Frequently Asked Questions

We are a Christocentric, Christian, liturgical denomination founded on biblical and apostolic worship and doctrine. We understand ourselves to be part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, and we hold valid lines of apostolic succession.

We are Old Catholic in the true sense of catholic as universal under Jesus Christ. We are not Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox, though we share liturgical characteristics with a number of historic liturgical churches.

Yes. Our clergy are validly ordained within apostolic succession, received through Roman, Old Catholic, and other historic lines.

We teach that homosexuality is part of the human condition, and we encourage gay men and women, together with others, to live full and creative lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. All the sacraments are open to those who are homosexual.

We are strongly ecumenical in spirit. We seek to work with other churches in many aspects of ministry, and we approach others with respect, charity, and a desire for deeper understanding rather than sectarian hostility.

We are an independent denomination supported by the donations of our members. Many of our clergy serve as worker-priests while also holding secular employment, and our donations support the life and growth of the church.

A liturgical church worships according to an established form of prayer and order, including scriptural readings, psalms, lessons, epistles, the Gospel, and the Great Liturgy of Holy Communion or the Holy Eucharist.

Most of our parishes use the Novus Ordo, while others may use Eastern Rite liturgies, the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the Third Roman Missal, and the Tridentine Liturgy. We do not require a single liturgy in every parish, but ask communities to use what is most fitting for their congregation.

Yes. Our clergy do wear vestments, and incense and Sanctus bells are used at special celebrations of the Great Liturgy. We understand worship as the glorification of God in response to the grace given through Jesus Christ.

Yes. We do not choose our clergy on the basis of gender, but on individual suitability for ministry.

Yes. As in the ancient Church, our clergy are free to marry if they wish, and we reject the doctrine of forced clerical celibacy.

Yes. We place no prohibition on LGBTQIA+ persons that would bar them from the priesthood, and we accept women and LGBTQIA+ persons into ordained ministry.

Yes. We recognize divorce as a reality and allow divorced persons to seek admittance as clergy in the church.

Our process includes consultation, application materials, background and psychological review, a discernment period, diocesan evaluation, academic studies, minor orders, ordination to the diaconate, internship, and eventually ordination to the priesthood. Candidates for incardination follow a closely related process.