Your questions

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.   If you do not find your question answered here, please contact us.  We will be happy to respond.

 

What is your relationship to the Roman Catholic Church?

How is Heartland "ecumenical"?

What is your line of Apostolic Succession?

Why are there so many different Old Catholic church communities?

I am divorced.  Can I be remarried in your church?

Do you ordain women to the priesthood?

I need the counsel / sacraments of a priest.  How can I receive them?

What are worship services like in Heartland parishes?

Who can receive communion during mass in your churches?

What is the mission statement of the Heartland Old Catholic Church?

Is there a Heartland parish near me?

How can I become an Old Catholic?

How can I find out more about Old Catholicism?

What is your relationship to the Roman Catholic Church?

With our Roman brothers and sisters, the Old Catholic Church shares a common Catholic Christian faith, a mutually recognized Apostolic Succession, and a mutually recognized Eucharist.  However, the Old Catholic Church is independent of Rome.  Consequently, we differ from Rome in our administration, ordination, and liturgical practices.

 

How is Heartland "ecumenical"?

All Christians baptized in the name of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) are invited to participate in the worship and sacramental life of our ecumenical parishes.  This is our realization of Jesus' desire that all Christians "may be one" as Jesus and God the Father are one.

If you are not baptized or are not baptized with the Triune formula, we welcome you to attend our worship services.  It would be the first step in your spiritual journey in Christ. Before you may receive communion, however, you would need to be baptized with the Triune formula and be instructed in the nature of the Eucharist.

 

What is your line of Apostolic Succession?

Click here for the line of Apostolic Succession of the bishops of the Heartland Old Catholic Church.

 

Why are there so many different Old Catholic church communities?

Old Catholicism embraces the faith and traditions of the early Church, a time when the people of Jesus Christ were united by their faith.  During this period the local bishop determined local liturgical practices.  This is the practice of Old Catholic churches today.  

Heartland Old Catholic Church is but one community within the greater community of the Old Catholic Church.  Some Old Catholic sister communities differ from each other in various ways, such as liturgy and ordination practices.  Sometimes the only differences between two communities are geographic location and language.  

Despite any differences among them, all Old Catholic communities have in common what is most important:  

• the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

• the Apostolic Tradition and Succession,

• the Sacraments, 

• the unanimously accepted decisions of the Ecumenical Councils of the early, undivided Church, and

• guidance from the Holy Spirit.

To learn about the early Church, the history of Old Catholicism, and the various Old Catholic communities, visit the "Our History" page.

I am divorced.  Can I be remarried in your church?

The Church recognizes the reality of divorce and permits remarriage.  Contact us to discuss your situation, questions, and needs.  

 

Do you ordain women to the priesthood?

Yes.  If you are a woman and you believe you are called to the priesthood, take a step forward! Contact us to begin exploring your vocation and preparation for the priesthood.

 

I need the counsel / sacraments of a priest.  How can I receive them?

Individuals and families who for various reasons are without a church but need assistance with the sacraments should not hesitate to contact us.  Call us.  We are friendly!

 

What are worship services like at Heartland parishes?

Heartland Old Catholic Church enables congregations under the direction of their pastor and bishop to select the liturgy best suited to their needs from those authorized for use in its churches.  These are:

The Roman Missal which includes the Novus Ordo, the English language liturgy used in almost all Roman Catholic parishes in the US and Canada; and the Tridentine, which is the Latin liturgy used on occasion in some Roman Catholic parishes.

The Old Catholic Missal, promulgated by Bishop Arnold Mathew with approbation of Archbishop Gul of Utrecht.

The Anglican Missal in the American Edition.

 

Who can receive communion during mass at your church?

Any Christian baptized by water in the name of the Trinity.  If you are not so baptized, we still welcome you to our services.  

 

What is the mission statement of the Heartland Old Catholic Church?

The Heartland Old Catholic Church strives to provide an affirming, evangelical, and sacramental presence to all in their diversity; and therefore, we are called to ministries that are loving, inclusive, and justice bearing. 

We join with other Ecumenical Catholic Churches in accomplishing this mission.

 

Is there a Heartland parish near me?

See the "Our Parishes" page to locate a parish near you.

How can I become an Old Catholic?

If you are a baptized Christian who wishes to become an Old Catholic — we welcome you!  We recognize all Christian baptisms by water and the Triune formula (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

If you have not been baptized in this way, we welcome you to come to our mass!  It would be the first step to preparing you for your spiritual journey in Christ.  Before you may receive communion, however, you would need to be baptized and be instructed in the nature of the Eucharist.

 

How can I find out more about Old Catholicism?

Visit our history page.  It includes links to other information sources within and outside the Old Catholic Church.  If you still want to learn more, talk with one of our bishops.  

Call us. We are friendly!