What began as a return to the democratic spirit of the early Church has evolved into a vibrant global movement. We are deeply proud of our rich, historic roots, and even more passionate about the inclusive, just future we are building today

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What is the Old-Catholic Church?

If you appreciate Catholic tradition, the beautiful ancient liturgy, the sacraments, and deep spirituality, but you also value local democracy, inclusion, and progressive social justice, you are looking at the heart of the Old-Catholic Church.

We are an international family of independent, national Catholic churches that are deeply rooted in history but fully engaged with the modern world. We are Catholic, but we are not Roman Catholic.

Our Roots: The Union of Utrecht

To understand the Old-Catholic Church, you have to look at our history. In 1889, a group of European Catholic churches (originally in the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland) came together to form an alliance called the Union of Utrecht.

These churches wanted to preserve the ancient, democratic faith of the early Church. They rejected the idea of papal infallibility and the absolute centralization of power in Rome. Instead, they wrote the Utrecht Declaration, a foundational document outlining a faith that is scriptural, sacramental, and focused on local community leadership.

How the Church Works: Shared Leadership, No Pope

Unlike the Roman Catholic structure, the Old-Catholic Church doesn't have a single, absolute leader. We operate with a synodal governance model, which means clergy and laypeople make decisions together.

  • Independent but Connected: Each national or local church is entirely self-governing and autonomous.

  • The Bishops' Conference: To maintain unity, the bishops of these independent churches form the International Bishops’ Conference (IBC). The IBC acts as a collaborative council to ensure we all share the same theological principles and core values.

  • The Archbishop of Utrecht: The Archbishop of Utrecht serves as the President of this conference. However, they are not a "Pope." They are considered a first among equals, a spiritual chairperson and a symbol of unity, rather than a top-down ruler.

  • Ecumenical Focus: Because we value unity over centralization, the Union of Utrecht is heavily involved in building bridges and forming official partnerships with other Christian traditions globally, such as the Anglican Communion and Orthodox churches.

A Living Faith for Today

Because Old-Catholics believe that local churches should reflect the needs of their culture and communities, our global movement has naturally evolved to embrace a modern, inclusive outlook.

Across the Union of Utrecht and its partner networks, like Diakonia Americas, this ancient faith is expressed through the ordination of women, the full affirmation and sacramental blessing of LGBTQ+ Christians, and a relentless, hands-on commitment to human rights and systemic advocacy. It is a tradition where the ancient liturgy meets modern justice.