Old Catholicism

Old Catholic theology is the theology that is characteristic of the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht. Old Catholic Theology: An Introduction, authored by Peter-Ben Smit, an acknowledged expert in the field, outlines the main characteristics of and influences on Old Catholic theology, as well as the extant ecumenical relationships of the Old Catholic Churches. In doing so, it covers what may be called 'mainstream' Old Catholic theology, while also discussing the diversity within the Old Catholic tradition. Particular attention is given to the Old Catholic approach to theology in general and to ecclesiology, sacramental theology and ecumenical theology in particular. Further foci include the version of communio-theology, the appertaining sacramental understanding of the church, the inherent connection between theology and (liturgical) spirituality, the distinct branch of communal hermeneutics and the understanding of the appeal to the early Church that Old Catholic theologians developed in the course of the 20th century.

This course offers an introduction to Old Catholic theology in an
ecumenical context. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main
theological currents as they exist in Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic
Churches. The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition: the history of Old Catholicism, spirituality, ecumenism, canon law and ecclesiology, liturgy, and systematic theology. In 2021, the course will be offered online for the first time.

Students will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology on the faculty
of the Old Catholic Seminary, Utrecht. The topics covered by the course
include the following: History of Old Catholicism, Old Catholic
spirituality, Ecumenism and Old Catholicism, Old Catholic canon law and
ecclesiology, Old Catholic liturgy, and Old Catholic systematic theology.
The course includes an exploration of religious art in cooperation with the main Dutch museum on this topic, Museum Catharijneconvent.
Participants will also (virtually) engage with Old Catholic liturgy and
church music. Furthermore, attention will be given to the episcopal city of Utrecht, as a key site of the history of Dutch Christianity in general and of Old Catholicism in particular.

At the end of the course, students will have a broad overview of main
topics and themes in Old Catholic theology and spirituality and will be
able to pursue further independent study of the subject. The course is at
the introductory level of an M.Div. curriculum; good BA students may also apply, as well as others. Students may be expected to do advance reading for the course.

In the era prior to the Great Schism of 1054, Christianity was one Church composed of two culturally distinct elements: the Greek East and Latin West. The Greek and Latin halves of the Church each possessed their own independent liturgical and cultural customs which were part of the dispute that lead to the Great Schism, effectively separating the Church into independent Greek and Latin sides. While the West had retained liturgical expressions that differed from the majority Western Rite (in the form of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church, which remained in communion with Rome after the official break with Constantinople), the Christian East was exclusively composed of Churches celebrating the Byzantine Rite for approximately nine hundred years. This changed in the latter half of the nineteenth century with the conversion of Julius Joseph Overbeck to the Russian Orthodox Church in London. Since that time, there have been attempts and successes in establishing a Western Rite in the Eastern Church. This thesis approaches Western Rite Orthodoxy as an established phenomenon in Eastern Christianity, especially as a facet of Orthodoxy in countries where Orthodoxy constitutes a minority. While previous short studies have attempted to substantiate or discredit the legitimacy of Western Rite Orthodoxy as a movement, this thesis accepts the reality of the Western rite and seeks to understand Western Rite Orthodoxy by documenting its history thoroughly, the investigating peculiarities of the Orthodox Western rite compared to other Western liturgies, exposing potential problems (spiritual and canonical) of the current rite and devotions when compared to accepted Orthodox theology and spirituality, and by evaluating some of the criticisms which are often employed against Western Rite Orthodoxy. To complete this critical evaluation, there are some important areas of consideration. Though there have been some studies of Western Rite Orthodoxy, there has been little historical documentation of the movement since the middle part of the twentieth century. Part of Western Rite Orthodoxy’s development has been the alteration of liturgical texts to bring them into conformity with the theology and spirituality of the Eastern Church. There is some question, both in academic and ecclesiastical circles, about how thoroughly these changes were implemented, whether there are still elements requiring further correction, and even if the Western liturgies can be brought into conformity with Eastern theology and practice in any instance. Furthermore, there is are ecumenical implications to the presence of Western Rite Orthodoxy that have yet to be addressed, particularly in the Western Rite Orthodox rejection of post-Vatican II liturgies used by the majority of Western Christianity, and the effect this might have on a future reunion between a Western Church and Orthodoxy. With this critical framework established, there is a greater opportunity to fully understand Western Rite Orthodoxy in the twentieth century, both as it affects the Orthodox Church itself and as it affects external relationships between the Orthodox and other Christian churches. Secondarily, the thesis provides a more complete history in terms of documentation and contextualization of Western Rite Orthodoxy than is presently available through any other medium.

