FAQ
GENERAL/DOCTRINAL
1. What is the Society of Mercy?
The Society of Mercy is a group of priests who minister to people needing sacraments. We descend from the Church of Utrecht and the Old Roman Catholic tradition, a collection of churches which was allowed to elect its own bishops in 1145. This tradition is centered on the primacy of a well-formed conscience. We hold valid apostolic succession and celebrate seven sacraments as a means of grace.
2. Are you really Catholic?
Yes! The word Catholic descends from the Greek word Katholikos meaning universal. The Church of Utrecht, from whom we descend, was unjustly punished by the Holy See in 1701. We maintain the essential beliefs of Catholicism while also retaining the desire that we may one day "all be one."
3. What is your position on the Pope?
We respect the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and the head of a historic patriarchate. We pray for him at every Mass. However, we do not consider ourselves subject to his universal jurisdiction. This position was only adopted in 1870 would have been repugnant to the Early Church. This is akin to the Eastern Orthodox Churches who view his position as historic and honored but not infallible and/or capable of universal jurisdiction. The Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria is also given the title "Pope" as is the leader of the Coptic Church.
4. Can you explain the idea of a well-formed conscience?
Our tradition has consistently maintained the faith of the essential dogmas of the Church as expressed in reverent, traditional liturgies and devotions. However, the Society also has a long history of sensitivity regarding pastoral issues. This means that people who have experienced moral condemnation in other traditions are welcome here. We affirm that our God is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Ps. 103:8) and welcomes all. A well formed conscience is guided by Holy Scripture which says "and as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner" (Lk. 6:31). We are not interested in being "culture warriors" or issuing lengthy condemnations.
5. Do you have your own catechism?
Yes. Many branches of the Catholic Church have their own catechism. They can be unique to their history, traditions, and doctrine (as with the Ukrainian Catholic Catechism) as well as specific to local churches (such as the United States Catechism for Adults). Our Catechism focuses on the beliefs of the undivided church by incorporating both Eastern and Western viewpoints and is available here.
6. What is your Society's position on married priests?
The Church of Utrecht began ordaining married clergy in 1878 and married bishops in 1908. In 1912 the Old Roman Catholic Church of Great Britain entered into union with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. This was also done with the Patriarchate of Alexandria in 1913. We affirm our ties to the position of the Church of Utrecht and our Orthodox heritage by allowing the ordination of married clergy.
7. Have you changed the sacraments?
No. We uphold the matter of the sacraments of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church without change. To change them would separate us from the universal Church. We only seek to administer them with mercy and recognizing the primacy of a well-formed conscience. Our beliefs on the sacraments can be found here.
8. What is your position on infallible pronouncements?
The Church of Utrecht ceased unity with Rome around 1701. Because of this, we do not regard as dogmas beliefs such as the Immaculate Conception, Assumption of Mary, or Papal Infallibility. However, a person may hold these beliefs as doctrines privately.
9. Are you related to Eastern Orthodox Churches?
Yes! Archbishop Mathew, who spread the Old Catholic Movement into the United Kingdom and America, signed a document of union with Archbishop Messarra of the Patriarchate of Antioch. Two years later this was accepted by the Patriarchate of Alexandria as well. That document has never been withdrawn, and we hold traditions common to the Eastern and Western Churches before split of 1054. The Eastern Church, with its rich icons, spirituality, monastic tradition, etc. is completely compatible with our traditions.
10. Are you related to any Old Catholic or Independent Catholic Churches?
There are many Old Catholic, Independent Catholic and other churches who use similar names. Unfortunately, deep divisions exist among groups both doctrinally and in practice. Churches differ on their acceptance of LGBT persons, female clergy, liturgical styles, etc. There is always an effort towards greater unity, but that is often difficult to achieve. These same divisions are, unfortunately, prevalent in other churches with the new/old calendar Orthodox divisions, traditionalist division among Roman Catholics, and schism among Anglicans (among others).
11. Are you related to the European Old Catholic Churches?
No. The Old Roman Catholic Church tradition separated from the European Old Catholics in 1910. Archbishop Arnold Harris Mathew issued the Declaration of Autonomy that year because of what he perceived as the increasing distance from traditional Catholicism exhibited by the continental Old Catholics.
LITURGICAL
12. Do you exist to protest liturgical change?
No. The Old Roman Catholic tradition began because it had the power to elect its own bishops. The tradition continued because many people needed access to sacraments but were denied by their local clergy. The Society of Mercy exists to fulfill that need. Our clergy are focused on offering sacraments to those who need them. We believe in performing liturgical acts reverently, but we did not form out of protest.
13. How do you worship?
The Society maintains the historic worship tradition of the universal church and utilizes liturgies recognized by the Catholic Church. Above all we maintain the historic devotions of Catholicism. It is important to our Society to maintain a uniformity in reverent worship as well as celebrate the dignity and reverence that are appropriate in sacred worship.
MEMBERSHIP
14. Is there a church near me?
Often times there is not a Society presence in an inquirer's area. However, as a missionary group we encourage individuals to come together for prayer and reflection. Often times, this is the beginning of a ministry and a suitable candidate from the community is elevated to the diaconate and priesthood.
15. How does one join your Society?
As a clerical organization our membership consists of those in the clerical or professed state. However, we do have companion members. These are individuals who attend our churches, receive our sacraments, work with our clerics, and/or wish to pray for the Society daily. For more information, please visit our Companions page.
16. Do you have a "habit?"
No. Society members wear the priest's cassock with cincture. A patch with the Society's name and emblem is placed on the left breast over the heart.
