

Yes. Each Diocese has a matrimonial Commission that studies each request for marriage by persons who have been divorced. This commission presents its finding to the Diocesan Bishop with its recommendation. The Bishop makes the final decision.

Why do we permit priests to marry?

Because it is the perfectly natural thing for a man to do. The church sees no moral reason in the world to forbid a man to receive the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony simply because he happens to be a priest. Tradition tells us that all but one of the twelve apostles were married. Popes, bishops and priests of the early church were all married men. Many believe that a married priest is more likely to understand the problems of marriage and child rearing because he has gone through them.

How is the National Catholic Church governed?

It is governed in accordance with its Constitution. In matters of faith, morals and discipline, bishops and priests possess the authority to explain and teach the doctrinal position of Christ's Church. The legislative authority of the Church is vested in the General Synod, the Special Synod, the Diocesan Synod and the Parish Meeting. In financial and administrative matters, the Parishioners possess administrative authority. Representatives elected at the Annual Parish Meeting, and confirmed by the Diocesan Bishop, exercise their constitutional authority in cooperation with the priest.

We are Catholic, but we are not Roman Catholic. We hold the traditions and concepts of the Catholic Church. We share the Communion and structure of the Roman Catholic Mass. We are part of the Old Catholic Order because we did not adopt the compromises of Rome's Vatican II degrees.

We are believers in Christ. We share the belief that Jesus was the Son of God and came to save the World.

We are a Sacramental Church administering Baptism and Confirmation, Word of God, Penance, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders and Healing of the Sick.

Our Priests, and the Sacraments they administer, are recognized by the Vatican as valid.

We are small in numbers but great in God's love. No one is unworthy of the Word or the Holy Sacraments. We only ask that you partake of them in the right spiritual understanding. Sometimes we ask that you become Baptized or other times we ask you to learn with us about the gifts God gives to you through the Sacraments. No one who truly yearns for the company of the Lord will be turned away. We condemn no one and we welcome everyone.

We are a church of sinners. Like all humanity, the people who make up the Polish National Catholic Church are sinners struggling to be more Christ-like and more complete human beings. We recognize this and call upon each other's strengths to improve our lives by improving our relationship with God.

We are a hospital for sinners not an exclusive club for the righteous.

WHAT WE ARE NOT

....the Roman Catholic Church

.... in communion with the Old Catholic Church, Episcopalians, the Orthodox or Lutherans

....going to please everyone. Because we are concerned for all our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we welcome all people. However, we can't encourage behavior which ultimately hurts the individual or those around the person.

....going to damn you. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". Jesus embraced all who came to him in life and all who still long for his love. We try as humans to follow his example and reflect not on other's sins, but on our own sins. Sin is not an indication that God doesn't love us or that we are unworthy to be part of His flock. Sin is when we fall short of the perfect life the Lord wants us to live in order to be his happy and healthy children.