Validity of the Independent Catholic Ministry
Apostolic Succession
You might have heard people, even religious leaders, say that Old and Independent Catholics are fake. Even you yourself may have said it at one time. Some would go on and say, “The Old and Independent Catholics are not in communion with the Bishop of Rome.”
Let me pause you there. Old and Independent Catholics separated following the definitions of papal infallibility and universal jurisdiction at the First Vatican Council. In fact, Old and Independent Catholics do not recognize the universal jurisdiction and infallibility of the Bishop of Rome as defined at the First Vatican Council. Not being in communion with Rome does not invalidate the those Catholics, nor does it make them fake. The validity of apostolic succession does not depend solely on recognition from another See, but on continuity of ordination, proper form, and intention.
When many members of the Roman Catholic Church first encounter Old and Independent Catholic Churches, they are often surprised to discover that Catholic communities exist outside the authority of Rome. This surprise usually leads to questions about whether Old and Independent Catholic clergy truly possess valid Orders and whether their Sacraments are authentic.
Historically, even within Roman Catholic scholarship, there has been recognition of the sacramental validity found within Old and Independent Catholic Churches. As recorded:
"The Roman Church recognizes the validity of Old and Independent Catholic Orders and other Sacraments."
— Felician A. Roy, OFM, Catholic Almanac, 1974, p. 368
Further clarity appears in the document “Dominus Iesus.”
At the Vatican on 16 June 2000, Pope John Paul II ratified and ordered the publication of Dominus Iesus, a declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The document was signed and published by Joseph Ratzinger in August of the same year.
In this declaration, the Roman Catholic Church acknowledged the ecclesial reality of Churches that are not in full communion with Rome but still retain apostolic continuity and sacramental life:
"The Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Roman Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by Apostolic Succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular Churches. Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church."
Similarly, theological commentary has also addressed the matter of apostolic continuity among Old and Independent Catholics:
"We have no reason to doubt that the Old and Independent Catholic Orders are valid. The Apostolic Succession does not depend on obedience to the See of Peter, but rather on the objective line of succession from Apostolic sources, the proper matter and form, and the proper intention. Likewise, Old and Independent Catholic bishops are bishops in Apostolic Succession. The Old and Independent Catholics, like the Orthodox, possess a valid priesthood."
— William J. Whalan, pp. 204, 248
Yet, it must also be said clearly: while statements such as these are historically significant, the validity of Old and Independent Catholic Orders and Sacraments does not depend solely on recognition from Rome. No See alone creates or destroys apostolic validity. Apostolic succession is rooted in historical continuity, proper ordination, and fidelity to the sacramental life of the Church — not in submission to one particular jurisdiction.
So the question remains: How are the Old and Independent Catholics fake?
Or is it possible that many have simply repeated what they have heard from religious voices driven by misunderstanding, bias, or hostility toward traditions they do not fully understand?
The Old and Independent Catholic Churches continue to stand as communities rooted in apostolic succession, sacramental life, and synodal governance. Their existence reminds us that the Church of Christ has always been broader than a single center of authority.
God bless both the Old and Independent Catholic Churches all over the world.
WHAT “INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC” MEANS
**“Independent”**
We are not under the jurisdiction of Rome.
We keep in line with the ancient, undivided Church, especially the first millennium of Christian tradition.
**“Catholic”** expresses our adherence to the universal faith:
- The Holy Trinity
- The full divinity and humanity of Christ
- The centrality of the Eucharist
- The authority of Scripture and Apostolic Tradition
- The creeds of the early ecumenical councils
- We uphold the sacramental life of the Church:
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist
- Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony
- Holy Orders
HOW THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SEES INDEPENDENT CATHOLICS
From an Independent Catholic perspective, it is important to be completely honest:
- The Roman Catholic Church and Independent Catholics are **not in full communion** with one another.
- The Roman Catholic Church has historically **recognized the validity of Independent Catholic apostolic succession and sacraments**,
especially in reference to Catholics of the Union of Utrecht.
In Roman Catholic theology:
- A bishop validly consecrated with proper form and intent truly becomes a bishop, even if he is not under Rome’s jurisdiction.
- Priests ordained by such a bishop are validly ordained priests.
- Masses and sacraments celebrated by such clergy are considered **valid but illicit** (valid, though not authorized under Roman law).
In practice, this means:
- Roman Catholic theologians, canonists, and official Vatican documents have repeatedly treated Independent Catholic orders as
**valid**.
- When Roman Catholic authorities discuss **Independent Catholic bishops and priests**, they typically:
- Do *not* re‑ordain them absolutely if they reconcile with Rome;
- Instead may use conditional or reconciliatory rites, acknowledging pre‑existing apostolic orders.
From our Old Catholic standpoint:
- We hold that this Roman Catholic recognition confirms that we are:
- Truly Catholic in faith and sacramental life.
- Truly apostolic in our ministry and succession.
WE ARE CATHOLIC – AND INCLUSIVE
As an inclusive Independent Catholic community:
- We share the **core Catholic faith** with the wider Church while living it in a way that is deeply pastoral and welcoming:
- We welcome divorced and remarried persons to the sacraments.
- We affirm the full dignity and ministry of women.
- We welcome LGBTQ+ persons as beloved members of the Body of Christ, fully able to participate in the sacramental and ministerial life of the Church.
- We believe that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church into a more complete expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
WHAT MAKES US “VALIDLY CATHOLIC” FROM AN INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE
-**Faith**
- We profess the same core creeds as the Roman Catholic Church (Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed).
- We celebrate the same central mysteries: Incarnation, Cross, Resurrection, and Pentecost.
- **Sacraments**
Our sacraments have:
- Valid matter (bread, wine, oil, water, etc.).
- Valid form (the traditional sacramental prayers).
- Valid intention (to do what the Church does).
- Our clergy are ordained in historical apostolic succession.
**Continuity**
- We remain in continuity with the ancient Church in worship, theology, and spirituality.
- We uphold the episcopal ministry of bishops as successors of the apostles.
From this, we affirm:
We are truly Catholic, truly sacramental, and truly apostolic—
recognized as such in principle by Roman Catholic theology, even while we stand outside Roman jurisdiction.
OUR INVITATION TO YOU
- If you are Catholic and seeking a spiritual home where:
- Your dignity is honoured,
- Your questions are respected,
- Your family is welcomed as it is,
- And the sacraments are celebrated validly and reverently—
we invite you to pray, worship, and journey with us.
We are:
**Old Catholic in faith**
**Inclusive in practice**
**Rooted in apostolic succession**
**Recognized as validly Catholic in orders and sacraments by Roman Catholic theology, even if not under Roman authority**