Question about Differences in Sects

[searchergal]

I want to know the difference between the National Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic church? My inclination is that the National church is not under the Pope in Rome? The National church locally is Polish and I’ve heard that they have separated from the Catholic faith and Rome.

 

[DavidFilmer]

I gather you refer to the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC).

The PNCC is a group of Polish Americans who broke away from the Catholic Church, but did not tamper with any of their Catholic Doctrine. Thus, Rome recognizes the validity of their Orders and all of their Sacraments (Rome also did this for the Anglican Church, until the Anglicans tampered with their Orders and made themselves protestants).

A Catholic may attend a PNCC Mass, but not partake (even though it’s valid). A Catholic may call upon a PNCC priest in a case of necessity when a Catholic minister is unavailable, and the PNCC have the same rule.

FWIW, a number of “traditional Anglican” groups have insured the validity of their Bishops’ Orders by having them ordained (or conditionally ordained) by a PNCC Bishop. The PNCC has been instrumental in helping these “traditional Anglicans” recover the validity of their Episcopal Orders.

 

[searchergal]

David,
I am even more confused now. If the PNCC is recognized, I’d then imagine I (as a Roman Catholic) can attend Mass and receive communion or any other sacrament there? Do these priests have the power of transubstantiation or would I be just going through the motions? Are they under the rulings of the Vatican/Rome? I don’t know what FWIW is?
Anglicans and Episcopals don’t enter my equation - my ignorance I’m afraid. Thanks for you (name removed by moderator)ut. Fear my priests would say NO to my partaking in their sacraments.

 

[DavidFilmer]

I am even more confused now. If the PNCC is recognized, I’d then imagine I (as a Roman Catholic) can attend Mass and receive communion or any other sacrament there?

Yes. When I said that you can attend PNCC Mass but not partake, I mean that you can’t receive Eucharist. Even though their Eucharist is perfectly valid, there is more to Mass than Sacramental validity. There is the element of “communion,” which is not just a word, but a concept, and the Catholic Church and the PNCC are not in communion.

Do these priests have the power of transubstantiation or would I be just going through the motions?

They are absolutely valid priests (just like Greek Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox (among others) priests). They have all the superpowers of Catholic priests. Their Eucharist is valid, and we Catholics all genuflect before their Tabernacles, and they genuflect before ours.

Are they under the rulings of the Vatican/Rome?

No. There are many valid Catholics who are not under the jurisdiction of Rome.

Fear my priests would say NO to my partaking in their sacraments.

You may request the services of a PNCC priest (who would not refuse) if you were in an emergency situation (mainly someone on their deathbed, or facing imminent danger when death is likely) and no (Roman) Catholic priest was available.

I have heard that the Greek Orthodox would refuse to administer Sacraments to Catholics outside of their Faith. So, even though Roman Catholics are permitted to receive such Sacraments in a time of need, Greek Orthodox are not permitted to administer them. I have not verified this claim.

 

[searchergal]

Thank you David, for taking your time to answer my question.

 

[Miriam1947]

David,
I am even more confused now. If the PNCC is recognized, I’d then imagine I (as a Roman Catholic) can attend Mass and receive communion or any other sacrament there? Do these priests have the power of transubstantiation or would I be just going through the motions? Are they under the rulings of the Vatican/Rome? I don’t know what FWIW is?
Anglicans and Episcopals don’t enter my equation - my ignorance I’m afraid. Thanks for you (name removed by moderator)ut. Fear my priests would say NO to my partaking in their sacraments.

FWIW=For what it’s worth

 

[searchergal]

Thanks! Can you tell I’m in an older generation and don’t text?? Ha!