Even though “old” is part of the name, Old Catholics are not antiquated or archaic. While some people may imagine that Old Catholics are ultra-traditionalists with a pre-Vatican II mentality, nothing could be further from the truth. Old Catholics believe that they are a relevant expression of Catholicism for the modern world.

ANCIENT ROOTS

The Old Catholic Church has its own specific theology and ecclesiology. It is both ancient and contemporary. It incorporates unity in essentials and diversity in non-essentials.

It is a church with historic roots. It is scriptural and upholds the ancient structure of the early centuries of the church.

It stands in Apostolic Succession.

SACRAMENTS

The Old Catholic Church believes in Seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing, Marriage and Holy Orders.

STRUCTURE

The Old Catholic Church is democratic. Its ecclesial structure includes a House of Laity, a House of Clergy, and a College of Bishops. All three have a vote.

The laypeople have a voice in selecting both their pastor and their bishop.

There are no supervising bishops. There is just a bishop for each local diocese.

It doesn’t recognize papal infallibility. Of course, the pope is an important spiritual leader and the Bishop of Rome and the first among equals. However, there is no basis in Scripture for the dogma of papal infallibility.

PRACTICES

The Old Catholic Church demands inclusiveness. It practices open communion whereby all baptized Christians may participate in the Eucharist. Every person is accepted; single, married, celibate, LGBT, female and male.  

The Old Catholic Church leaves the matter of family planning to the couple and God. So there is no prohibition for the use of artificial contraception.

Celibacy is optional for clerics in the Old Catholic Church. They can get married. Women have equal opportunities and may be ordained as deacons, priests and bishops.

The local bishops have discretion in deciding liturgy and ordination practices.

DIOCESES

The Old Catholic Church of the United States consists of four geographic regions called dioceses. Reverend Colleen is ordained as a cleric of the Holy Cross Diocese.