Saturday, April 29, 2006

North American Old Roman Catholic Church?

Does anyone possess or have access to a copy of a rare and helpful book for which I have searched for some years? I should very much like to obtain a copy, be it original or photocopied.

Father Jonathan E. Trela of the Polish National Catholic Church wrote A History of the North American Old Roman Catholic Church at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey in 1975.

Thank you to all who may have knowledge of this obscure but important work. God bless you!

5 comments:

Ecgbert said...

Sorry I can't help you find the book.

Oh, me, oh, my. Is it about real OCs in North America - for a long time the PNCC were the only ones - or how some real OCs about 100 years ago became vagantes, or the most respectable of the vagante churchlets there, the Old Roman Catholic Church of North America (ORCCNA), Carmel Carfora's old group? They aren't really Old Catholics but, based on their website, are stable/have long-term members (same head bishop for something like 30 years), and have, wow, at least one real congregation, a real ministry - exceptional in that ecclesiastical world.

Their churchmanship: liberal morals - read: they're ex-RCs who want divorces and remarriages and/or to use birth control - but other than that fairly conservative theologically (I don't think they ordain women and they're not gay or New Age) and they like traditional trappings (lotsa brocade and purple birettas, and they do a Tridentine Mass). Perhaps for class reasons they didn't feel comfortable joining the Episcopal Church.

The Most Reverend Chandler Holder Jones, SSC said...

Dear Young Fogey:

Thank you for your helpful thoughts - the Carfora line NAORCC (or ORCCNA) is a fascinating subject indeed. These bodies seem to have been large enough to have served as a real rival to the PNCC in earlier days. My efforts to find accurate scholarly writings on the subject have been mostly frustrated and even at times seem futile. The Carfora line ecclesial bodies seem to possess a stability unknown to other 'independent Catholic' organisations. God bless you!

Anonymous said...

You might try a book by C.B. Moss entitled: "The Old Catholic Movement Its Origins and History."

Anonymous said...

Try the PNCC archives. They have an extensive collection of all PNCC publications. There may even be copies in the bookstore.

My parish's website has information on contacting the bookstores.

You can contact the Archives at 570-346-9131.

Good luck.

The Most Reverend Chandler Holder Jones, SSC said...

Dear Father Jim:

Thank you so very much for the fantastic information. I shall, at first opportunity, ring the PNCC Archives to order a copy or photocopy of Father Trela's book. Additionally, I absolutely love your parish's vibrant and informative website: the video clip is particularly wonderful. Your parish is truly a home for the authentic Catholic Faith. Thank you again and God bless you!

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