Independent Catholic Church
Of North America

Frequently Asked Questions of the Independent Catholic Church

Are you Catholic?

When people speak of Catholics today, they often mean Roman

Catholics. However the term catholic was first used in the letter of Saint

Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans (about AD 110) in reference to

the “universal” church.

The following is a definition for the word “catholic”:

Catholic Abbr. C..

a. Of or involving the Roman Catholic Church.

b. Of or relating to the universal Christian church.

c. Of or relating to the ancient undivided Christian church.

d. Of or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives

of the ancient undivided church.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition [1]

There are in fact many Communions (Churches) that are in fact part of

the Catholic Church as they can trace their beliefs, teachings, and

origins to the ancient undivided Apostolic Church. One of the primary

attributes of a Catholic Church is that each maintains a line of

Apostolic Succession in their clergy thus making them part of the “One

Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church” as proclaimed in the Nicene Creed.

Some of these Communions are the Orthodox (Greek, Serbian, Russian,

Coptic, and many more), Anglican, Episcopalian, and Old Catholic.

What is “Old Catholic ”?

The Old Catholic Church traces it roots to the 7th century. It was during

this time when the church was one and undivided. that the Anglo-Saxon

monk St. Willibrord missionized the area of Europe now known as the

Netherlands and France.

The name "Old Catholic" began to come into use in 1741 when the

Church in Utrecht turned from Roma and began to refer to call

themselves as Roman Catholics of the “Old Episcopal Clergy” (Old

Catholics). It wasn't until late 19th century in Europe when over the

refusal to accept Papal Infallibility that the Churches in Europe formally

adopted the name "Old Catholic".

It is this earlier “undivided” Christianity that was taught to the people in

this part of the world and it is that “undivided” Church that Old

Catholics seek to restore.

Are you in communion with the Roman Catholic Church?

No. The Old Catholic Churches separated from the Roman Catholic

Church in the late 19th century over the refusal to accept the dogma of

Papal Infallibility. [2]

If your tradition stems from the “Old Catholic Tradition” And now you are

Independent Catholics: does that mean your Mass is in Latin?

No. The name Old Catholic was originally chosen to signify the desire of the

Church to return to the traditions and teachings of the undivided

Church prior to the great schism of 1054. Now that we are Independent

Catholics our services are conducted in the language of the people. Each

parish is instructed to use 1970 edition of the Roman Missal ( the English

language- the Vatican II version).

Since you are not under the authority of the Pope then who is the

head of your church?

Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and as proclaimed by the Early

Church Fathers the Holy Spirit is the Vicar of Christ. However, our

parishes and clergy, like all other Catholic Communions, are under the

guidance and authority of a Bishop. Our denomination maintains valid

lines of Apostolic Succession, which can be traced to the ancient and

undivided church. All clergy in the OCCNA are ordained by the “laying

on of hands”.

I noticed that you are married. How can this be?

Celibacy was not required in the Roman Communion until the 13th

century. Celibacy is not required in most of the other Catholic

Communions. Our bishops believe that to refuse the full sacerdotal

ministry to a married individual is to act in a manner as to limit whom

God may call to His service.

Do you allow women to be ordained?

Yes. Once again the our bishops believe that to refuse the full sacerdotal

ministry to an individual is to act in a manner as to limit whom God

may call to His service.

My spouse is not Catholic may they receive Eucharist?

Yes. The OCCNA believes that any person Baptized in the name of the

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a member of the Body of Christ (Church)

and therefore may receive Communion.

I am divorced and remarried may I receive Communion?

Yes. While the OCCNA looks upon matrimony as a sacrament, and

believes that marriage should be a lifelong commitment between a man

and a woman we do realize though that situations will arise that will

lead to divorce. It is our opinion that to refuse Communion to a divorced

individual who is sincerely seeking to repent and turn to Christ is to

inflict additional emotional pain and suffering.

Do I have to go to confession?

