Is the Old Catholic Church part of (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]
Old Catholic – does that mean your Mass is in Latin?
No. The name Old Catholic was 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. Our services are conducted in the language of the people. In addition, each parish is allowed to use a rite that suites the local congregation. For example, some parishes may use the current Roman Rite, others the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, others the Old Catholic Rites of the European Churches, etc.
Since you are not under the authority of the Pope then who is the head of the 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, the Old Catholic Diocese of the Holy Spirit parishes and clergy, like all other Catholic Communions, are under the guidance and authority of a Bishop. The Old Catholic Diocese of the Holy Spirit maintains valid lines of Apostolic Succession, which can be traced to the ancient and undivided church. All clergy in the Old Catholic Diocese of the Holy Spirit 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. The Old Catholic Diocese of the Holy Spirit believes 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.