Are We Catholics?
	Roman Authority The ancient Church had several patriarchates, including Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem.  Since Rome was the capital of the Empire, the Patriarch of Rome came to hold a certain primacy and gained the title "pope" or "father."  This primacy, however, was not universally recognized by all of the early Church, and there are many ancient denominations (Eastern and Oriental Orthodox) who do not recognize this primacy at all. We do believe with cooperation among Christians.  We also recognize the Bishop of Rome, the pope, as an important figure in the life of the Universal Church.  However, we do not recognize any sort of infallibity with this particular bishop nor are we politically under his jurisdiction.   We believe that the Holy Spirit which guided the Church for eighteen centuries without an infallible pope is doing so still.
		Major spiritual decisions of the pope and the Roman Catholic Church have a certain effect on us as they do on most other Christians.  The most visible evidence is the change in the liturgies of most churches which took place in response to the Roman change from Latin to the vernacular.  Our own liturgy in the CCA is directly related to the Mass of Vatican II in form with modifications to language that eliminate gender exclusivity where possible and expand our expressions of the Divine. Certain Roman Catholic doctrines such as the Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Mary are regarded by our denomination as matters of individual devotion.  They are neither directly supported nor condemned by the Bible or the Ecumenical Creeds.  They are not necessary for salvation and belief in them is not a part of what it means to be Christian.  However, unlike many Protestants, we find no reasons to prohibit such belief and often offer celebrations on these festivals for those to whom these feasts are important. We wish to embrace Roman Catholics and we look forward to the day when such secondary issues do not pose an obstacle to true Christian unity. Return home

Are We
Catholics?

Some people and other churches question whether we are really
Catholics since we are independent of Rome.  The answer is a
resounding "Yes!"  We are not Roman Catholics but still Catholics,
nonetheless.
The Catholic Church of the Americas (CCA) believes the ancient Catholic
faith as formulated in the Nicene Creed and as validated by the whole
Church in the ecumenical councils of the early centuries of its existence.  
The apostolic succession of our priesthood is valid and can be traced
through both Roman Catholic and Old Catholic lineage.  We also
celebrate the Church's traditional seven sacraments.  This combination
of belief, valid holy orders and all seven sacraments identifies us with
other Catholic Churches.  Ask a member of the Orthodox Church if it is
necessary to be subject to Rome in order to be Catholic, if you need
assurance.