OCCI Office of Chaplains

03/31/2026

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility. To every transgender person in our communities and beyond: we see you, we honor you, and we love you.

Old Catholic Churches International stands today with our transgender siblings across the world — not in spite of our faith, but because of it.

We are deeply troubled by what we are witnessing. From state legislatures across the United States to national governments around the globe, transgender individuals are being targeted by an escalating wave of legislation designed to erase, exclude, and harm. These are not abstract policy debates. These are attacks on real people — people created by God, beloved by God, and deserving of every dignity that humanity can offer.

Our theology will not allow us to be silent.

The Old Catholic tradition has always insisted that the Church exists to serve humanity — not to police it. We hold to the ancient faith, and the ancient faith holds that every person bears the Imago Dei, the image of God. That image does not require government approval. It cannot be legislated away. It does not expire.

To our transgender members, friends, and neighbors: you are not a controversy. You are the Body of Christ. Your lives are sacred. Your identities are not errors to be corrected. Your presence in our communities is a gift.

To our bishops, clergy, deacons, and lay leaders serving across our jurisdictions: today is a day to speak plainly. Stand with your transgender parishioners. Make your parishes sanctuaries of dignity. Let no one who comes through your doors wonder whether they are welcome.

Old Catholic Churches International affirms the full humanity and sacred worth of every transgender person. That is not a political statement. It is a confession of faith.

🌐 myocci.org
📧 [email protected]

01/27/2026

Today, 27 January, we join the world in observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day—chosen because it marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. We remember the six million Jewish people murdered, and the millions of other victims of N**i persecution. We hold in prayer the survivors and their families, and we honor every life whose dignity was denied.

As Old Catholic Churches International, we believe remembrance is not only about history—it is about discipleship today. The Holocaust did not begin with camps; it began with the slow normalization of contempt: words that dehumanized, laws that excluded, neighbors who looked away, and institutions that stayed silent.

In our own time, we see renewed antisemitism, racism, and conspiracy-thinking spreading quickly—often amplified online and disguised as “just opinions.” On this day, we recommit ourselves to the Gospel’s insistence that every person bears God-given dignity, and we choose to be the kind of community that speaks up early, not late.

A simple practice for today:
Light a candle. Say the names you know. Pray for the living. And when you encounter hatred—online or in person—do not pass it along. Do not laugh it off. Do not stay quiet.

“Never again” must mean “never again for anyone.”

01/03/2026

The call to ministry is alive. The Church needs faithful servants.

The Old Catholic Churches International is seeking qualified and dedicated candidates, women and men, called to priesthood and religious life. We believe in a Church that is sacramental, inclusive, and rooted in justice, mercy, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If you are discerning a vocation that honors tradition while responding to the needs of today’s world, we invite you to take the next step.

Explore your calling:

👉 https://myocci.org
📧 [email protected]
📞 762-215-5312

11/27/2025

Introducing the Office of Faith, Justice, and Humanitarian Efforts

The Old Catholic Churches International is pleased to officially announce the formation of the Office of Faith, Justice, and Humanitarian Efforts. This new office is dedicated to fostering faith-based advocacy, promoting justice, and coordinating humanitarian initiatives within our global community. Our mission is rooted in the values of compassion, dignity, and solidarity, and this office will serve as a central hub for engaging with critical issues affecting our world today.

Advent Series Launch: Walking with Immigrants

In conjunction with the formation of our new office, we are excited to announce the release of our Advent Series titled Walking with Immigrants. This series is designed to guide individuals and faith communities through the Advent season with a focus on the journeys, struggles, and hopes of immigrants. Through reflection, prayer, and action, we seek to deepen understanding and inspire meaningful support for those who are seeking refuge and new beginnings.

The Walking with Immigrants Advent Series is now available for purchase. We invite congregations, small groups, and individuals to join us in this important spiritual journey. By participating, you will be supporting both the work of our new office and the broader mission to serve and advocate for those in need.

How to Purchase

To order your copy of Walking with Immigrants please visit https://myocci.org/shop/. To learn more about the Office of Faith, Justice, and Humanitarian Efforts, please contact Father Ricardo Romero at father.ricardo at myocci.org.

Join Us in Our Mission

The Old Catholic Churches International invites all members, partners, and friends to support the launch of the Office of Faith, Justice, and Humanitarian Efforts. Together, let us walk in faith, pursue justice, and extend compassion to all, especially the most vulnerable among us.

Thank you for your continued commitment and support.

10/04/2025

So much truth in this little statement. And we agree 100%! (Thanks to Bishop James St. George for posting it originally!)

09/28/2025

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and their friends in Grand Blanc Michigan at the LDS church. We once again decry such violence and death in our nation and demand our leaders do more to stop the hateful rhetoric and curb the amount of guns in our streets.

09/10/2025

The Old Catholic Churches International decry the violent and senseless shooting of Charlie Kirk. We pray for his family in this very difficult time of grief.

Violence is never the solution to our political divide. We are called to pray for our enemies and do good to those who persecute us. And we will do just that.

08/15/2025

07/27/2025

As one Church, united in faith and compassion, the Old Catholic Churches International raises a collective voice in sorrow and solidarity for all those suffering in Gaza. We stand together, unwavering in our commitment to human dignity and justice, and we call for an immediate end to the violence and the ongoing genocide. Let us work and pray for peace, advocating for the sanctity of every human life, and urging all communities to join us in standing against oppression and embracing the hope of reconciliation and healing.