old catholic
LowFormal/Technical
Definition
Meaning
A member of any of the churches that separated from the Roman Catholic Church after the First Vatican Council (1870–71), rejecting the dogma of papal infallibility.
More broadly, the term can refer to a movement or group of national Catholic churches not in communion with Rome, which uphold traditional Catholic doctrine and liturgy while rejecting papal primacy and infallibility.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically capitalized as 'Old Catholic'. It is a proper noun referring to specific Christian denominations. It is not simply a descriptor for an elderly Catholic person.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both dialects, as it is a proper noun for a specific religious group. The term is primarily used in theological, historical, and ecumenical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral, ecclesiastical. No significant difference in connotation between dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse in both regions, limited to specific religious or historical discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The Old Catholic Churches (plural noun phrase)an Old Catholic (adjective + noun)to become Old Catholic (verb + adjective)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and history departments when discussing post-Vatican I schisms or modern ecumenism.
Everyday
Very rare. Most commonly encountered in areas with an Old Catholic parish or in interfaith discussions.
Technical
Standard term in ecclesiology and church history for the specific denominations originating from the Union of Utrecht.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Old Catholic community in London is quite small.
- He follows Old Catholic liturgy.
American English
- She was ordained in an Old Catholic church.
- Old Catholic doctrine differs on papal authority.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some Christians are Old Catholics, not Roman Catholics.
- The Old Catholic Churches formed in the 19th century after disagreeing with the Pope's new power.
- Old Catholic bishops are recognised by some Anglican communities.
- Ecumenical dialogues between the Anglican Communion and the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht have been notably successful, leading to the Bonn Agreement of 1931.
- The Old Catholic movement is distinct from both Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, preserving the apostolic succession while rejecting papal supremacy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'OLD' as in 'holding to OLDer forms of church governance before the NEW dogma of papal infallibility was declared in 1870.'
Conceptual Metaphor
SCHISM AS SEPARATION: A branch that broke away from the main trunk of the Roman Catholic tree.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'старый католик', which would imply an elderly Catholic person. The correct equivalent is the borrowed term 'старокатолик' or the descriptive 'старокатолический'.
- Confusion with 'Greek Catholic' or 'Eastern Catholic' churches, which are in communion with Rome, whereas Old Catholic churches are not.
Common Mistakes
- Using lower case ('old catholic') when referring to the denomination.
- Confusing it with the Anglican Church or the Eastern Orthodox Church.
- Assuming it refers to traditionalist Catholics within the Roman Catholic Church (e.g., those who prefer the Latin Mass).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical reason for the establishment of Old Catholic churches?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Old Catholics are members of separate churches that split from the Roman Catholic Church in the late 19th century, primarily over the doctrine of papal infallibility. They are not in communion with the Pope.
Yes, Old Catholic churches generally allow married men to be ordained as priests, which is a key difference from the mandatory celibacy for priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Union of Utrecht (1889) is a federation of Old Catholic churches, mainly in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, which forms the core of the Old Catholic Communion.
The Roman Catholic Church generally recognises the validity of Old Catholic holy orders and sacraments, as they have maintained apostolic succession, but considers the exercise of ministry to be illicit due to the lack of communion.