Being a Independent Catholic

How are you Catholic?  

Our History & Validity

The Old Catholic tradition is fully Catholic in faith, worship, and sacramental life while remaining self-governing and not under papal jurisdiction. Historically, Old Catholicism arose from movements that sought to preserve the ancient faith and practices of the undivided Church while differing from certain later developments within the Church of Rome.

Today, Old Catholic and Independent Catholic communities are found throughout the world. Though often small in number, these churches hold a meaningful and historic place within Catholic Christianity.

Old Catholic churches typically emphasize pastoral openness rooted in the Gospel. This may include welcoming Christians of other traditions to receive Holy Communion, ordaining both married and single persons (including women), and celebrating the sacraments wherever the People of God gather recognizing that God’s grace is not confined to any single building.

We affirm that our clergy stand in valid apostolic succession, maintaining the historic continuity of ordained ministry handed down through the centuries. In this, we share common ground with other apostolic churches throughout the world.

We pray for the unity of all Christians, trusting that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church toward deeper communion. There is indeed one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, expressed through many authentic traditions, each with its own history and gifts. The word catholic means “universal,” reflecting our belief that Christ’s Church embraces all people and all nations.

We describe ourselves as “progressive” because we are an inclusive Church. No one is excluded from full participation in the life of the Church including ordination and religious life on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status.

In all other respects, we share the historic episcopal ministry, priesthood, sacramental life, and apostolic heritage of the wider Catholic tradition and the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church throughout the world.

Communion & Welcome

The Progressive Catholic Church, as part of the wider Jesus movement and standing in apostolic succession, recognizes as brothers and sisters in Christ all churches that profess the ancient creedal faith of the undivided Church and affirm the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

Our table is open because it is the table of the Lord Jesus Christ. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion with us.

Our Independent Status

The term “independent” refers to our jurisdictional status, not to our spiritual life or Catholic identity. It simply indicates that we are self-governing and not under the authority of another church body, helping to distinguish us clearly and avoid confusion.

Throughout Christian history, there have been many autocephalous (self-governing) communities within the universal Church that have faithfully preserved valid sacraments and authentic apostolic ministry. In this sense, independent Catholic churches stand within a long tradition of genuine and fully sacramental Christian communities.

Our Foundations in the Historic Church

In the 2000 declaration Dominus Iesus, issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and approved by Pope Saint John Paul II, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) affirmed that churches not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church can still be authentic churches when they preserve apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist. He wrote that such churches “are true particular Churches” and that the Spirit of Christ continues to use them as instruments of salvation, since the Church of Christ remains present and active within them despite the absence of full communion with Rome.

In keeping with this historic Christian foundation, we adhere to the teachings of the first seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church. We profess the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed and celebrate the seven sacraments as signs of God’s grace in the life of the faithful.