Full Communion

Full communion means two or more Christian denominations mutually recognize each other as holding the essentials of the Christian faith, allowing shared sacraments (such as the Eucharist) and clergy exchange, without necessarily merging or agreeing on every doctrinal detail. It signifies profound unity, enabling members to worship and receive communion across denominations, fostering cooperation in mission, and serving as a visible sign of Christ’s unified body.

Key aspects

  • Mutual Recognition: Churches acknowledge each other’s validity, independence, and essential beliefs (like the Gospel, Baptism, Eucharist).
  • Shared Sacraments: Members can receive communion in the partner church, and clergy can often officiate.
  • No Merger: It’s a commitment to unity and cooperation, not a fusion into one single church.
  • Respect for Differences: Denominations maintain their unique traditions while agreeing there are no “church-dividing” issues.
  • Bonn Agreement (1931): A foundational document for Anglican/Old Catholic full communion, establishing key principles.

Examples
EMMI New Life Catholic Ministry & Old Catholics: Partners under the Bonn Agreement, sharing sacraments and mission.

The Roman Catholic Church acknowledges the validity of Old Catholic sacraments because it recognizes their Apostolic Succession, but it considers them illicit. 

In the view of the Roman Catholic Church, the sacraments of the Old Catholic Church (particularly the Union of Utrecht) are generally considered valid but illicit.

Core Definitions

  • Valid: The sacrament “actually happens”. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes that Old Catholic bishops possess true Apostolic Succession, meaning their priests are truly priests and their Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ.
  • Illicit: The sacrament is “unlawful” or performed against the laws and authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Because Old Catholics do not recognize the Pope’s supreme authority, their celebration of the sacraments is considered an act of schism and a violation of Canon Law.

Specific Sacraments and Status

  • Eucharist: Considered a valid Mass but illicit. Catholics are generally forbidden from receiving Communion in an Old Catholic church except in cases of grave necessity or danger of death.
  • Holy Orders: Ordinations of priests and bishops are recognized as valid (meaning they are truly ordained) but are performed without a papal mandate, making them illicit.
  • Confirmation: Generally recognized as valid but illicit.
  • Penance (Confession) and Matrimony (Marriage): These are more complex. In Roman Catholic theology, these require “faculties” (legal jurisdiction) from a bishop in union with Rome to be valid. Consequently, Rome may view Old Catholic confessions and marriages as invalid (not just illicit) because the ministers lack the necessary canonical jurisdiction.
  • Baptism: Always considered valid if the proper form (Trinitarian formula) and matter (water) are used, even if performed by someone outside the church. 

Modern Complications

  • Ordination of Women: The Roman Catholic Church does not recognize the ordination of women. Therefore, any sacrament (except baptism) performed by a female priest or by a bishop ordained by a female bishop is considered invalid, not just illicit, by Rome.
  • Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC): While once part of the Union of Utrecht, the PNCC is often viewed as similar to the Eastern Orthodox churches, with limited intercommunion permitted in specific circumstances due to its closer alignment with traditional Catholic doctrine.

While the sacraments are seen as “real” (e.g., the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ), they are celebrated outside the authority of the Pope and the norms of Roman Catholic Canon Law. 

Key distinctions and complications include:

  • Liceity vs. Validity: Sacraments of the Old Catholic Church are typically valid but illicit. Validity means the sacrament actually occurs; licitness means it was performed in accordance with Roman Catholic law.
  • Communion Status: The Old Catholic Church is not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Consequently, Roman Catholics are generally forbidden from receiving their sacraments except in cases of grave necessity or danger of death.
  • Ordination of Women: In recent years, many Old Catholic churches have begun ordaining women as priests. The Roman Catholic Church views these specific ordinations, and any sacraments (except baptism) performed by these female clergy, as invalid.
  • Apostolic Succession: So long as Old Catholic bishops are ordained in a valid line of succession by male bishops, their ability to confer holy orders is recognized by Rome, though still considered an act of schism.
  • Specific Exclusions: Some “independent” or “liberal” Catholic groups that claim to be Old Catholic may not be recognized as having valid orders if their particular line of succession is deemed broken or fraudulent by the Holy See. 

Sacraments in Old Catholic Churches are generally considered valid by the Roman Catholic Church, though they are often considered “illicit”. This distinction is based on specific theological points:

  • Validity: A sacrament is valid if it actually produces the effect intended by Christ, which requires the correct matter (elements), form (words and gestures), and the minister’s intention to do what the Church does.
  • Liceity: A sacrament is licit when it is administered according to all the liturgical and canonical rules established by the Church authorities.