This track consists of two connected courses that offer in the first week an introduction to Old Catholic theology in its ecumenical context and in the second week the possibility to deepen your understanding of Old Catholic Theology by thematic and in-depth case-driven classes. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The first week will offer a broad overview of main topics and themes in Old Catholic theology and spirituality which will be deepened in the courses of the second week.

The courses in the second week are especially linked to an apparent paradoxical key starting point of Old Catholic theology: the faith and order of the Early Church. How can a modern church be so 'traditional' at the same time?

The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition: the history of Old Catholicism, fundamental and liturgical theology, spirituality, ecumenism, canon law and ecclesiology, liturgy, and systematic theology. Case studies that will be explored cover topics such as marriage, the ordination of women and mission.

The courses will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology on the faculty of the Old Catholic Seminary, Utrecht, together with staff of the Institute of Old Catholic Theology, University of Bonn.

The course includes excursions a.o. to a major collection of related religious art (Museum Catharijneconvent). The beginning of the course is marked by attending the Eucharist in St. Gertrud’s Cathedral, facilitating an encounter with ‘lived Old Catholicism’.

Besides the programme of lectures and seminars social activities will be organised to meet and get to know each other. This, we believe, is important because studying theology is also studying in practice, in relation with the other students from all different contexts.

At the end of the course, students will have a deepened knowledge of, and insight in Old Catholic theology and her appeal on the Early Church and will be able to apply this knowledge in theological reflection and research. The course is partly at the introductory level of an M.Div. curriculum and partly at the advanced level of a MA curriculum. Good BA students may also apply, as well as others. Students may be expected to do advance reading for the course.

This track combines the two courses of Old Catholic Theology in its Ecumenical Context and The Early Church as Ideal. It is also possible to participate in only one of the two weeks.

This course offers the possibility to deepen your knowledge of Old
Catholic theology by thematic and in-depth case-driven classes, linked to
a key starting point of Old Catholic theology: the faith and order of the
Early Church. How can a modern church be so ‘traditional’ at the same
time? This apparent tension and paradox will be the core theme of this
weeklong, intensive course. In 2021, this course will be offered online
for the first time.

The topics and disciplines covered by the course include: fundamental and liturgical theology, spirituality, and ecumenism. Case studies that will be explored cover topics such as marriage, the ordination of women and mission. The course will also engage with Old Catholic worship as it is being celebrated today. At the end of the course, students will have a deepened knowledge of, and  insight in Old Catholic theology and her appeal on the Early Church and will be able to apply this knowledge in theological reflexion and research.

The course is at the advanced level of a MA curriculum. Students may be
expected to do advance reading for the course.

This article explores the way in which Anglican–Old Catholic consultations after the Second Vatican Council addressed the questions of authority and primacy in the Church. It argues, first, that in the context of their dialogues with each other and with the Roman Catholic Church, Anglicans and Old Catholics have developed a positive understanding of the role of authority and (universal) primacy in the Church. Second, Anglicans are more willing to think of the implementation of a kind of universal primacy than Old Catholics. Third, the question of primacy is, in the dialogues discussed in this article, seen in union with synodality at all levels of ecclesial communion. Fourth, the value attributed to universal primacy has pushed the (Old Catholic) protest against Pastor Aeternus into the background. Fifth, given the agreement on the value of universal primacy, the question not of whether, but rather of how a universal primacy could be received by the Church is legitimate.

This article focuses on the schism of 1920s-1930s in the Mariavite movement. It is a Polish religious group, which was condemned by the Holy See in 1906. After the death of its founder Maria Kozłowska in 1921, Mariavitism became more Messianic, proclaiming the specific role of the Poles in the world. Mikhail Kowalski obtained an extremely high status in the Mariavite Church. He had it before as well but when Kozłowska died, there was no alternative to Kowalski’s power. He became the Archbishop. Kowalski made refences to the heritage of famous Polish poets and to some extent was influenced by the ideas of ‘the Silver age’. His reforms consisted of proclamations of the exceptional position of the Polish people, who had to be an example of Christians, “mystical marriages”, female priesthood and some other changings. Most of them were too radical (except for Messianism, which was appropriate for the moderate Mariavites) and were implemented too autocratically. Also, Kowalski was accused in immoral behaviour. In 1935, the majority of the Mariavites chose Filip Feldman as their new leader.  The Mariavite Church lost its unity. The article is aimed at examining key aspects of the reforms. In addition, variety of Polish Catholicism is demonstrated in the article.

