Many people might ask, "Why on earth would a church be independent, isn't that different to the historical church?"
Actually it is not so different. In the early Christian Church all local churches were independent and there was no chief governing head as you see it today. These church communities would be ministered to by, what we call today, Bishops and Deacons. The rank of priest came later, about the mid second century as the church expanded.
Beginning in about the second century as the church moved from the cities and into the rural areas churches were led by priests. These groups of churches led by a number of priests in a given area were looked over or governed by a local Bishop. In this situation the Bishop would be the head of what is called a diocese. As the church grew and more diocese were put into place they were looked over by a Metropolitan or Archbishop, usually located in the major cities. This form of church governance permitted better organization and supervision of orthodoxy. The Metropolitan and Archbishops did not rule but only supervised and every Bishop was to only worry about his own diocese unless orthodoxy was violated. Diocesan Bishops were to remain completely autonomous and were free to run there own jurisdictions as long as they stayed true to the faith.

All these were organized under the principal leadership of a Patriarch. Patriarchs were heads of some of the largest and most important dioceses in the world. In the first 1000 or so years of the church there were five Patriarchs. Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Rome and Constantinople. Special honor was given to Rome and Constantinople because their sees were the seats of imperial Roman Government. All these were equal in authority and had no power except in their own churches. Today the Patriarch of Rome is known as the Patriarch of the West, or the Pope and the Patriarch of Constantinople is of the East, or head of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. A seperation occurred on or about the year 1054 A.D. when the Patriarch of Rome asserted his power over the other Patriarchs claiming leadership rights and Papal authority over the whole Christian Church. This is known as the Great Schism.

Today, if one looks to the Eastern Orthodox, you will see pretty much how the early church was governed and run. The eastern churches better known as Russian, Greek, Coptic, Etc. Orthodox maintain the way the church was to be organized in ancient times. While in the west we see the Pope in Rome heading over the Roman
Catholic Church  as one supreme, infallable Papal leader. We know this to be an incorrect way of leading our Lord's Church. If we look to history we see that every time Papal suppremecy has been exerted we have splits within the Church, only just starting in 1054 A.D. Since then there have been many more small ones. We have seen the errors which have led to the Reformation, we have seen the Anglican Split and also in the 1860's we see the beginning of Independent Catholocisim with the emergence of the Old Catholic Church of Utrect, Holland when once again during Vatican one it was found that the Pope was infallable. It seems  that every time the Pope makes an afformation of his authority a split occurs in our Lord's Body. This authoritarian approach to Church governance is an error, we have seen it only lead to heartbreak and destruction of our Church. Our Lord's prayer in Holy Writ was of Unity, not Conformity! Jesus wants us all to express our Love for Him however it may move a Tradition within Orthodoxy and the fullness of the Sacramental Faith.

Independent Catholics along with The Unity Catholic Church continue to follow the example of the early ancient church pioneers. Although Independent Catholicism has its roots in the Roman Catholic Church we keep the faith held by those in the ancient Church as expressed in the creeds and the early ecumenical councils. We practice the western traditions handed down to us such as western liturgy while keeping our faith Orthodox. While there are divisions among us and although many on both sides of the fence are holding grudges, we realize that we are all human and have made mistakes. In knowing that we continue to pray for Unity among all our Catholic brethren and all Christians. We strive to develop relations with all jurisdictions who profess the true faith given to us by the Apostles. That is why we are UNITY Catholic.

If you have any questions about Independent Catholocism or wish to join us in worship of our Lord and God, please contact out National Office, we love to hear from people who may be searching or are just curious. Hopefully, people who hold authority with our other Catholic families will reach out. God Bless.