Who are the Old Catholics?
"We must hold fast to that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all the Faithful."
-- St. Vincent of Lerins
The Diocese of the Uniformed Services is part of the Old Catholic Church of the Americas, with bishops tracing their lineage through various paths, including Old Catholic, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church.
Our roots go back to the Old Catholics of Europe, originally called the Ancient Catholic Church, initiated by St. Willibrord's mission to Europe's lowlands (now the Netherlands) in the 700s. In 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council granted Cathedral Chapters the right to choose bishops, fostering independence from Rome. Tensions arose during the Counter-Reformation when the Roman Pontiff began appointing bishops, causing a split between Rome and Old Catholics.
We are an independent Catholic jurisdiction, similar to most Old Catholic groups in the United States, with varying structures. In Europe, Old Catholics are organized with national Catholic Churches under a presiding Bishop, sharing beliefs and practices.
The Old Catholic Church has not recognized the Bishop of Rome as its head since 1871, considering the Bishop of Rome a symbol of unity for all Christians.
Our beliefs include equality among bishops, observance of the seven sacraments, use of the Nicene Creed, belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and open communion for baptized Christians. Everyone is welcome, including the unbaptized, who can receive a blessing during communion.
At an Old Catholic Parish, you'll find a welcoming community seeking a sacramental life without divisive politics and exclusive dogmas, following the traditional Latin Rite and emphasizing God's love, kindness, redemption, and peace in teachings.
"We must hold fast to that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all the Faithful."
-- St. Vincent of Lerins
The Diocese of the Uniformed Services is part of the Old Catholic Church of the Americas, with bishops tracing their lineage through various paths, including Old Catholic, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and the Brazilian Catholic Apostolic Church.
Our roots go back to the Old Catholics of Europe, originally called the Ancient Catholic Church, initiated by St. Willibrord's mission to Europe's lowlands (now the Netherlands) in the 700s. In 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council granted Cathedral Chapters the right to choose bishops, fostering independence from Rome. Tensions arose during the Counter-Reformation when the Roman Pontiff began appointing bishops, causing a split between Rome and Old Catholics.
We are an independent Catholic jurisdiction, similar to most Old Catholic groups in the United States, with varying structures. In Europe, Old Catholics are organized with national Catholic Churches under a presiding Bishop, sharing beliefs and practices.
The Old Catholic Church has not recognized the Bishop of Rome as its head since 1871, considering the Bishop of Rome a symbol of unity for all Christians.
Our beliefs include equality among bishops, observance of the seven sacraments, use of the Nicene Creed, belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and open communion for baptized Christians. Everyone is welcome, including the unbaptized, who can receive a blessing during communion.
At an Old Catholic Parish, you'll find a welcoming community seeking a sacramental life without divisive politics and exclusive dogmas, following the traditional Latin Rite and emphasizing God's love, kindness, redemption, and peace in teachings.