About Old Catholic Union of the West
The name “Old Catholic Union of the West” tells a story about who we are. “Old Catholic” connects us to a tradition that began in the 19th century, when a group of faithful sought to preserve the early Christian practices while embracing a spirit of inclusivity and reform. We carry this tradition forward by fostering a collaborative, decentralized church where equality and justice are at the forefront. “Union” speaks to the unity within our community.
We are a diverse group, coming together as clergy and laity to serve, worship, and spread the message of love and compassion that defines the Gospel. It’s about working in harmony, bound by a shared mission. And finally, “West” reflects our broader identity in the western part of the world. Though we have a presence in California, Arizona, and New Mexico, our vision and mission extend beyond borders, reaching out to serve the world with Christ’s love wherever it’s needed. Our name weaves together our history, our values, and our place in the world today.
What is the Old Catholic Union of the West?
History of the Old Catholic Union of the West
The Old Catholic Union of the West traces its origins to 2000 and the founding of the Reformed Catholic Church. That early community was where we first learned to breathe as a church—people gathering around the idea that you can be fully Catholic while also being rooted in compassion, shared life, and the Gospel lived simply and sincerely. It gave us our start, and we carry gratitude for that beginning.
Over time, though, we sensed a particular calling taking shape. By 2019, it became clear that our path was taking us in a direction that needed its own room to grow. We weren’t breaking away out of bitterness or disagreement; we were following the charism we had come to recognize as our own: a church that listens together, decides together, and welcomes with generosity. We stepped forward to protect that spirit.
In 2020, we took on the name Apostolic Sacramental Church—a season of clarity and steady building. Those years allowed us to lean into what mattered most to us: the creeds, the apostolic faith, the sacraments, and a way of being church that looks people in the eye and honors their dignity.
As we continued to grow into ourselves, something became beautifully obvious: the life we were living—conciliar, sacramental, and pastorally open—fit naturally within the Old Catholic tradition. It wasn’t a shift. It was recognition. In 2023, we embraced the name that matched the heart of who we had become: the Old Catholic Union of the West.
For us, this wasn’t reinvention. It felt more like finally naming a home we’d been walking toward for years.
Today, the OCUW serves communities across California, New Mexico, Arizona, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Maryland. We’re a small but growing church, shaped by renewal, grounded in the ancient faith, and committed to creating communities where people can genuinely belong. From the beginning, one thread has held everything together: a deep trust in the Gospel’s call to shared life, shared leadership, and shared hope. That same spirit continues to guide us as we live out our mission across the West and beyond.
Is this a real Catholic Church?
The Old Catholic Union of the West (OCUW) affirms its identity as a "true particular Church" as defined in Dominus Iesus. This papal document, authored by then Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), acknowledges Churches like ours that, while not in full communion with Rome, maintain apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist.
As an Old Catholic body, the OCUW adheres to the ancient Christian faith expressed in the Nicene Creed and preserves the sacraments instituted by Christ. In alignment with Dominus Iesus, the OCUW recognizes the unique and universal role of Christ Jesus as the mediator of salvation while also affirming its own participation in the Church of Christ. This theological foundation underpins the OCUW's mission to spread the Gospel and serve the marginalized through acts of prayerful love and service.
