Welcome
The Old Catholic Communion of North America also known as The Old Catholic Church of North America is comprised of traditional Old Catholic Churches which retain the orthodoxy 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 seek and follow the ancient path and invite you to walk with us.
"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16
About the Old Catholic Church
The Fathers of the Old Catholicism sought to abandon the path of the Roman Catholic Church and return to the faith of the undivided church which Rome embraced as 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 like all all true Old Catholic Churches 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 dogmas and binding on all faithful for more than 1,800 years. Old Catholics 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 Old Cathoic Communion / Church of North America is truly orthodox in beliefs and theology but western in customs and practices.
The Bishop's Pen
Communion
Life in Christ
Family of Believers
We Are Orthodox 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. A time before one church claimed supremacy. A time before the Pope was declared infallible. A time when only Jesus was proclaimed as immaculately conceived. With this in mind we would 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 Christians baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to receive Holy Communion.
We Are Ecumenical
We seek unity with all “catholic” churches and communions who profess the beliefs and theology of the Early Church and have valid apostolic succession. This includes other orthodox Old Catholics, Eastern Orthodox. and Anglicans.
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.