1. What is the Society of Mercy?
The Society of Mercy is a group of priests who minister to people needing sacraments. We descend from the Church of Utrecht and the Old Roman Catholic tradition, a collection of churches which was allowed to elect its own bishops in 1145. This tradition is centered on the primacy of a well-formed conscience. We hold valid apostolic succession and celebrate seven sacraments as a means of grace.
2. Are you really Catholic?
Yes! The word Catholic descends from the Greek word Katholikos meaning universal. The Church of Utrecht, from whom we descend, was unjustly punished by the Holy See in 1701. We maintain the essential beliefs of Catholicism while also retaining the desire that we may one day "all be one."
3. What is your position on the Pope?
We respect the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and the head of a historic patriarchate. We pray for him at every Mass. However, we do not consider ourselves subject to his universal jurisdiction. This position was only adopted in 1870 would have been repugnant to the Early Church. This is akin to the Eastern Orthodox Churches who view his position as historic and honored but not infallible and/or capable of universal jurisdiction. The Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria is also given the title "Pope" as is the leader of the Coptic Church.
4. Can you explain the idea of a well-formed conscience?
Our tradition has consistently maintained the faith of the essential dogmas of the Church as expressed in reverent, traditional liturgies and devotions. However, the Society also has a long history of sensitivity regarding pastoral issues. This means that people who have experienced moral condemnation in other traditions are welcome here. We affirm that our God is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Ps. 103:8) and welcomes all. A well formed conscience is guided by Holy Scripture which says "and as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner" (Lk. 6:31). We are not interested in being "culture warriors" or issuing lengthy condemnations.
5. Do you have your own catechism?
Yes. Many branches of the Catholic Church have their own catechism. They can be unique to their history, traditions, and doctrine (as with the Ukrainian Catholic Catechism) as well as specific to local churches (such as the United States Catechism for Adults). Our Catechism focuses on the beliefs of the undivided church by incorporating both Eastern and Western viewpoints and is available here.
6. What is your Society's position on married priests?
The Church of Utrecht began ordaining married clergy in 1878 and married bishops in 1908. In 1912 the Old Roman Catholic Church of Great Britain entered into union with the Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. This was also done with the Patriarchate of Alexandria in 1913. We affirm our ties to the position of the Church of Utrecht and our Orthodox heritage by allowing the ordination of married clergy.
7. Have you changed the sacraments?
No. We uphold the matter of the sacraments of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church without change. To change them would separate us from the universal Church. We only seek to administer them with mercy and recognizing the primacy of a well-formed conscience. Our beliefs on the sacraments can be found here.
8. What is your position on infallible pronouncements?
The Church of Utrecht ceased unity with Rome around 1701. Because of this, we do not regard as dogmas beliefs such as the Immaculate Conception, Assumption of Mary, or Papal Infallibility. However, a person may hold these beliefs as doctrines privately.
9. Are you related to Eastern Orthodox Churches?
Yes! Archbishop Mathew, who spread the Old Catholic Movement into the United Kingdom and America, signed a document of union with Archbishop Messarra of the Patriarchate of Antioch. Two years later this was accepted by the Patriarchate of Alexandria as well. That document has never been withdrawn, and we hold traditions common to the Eastern and Western Churches before split of 1054. The Eastern Church, with its rich icons, spirituality, monastic tradition, etc. is completely compatible with our traditions.
10. Are you related to any Old Catholic or Independent Catholic Churches?
There are many Old Catholic, Independent Catholic and other churches who use similar names. Unfortunately, deep divisions exist among groups both doctrinally and in practice. Churches differ on their acceptance of LGBT persons, female clergy, liturgical styles, etc. There is always an effort towards greater unity, but that is often difficult to achieve. These same divisions are, unfortunately, prevalent in other churches with the new/old calendar Orthodox divisions, traditionalist division among Roman Catholics, and schism among Anglicans (among others).
11. Are you related to the European Old Catholic Churches?
No. The Old Roman Catholic Church tradition separated from the European Old Catholics in 1910. Archbishop Arnold Harris Mathew issued the Declaration of Autonomy that year because of what he perceived as the increasing distance from traditional Catholicism exhibited by the continental Old Catholics.
LITURGICAL
12. Do you exist to protest liturgical change?
No. The Old Roman Catholic tradition began because it had the power to elect its own bishops. The tradition continued because many people needed access to sacraments but were denied by their local clergy. The Society of Mercy exists to fulfill that need. Our clergy are focused on offering sacraments to those who need them. We believe in performing liturgical acts reverently, but we did not form out of protest.
13. How do you worship?
The Society maintains the historic worship tradition of the universal church and utilizes liturgies recognized by the Catholic Church. Above all we maintain the historic devotions of Catholicism. It is important to our Society to maintain a uniformity in reverent worship as well as celebrate the dignity and reverence that are appropriate in sacred worship.
MEMBERSHIP
14. Is there a church near me?
Often times there is not a Society presence in an inquirer's area. However, as a missionary group we encourage individuals to come together for prayer and reflection. Often times, this is the beginning of a ministry and a suitable candidate from the community is elevated to the diaconate and priesthood.
15. How does one join your Society?
As a clerical organization our membership consists of those in the clerical or professed state. However, we do have companion members. These are individuals who attend our churches, receive our sacraments, work with our clerics, and/or wish to pray for the Society daily. For more information, please visit our Companions page.
16. Do you have a "habit?"
No. Society members wear the priest's cassock with cincture. A patch with the Society's name and emblem is placed on the left breast over the heart.