What Is Independent Catholicism?
When members of the Roman Catholic Church first encounter an Independent Catholic priest, they are often surprised to learn that Catholic communities exist outside of direct communion with Rome. Naturally, questions arise about the validity of the Orders and Sacraments celebrated within Independent Catholic traditions.
Because we belong to an Independent Catholic jurisdiction, some Roman Catholic dioceses have recognized our Sacrament of Holy Matrimony as valid, while others have not. The Vatican’s official position is that only a Roman Catholic priest may officiate a wedding between two Roman Catholics within a Roman Catholic Church. However, a marriage between a Roman Catholic and a non-Catholic is typically recognized by the Vatican as a valid “natural marriage.”
Our Identity
We are part of a distinct Independent Celtic Rite Catholic jurisdiction. Our community identifies as both Catholic and Orthodox in spirit, rooted in the heritage of the ancient Celtic Church. Our faith affirms the teachings of the first seven ecumenical councils of the undivided Christian Church—the same Church that the Nicene Creed proclaims to be “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.”
We celebrate all seven sacraments (also called Mysteries) and hold firmly to the belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
While we are not under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church—or any other jurisdiction—we remain authentically Catholic through apostolic succession and our sacramental life. Like Roman, Orthodox, and other Catholic traditions, we uphold the same seven sacraments and share much of the same liturgical and spiritual heritage.
For couples, this means your marriage will be both legally recognized by the state and, through God’s love and grace, a true sacrament in the eyes of God. For those who require a Roman Catholic blessing, we encourage you to contact your diocesan office prior to being married outside the Roman Church, as special permission (a dispensation) from your bishop may be necessary.
Apostolic Succession
The validity of the sacraments rests on apostolic succession—the unbroken line of bishops stretching back to the apostles themselves. +Mike’s succession can be traced through the Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Old Catholic, Polish Catholic, Celtic Catholic, and Roman Catholic lineages. Because of this, our sacraments are celebrated within the same apostolic faith as those of Rome and the Eastern churches.
The Celtic Church Heritage
The Celtic Church traces its roots to the earliest centuries of Christianity in the British Isles. According to tradition, Joseph of Arimathea first brought the Gospel to Celtic lands as early as the second or third century. By the fifth century, leaders such as St. Patrick in Ireland, St. Ninian in Scotland, and St. Illtud in Wales shaped a vibrant Christian identity that flourished through monastic life, missionary outreach, and deep spiritual devotion.
Celtic saints like St. Columba of Iona and St. Aidan of Lindisfarne carried this spirit across Europe, founding communities renowned for hospitality, learning, and holiness. The Celtic Church emphasized creation, community, and personal devotion, while also maintaining its own distinct liturgical practices, including a unique calculation of Easter and its own form of monastic tonsure.
Although the Celtic Church was gradually brought into closer alignment with Rome after the Synod of Whitby in 664 AD, its spirit endured in remote areas of Ireland and Scotland, leaving a lasting influence on Christian spirituality.
Our Place Today
The Celtic Order of Benedictine Chaplains draws from both the ancient Celtic tradition and the Anglican Benedictine revival. This dual heritage allows us to be Catholic and Benedictine while maintaining an independent structure.
From the Roman Catholic perspective, Independent Catholic communities are often considered valid but illicit: our sacraments, rooted in apostolic succession, are sacramentally real, yet outside the lawful authority of the Pope. Rome recognizes Independent Catholics as “separated brethren,” sharing much of the same faith while existing apart from canonical communion.
For us, independence allows the freedom to embody the ancient Celtic spirit—pastoral, hospitable, and close to the people—while remaining faithful to the Benedictine way of prayer and service (ora et labora). In this way, we continue a tradition that is both deeply ancient and authentically Catholic, able to minister with compassion and flexibility in today’s world.