The OLD

CATHOLIC
CHURCH
in the United Kingdom

History
AD. 730 (circa) St.Willibrord of Ripon establishes See of Utrecht in Netherlands
AD.1145 Pope Eugene III decrees autonomy to See of Utrecht
AD.1215 Fourth Lateran Council confirms See of Utrecht independent status
AD. 1908 The Old Catholic English Mission begins with Archbishop Arnold Mathew
AD.1910 Abp. Mathew issues A Declaration of Autonomy And Independence from the Old
Catholic Church of Utrecht due to growing anti-Catholic traits in the Utrecht
Union of Old Catholic Churches, and inaugurates The Old Catholic Church in the United
Kingdom, an independent and autonomous, international Church within the One, Holy,
Catholic and Apostolic Church, and is a member of: International Council of Community
Churches, World Council of Churches, Churches Uniting in Christ, National Council of
Churches and Faith in Europe. All OCCUK Bishops and Priests are also Companions of
Jesus of the Congregation of St. Benedict.
AD. 2015 The current Primate of the Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom is:
His Excellency the Most Reverend Archbishop John Lycett CJ(CSB).DD.
Chancellor and Ordinary for the North:
The Right reverend Geoffrey Robinson JC(CSB).DD.
Canon of the Cathedral and Ordinary for the South:
The Right Reverend Michael WardCJ(CSB).DD.
 Credemus
We believe:
THE CREEDS, SACRED SCRIPTURE AND SACRED TRADITION
The faith of the Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom conforms to that of the
undivided Catholic Church of the first millennium of its existence. It is expressed in the
ancient Symbol of Faith of the Nicene Creed, promulgated by the Council of Nicaea in
AD.325 and enlarged by the Council of Constantinople in AD.381:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth, and
of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only
begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages; God of God,
Light of Light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; consubstantial
with the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who, for us men, and for
our salvation, came down from Heaven and became incarnate by the Holy
Ghost of the Virgin Mary; AND WAS MADE MAN. He was crucified also
for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day He
rose again, according to the Scriptures; and He ascended into Heaven, sitteth
at the right hand of the Father; and He is to come again with glory, to judge
both the living and the dead; of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And
in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, Who proceedeth from the
Father; Who together with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified;
Who spoke by the prophets. And in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I expect the
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

The source of the Catholic Faith expressed in the Nicene Creed is Sacred Scripture and
Sacred Tradition. The Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom believes that Sacred
Scripture (the Bible), which comprises the Old Testament (including the
deuterocanonical/apocryphal books) and the New Testament, contains God’s revelation to us,
particularly that concerning His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and that in matters essential to
our salvation it is inerrant.

Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom does not consider the Bible to be a source of
information concerning science or any other human discipline. Its purpose is to teach us
about God and about His Son Jesus Christ. It does that within the cultural environment of its
time and place, hence the need for careful study to understand its message correctly.

Sacred Scripture itself is part of Sacred Tradition, that process by which God’s revelation is
passed on to us from the Apostles, and unto the Church Fathers and to the unbroken
succession of Bishops through the centuries. This handing on occurs through the prayers and
liturgy of the Church, through preaching, teaching, catechesis, devotions, doctrines, and the
Bible itself. Church Tradition is a collection of orthodox practices and beliefs, from the
earliest of days, which makes Sacred Tradition an inerrant source of God’s revelation in
matters essential to our faith and our Christian life. A very important part of Sacred Tradition
is the teaching of the Ecumenical Councils. The Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
believes that the doctrinal definitions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils, that is those
which took place within the undivided Catholic Church, were guided by the Holy Spirit and it
accepts them as part of its faith. Those seven Ecumenical Councils are the Councils of Nicaea
in 325AD, Constantinople in 381AD, Ephesus in 431AD, Chalcedon in 451AD,
Constantinople II in 533AD, Constantinople III in 680AD, and Nicaea II in 787AD. These
Councils were concerned essentially with defining the true Catholic faith, in the Holy Trinity
and in Jesus Christ the Son of God made man: God is triune, a single God in three Persons,
Whom the Saviour Himself named as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the Son of
God, uniting in His single Person both the divine and the human natures.

Equally important in Sacred Tradition are the seven Sacraments. The Old Catholic Church in
the United Kingdom believes that these Sacraments, or Mysteries, which are Baptism and
Eucharist, both of which are particularly attested to in Sacred Scripture; and Confirmation (or
Chrismation), Penance (or Reconciliation), Matrimony, Holy Orders and Unction (or
Anointing of the Sick and dying), are effective signs of the Lord’s continuing presence and
action within His Church and efficacious channels of his Grace. Among the Sacraments, the
Holy Eucharist holds prominence of place. The Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom
believes that the Lord Jesus Christ is really and truly present, in His humanity and in His
Divinity, in the species of bread and wine that have been consecrated in the Eucharistic
Liturgy of the Holy Mass, and that in Holy Communion we receive Him into ourselves to
nourish the very life of the soul: ‘Those who eat My Flesh and drink My Blood have eternal
life, and I will raise them up on the last day’ , (John 6:54).

