FAQ
GENERAL / DOCTRINAL
1. What is the Society of Mercy?
The Society of Mercy is a community of clergy dedicated to bringing the sacraments to all who seek them. We descend from the Church of Utrecht and the Old Roman Catholic tradition, a church granted the right to elect its own bishops in 1145. Our tradition is deeply rooted in the primacy of a well-formed conscience, the merciful character of God, and the belief that grace is freely given through the seven sacraments. We minister to people who may have been excluded elsewhere, including LGBT persons, divorced persons, and others seeking reconciliation with God.
2. Are you really Catholic?
Yes. The word Catholic comes from the Greek Katholikos, meaning “universal.” The Church of Utrecht, from which we descend, was unjustly punished by Rome in 1701, but it maintained valid apostolic succession and Catholic teaching. We continue to profess the essential beliefs of Catholicism while looking with hope to the prayer of Jesus: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
3. What is your position on the Pope?
We honor the Pope as Bishop of Rome and head of a historic patriarchate, praying for him at every Mass. However, we do not accept universal jurisdiction or papal infallibility—positions only formally declared in 1870 and unknown to the Early Church. Our stance is similar to the Eastern Orthodox Churches, who respect the pope historically but do not view him as infallible or supreme over all Christians. 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?
A well-formed conscience is central to our faith. It is shaped by Scripture, tradition, prayer, and the command of Christ to love one another: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). The Society of Mercy believes each person must discern God’s call in freedom, not fear. We are not “culture warriors” nor do we issue lengthy condemnations. Instead, we affirm that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). Thus, we welcome LGBT individuals and their relationships, offer remarriage to divorced persons, and emphasize mercy in all pastoral care.
5. Do you have your own catechism?
Yes. Like many branches of Catholicism, we have developed a catechism that reflects our history and theology. It draws from the undivided Church of the first millennium and incorporates both Eastern and Western traditions. Our Catechism is available here.
6. What is your Society’s position on married priests?
The Church of Utrecht ordained married clergy beginning in 1878 and married bishops by 1908. Archbishop Mathew entered into union with the Patriarch of Antioch in 1912 and the Patriarchate of Alexandria in 1913, both of whom have married priests. Married clergy are part of our Old Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition.
7. Have you changed the sacraments?
No. We uphold the sacraments of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church without alteration. We celebrate them reverently, but we administer them with mercy, sensitivity, and respect for conscience—ensuring the sacraments are never used as weapons of exclusion.
8. What is your position on infallible pronouncements?
Because the Church of Utrecht ceased communion with Rome in 1701, we do not recognize later Roman dogmas such as Papal Infallibility, the Immaculate Conception, or the Assumption of Mary as binding. However, individuals are free to hold these as private devotions or theological opinions.
9. Are you related to the Eastern Orthodox Churches?
Yes. Archbishop Arnold Harris Mathew entered into communion with the Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and Alexandria. Although circumstances shifted over time, these historic unions demonstrate our shared theology and spirituality with the Eastern Churches, who enrich our own tradition.
10. Are you related to other 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.
11. Are you related to the European Old Catholic Churches?
No. In 1910, the Old Roman Catholic Church declared independence from the European Old Catholic Union of Utrecht because of theological differences. However, we remain committed to working together when them and maintaining our common Old Catholic traditions.
LITURGICAL
12. Do you exist to protest liturgical change?
No. Our origins lie not in protest but in the right to elect our bishops and in the pastoral need to provide sacraments to the faithful. We celebrate the liturgy with reverence and dignity, but our purpose is to extend God’s mercy—not to quarrel about ritual details.
13. How do you worship?
We preserve the historic worship of the undivided Church. Our liturgies are traditional, beautiful, and reverent, fostering the dignity proper to divine worship. We also retain Catholic devotions and the sacramental life as the Church has handed them down through the centuries.
MEMBERSHIP
14. Is there a church near me?
Perhaps not. We are missionary in nature, and many local communities begin with small gatherings for prayer and fellowship. Often, lay communities grow into formal parishes as leaders emerge and are ordained for ministry.
15. How does one join your Society?
Membership is primarily clerical, but we welcome lay companions who worship with us, share in our sacramental life, support our ministries, and commit to prayer for our Society. Companions are a vital part of our mission of mercy.
16. Do you have a “habit”?
No. Our members wear the traditional black cassock with cincture, bearing our emblem over the heart as a sign of service and unity.
