About
Biography of the Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church
Ancient Roots. Living Faith. An Inclusive Community of Grace.
The Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church is a contemporary expression of the ancient Christian faith—apostolic in succession, Celtic in spirit, Catholic in tradition, and radically inclusive in practice. Our story is one of deep roots and wide branches, where the ancient and the modern walk hand in hand.
Our Origins: The Apostolic and Celtic Foundation
The Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church traces its apostolic lineage through the Old Catholic movement, which separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the 18th and 19th centuries over issues of centralized authority and doctrinal rigidity—especially in response to papal infallibility defined at the First Vatican Council (1870). The Old Catholic churches preserved the apostolic succession, the sacraments, and the creeds of the early Church while embracing a more decentralized and conciliar model of leadership.
Our Church embraces that Old Catholic heritage, but is also deeply inspired by the early Celtic Christian tradition, which flourished in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of northern Europe during the first millennium. This Celtic faith was marked by:
A deep reverence for creation and the natural world
A strong sense of community and hospitality
A theology of the immanence of God—God present in all things
The practice of spiritual friendship (anamchara) and monastic life rooted in simplicity and prayer
By drawing on both of these rich streams, we have created a church that is ancient in its foundation, yet fresh and living in its expression.
Our Vision: A Church for All People
The Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church was founded with a clear and prophetic vision: to be a church where all are truly welcome, without exception.
We are a church for the excluded, the questioning, the devout, and the seeking. We believe that God’s grace is boundless, and that every human being is made in the divine image. Our doors are open to all—regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or background.
We affirm the full dignity and equality of LGBTQ+ persons, and we welcome women and men, single or married, to all levels of ministry and leadership. We believe that inclusion is not an exception to tradition, but the deepest expression of it.
Our Structure and Leadership
Like the early church, our governance is conciliar and collaborative. We are led by a threefold ministry of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, in apostolic succession. This ministry is not about hierarchy but about service, wisdom, and shared responsibility.
Our bishops are pastoral shepherds and guardians of the faith, ensuring that the church remains rooted in Christ, open to the Spirit, and accountable to the people it serves. Our clergy are formally trained, spiritually grounded, and supported through community-based formation programs that integrate theology, prayer, and pastoral skills.
We believe the laity are not spectators but vital ministers in the life of the Church. Every baptized person is called to a unique and sacred vocation.
Our Worship: Ancient Liturgy, Living Spirit
Worship in the Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church is sacramental, contemplative, and rooted in beauty. We celebrate the Eucharist as the source and summit of our life together, open to all who seek Christ.
Our liturgy draws from ancient Catholic and Celtic sources, marked by:
Rich symbolism and sacred silence
Inclusive language that reflects the fullness of God
Music, chant, and prayer that connect heart and soul
Blessings that honor the rhythms of creation and the seasons of life
We also honor the monastic rhythms of prayer and contemplation, and many of our communities incorporate Celtic prayers, poetry, and pilgrimage into their spiritual lives.
Our Mission: Love in Action
The Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church is not only a place of worship but a movement of compassionate presence and social justice. Inspired by the example of Christ and the Celtic saints, we are committed to:
Advocating for justice and dignity for the marginalized
Caring for creation as a sacred trust
Offering pastoral care, healing, and spiritual companionship
Building inclusive communities where love is made real
Wherever there is need, suffering, or exclusion, we believe the Church must be there—offering light, hope, and healing.
Looking Forward: A Church Becoming
We are still growing. We are still listening to the Spirit. We are still becoming who we are called to be.
The Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church is a pilgrim church—deeply rooted, always moving. We are building sacred spaces for those who have felt cast out. We are recovering ancient paths while forging new ones. We are helping others rediscover a God who is not distant, but intimately near, in the whisper of the wind, the breaking of bread, and the love of a neighbour.
Whether you are searching for a spiritual home, discerning a vocation, or simply curious about this ancient-modern way of following Christ, we invite you to come and see.
The Holy Apostolic Celtic Catholic Church
Ancient Faith. Inclusive Spirit. A Home for All.