This course offers the possibility to deepen your knowledge of Old Catholic theology by thematic and in-depth case-driven classes, linked to a key starting point of Old Catholic theology: the faith and order of the Early Church. How can a modern church be so ‘traditional’ at the same time? This apparent tension and paradox will be the core theme of this weeklong, intensive course. The course will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology affiliated with the Old Catholic Seminary in Utrecht and beyond. After the online edition of this summer school last summer the organisation aims to offer the course face-to-face again in Utrecht in the summer of 2022.

The topics and disciplines covered by the course include: fundamental and liturgical theology, spirituality, and ecumenism. Case studies that will be explored cover topics such as marriage, the ordination of women, spirituality, and mission. The course will also engage with Old Catholic worship as it is being celebrated today.

At the end of the course, students will have a deepened knowledge of, and insight in Old Catholic theology and her appeal on the Early Church and will be able to apply this knowledge in theological reflexion and research. The course is at the advanced level of a MA curriculum. Students may be expected to do advance reading for the course.

Entry requirements for this course are having attended the course ‘Old Catholic Theology in an Ecumenical context’, advanced knowledge of theology or a similar qualification. The course ‘Old Catholic Theology in an Ecumenical context’ is offered in immediate connection with this advanced course. Are you interested in participating in both courses? You can apply for the combination track here: Old Catholic Theology: The Early Church as Charism and Challenge. Combining both courses also leads to a reduced fee.

Old Catholic theology is understood as the theological discourse within the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht.

Old Catholics have leaned on full communion ties with Anglican churches to create forms of worship which, although decidedly Catholic, are just as decidedly non-Roman, thus strengthening the sense of Old Catholic identity. Full communion, established by the Bonn Agreement of 1931, although slow in making an impact on the life of the two denominations, provided a favourable context for extended liturgical consultations from the 1980s, resulting in Old Catholic use of Anglican liturgical resources in drafting new liturgies. The 1995 Altar Book of the Old Catholic Church in Germany, in particular, owes much to the 1985 Canadian Book of Alternative Services, which had itself borrowed heavily from the 1979 revision of the Book of Common Prayer by the Episcopal Church.

La reconnaissance de la pleine communion entre les Eglises anglicanes et les vieux-catholiques ont permis à ces derniers de créer une liturgie aussi résolument catholique qu’elle est non-romaine, permettant ainsi de renforcer une identité vieille-catholique. Si la pleine communion avec les anglicans, établie par l’Accord de Bonn de 1931, n’a fait sentir ses effets que très lentement dans la vie des deux confessions, elle a offert un cadre favorable à de nombreuses consultations liturgiques depuis les années 1980. Elles ont conduit les vieux-catholiques à utiliser les ressources liturgiques anglicanes pour élaborer leurs nouvelles liturgies. Le Livre d’autel (Altarbuch) de 1995 de l’Eglise vieille-catholique d’Allemagne, en particulier, est très redevable au Book of Alternative Services canadien de 1985, qui doit lui-même beaucoup à la révision de 1979 du Book of Common Prayer de l’Eglise épiscopale aux Etats-Unis.

De stad Gouda is doordrenkt met religieuze geschiedenis. Van een bloeiend kloosterleven in de Middeleeuwen tot de eerste opvoering van The Passion, het spektakelstuk over de laatste uren van Jezus. In Gouda bestreden remonstranten en contraremonstranten elkaar ooit op leven en dood, er ontstond een Goudsche Catechismus en de scholengemeenschap De Driestar belichaamde er de herzuiling van reformatorisch Nederland in de twintigste eeuw. Dat de Vereniging voor Nederlandse Kerkgeschiedenis (VNK) in 1989 juist in Gouda werd opgericht, is geen toeval: ‘Gouda heeft het’. Dat blijkt uit dit jubileum- boek ter gelegenheid van het 25-jarig bestaan van de VNK. Het bevat niet alleen een aantal boeiende studies over het kerkelijk leven in Gouda maar gaat ook over wat er de voorbije vijfentwintig jaar is gebeurd op het terrein van de geschiedschrijving van religie, geloof en kerk in Nederland.

This paper argues that precisely by focusing on the continuation of tradition, Old Catholic theology is able to arrive at theological renewal, especially in an intercultural manner and in ecumenical dialogue. As a case study, this paper considers the recent dialogue between the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Church and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

Anglicans, Old Catholics, and Orthodox have been engaged in dialogue with each other practically since the beginnings of the ecumenical movement. This paper survey the findings of these three dialogues on the subject of Tradition and compares them to each other, concluding that even though these dialogues have developed compatible and dynamic understandings of Tradition, these understanding have not yet led to the removal of certain obstacles between the Churches involved.

