Vatican City, Nov 1, 2014 / 15:02 pm
Despite continuing theological, ethical and ministerial differences between the Roman Catholic Church and the schismatic Old Catholic Conference, the two communions can continue to work together, Pope Francis counseled on Thursday.
“The theological and ecclesiological questions that arose during our separation are now more difficult to overcome due to the increasing distance between us on matters of ministry and ethical discernment,” lamented Pope Francis in an Oct. 30 address to the Old Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Union of Utrecht.
However, the two Churches can continue to dialogue and cooperate in order to address spiritual crises in the world. “In the meantime, in the heart of Europe, which is so confused about its own identity and vocation, there are many areas in which Catholics and Old Catholics can collaborate in meeting the profound spiritual crisis affecting individuals and societies,” the Pope said.
The Old Catholic Church is a group of Churches that separated from communion with the Catholic Church over the question of papal authority.