Welcome to Our Tradition

The Holy Nicholean Catholic Church was established in 2011 as a new independent tradition, born from the complex history of the Old Catholic Church. This movement emerged in response to the First Vatican Council in 1870, particularly opposing the doctrine of Papal Infallibility. It sought to retain the traditions and governance of the early Christian Church, emphasizing a return to the roots of Christianity without the centralized political authority of the Vatican. In the spirit of this movement, our church embodies a profound commitment to ancient Judeo-Christian wisdom and offers a denominationally inclusive, experiential form of Christianity. By maintaining full communion with the Old Catholic Church through its affiliation with the Order of Exorcists, our church upholds the sacramental and ecclesiastical integrity that is central to the Old Catholic tradition.

Founded by a diverse coalition, including individuals from Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Independent Catholic, Protestant, and non-denominational Christian backgrounds, as well as some unique contributions from non-Christian traditions, the church seeks to revive the mystical and comprehensive spirituality of the ancient desert fathers. It emphasizes theological diversity and a deep, practical, non-dogmatic approach to the Christian faith.

Preserving a rich apostolic heritage, the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church maintains 21 lines of Apostolic Succession under Presiding Bishop Bryan D. Ouellette, SOSM in ecclesia Sovereign Patriarch Nicholas III, with two lines extending directly from the Roman Catholic Church. This continuity ensures the preservation of the sacramental life and theological depth characteristic of the early Church, particularly honoring the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

The church draws on the monastic and ‘desert father’ traditions such as centering prayer, lectio divina, and contemplatio, fostering a direct and transformative encounter with the divine. This approach mirrors the esoteric theological positions historically maintained—often discreetly—by the Church of Rome and emphasizes an evolving, participatory Christianity.

Inspired by the spirit of Eastern Orthodoxy, the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church is fully autocephalous, operating with its own ecclesiastical structure that embraces principles of autonomy and conciliar governance. While there is no magisterial oversight by Rome, the church voluntarily adopts the greater majority of the Roman Catholic Catechism, with few exceptions, influenced by and adhering to the directives of the Roman Catholic Magisterium. This approach underscores a commitment to pastoral care and spiritual autonomy, necessitating our operation independently of the centralized authority of the Pope.

Ultimately, the Holy Nicholean Catholic Church acts as a bridge between the ancient Christian wisdom of apostolic times and the spiritual needs of contemporary society. It provides a sanctuary for those seeking a direct, interactive encounter with the divine, standing as a testament to a Christianity that respects tradition while embracing the spiritual diversity and challenges of the modern world.

God is in our midst. He is and always will be.