In the Lord Jesus’ plan for his Church, the Apostles and the Bishops hold a special place. The
Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom believes that the Bishops, duly consecrated in
the unbroken line of Apostolic Succession, which the Old Catholic Church in the United
Kingdom possesses, are the successors of the Apostles and that they are responsible, as were
the Apostles, for the ministry of service to the Church, consisting of preaching and teaching,
of sanctifying and of governing, but most of all, for the safeguarding and the handing-on
intact, of the Deposit of Faith and Sacred Tradition of the Church under the divine command.
Under the leadership and direction of the College Bishops, priests and deacons, empowered
by the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and with the assistance and prayers of the two Religious
Congregations, minister to all those who approach the Old Catholic Church in the United
Kingdom for Sacramental ministry.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY AND THE SAINTS

Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church and
the Queen of Heaven and earth, holds a special place in the faith, the lives and the liturgy of
the Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom. The doctrines (teachings) of the Immaculate
Conception and the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady into Heaven, are held by the Old
Catholic Church in the United Kingdom in accord with Sacred Tradition, the Church Fathers
and the Sacred Liturgy from the earliest of times; and in oneness with the Orthodox Church
of the East and the Latin Church in the West. The Saints also are honoured in a special way
within the Liturgy and in the Church’s Calendar. Both of these beliefs and devotions form
part of the reason for the historical split with the Utrecht Union of Old Catholic Churches.
Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom believes in the Communion of Saints, and the
fellowship of the whole Church in Glory, the Church Militant and the Church Suffering. It
holds to the honouring of Saints, and the prayers for their intercession for both the Church
Militant and Suffering.

PURGATION
The Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom believes the doctrine of the purgation of
certain souls after death prior to entry into the Heavenly Kingdom; and the doctrine of the
souls of the blessed receiving the Beatific Vision immediately after death.

THE POSITION OF THE POPE AND THE INFALLIBILITY OF THE CHURCH

Another historical reason for the Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom declaring
independence from the Union of Utrecht in 1910, was the continued acknowledgement of the
Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom that the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, remains the
Patriarch of the West, and is considered, and honoured as, Primus inter Pares; as such he
always continued (and continues) to be remembered, and prayed for, within the Canon of the
Mass.

Regarding the doctrines and dogmas of Infallibility, the Old Catholic Church in the United
Kingdom holds that inerrancy of dogma and doctrine rests with:
1. Sacred Scripture (actual historical texts, and/or faithful and accurate translations)
2. Sacred Tradition (in the spirit of the teachings of St. John Chrysostom’s wisdom: ‘Is
it Tradition? Ask no more’)
3. The declarations/dogmas of a validly held General Ecumenical Council of the whole
Catholic Church.
4. To a substantial degree, with the ancient Augustine doctrine of Lex Orandi Lex
Credendi with regard to the most Ancient of Sacred Liturgies which form part of the
afore mentioned Sacred Tradition.
5. The Patriarchs of the West (Rome) and East (Constantinople): should they declare Ex
Cathedra upon faith and morals, speaking as the mouthpiece and arbiter of the whole
Catholic Church, having consulted fully with the Bishops of the whole Church, and
when what is declared upon is already firmly established (explicitly or implicitly)
within Sacred Scripture and/or Sacred Tradition, and does not contradict, or is
confirmed (either explicitly or implicitly) by, Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

The Filioque position: The Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom maintains, as does
the whole Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church, the solid and unquestioning beliefs as set out in
the Creed of Nicaea/Constantinople of 381. We maintain that, whilst theological debate may
continue regarding the Filioque clause, no Church and no Bishop or Bishops, nor successive
Synods or Councils may change, alter, add to, or take away from, a Creed once it is
proclaimed by a legitimate General Ecumenical Council, and that such Sacred Tradition is
held as absolute by OCCUK.
 THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH

The Divine Liturgy

The authorized Eucharistic liturgies used in the OCCUK are: the Rite known as the Mathew
Rite, that is, Archbishop Arnold Mathew’s 1909 English translation of the Tridentine Rite; a
Rite which goes as far back as the early 4th Century, and which traces its history to the
ancient Eastern Rites of Ss. Basil, Gregory the Great and John Chrysostom; and which is
rightly termed The Immemorial Mass of Ages. The 1969 Roman Rite of Paul VI (with
amended consecration words: qui pro vobis et pro multis) and the revised 2011 Rite of
Benedict XVI; various other Catholic Rites (eg. the Old Catholic Continental Rite,
translations of the Eastern Orthodox Rites, etc.) as and when approved and authorised by the
Sacred College.

The Seven Sacraments

The OCCUK recognizes and affirms the seven Mysteries or Sacraments of the Church:
Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), Communion (the Holy Eucharist), Holy Orders,
Penance, Anointing of the sick (Holy Unction of the sick and Extreme Unction of the dying)
and Marriage.

