Cotabato archdiocese warns faithful vs 'Old Roman Catholic' priests

The Archdiocese of Cotabato has warned its faithful against some priests offering Mass and other religious services who are not Roman Catholic priests.

In a letter dated November 14, Cotabato Archbishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD and Fr. Charlie Celeste, JCL, warned the faithful of the archdiocese against priests of the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church, Old Roman Catholic and Old Roman Catholic Cchurch.

The letter stated that some of the faithful were misled to believe that these priests are in communion with Rome due to the similarity in vestments and liturgical practices. They noted how some lay people have participated in their services and invited their priests to conduct funeral rites and other liturgical services.

“We would like to inform that these groups separated from the see of Rome and are not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. They are not part of the 23 other Eastern Catholic Church which are in full communion and have recognized the authority of the Pope,” the letter said.

The letter stressed that the sacraments administered by these clerics are “dubious and illicit.”

The priests of the archdiocese were obliged to inform all the faithful in their parishes and basic ecclesial communities about these renegade priests. Parish secretaries were also instructed to assist any faithful who seek a priest for the sacraments and blessings.

The Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church is a schismatic church founded in 1945 by Bishop Carlos Duarte Costa.

The Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church, Old Roman Catholic and Old Roman Catholic church are not recognized by the Vatican.

In August of this year, the Archdiocese of Manila issued a similar warning against the groups.