How does the American Old Catholic Church differ from a Roman Catholic Church?
• The Catholics of our community do not accept the teaching of papal infallibility and, therefore, are independent of the pope’s jurisdiction. As a result, we are not bound by some of the canons and regulations that are formulated and enforced in the Roman Catholic Church. • Priests and bishops are permitted to marry. • Women are encouraged to be more fully involved in the ministry of the Church. As Saint Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” • Divorced people who remarry are able to be reconciled to the church through the grace of God and, therefore, are not excluded from the sacraments. Therefore, a divorced person may remarry with the blessing of the Church. • Artificial contraception is an issue of conscience between husband, wife and God. • Each Catholic is an equal part of the Church. Therefore, lay people are encouraged to play a prominent role in the Church. • No Christian is excluded from the sacram