The Eucharist
This central mystery of the Church, Holy Mass, is seen as being performed by the Prayer of
the Church, and through: the Offering, the Invocation of the Holy Ghost (epiclesis) and the
Words of Consecration. An ultimate mystery and miracle occurs in the bread and wine which
produces sacramental change, thus leaving upon the altar, the Body and Blood, Soul and
Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, verily and indeed. This mystery, this miracle, is accepted
without the necessity to produce explanations or terms, rather, we follow the wisdom of St.
John Damascene (c. 675 - 749): ‘It is truly that Body, united with the Godhead, which had its
origin from the Holy Virgin; not as though that Body which Ascended came down from
Heaven, but because the bread and wine themselves are changed into the Body and Blood
of God. But if thou seekest after the manner how this is, let it suffice thee to be told that it is
by the Holy Ghost; in like manner as, by the same Holy Ghost, the Lord formed flesh to
Himself, and in Himself, from the Mother of God; nor know I aught more than this, that the
Word of God is true, powerful, and almighty, but its manner of operation unsearchable’.

Holy Orders
The OCCUK recognizes three sacred major Orders: the Diaconate, the Priesthood, and the
Episcopate (Bishop), as well as the minor orders of the Lectorate and the Subdiaconate. All
ordinations are performed by a Bishop and always during the Eucharistic liturgy. The
consecration of a Bishop requires the participation of at least two or three other Bishops.

Penance
The Sacrament of Penance in the early Church was a solemn and public act of reconciliation,
through which an excommunicated sinner was readmitted into Church membership. It has
evolved into a private act of confession and absolution through which every Christian's
membership in the Church is periodically renewed. This Sacrament may also be performed as
General Absolution to a group following a General Confession (eg. the Confiteor), as within
the Mathew Rite of Holy Mass.

Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is a biblical form of healing by prayer and anointing with Holy Oil, and
traces its history back to the earliest days of the Church.
Marriage
Marriage is celebrated through a rite performed (usually within the Mass) with great
solemnity, and signifies an eternal, sacramental union between a man and a woman. OCCUK
theology of marriage insists on its sacramental eternity rather than its legal indissolubility.
Thus, second marriages, in certain cases, are celebrated through a more subdued and
penitential rite. Remarriage after divorce is tolerated on the basis of the possibility that the
Sacrament of Marriage was not originally received with the consciousness and responsibility
that would have made it fully effective; accordingly, re-marriage can be a second chance and
is granted as part of the Church’s mercy. In all cases of second marriage, there is a specific
recognition of, and lamentation for, the ending of the first marriage. The Order of the Second
or Third Marriage is somewhat different than that celebrated as a first marriage and it bears a
penitential character. Second or third marriages are performed by economy, that is, out of
concern for the spiritual wellbeing of the parties involved and as an exception to the rule
rather than the norm. Divorced and re-married men may still be considered for Holy Orders at
the discretion of the Sacred College of Bishops

THE SACRED COLLEGE OF BISHOPS AND GOVERNANCE

OCCUK is governed by Its Sacred College of Bishops, and, with the assistance of their
various advisors, maintain an open and transparent means of governing the Church.

DISCIPLINES WITHIN THE PRIESTHOOD

OCCUK does not impose the discipline of Priestly Celibacy upon Its clergy, and both Priests
and Bishops are at liberty to marry before or after Ordination, however, the already-married
may voluntarily choose to practice continence after Ordination. All Deacons, Priests and
Bishops, and Religious are bound by a strict Code of Conduct which is set within the
Church’s Cannons.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

OCCUK maintains the ancient beliefs and Sacred Tradition of the Church for an all-male
clergy. In the Celebration of Holy Mass Christ is the real Priest and Sacrificer, but He makes
His Sacrifice through the visible, that is, the Ordained human Priest. In his Priesthood, the
human Priest embodies no other Priesthood than the Priesthood of Christ Himself; he
executes Christ's invisible Priesthood in a visible manner, being completely and fully
dependent on the High Priest, whose instrument and surrogate he is. The priesthood is not
viewed by OCCUK as ‘right’ or a ‘privilege’; it does not see the clergy as a caste apart from
the People of God. It does not understand Ordination to the Priesthood as a matter of justice,
equality, political correctness, or human rights. No one, not even males, have the ‘right’ to
Ordination, and no one ‘chooses’ Ordination; we believe that it is God Who does the
choosing, even if His Will in this instance seems completely contrary with the understanding
of the world, the culture or the era. The clergy do not stand above the People of God, rather,
they stand in their midst, just as Christ stands in the midst of His People. Those who carry out
essential ministries without being ordained, either as Religious (Congregations of St.
Benedict and St. Francis) or as lay-folk, also stand in the midst of God’s People, for the
ministries they pursue in the Name of Our Lord also share in His work.