Key Reasons for Validity

  • Apostolic Succession: The primary reason for recognizing validity is that Old Catholics trace their episcopal lineage unbroken from the Apostles, a fact the Catholic Church considers key to sacramental validity. This means their bishops can validly ordain priests.
  • Valid Matter & Form: Old Catholics use the traditional rites and essential elements (e.g., water for Baptism, bread and wine for the Eucharist) with the proper words and intentions, fulfilling the core requirements for the sacraments to be efficacious ex opere operato (by the act itself).

Status Within the Roman Catholic Church

  • Despite having valid sacraments, the Old Catholic Churches are not in full communion with the Holy See, primarily due to doctrinal differences such as the rejection of papal infallibility, the ordination of women, and the blessing of same-sex marriages.
  • Catholics are generally forbidden from receiving sacraments from Old Catholic priests unless in a grave emergency (e.g., danger of death) when a Catholic minister is unavailable.
  • The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith officially recognizes the sacraments of particular Old Catholic Churches as valid, placing them in a similar situation to that of the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
  • Validity: Old Catholic sacraments are considered practical and real because the clergy possess apostolic succession and use the traditional rites and essential elements for ex opere operato. 
  • Tradition: The Old Catholic Church maintains core doctrines and practices of the early Church, including the seven sacraments. 
  • Roman Catholic view: The Roman Catholic Church acknowledges the validity of Old Catholic sacraments but generally considers their celebration illicit (unlawful) without specific permissions. 

Key divergence:

  •  A primary historical difference is the Old Catholic Church’s rejection of the doctrine of papal infallibility established at the First Vatican Council. 
  • The Roman Catholic Church acknowledges the validity of Old Catholic sacraments because its clergy possess apostolic succession. 
  • However, these sacraments are generally considered illicit (unlawful celebration) within the Roman Catholic Church unless specific permissions are granted. 
  • The distinction originated from the Old Catholic Church’s separation from Rome in response to the doctrine of papal infallibility. 
  • Despite being illicit, the grace from the sacraments is still considered conveyed. 

A declaration of full communion between the Old Catholic Church (specifically the Union of Utrecht) and another church body or an individual can be removed or terminated. This occurs when fundamental disagreements over faith and morals, or breaches of canonical discipline, arise.

Termination of Full Communion Agreements
The process and reasons for removing full communion between the Old Catholic Church (Union of Utrecht, the primary body of Old Catholicism) and another jurisdiction include:
Doctrinal Disagreements: Full communion requires a common confession of the Christian faith. The introduction of new doctrines by one body that the other considers a departure from the “ancient Catholic faith” can lead to a break. A notable example is the Old Catholic Church’s decision to allow the ordination of women, which created obstacles with other churches.

Breach of Ecclesiastical Discipline: Actions seen as violating the established agreements or canonical laws can result in the termination of communion.


Formal Decision: The decision to end full communion is a formal act made by the governing bodies of the churches involved. The International Old Catholic Bishops’ Conference makes such determinations for the Union of Utrecht member churches.

Examples of Termination: The Union of Utrecht has previously removed churches from full communion. For instance, the Polish National Catholic Church was effectively expelled in 2003 after disagreements arose, particularly regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of women. The Old Catholic Church of Slovakia was also removed from membership in 2004.

Full Communion with “Independent Catholics”


The situation with “independent Catholics” is different:

  • Lack of Formal Communion: Generally, the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches is not in full communion with the various groups that style themselves “Independent (Old) Catholic”.
  • Independent Status: Independent Catholic jurisdictions often operate outside of formal, recognized inter-church agreements. Their communion status is typically determined by adherence to doctrine and discipline, and they do not have a universal framework for “full communion” as established bodies do. Any relationship would be specific to that individual or small group.
  • Individual Status

For an individual, being removed from full communion (or being unable to receive communion) typically involves:

  • Excommunication: In the broader Catholic tradition, an individual can be excommunicated, which is an ecclesiastical penalty that deprives them of the spiritual privileges of the church, including receiving the Eucharist. This is usually reserved for grave offences such as heresy or schism.
  • Repentance and Absolution: Excommunication is intended as a corrective measure and may be lifted through repentance and the sacrament of Reconciliation (confession).
  • Personal State of Grace: Individuals who are aware of having committed a grave sin are expected to refrain from receiving communion until they have sought reconciliation.

EMMI New Life Catholic Ministry

We lost our Full Communion because we have tight links with the Roman Catholic Church, and we implement the 1983 code of canon law (Canon 1374).