OCAC - Old Catholic Apostolic Church
Introduction
The Old Catholic Apostolic Church (OCAC) UK is an independent Christian jurisdiction rooted in the Old Catholic and Liberal Catholic[1] traditions. It affirms apostolic succession, sacramental worship, and ecumenical outreach, while rejecting centralized papal authority.
1. Leadership and Symbolism
Patriarch: The Rt. Revd. Adrian Glover (Mar Trimlett) serves as Patriarch of OCAC Worldwide, overseeing its global mission. His key roles include:
- Ordinary of the Diocese of Dumnonia & Wessex (UK)
- Founding pastor of the Cross-Denominational Mission
- General Secretary of both the Independent Catholic Churches Council and the United Free Catholic Bishops Conference liberalcatholics.ukliberalcatholics.uk.
Visual: The church’s coat of arms (Top-left image) signifies its historic lineage and ecclesial identity.
2. Apostolic Succession and Documentation
OCAC traces its apostolic succession through multiple historic lines, including those of Old Catholic Utrecht, Liberal Catholic, and other independent Catholic orders—asserted through documented certificates of consecration and ecclesiastical governance liberalcatholics.ukliberalcatholics.uk.
Visual: The liturgical photo of Bishop Glover celebrating the Eucharist (Top-right image) captures active sacramental ministry, while the bottom images (certificates or seals) visually attest to apostolic and institutional legitimacy.
3. UK Structure and Global Presence
UK Organization: OCAC divides the UK into six dioceses—Dumnonia & Wessex; Dynod & Wledig (Wales); Fortriu & Dalriada (Scotland); Mercia & Anglia (Midlands and East Anglia); Northumbria & Rheged; and Ulaid & Uí Néill (Northern Ireland). Each is served by clergy under the Patriarch’s leadership liberalcatholics.uk.
Global Reach: OCAC is active worldwide, with a presence in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and cyberspace liberalcatholics.ukliberalcatholics.uk+1.
4. Mission, Governance, and Ministry
OCAC describes itself as “Ancient in faith... modern in vision”, combining traditional Catholic elements (seven sacraments, apostolic traditions) with contemporary outreach through street-pastoring, chaplaincy, broadcasting, and other mission activities liberalcatholics.uk. The global College of Bishops serves under the Patriarch, guiding national jurisdictions and reflecting OCAC’s synodal structure liberalcatholics.uk.
5. Theology and Ecclesiastical Identity
OCAC affirms the early ecumenical creeds and sacraments, rejecting papal infallibility while preserving ancient Catholic tradition—mirroring core Old Catholic principles Apostolic Old Catholic MissionWikipedia liberalcatholics.uk. It embraces local governance, ecumenical engagement, inclusivity (including laity, married clergy, and women’s ordination), and modern pastoral flexibility.
Community and External Perspective
OCAC clergy are non-stipendiary and often bi-vocational, following the Apostolic model—echoed in their active community ministries liberalcatholics.uk.
In broader contexts, independent and Old Catholic churches—including those like OCAC—are seen as diverse bodies claiming valid succession, though not all ecumenical traditions recognize every line. One comment highlights:
“Independent Sacramental Churches… claim to have valid Apostolic Succession and valid Sacraments” Reddit
Wikipedia Page Outline
- Lead/Introduction
- History and Origins
- Governance[lower-alpha 1] and Leadership (Patriarch & College of Bishops)
- UK Diocesan Structure
- Global Presence
- Theology and Identity
- Ministry and Mission
- Apostolic Succession and Documentation
- Public Reception and Context
- References & Further Reading
Next Steps
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Notes
- ↑ Companies House
References
- ↑ Brierley, Peter (2018). UK Church Statistics (Latest ed.). UK & Online (published 2022). p. 5.6. ISBN 978-0-9957646-1-3. Check date values in:
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