The early church

In the early years, the Church grew up around five historical Patriarchs; Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. The government of the Church was “Conciliar” as evidenced by the first Seven Ecumenical Councils which defined the faith of the Church between 325 and 787AD.

East and west

For the first thousand years, the Church was known as the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. This unity was divided in the 11th Century when the Patriarch of Rome (Pope Leo IX) claimed to exercise jurisdiction over the whole Church, changed the Nicene Creed, and added the filioque (the words "and the Son") outside of an Ecumenical Council. This led to the Great Schism of 1054, separating the Eastern Catholic Patriarchs from Rome through excommunication since they did not agree to accept Papal Supremacy. Therefore, the Eastern Churches became known as the Eastern Orthodox Churches and became primarily ethnic and national churches. The Western Catholic Church set itself apart from the other Patriarchs and established the Roman Catholic Church as we know it today.

1145 A.D. - 1860 A.D.

Most Old Catholic jurisdictions derive their apostolic succession through the independent Catholic Archbishop of Utrecht in Holland. In the early half of the eighteenth century, a dispute between 

• the Jesuits 
• and the Archbishop of Utrecht 

arose. The Pope intervened on the side of the Jesuits contrary to Canon Law in that Utrecht was exercising its right to elect its own Bishop under Papal authority given by Pope Eugene III in 1145 that had been confirmed again by the Vatican in 1215, 1520 and 1717. The Bishop and his See and his successors were given sovereign rights as a national church. A second Papal Grant was given by Pope Leo X, "Debitum Pastoralis" which conceded that neither the Bishop of Utrecht nor any of his successors, nor any of their clergy or laity, should ever have his cause taken to an external tribunal (Rome or anywhere else) for any reason. Any such proceeding would be null and void. 

This papal concession (the Leonine Privilege), in 1520, is the most important defense of the rights of the Catholic Church of Utrecht. It concedes that the House of Bishops is the final recourse in any Old Catholic diocese.   

Vatican I

In 1870 Pope Pius IX presided over what became Vatican I. It was at this Council that the notion of Papal Infallibility was proclaimed a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church.  

Papal Infallibility means that when the Pope, by virtue of his office, speaks on behalf of the Church with regard to faith and morals, he speaks without error. In other words, it is impossible for the Pope to make a mistake when he speaks for the Church, according to this new concept.

This idea was made a dogma which means that every Roman Catholic must believe it under pain of sin.
 

The “Old Catholic Movement”

A large number of clergy left that council in disagreement with that idea, saying that Christ was the only one who was perfect and infallible and that no man was infallible. Thus, the “Old Catholic Movement” was birthed. These dissenting Catholics throughout Europe believed that, although the Pope may be the leader of the Catholic Church, he is never infallible, for that had never been.

• an authentic Catholic teaching
• a teaching of Jesus 
• an Apostolic Tradition

Therefore, these Catholics formed independent communities that became Old Catholic. 

Recent History

On June 16th, 2000, Pope John Paul II issued the document "DOMINUS IESUS". This document was also signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect, on August 6th 2000 from the Office of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which identifies churches such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Church, the Old Catholic Churches, and states in section 17; "The Churches which while not existing in perfect communion with the (Roman) Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by Apostolic succession and a valid Eucharist, are true particular churches, Therefore, the Church of Christ is present and operative in these Churches, even though they lack full communion with the (Roman) Catholic Church..."

Saint Barnabas Catholic Church Today

Saint Barnabas the Apostle Catholic Church is called "Old Catholic" because we have turned back the clock and adhere to the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church prior to the various divisions, particularly prior to the great schism of 1054 AD, which divided the Eastern and Western churches. The early undivided church was theologically orthodox; we embrace this theology and the seven ecumenical councils, while using a western liturgical rite.