Catholic in faith, apostolic in order, sacramental in life
Old Catholic Churches International is a welcoming communion of churches proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through reverent worship, faithful sacramental life, apostolic ministry, and pastoral care for all people.
We seek to live as part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church by holding fast to the faith once received, celebrating the mysteries of grace at the altar, and making visible the Kingdom of God through prayer, holiness, mercy, and service.
A church ordered to worship God and serve His people
Our life as a church is centered in the worship of Almighty God, the proclamation of Holy Scripture, and the celebration of the sacraments entrusted to the Church. In that life, we invite all people to draw near to Christ, to receive His grace, and to be formed in holiness within the household of faith.
OCCI stands within the catholic and apostolic tradition while embracing an ecumenical calling and a pastoral mission to those who have often been shunned, alienated, or forgotten. We welcome all to the altar of the Lord and exclude no one from full participation in the life of the church.
Our Catholic life
We are a liturgical church whose common life is shaped by prayer, the sacred rites of the Church, and devotion to the grace of the sacraments. In parish and mission life, this means gathering around the altar, hearing the Word, interceding for the world, and being nourished by the holy mysteries.
We affirm that the Church is not merely an institution but the living Body of Christ, called to sanctify the faithful and bear witness to the Gospel in every generation. Our worship and ministry are therefore ordered not only toward right belief but also toward lives of repentance, mercy, charity, and faithfulness.
Marks of our witness
- Apostolic succession and sacramental continuity
- Reverent liturgical and eucharistic worship
- An affirming and welcoming pastoral life
- Ecumenical spirit and Catholic identity
- Formation for lay and ordained ministry
- Service to the least, the lost, and the forgotten
Apostolic faith and sacramental assurance
OCCI confesses itself to be part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. Our bishops stand within valid apostolic succession, and our sacramental life is lived in continuity with the historic faith and order of the Church.
This apostolic inheritance is not claimed as a matter of prestige but received as a sacred trust. Through it, we seek to preserve the Church’s worship, doctrine, and sacramental ministry with reverence, humility, and fidelity to Christ.
A communion of churches and ministries
OCCI is a communion of dioceses, churches, clergy, religious communities, and ministries serving across diverse places and peoples. Under episcopal oversight and within a shared catholic identity, our communion exists to strengthen the spiritual life of the faithful and extend Christ’s pastoral care into the world.
Whether through parish ministry, chaplaincy, teaching, religious life, or works of compassion and justice, our common vocation is to build up the Kingdom of God one person at a time.
Formation
Formation for Christian vocation
The Church also serves by forming men and women for deeper discipleship, lay service, and ordained ministry. Through the Old Catholic Institute, OCCI offers theological and ministerial formation grounded in the life of the Church and ordered toward faithful service in the real world.
Come and see
If you are seeking a church home, exploring the catholic faith, discerning a vocation, or searching for a community where sacramental life and pastoral welcome belong together, we invite you to take the next step.
We would be honored to help you find a parish, connect with clergy, learn more about our faith, or begin a conversation about ministry and service in the Church.