Dieser theologiegeschichtliche Aufsatz zeigt auf, wie in der altkatholischen Theologie in der Mitte des vergangen Jahrhunderts eine von der ganzen Utrechter Union akzeptierte Position zur Frage des Verhältnisses von Schrift und Tradition herausgearbeitet wurde. Obwohl die Altkatholische Bewegung sich auf dem Glauben der frühen Kirche und damit auch auf die Tradition Jahrzehnten berief, war es nie zu einer Verhältnisbestimmung der beiden Grössen ‚Schrift’ und ‚Tradition’ gekommen. Dies änderte sich ab den späten dreissiger Jahren des 20. Jahrhunderts. Ab dann setzt sich der Entwurf des Verhältnisses von Schrift und Tradition, wie er von dem damaligen Erzbischof von Utrecht, Andreas Rinkel, in seiner Tätigkeit als Dogmatiker am altkatholischen Priesterseminar in Amersfoort, in Auseinandersetzung mit römisch-katholischen und protestantischen Theologen (vor allem Herman Bavinck), entwickelt worden war, auch auf der Ebene der Utrechter Union durch. Andere Modelle, z.B. dasjenige von dem schweizerischen Bischof Urs Küry, der den Primat der Schrift stärker betonte als Rinkel, konnten sich dabei nicht als ‚altkatholischer Mainstream’ etablieren. Eine Bestätigung dafür, dass Rinkels Entwurf jetzt tatsächlich zur altkatholischen Position geworden ist, findet sich in den gemeinsamen Texten des orthodox-altkatholischen Dialogs.

Nadbiskup Ivan Šarić i starokatolicizam u južnom Uskoplju. [Archbishop Ivan Šarić and Old Catholic Church in southern Vrbas Headwater (Uskoplje)]. Starokatolicizam se među katoličkim Hrvatima južnog Uskoplja pojavio nenadano i neočekivano kao protest protiv osnutka nove rimokatoličke Bistriček župe. Uspostavi nove župe nije bio naklonjen dio franjevaca provincije Bosne Srebrene baš kao ni tadašnji njezin provincijalat. Najžešći protivnici osnutka Bistričke župe Bili su gornjovakufski župnici fra Paškal Dumančić i fra Silvije Franković, od čije je župe i odcijepljena Bistrička župa te pojedini franjevci iz Franjevačkog samostana u Fojnici na čelu s fra Viktorom Baltićem. Starokatolicizam među uskopaljskim katolicima izravno su podržavale tadašnje državne vlasti. Blagonaklono su na njegovu pojavu gledali i pojedini predstavnici vodstva hrvatskog naroda, odnosno Hrvatske seljačke stranke na čelu s dr. Vladkom Mačekom i Josipom Predavcem.

The bilateral Orthodox and Old-Catholic relations began shortly after the formal establishment of the western confession in 1871. It arose out of strong protest by prominent Roman-Catholic academics against the official proclamation of papal infallibility. Although the Greek theologians participated after the Russians, they made the greatest contribution to the two union conferences in Bonn in 1874 and 1875. They consulted with their western delegates and reached six positions on the procession of the Holy Spirit. In addition, they agreed on several theological teachings that differentiated Roman-Catholicism from Orthodoxy. Figures such as the Archbishop of Syros and Tinos, Alexandros Lykourgos and the professors of the theological school of the University of Athens, Zikos Rossis and Nikolaos Damalas, demonstrated the rising dynamics of the newly established Greek state, the holy synod of the Greek Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate with their well-respected presence and their significant influence on the emerging Old-Catholic theology.

Known to few people, the Syro-Malankara Church of India's Western Rite flourished at the turn of the twentieth century under the energetic Metropolitan Alvares Mar Julius I. This book traces the historical developments of this movement as it spread from India and Sri Lanka to North America, and its current situation after years of decline and isolation.

