History

Most people are familiar with the Second Vatican Council in 1962 that, among other things, did away with Latin in the Mass. Catholics that still say the Mass in Latin are pre-Vatican II Catholics. Fewer people are aware of the First Vatican Council in 1870 which adopted the doctrine of Papal Infallibility and Primacy of the pope. The Catholic Churches that did not accept Papal Infallibility are pre-Vatican I churches. These pre-Vatican I churches called themselves "Old Catholics" because they felt that they were the repository for traditional catholic beliefs. In the United States they are also referred to as Independent Catholic Churches.

The Old Catholic Church was brought together by the Union of Utrecht in 1889 and the Bishop of Utrecht still serves as the President of the Old Catholic Congress which was established at that time. The union produced a document called Declaration Of Utrecht which explained the issues that caused the separation from Rome.

The Old Catholic church in the United States traces it's Apostolic Succession through the Old Catholic Church in Utrecht, Holland (which is in communion with the Church of England as a result of the Bonn Agreement of 1931). Some of these churches have Apostolic Succession through Eastern Orthodox lines as well, as is the case of our church. Old Catholics are an historic part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church with a valid line of Apostolic Succession, a valid priesthood and valid sacraments. For more history on the Independent Sacramental Movement follow this link: Why Independent Catholic?.

What We Believe

Our statement of belief is presented here as a starting point for spiritual dialog, keeping in mind that Christianity is not a system of belief as much as it is a mystery of faith. Through this faith Christianity is to be lived and experienced, knowing that the greatest of all mysteries, God, has revealed himself to us through his Son in the mystery we call the Incarnation. Because of the Incarnation, we are able to live the faith through the power of the Holy Spirit that is given to us when we join this family of love: The One, Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church!

  • We believe Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God, and we accept him as our personal and universal savior and head of the church.
  • We believe Jesus is God, the second person of the Trinity*.
  • We believe in the unconditional love of Jesus in the New Testament. We want to learn to love one another as Jesus commanded.
  • We accept the first seven Ecumenical Councils which includes the Apostle's Creed, Athanasian Creed and Nicene Creed particularly when it relates to doctrines of the faith verses herecies.
  • We believe in Jesus' ethics as stated in the Sermon on the mount*.
  • We believe both Scripture and Sacred Tradition* are sources of revelation.
  • We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God* and that the church should be built on the Bible, specificly the New Testament. (We speak where the Bible speaks, and we are silent where the Bible is silent)
  • We recognize and adhere to ordination and consecration through apostolic succession.
  • We respect the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and Successor of Peter but we do not believe that the Pope is himself infallible*.
  • We believe in the Seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Communion, Holy Orders, Unction of the Sick, and Confession and Reconciliation.
  • We believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the bread and wine* of the Eucharist* after consecration.
  • Holy Communion is open to all baptized Christians who confess the Nicene Creed and believe the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ.
  • No one is denied access to the pursuit of Holy Orders because of race, marital status or gender* for female deacons(Deaconesses).
  • The church remembers the words of Jesus, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them: for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:14). These words remind us that children have an equal role with adults in worshipping God. To this end, children are encouraged to stay with the congregation during Mass.

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