U.S. Port MInistry

The Most Rev. Joseph M. Corrigan is from an ”Old Roman Catholic jurisdiction” which is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church but not under the authority of the Vatican & is a ”validly ordained minister of Jesus Christ”. While happily married Rev. +Joseph enjoys the fullness of the priesthood. A gift from the church, in the tradition of the Old Roman Catholic Rite to help him further carry out his special ministry. Liturgical expressions follow the Roman Rite Catholic Mass. When members of the Roman Catholic Church encounter us for the first time, they are often surprised to learn that Catholic denominations exist apart from Rome. Understandably, questions are raised about the validity of Orders and Sacraments administered by the ”Orthodox or Old Catholics.” I hope the following information will be helpful. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Dominus Iesus At the Vatican, 16 June 2000, Pope John Paul II ratified and ordered the publication of Dominus Iesus. This Declaration of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith was signed and published by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) in August of the same year. In this Declaration, the Roman Church recognizes the validity of Orders and Sacraments of Old Catholic denominations. ”The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the (Roman) Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches.” ”Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such…have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church.” IV. Unicity and Unity of the Church, 17 Other Citations: Catholic Almanac – 1974 ” The Roman Church recognizes the Validity of Old Catholic Orders and other Sacraments.” (Felican A. Roy, OFM, page 368) The Pastoral Companion – A Canon Law Handbook for Catholic Ministry – Third Edition by John M. Huels, JCD, page 335 ” The principal condition is that these sacraments can be received only from validly ordained ministers. These are ministers who belong to ”churches that have preserved the substance of the Eucharistic teaching, the sacrament of orders, and apostolic succession.” This would include all Eastern non-Catholic Churches, the Polish National Church, Old Catholics, and Old Roman Catholics.