De Oud-Katholieke Kerk is vrij onbekend in Nederland. Deze bundel behandelt verschillende aspecten van leer en leven. Ten eerste de geschiedenis: de kerk is ontstaan uit de onduidelijkheid over de positie van de katholieken na de Reformatie en de wens in de achttiende eeuw een eigen bisschop te kiezen. Daarna komen aspecten van de geloofsleer aan bod: de kerk oriënteert zich op de oude kerk van voor 1054, heeft een augustijnse spiritualiteit en is conciliair georganiseerd. Een groot hoofdstuk is gewijd aan de liturgie, die binnen de kerk naar eigen zeggen een belangrijke plaats inneemt – veel komt overeen met de bekende rooms-katholieke liturgie. Een volgend hoofdstuk geeft een beeld van het leven in een parochie. In het kerkrecht wordt een evenwicht gevonden tussen lokale kerkgemeenschappen en bisschoppen als deel van de universele kerk. Het laatste hoofdstuk beschrijft de indrukwekkende bijdrage van de kerk aan de oecumene. Ten opzichte van eerdere uitgaven is deze bundel geïllustreerd en van hoger niveau. Met voetnoten en verschillende literatuuroverzichten.

In Vrienden in het bisschopsambt schetst Peter-Ben Smit hoe de bisschoppen Andreas Rinkel (Utrecht) en Urs Küry (Oud-Katholieke Kerk van Zwitserland) in hun ambtelijke correspondentie de koers van de Oud-Katholieke Kerk in de jaren ’50 en ’60 uitzetten. De twee waren bevriend en ze bespreken onderwerpen zoals de zorg om voldoende pastoors, de ontwikkeling van een oud-katholieke theologie, de nasleep van de wereldoorlogen, de situatie van kerken achter het ijzeren gordijn, de opkomende oecumene, en de uitdagingen van de jaren ’60 dan ook in “klare taal, met de nodige betrokkenheid en humor, als vrienden die aan een half woord genoeg hebben om elkaar te begrijpen.” Het boek biedt een uniek kijkje achter de schermen in deze nog weinig onderzochte periode uit de oud-katholieke geschiedenis.

The following article deals with the early stage of contacts between the Old Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox in the union conferences held at Bonn in the 19 th century. A historical summary of bilateral Old Catholic-Eastern Orthodox relations will provide the reader with a clearer picture of the ecumenical dialogue. The discussion of theological teachings, such as the Filioque, the authority of the Church, Holy Scripture and Tradition, and the validity and correctness of the 174 Panteleimon Champidis ecclesiastical sacraments, permeates the course of century-long efforts made to reach doctrinal agreement and union. Thus, the historical and theological examination of the proceedings of the two conferences which took place in Bonn between 1874 to 1875, as well as their later reception by both sides, may offer illuminating insights concerning the prospects of inter-Christian and inter-Orthodox relations in the 21st century. This article will rely methodologically on the historical accounts recorded by Friedrich Reusch, Nikolaos Damalas and Zikos Rossis, as well as the secondary literature of notable academics, such as George Florovsky and Ioannis Karmiris.

The course offers an introduction to Old Catholic theology in an ecumenical context. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition: the history of Old Catholicism, spirituality, ecumenism, canon law and ecclesiology, liturgy, and systematic theology. The course includes excursions to a major collection of related religious art (Museum Catharijneconvent), to a liturgical celebration (Utrecht) and to the traces of Catholic presence and history in the episcopal city of Utrecht.

Old Catholic Theology in its Ecumenical Context logo
The course offers an introduction to Old Catholic theology in its ecumenical context. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches.

Students will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology on the faculty of the Old Catholic Seminary, Utrecht, together with staff of the Institute of Old Catholic Theology, University of Bern. The topics covered by the course include the following: History of Old Catholicism, Old Catholic spirituality, Ecumenism and Old Catholicism, Old Catholic canon law and ecclesiology, Old Catholic liturgy, and Old Catholic systematic theology. The course will also include an excursion to a major collection of related religious art (Museum Catherijneconvent), an excursion to an Old Catholic liturgical celebration (Utrecht), and to the traces of Catholic presence and history in the episcopal city of Utrecht. The course will conclude with a lecture in the historical meeting room of the Metropolitan Chapter of Utrecht. The beginning of the course is marked by the participation in the Eucharist in St. Gertrud’s Cathedral, facilitating an encounter with ‘lived Old Catholicism.’

At the end of the course, students will have a broad overview of main topics and themes in Old Catholic theology and spirituality and will be able to pursue further independent study of the subject. The course is at the introductory level of an M.Div. curriculum;; good BA students may also apply, as well as others. Students may be expected to do advance reading for the course.;

This course can be combined with a second week of advanced studies: ‘The Early Church as Ideal – Old Catholic Theology Beyond the Basics.’ This course is offered in immediate connection with the introductory course; booking both courses leads to a reduced fee.

