Affirming Catholic Faith
Overview of the Old Catholic Union of the West
The Role of the Bible
"…it is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder."
-- Orthodox Bishop Kallistos Ware
We affirm the validity of the 73 books in the Bible, including the 7 deuterocanonical books, despite the controversy that has arisen since the 16th Century. When reading these books, we strive to understand the historical context in which they were written, the intended audience, and the style of writing. We see the Bible as a collection of human stories that attempt to describe human experiences of the triune God, rather than as God's stories about God.
We acknowledge that the Scriptures are thousands of years old, and that historical understandings and modern reflections can influence their interpretation. We strive to strike a balance between what the Bible meant for people in ancient times and what it means for us today. We do not attempt to force modernity to conform to antiquity, nor do we expect antiquity to anticipate the complexities of modernity.
Lastly, we believe that the Scriptures are best understood in the context of the traditions of the Church. We view the combination of the Bible and the traditions of the Church as the means by which we comprehend our relationship with the Divine.
The Role of Mary
The Mother of Jesus, Mary plays an essential role in the Old Catholic Union of the West. While the Ark of the Covenant contained the bread from heaven and the Mosaic law, the Virgin Mary was the Ark of the New Covenant - carrying in her womb the bread of life and the Word of God. Mary, as nurturing mother, brings into focus the feminine in the Church, both in her role as the human God entrusted to bring to fruition the plan of salvation through the incarnation of Jesus as the Christ and the Divine Mother of the Church.
The Role of Saints/Holy People
While we maintain the Church's tradition of recognizing the contribution of the Saints, we do not adhere to the "treasury of merit" doctrine held by the Latin Church.
We accept the sainthood of most of those who have been recognized as saints in the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican expressions of Christianity. We also create our own saints, however, we refer to them as Holy People.
Our Core Beliefs
Community
We believe that God moves us to be together in communities of faith, hope, and love.
We believe that communal worship using modern understandings of traditional liturgies is a path to connecting with the transcendent God.
We believe in the grace of the Eucharist as the most perfect means of communion with the Christ.
Faith
We believe that the responsibility of leadership in the Church is passed down from the Apostles through the laying on of hands in direct succession.
We believe these things not out of certainty but out of faith; as people who trust in the reality of God revealed in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Hope
We believe that in the resurrection, Jesus reveals God calling us to abundant life both now and forever; life beyond our fearful and fragile imaginations.
God
We believe in God, Source of all that is seen and unseen, seeker of intentional unity with creation, and author of love.
We believe that God is revealed in Jesus Christ.
Jesus
We believe that in Jesus’ life, God reveals grace, mercy, forgiveness, and justice.
We believe that in Jesus’ death, God reveals humility and, paradoxically, strength in succumbing to death and triumphing over it in response to and despite the hatred, violence, and pain of those in positions of influence and power.
Holy Spirit
We believe that God lives among us, within us, and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Sacraments
Baptism
Baptism by water is the first sacrament administered. We warmly and happily receive the newly baptized in the Body of Christ.
Confirmation
The Holy Spirit alights upon us. With the laying of hands and the anointing of the head, we welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives
Eucharist
This is the meal that Christ shares with us across time -- to be truly united as the Body of Christ
Reconciliation
The means of healing. The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers each of us the time and place to unburden our souls to make way for healing, through catharsis and a penitential act.
Matrimony
Unity of Love. With the community as witness, the couple professes their commitment to each other in love and divinity.
Anointing of the Sick
Healing Grace. Through anointing, God's healing Grace is poured out on the sick, to bring recovery from illness.
Holy Orders
Serving God's creation. Though we are all called to serve, some are called to a deeper vocation. For those people, Holy Orders infuses them with the Heavenly Grace to serve as they are called.