Privacy Policy
Old Catholic Churches International
Privacy Policy
Effective Date: June 11, 2026
1. Introduction
Old Catholic Churches International (OCCI) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard information provided through our websites, including myocci.org, myocci.net, myocci.com, and myocci.social (collectively, "our websites"), as well as through our ministry programs and communications.
OCCI is an inclusive, open-table Old Catholic community rooted in the Franciscan charism. We are committed to transparency and to treating all persons with dignity. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for commercial purposes.
2. Scope of This Policy
This Policy applies to all visitors and users of our websites and anyone who submits information to OCCI through our online forms, newsletter subscriptions, donation platforms, or vocations inquiry processes. It applies regardless of the device or platform used to access our websites.
3. Information We Collect
3.1 Information You Provide Directly
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:
• Contact form submissions: name, email address, and the content of your message
• Newsletter subscriptions: name and email address
• Donation information: name, email address, and transaction data processed through our payment partners
• Vocations application forms: name, contact information, biographical information, and other information relevant to discernment and formation processes
• User account information (where applicable): name, email address, and credentials for accessing restricted areas of our websites
3.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our websites, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies, including:
• IP address and general geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent on those pages
• Referring website or source
This information is used to maintain and improve our websites and is not used to identify individual visitors without their knowledge.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
• To respond to your inquiries and contact form submissions
• To send newsletters and ministry updates to subscribers who have opted in
• To process donations and provide donation receipts
• To evaluate and correspond with vocations applicants
• To maintain user accounts where applicable
• To improve our websites and ministry communications
• To comply with legal obligations
We do not use your information for automated decision-making, profiling, or targeted advertising.
5. Cookies
Our websites use cookies to support basic functionality, including session management and user preferences. We do not use tracking cookies for advertising purposes.
You may configure your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. Please note that some features of our websites may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
6. Donations and Payment Processing
OCCI accepts donations through the following third-party payment platforms: PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, Tithe.ly, and Liberapay. When you make a donation through any of these platforms, your payment information is processed directly by the respective platform. OCCI does not store your payment card or financial account information on our servers.
Each payment platform has its own privacy policy governing the collection and use of your financial information. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any payment platform you use:
• PayPal: www.paypal.com/privacy
• Venmo: venmo.com/legal/us-privacy-policy
• CashApp: cash.app/legal/us/en-US/privacy
• Tithe.ly: tithe.ly/privacy-policy
• Liberapay: liberapay.com/about/privacy
OCCI receives confirmation of donations and basic donor information (name, email, donation amount) from these platforms in order to maintain donation records and provide receipts.
7. Vocations Applications
Information submitted through our vocations application process is treated with the highest degree of confidentiality. Application materials are reviewed only by authorized OCCI leadership involved in the discernment and formation process. Vocations application data is not shared with third parties except as required by canonical process or with the applicant's explicit consent.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law. Newsletter subscriber data is retained until you unsubscribe. Donation records are retained in accordance with applicable financial and canonical record-keeping requirements. Vocations application materials are retained in accordance with OCCI's canonical records policies.
9. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our websites use HTTPS encryption for all data transmission. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
• The right to access the personal information we hold about you
• The right to request correction of inaccurate information
• The right to request deletion of your personal information
• The right to withdraw consent for newsletter communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link in any email we send
• The right to request that we restrict processing of your information
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 13 below.
11. Children's Privacy
Our websites are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete that information.
12. Third-Party Links
Our websites may contain links to third-party websites. This Privacy Policy applies only to our websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us:
Old Catholic Churches International
Attention: Office of the Presiding Bishop
Email: bishopgodsey@myocci.org
Web: www.myocci.org
14. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this document and post the revised policy on our websites. Your continued use of our websites after the effective date of a revised policy constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.