Die altkatholische Kirche ist eine christliche Glaubensgemeinschaft, dessen Gründungs-geschichte auf die Nachwirkung des I. Vatikanischen Konzil (1869-1870) zurückgeht, auf dem die Lehre von der päpstlichen Unfehlbarkeit und dem Jurisdiktionsprimat des römischen Bischofs dogmatisiert wurde. Vor allem in den deutschsprachigen Ländern erhob sich gegen die neuen Dogmen kräftiger Widerstand, aus dem sich dann in den jeweiligen Ländern (Deutschland, Schweiz, Österreich) unabhängige Kirchenstrukturen gebildet haben. Die Situation Österreichs war in dem Sinne exzeptionell, da sich hier zwei sprachlich und national unterschiedliche altkatholische Bewegungen gebildet haben, nämlich eine deutschsprachige mit dem Zentrum in Warnsdorf und ab 1899 eine tschechischsprachige mit dem Zentrum in Prag. Die tschechischsprachige Gemeinde in Prag, obwohl sie zahlenmässig innerhalb der Altkatholischen Kirche Österreichs und später der Altkatholischen Kirche der Tschechoslowakischen Republik immer eine kleine Minorität blieb, hat eine ausgeprägte Rolle in dem gespielt, was man in der Geschichtsschreibung 'die geistige Krise am Anfang der Tschechoslowakischen Republik' nennt. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Gesamtgeschichte der beiden altkatholischen Strömungen in den Tschechischen Ländern vorzulegen, vom Anfang im Jahre 1870 bis zu der Okkupation des Sudetenlandes, die für die meisten altkatholischen Kirchenstrukturen einen radikalen Paradigmenwechsel bedeutete.
Die bisherige Altkatholizismus-Forschung hat sich, auch aufgrund der mangelnden Tschechisch-Kenntnisse der ausländischen Forscher, weitgehend auf die Geschichte des deutschsprachigen Altkatholizismus begrenzt. Auf Tschechisch war es die Pionierarbeit von Josef König , die überhaupt erst eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit mit den altkatholischen Archivalien aus der Vorkriegszeit ermöglichte. Einige tschechische Forscher, vor allem Koláček und Kaiserová, haben diese Möglichkeit schon genutzt und wertvolle Teil-erkenntnisse erbracht. Eine Gesamtdarstellung der Geschichte des deutschsprachigen Altkatholizismus auf dem tschechischen Gebiet fehlt jedoch. Der tschechischsprachige Altkatholizismus ist bis auf unseren ersten Versuch so gut wie unerforscht.
Die Arbeit besteht weitgehend auf bis jetzt unbearbeiteten Archivalien (siehe unten). Methodologisch versucht sie an einer Seite die Lokalgeschichte von den verschiedenen Kirchengemeinden zu rekonstruieren, auf der anderen Seite aber auch eine überregionale und konfessionsübergreifende Perspektive zu schildern und die ganze altkatholische Bewegung in dem breiteren nationalen, politischen und religiösen Kontext der Tschechischen Länder und der späteren Tschechoslowakischen Republik zu situieren. Dabei ist das Verhältnis des tschechischsprachigen Altkatholizismus zu den entstehenden Tschechoslowakischen und Orthodoxen Kirchen von grosser Bedeutung.
Zur Verfügung stehen vor allem zwei Arten von Quellen. Die erste sind verschiedene altkatholische Periodika tschechischer Provenienz (z.B. Freie Kirchenstimmen oder Národní katolík), die regelmässig über die Entwicklung der Bewegung berichten. Die zweite Quellenart ist dann die amtliche und persönliche Korrespondenz, die in den Bistums- und Pfarrarchiven erstaunlich gut und zahlreich erhalten ist. Als komplementäre Quellen dienen dann verschiedene Autobiografien und zum Teil auch die anti-altkatholische (meistens römisch-katholische) Agitation.
Die Arbeit hat zweierlei Ziele: erstens soll sie dem tschechischen altkatholischen Leser eine zuverlässige und wenn möglich auch erschliessende Darstellung der eigenen Kirchengeschichte vor dem II. Weltkrieg geben; zweitens und wichtiger soll sie dem (Kirchen)Historiker ein bis jetzt fast unbekanntes Bruchstück der modernen tschechischen Kirchengeschichte zeigen, welches das Mosaik des nicht-römischkatholischen konfessionellen Raumes am Ende des 19. und am Anfang des 20. Jahrhundert manchmal auf überraschende Art und Weise ergänzt.