Union of Scranton

The Union of Scranton is a communion of Old Catholic churches established in 2008 by the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC) of the United States, after the Union of Utrecht began ordaining women and blessing of same-sex unions. Since then, it has expanded to include the Nordic Catholic Church (NCC), begun by people who had separated from the Church of Norway, a Lutheran state church, in opposition to similar practices and has developed a more Catholic theology. The Nordic Catholic Church includes the Christ-Catholic Church in Germany as a daughter-church, which traces its history through the Union of Utrecht and the Polish National Catholic Church,[1] as well as St. Severin's Abbey which is the German Province of the Order of Port Royal.

This article is about for an intercommunion agreement among Christian denominations. For statement from labor unions, see Scranton Declaration.
Union of Scranton
ClassificationOld Catholic
TheologyUltrajectine
GovernanceEpiscopal
LeaderAnthony Mikovsky
RegionNorth America, Europe
HeadquartersScranton, Pennsylvania
Origin2008
Separated fromUnion of Utrecht
Branched fromRoman Catholic Church
Official websitetheunionofscranton.org

Beliefs

The beliefs shared by Union of Scranton-member churches, distinguished from Roman Catholic and Union of Utrecht churches, are described in the Declaration of Scranton.[2] The Declaration of Scranton expands Declaration of Utrecht principles by adding theologically conservative expressions of faith in the sacraments of marriage and holy orders.[3]

In the Declaration of Scranton, the signatories:

  • reject the dogma of papal infallibility and the universal episcopate of the Bishop of Rome
  • reject the dogmatic pronouncement of the Immaculate Conception, although not the dogma itself
  • reject the dogmatic pronouncement of the Assumption of Mary, although not the dogma itself
  • reject ordination of women to the priesthood, consecration of women to the episcopate,
  • and the blessing of same-sex unions,
  • and affirm a sacrificial understanding of the Eucharist, not as a continual repetition nor a renewal of Jesus' sacrifice, but as a perpetual commemoration of the sacrifice.

Members
  • Polish National Catholic Church[4]
    • Polish National Catholic Church Deanery in Italy
    • Polish Catholic Church in Republic of Poland
  • Nordic Catholic Church[4][5]
    • Nordic Catholic Church in Scandinavia
    • Nordic Catholic Church in Germany, Hungary and Switzerland
    • Nordic Catholic Church in France
    • Nordic Catholic Church in United Kingdom
    • Nordic Catholic Church in Italy
    • Order of Port Royal (OPR) in Germany and Sweden

Relationships

The Union of Scranton has been in dialogue with the Free Church of England since February 2013.[6][7]

References
  1. "Geschichte der Christ-Katholischen Kirche in Deutschland". christ-katholisch.de (in German). Einsbach, DE: Christ-Katholische Kirche. Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  2. Bishops of the Polish National Catholic Church (2008-04-28). Written at Lancaster, NY. "The Declaration of Scranton: a profession of faith and declaration" (PDF). theunionofscranton.org. Scranton, PA: Union of Scranton. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  3. Polish National Catholic Church. General Synod (October 2010). "The Declaration of Scranton: official commentary" (PDF). theunionofscranton.org. Union of Scranton. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  4. "Union of Scranton: Churches in communion with the Polish National Catholic Church". theunionofscranton.org. Scranton, PA: Union of Scranton. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  5. "Clergy directory". nordiccatholic.com. Nordic Catholic Church. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24.
  6. Chadwick, Anthony (2013-03-16). "Free Church of England and the Union of Scranton". sarumuse.wordpress.com (blog). Anthony Chadwick. Archived from the original on 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  7. "Free Church of England hosts Union of Scranton delegation". fcofe.org.uk. Free Church of England. 2015-12-07. Archived from the original on 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
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