On various occasions, members of the Roman Catholic Church coming for the first time into contact with the Old Catholic Church or traditional Roman Catholics, have inquired of their pastors or other clergy and supposedly "informed" laity as to the position of the Roman Catholic Church on the validity of Sacraments which are administered by the Old Catholic Church. Frequently the inquirers are told that our Sacraments are not recognized by Rome. This is written to clear up any confusion that there might be on this point although the Roman Catholic Church is quite aware of its validity in all things and has no interest in gaining "recognition" from any other quarters. This is not in our defence nor is it written to justify our being. It is to inform the uninformed. The statements presented here are from official authorities, theologians and publications of the Roman Catholic Church in the affirmation of the validity of Old Catholic Holy Orders and Sacraments.


[1] "When a Catholic sacred minister is unavailable and there is urgent spiritual necessity, Catholics may receive the Eucharist, penance, or anointing from sacred ministers of non-Catholic denomination whose holy orders are considered valid by the Catholic Church. This includes all Eastern Orthodox priests, as well as priests of the Old Catholic or Polish National Church." Rights and Responsibilities, A Catholics' Guide to the New Code of Canon Law, Thomas P. Doyle, O.P., page 44.


[2] "A validly consecrated bishop can validly confer all orders from the minor orders to the episcopate inclusively ... For this reason the ordinations performed by the bishops of the Old Catholics are considered valid." A Practical Commentary on the Code of Canon Law, revised and enlarged edition, by Rev. Stanislaw Woywod, OFM, LLB. Vol. 1, Sec. 881 P. 558.


[3] "They [Old Catholics] have received valid orders." Roman Catholic Dictionary, by Addison Arnold.


[4] "The Old Catholic Church has received valid episcopal consecration", Christian Denominations, by Rev. Konrad Algemissen.


[5] "Their [Old Catholic] Orders and Sacraments are valid." A Catholic Dictionary, by Donald Attwater.


[6] "The Far East Magazine of June, 1928, published by the Saint Columban Fathers of St. Columbans, Nebraska, in reply to any inquiry about the Old Catholic Church, published the reply that: "These [Old Catholics] Orders are valid."


[7] "The Roman Church recognizes the validity of Old Catholic Orders and other Sacraments." 1974 Catholic Almanac, by Felician A. Roy, OFM, page 368. "Our Sunday Visitor."


[8] "We have no reason to doubt that the Old Catholic Orders are valid. The Apostolic Succession does not depend on obedience to the See of Peter but rather on the objective line of succession from Apostolic sources, the proper matter and form, and the proper intention ... likewise Old Catholic bishops are bishops in Apostolic Succession ... The Old Catholics, like the Orthodox, posses a valid priesthood." Separated Brethren, William J. Whalen, pp. 204, 248.


[9] "...Whenever there is no appearance of simulation on the part of the minister, the validity of the sacrament is sufficiently certain ... " (Apostolicae Curae)


[10] “Every validly consecrated bishop, including heretical, schismatic, simonistic or excommunicated bishops, can validly dispense the Sacrament of Order, provided that he has the requisite intention, and follows the essential external rite (set. Certa)." Cf. D 855, 860; CIC 2372.” 1952 Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Dr. Ludwig Ott, pp. 456.


[ These sources were published with the imprimatur of various Roman Catholic Bishops ]