1. What is the Society of Mercy?
The Society of Mercy is a community of clergy dedicated to bringing the sacraments to all who seek them. We descend from the Church of Utrecht and the Old Roman Catholic tradition, a church granted the right to elect its own bishops in 1145. Our tradition is deeply rooted in the primacy of a well-formed conscience, the merciful character of God, and the belief that grace is freely given through the seven sacraments. We minister to people who may have been excluded elsewhere, including LGBT persons, divorced persons, and others seeking reconciliation with God.
2. Are you really Catholic?
Yes. The word Catholic comes from the Greek Katholikos, meaning “universal.” The Church of Utrecht, from which we descend, was unjustly punished by Rome in 1701, but it maintained valid apostolic succession and Catholic teaching. We continue to profess the essential beliefs of Catholicism while looking with hope to the prayer of Jesus: “that they may all be one” (John 17:21).
3. What is your position on the Pope?
We honor the Pope as Bishop of Rome and head of a historic patriarchate, praying for him at every Mass. However, we do not accept universal jurisdiction or papal infallibility—positions only formally declared in 1870 and unknown to the Early Church. Our stance is similar to the Eastern Orthodox Churches, who respect the pope historically but do not view him as infallible or supreme over all Christians. 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?
A well-formed conscience is central to our faith. It is shaped by Scripture, tradition, prayer, and the command of Christ to love one another: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). The Society of Mercy believes each person must discern God’s call in freedom, not fear. We are not “culture warriors” nor do we issue lengthy condemnations. Instead, we affirm that God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). Thus, we welcome LGBT individuals and their relationships, offer remarriage to divorced persons, and emphasize mercy in all pastoral care.
5. Do you have your own catechism?
Yes. Like many branches of Catholicism, we have developed a catechism that reflects our history and theology. It draws from the undivided Church of the first millennium and incorporates both Eastern and Western traditions. Our Catechism is available here.
6. What is your Society’s position on married priests?
The Church of Utrecht ordained married clergy beginning in 1878 and married bishops by 1908. Archbishop Mathew entered into union with the Patriarch of Antioch in 1912 and the Patriarchate of Alexandria in 1913, both of whom have married priests. Married clergy are part of our Old Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition.
7. Have you changed the sacraments?
No. We uphold the sacraments of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church without alteration. We celebrate them reverently, but we administer them with mercy, sensitivity, and respect for conscience—ensuring the sacraments are never used as weapons of exclusion.
8. What is your position on infallible pronouncements?
Because the Church of Utrecht ceased communion with Rome in 1701, we do not recognize later Roman dogmas such as Papal Infallibility, the Immaculate Conception, or the Assumption of Mary as binding. However, individuals are free to hold these as private devotions or theological opinions.
9. Are you related to the Eastern Orthodox Churches?
Yes. Archbishop Arnold Harris Mathew entered into communion with the Orthodox Patriarchates of Antioch and Alexandria. Although circumstances shifted over time, these historic unions demonstrate our shared theology and spirituality with the Eastern Churches, who enrich our own tradition.
10. Are you related to other 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.
11. Are you related to the European Old Catholic Churches?
No. In 1910, the Old Roman Catholic Church declared independence from the European Old Catholic Union of Utrecht because of theological differences. However, we remain committed to working together when them and maintaining our common Old Catholic traditions.
LITURGICAL
12. Do you exist to protest liturgical change?
No. Our origins lie not in protest but in the right to elect our bishops and in the pastoral need to provide sacraments to the faithful. We celebrate the liturgy with reverence and dignity, but our purpose is to extend God’s mercy—not to quarrel about ritual details.
13. How do you worship?
We preserve the historic worship of the undivided Church. Our liturgies are traditional, beautiful, and reverent, fostering the dignity proper to divine worship. We also retain Catholic devotions and the sacramental life as the Church has handed them down through the centuries.
MEMBERSHIP
14. Is there a church near me?
Perhaps not. We are missionary in nature, and many local communities begin with small gatherings for prayer and fellowship. Often, lay communities grow into formal parishes as leaders emerge and are ordained for ministry.
15. How does one join your Society?
Membership is primarily clerical, but we welcome lay companions who worship with us, share in our sacramental life, support our ministries, and commit to prayer for our Society. Companions are a vital part of our mission of mercy.
16. Do you have a “habit”?
No. Our members wear the traditional black cassock with cincture, bearing our emblem over the heart as a sign of service and unity.