Frequently Asked Questions
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. [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 (Episcopal), and Old Catholic.
What is “Old Catholic”?
The Old Catholic Church traces its roots to the 7th century. It was during this time when the church was one and undivided. that the Anglo-Saxon monk 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”. Please see our History page for more information.
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.