History of Old Roman Catholicism
The Old Roman Catholic Church descends from the ancient Roman Catholic See of Utrecht in the Netherlands. That country was Christianized in the seventh century by the English missionary Saint Willibrord and his companions. In the year 1145, autonomy first came to Utrecht. At the request of Holy Roman Emperor Conrad III, Blessed Pope Eugene III granted the See of Utrecht the right to elect its own bishops. The Fourth Lateran Council confirmed this grant in 1215. In 1520, Pope Leo X granted the See of Utrecht the right to adjudicate its own affairs without reference to the tribunals of the Holy See. This became known as Leonine Privilege. This right of autonomy has been exercised by the See of Utrecht and her descendants ever since.
In 1908, Mgr Gerardus Gul, Archbishop of Utrecht consecrated Mgr Arnold Harris Mathew, a retired Roman Catholic priest, as Regionary Bishop for England. Because of Utrecht's opposition to the First Vatican Council and a rise of protestant-influenced theology there, the English mission under Mgr Mathew declared autonomy from the Utrecht Union of Old Catholic Churches in order to preserve authentic Roman Catholic doctrine in the Ultrajectine tradition.
In 1913, Mgr Mathew consecrated HRH Prince Rudolph Francis de Landes Berghes as bishop. Because of the First World War and his German heritage, is was arranged for him to migrate to the United States in 1914. There he established the Old Roman Catholic Church in the United States. In America, Prince Archbishop de Landes Berghes consecrated Carmel Henry Carfora, an Italian Franciscan friar, as bishop in 1916. Bishop Carfora was later elected to succeed the Prince de Landes Berghes as Archbishop of the Old Roman Catholic Diocese of America.
During Mgr Carfora's tenure as Archbishop, Old Roman Catholicism spread widely across the United States and Canada. Upon his death, dispute over succession of leadership lead to several successor jurisdictions in America.
In 1913, Mgr Mathew consecrated HRH Prince Rudolph Francis de Landes Berghes as bishop. Because of the First World War and his German heritage, is was arranged for him to migrate to the United States in 1914. There he established the Old Roman Catholic Church in the United States. In America, Prince Archbishop de Landes Berghes consecrated Carmel Henry Carfora, an Italian Franciscan friar, as bishop in 1916. Bishop Carfora was later elected to succeed the Prince de Landes Berghes as Archbishop of the Old Roman Catholic Diocese of America.
During Mgr Carfora's tenure as Archbishop, Old Roman Catholicism spread widely across the United States and Canada. Upon his death, dispute over succession of leadership lead to several successor jurisdictions in America.
Old Roman Catholicism in Great Britain also descends from Mgr Carfora and the See of Caer Glow. Today there are Old Roman Catholics all around the world, all striving to continue the legacy of Archbishop Mathew and the ancient See of Utrecht in faith and fidelity to Roman Catholicism.
