Old Catholics

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Liz_EMW

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Could anyone help me understand who the ‘Old Catholics’ are? I have heard it said that they have apostolic succession, and that some Protestants or individuals within a Protestant denomination ordained by an Old Catholic claim to have it too, and use it to deny the need to be part of the Catholic Church. I do not know much about them, or whether there is any element of truth in this. Can they validly celebrate Mass? (I am not suggesting I would want to go to a Mass celebrated by one. I just want to understand better)
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They are a number of break away groups that formed largely over disagreements with Vatican I. Most were in Europe,however there are a number of small churches in the United States. They vary greatly from one church to the next. Some are very liberal promoting such things as women priest, gay lifestyles, and liberties within the liturgical process. Some are on the other end of the spectrum are ultra-conservative and traditional. In regard to their claim to apostilic succession and other claims to validity, one would probably have to examine each individual church and their practices and history. Some such as the Polish National Catholic Church are one of the larger branches.
 
Didnt think of looking on Wikepedia as I dont always trust the content, but it fits with what I have heard and sounds well researched. It also sounds very confusing.

What would be the standing of a priest who had been ordained by an Old Catholic with valid orders but was himself of a different denomination to the Old Catholic, and other priests within his denomination were not ordained by an Old Catholic with valid orders (I believe there are such cases, and I am very confused about who is valid and who isn’t).
 
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