Welcome
The Old Catholic Church / Communion of North America is comprised of Churches which retain the orthodox tradition of the early Church. You will find our parishes to be welcoming places of worship and family oriented. Divorced and remarried people are welcome. All Baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are welcome to receive Holy Communion. We hope and pray you take time to study the information on our sites pages and if seeking to return the orthodoxy and Truth of the Early Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church at the time of the creeds you will visit and worship in one of our parishes where we believe you will find a home. In closing we are not a, “new church” following “new theologies”, we are a “new old church”. Come See the Difference
About the Old Catholic Church
The Fathers of the Old Catholic Church sought to abandon the path of the Roman Catholic Church and return to the faith of the undivided church which Rome embraced a well at the time of the Early Church. This was when the entire church was truly catholic in that all communions professed the same orthodox or right teachings. This means we reject the dogmas (required as essential) of, The Infallibility of the Pope, The Immaculate Conception of Mary (that Mary was conceived without sin), and the Assumption of Mary. None of these beliefs were considered to be dogma and binding on all faithful for more than 1,800 years. We also do not profess the teaching of Purgatory, mandatory celibacy, and many others’ beliefs which were not found in the church of the first 1,000 years.
The Bishop's Pen
Communion
Life in Christ
Family of Believers
We Are Traditional Old Catholic
This means we are not Roman Catholic and instead profess the orthodox faith of the Early and Undivided Church which was the intent of the founders of Old Catholicism. With this in mind we like to say that we are not a western rite Eastern Orthodox Church - we are in all reality what Rome used to be - western and orthodox.
We Are Liturgical, Sacramental, and Apostolic
Our parishes celebrate Holy Eucharist using either our Missal or they may use other rites depending on the makeup of the congregation being served. We profess and provide seven Sacraments and allow all baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion.
We Are Ecumenical
We seek unity with all orthodox catholic churches and as such seek dialog with all communions who profess the beliefs and theology of the Early Church.
Join Us
Archbishop Michael Nesmith is the presiding bishop of the OCCNA. He stands in the unbroken line of Apostolic Succession, faithfully preserving the authority and teachings passed down from Christ Jesus through the apostles. Archbishop Michael’s apostolic succession is recognized through validly consecrated bishops whose lineage traces back to the ancient sees, through the Apostle Peter, to Christ. Archbishop Michael upholds orthodox doctrine, sacramental integrity, and pastoral care, serving as a shepherd committed to the faith once delivered to the saints. His ministry embodies apostolic truth, service, and spiritual leadership.