Independent Catholic communities operate entirely through self-governing local dioceses and independent sacramental networks

Sacramental Practices

Independent Catholic theology remains highly sacramental and eucharistic, prioritizing the traditional seven sacraments over large-scale social or parish programming.

Apostolic Succession: Communities base their sacramental authority on unbroken historical lines of bishops tracing back to the original Apostles. They inherit these lineages through breakaway groups such as the Old Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, or historical Roman Catholic bishops who separated from Rome.

Theology of Validity: Independent clergy adhere strictly to traditional sacramental theology. For a sacrament to be considered valid, it must meet three requirements: proper matter (e.g., unleavened bread, wine, water), proper form (using the prescriptive ritual words), and proper intent (the minister intending to do what the Church does).

Open Communion: Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, which requires shared doctrine for communion, many (though not all) Independent Catholic communities practice open altars, offering communion to any baptized Christian regardless of denomination, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Liturgical Variety: Parishes enjoy great freedom in worship. Some adopt highly traditional Latin or pre-Vatican II rites, while others implement modernized, gender-neutral, or experimental liturgies.

Leadership Practices

Leadership in the movement is autocephalous (self-governing) and leans heavily toward localized, collaborative administration.

Conciliar and Democratic Governance: Instead of top-down papal directives, jurisdictions are governed by a synod or council. This body typically includes the bishop, local clergy, and elected lay representatives who collectively vote on church laws, budgets, and policies.
Inclusive, at EMMI, we have a House of Bishops and a House of Elders

Holy Orders: Depending on the specific jurisdiction’s stance (progressive vs. traditional), holy orders are often decoupled from historical Roman restrictions. Many independent dioceses ordain women to the diaconate, priesthood, and episcopacy, and they universally allow married or partnered individuals to serve as clergy.

Worker-Priests: Because independent parishes are usually quite small (“micro-churches”), most priests and bishops are bi-vocational. They hold standard secular jobs to support themselves financially, minimizing the financial burden on the local congregation.

Parish Autonomy: Local congregations frequently operate under a congregational model. The laity usually owns the parish property and possesses a direct, significant voice in vetting and hiring their own pastor, rather than having a priest assigned to them unconditionally by a distant diocese.