The Faith of the Polish National Catholic Church
“Remember, that in your veins flows the blood of great heroes, great leaders, great poets, statesmen, and noble, sturdy workmen. Be proud and try to show with your own life that you are worthy of your Heritage.”
-Bishop Francis Hodur
Historically speaking, the beginning of the Polish National Catholic Church in the United States took place in 1897 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. At that time a group of Polish Americans, consisting of about 300 families, called Rev. Francis Hodur for guidance and leadership. Together, they organized the first Polish National Catholic Parish of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr in Scranton. Rev. Francis Hodur was then a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and pastor of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Parish in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.
The First Synod of the Polish National Catholic Church was held in September, 1904 in Scranton. This first Synod represented some 20,000 adherents, and interested individuals and organizations from five states. It was during this gathering that Rev. Francis Hodur was elected as the first bishop by the representatives of the Synod. Bishop Francis Hodur was consecrated in 1907 in Utrecht, Holland. Consecrating him were Archbishop Gerard Gul of Utrecht, Bishop John Van Thiel of Haarlem, and Bishop Peter Spit of Deventer. The consecration of the Most Rev. Francis Hodur gave the Polish National Catholic Church a share in the Western line of Apostolic Succession. The doctrine of Apostolic Succession means that, according to the institution of Christ, the bishops succeed one another in an unbroken chain from Christ Himself through the apostles and their lawful successors to the present time. This doctrine of the Apostolic Succession continues to be upheld by the Polish National Catholic Church today. Bishop Francis Hodur died on February 16, 1953 in Scranton. He witnessed the Polish National Catholic Church grow from a single congregation of 250 families to 150 parishes in the United States and Canada, as well as 95 in Poland. Bishop Hodur believed in his mission as a protector of the abused, effecting change by preaching and practicing the Word of God. He taught others to accept God’s Will in everything, and always will be remembered as the organizer and leader of a new religious movement among the Polish people. This movement believed that God created the people for good, happiness, and salvation—not for punishment, exploitation and abuse. Under a hail of criticism and condemnation, he sowed God’s love, equality, and justice on the fields of the people’s hearts. |