If you are asking if you must confess and repent of your sins to be

forgiven – then the answer is yes. If you are asking must you confess

your sins before a priest to be forgiven then the answer is no. The

OCCNA teaches that the sacrament of Reconciliation is provided in both

the General Confession and Absolution, which is included in the Mass,

and through private confession to either a Priest or Bishop. It is our

belief that the INTENT (sincerity) of the individual takes precedent over

form.

What does the OCCNA teach about abortion?

The OCCNA considers abortion at any time during the pregnancy to be

the taking of a life. We encourage any woman faced with an unwanted

pregnancy to consider adoption over abortion. We realize that at times a

woman is faced with making a decision about a pregnancy that could

result in harm, or even loss of life, to herself consult with qualified

professionals and clergy prior to making her decision. The OCCNA will

never turn away a woman who has had an abortion from the loving

embrace of Jesus.

Do you have the same Sacraments as the Roman Catholic

Church?

Yes, we profess and provide seven sacraments. They are:

Baptism: The means of spiritual rebirth through which we are made

children of God and heirs of Heaven: ``Amen, amen I say to thee, unless

a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.'' (John 3:5. Also see Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:2-6).

Confirmation: Confers the Holy Spirit to make us strong and perfect

Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ: ``Now when the apostles, who

were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of

God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come,

prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.... Then they laid

their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.'' (Acts 8:14-

17. Also see Acts 19:6).

Eucharist: Also known as Holy Communion, which nourishes the soul

with the true Flesh and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, under the

appearance, or sacramental veil, of bread and wine: ``And whilst they

were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them,

and said: Take ye. This is my body. And having taken the chalice, giving

thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it. And he said to them:

This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many.''

(Mark 14:22-24. Also see Matt. 26:26-28, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:52-54,

1 Cor. 10:16).

Reconciliation: Also known as Confession, through which Christ

forgives sin and restores the soul to grace: ``Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you

shall retain, they are retained. '' (John 20:22-23. Also see Matt. 18:18).

Anointing: Sometimes called Unction, which strengthens the sick and

sanctifies the dying: ``Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the

priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil

in the name of the Lord . . . and if he be in, sins, they shall be forgiven

him.'' (James 5:14-15. Also see Mark 6:12-13).

Holy Orders: Empowers priests to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,

administer the sacraments, and officiate over all the other proper affairs

of the Church:

"For every high priest taken from among men and is appointed to

represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for

sins.... No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God,

just as Aaron was.'' (Heb. 5:1-4. Also see Acts 20:28, 1 Tim. 4:14).

"And taking bread, he gave thanks, and broke; and gave to them, saying:

This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of

me.'' (Luke 22:19).

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you

are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28).

Marriage: Unites a man and woman in a holy bond: "For this cause

shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and

they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one

flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.''

(Matt. 19:5-6. Also see Mark 10:7-9, Ephesians 5:22-32).

What is an oratory?

The Oratory of The Blessed Trinity is a private oratory, a place of prayer

and worship for the Bishop, his/her family, and others by invitation. As a

general term, Oratory signifies a place of prayer, but technically it

means a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical

authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass.

Oratories seem to have originated from the chapels erected over the

tombs of the early martyrs where the faithful resorted to pray, and also

from the necessity of having a place of worship for the people in country

districts when churches proper were restricted to cathedral cities. We

also find early mention of private oratories for the celebration of Mass by

bishops, and later of oratories attached to convents and to the

residences of nobles.

Private Oratories are those erected in private houses for the convenience

of some person or family. Oratories in private houses date from Apostolic

times when the Sacred Mysteries could not be publicly celebrated owing

to the persecutions. Even after the emperor Constantine declared that

Christians were free to practice their religion without fear, the custom of

maintaining oratories in private homes continued to prevail.

[1]Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language,

from INSO Corporation; further reproduction and distribution in accordance with

[2]Old Catholics, Christian denomination organized in Munich in 1871 by Roman

Catholics who protested the dogma, proclaimed the previous year by Vatican

Council I, of the personal infallibility of the pope in all ex cathedra

pronouncements. Excerpted from Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000

Independent Catholic FAQ

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