A Modern Church or the Ancient Church? Understanding Old Catholic Identity
By Dr. h.c. Miracle Gabriel-Ooc The Sacred Heart of Jesus Charismatic Old Catholic Church is part of a global Old Catholic communion—an Independent Catholic Church that is not affiliated with, nor answerable to, the See of Rome. Its mother church is in the United States, rooted in the movement of bishops who, after the First Vatican Council of 1870, separated from Rome in response to new doctrinal definitions, particularly papal infallibility. This Church does not submit to the jurisdiction of the Roman Pontiff, nor is it bound by the Canons or Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church. Its identity and validity do not depend on external validation from Rome or any other jurisdiction. Instead, it stands firmly on the foundation of Christ Himself, who is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). While Old Catholics respect Rome as primus inter pares (“first among equals”), they do not subject themselves to Roman authority in matters of theology, faith, or practice. They hold to a unique ex...
