Is Old Catholicism Worth It?

This seems like a strange question for me to address.  I must admit that I am in utter despair upon reading and thinking through the book: Catholics Without Rome: Old Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans and the Reunion Negotiations of the 1870’s by Geffert and Boerneke.  I quickly devoured the book over the weekend optimistic.  Sunday is the day of the resurrection, but it seems more like the day of the death. 

Does Old Catholicism meet the needs of most people? No.  Honestly, most people have jobs and lives and families and other pressing concerns.  Most Catholics really do not think much about the role of the papacy.  Most Catholics have never heard of Jansenism and could care less if the pope can properly read a theological book properly.  Most Catholics don’t really think much about the Immaculate Conception and the assumptions it takes for granted.  Most people are probably better off remaining Roman Catholic. 

To be Old Catholic takes a heck of a lot of time and effort.  Roman Catholics can point to a clear system of belief and authority to interpret that belief.  The pope guarantees the content of belief so that a person does not have to read all the Scriptures, Councils, Fathers, scholarly research and so on.  Being Roman Catholic is much easier and more pragmatic.

Moreover, is what we are doing in the United States even Old Catholicism?  It might embody the spirit of Old Catholicism but most of us are not in union with the Old Catholic bodies of Europe.  What are we doing, really?

Having read the book, I see why Old Catholic thought could not bring union to Anglicans and to the Orthodox.  Anglicans are confused as to what they are.  Who can even speak for the Anglican Church?  The church itself is far too divided between factions and the same is true for the Orthodox who do not have anyone who can speak for them or a place where decisions can be made that all Orthodox can assent too.

It may sound like I am rejecting the ISM and Old Catholicism, but I am not.  It just shows me how naïve I truly am as I reflect on great thinkers who wanted to bring about unity but could not.  What makes me think that we will be any more successful?  In fact, we are even more divided now than we were when the discussions first took place. 

Last time, I spoke about the importance of education.  I have been thinking about how we need some real education in the United States on Old Catholicism.  I know some seek out the educational resources of Utrecht.  I was looking at their summer programs and saw two fascinating courses:

1)      Old Catholic Theology: Faith, History and Praxis

2)      Ecumenical Catholicity: The Old Catholic Witness

These courses sound fascinating, and I regret my work schedule, and my fear of flying make these difficult to consider.  How I wish we had these kinds of programs and learning.  How I wish we had more vibrant Old Catholic numbers here.  How I wish we were really Old Catholics here.

The divisions that existed between Old Catholics, Anglicans, and Orthodox are even worse among ourselves in the ISM movement.  What is it going to take for this madness to cease?  I would love to have a discussion with people who have read the book and hear your conclusions that might be far more edifying than my conclusions.

Peace,

Ben