Christians in different churches profess their faith in "the one, holy, catholic church," from the Apostles' Creed. In that sense, "catholic" refers to the idea of the universality of the church. The Catholic Church is the one that exists around the world and throughout the ages, although different religious institutions may have different understandings of it. The churches that hold most clearly to a view of the church that is universal in time and space are included in this category, or its subcategories.
When most people think of Catholicism, they are thinking of the Roman Catholicism because the Roman Catholic Church is the largest in the world. Catholic churches view themselves as being in unbroken continuity with the expression of Christianity since the days of the apostles. Within Catholicism, the churches in the East and those in the West developed distinctive liturgical and administrative practices. Catholic theologians and bishops in the East tended to define the church in terms of orthodox beliefs and practices, while institutional allegiances were of primary importance in the Western church, particularly during the Middle Ages.
The Western church gained political authority and power when it was able to assert itself as the only body strong enough to provide a stable government in the face of migration and invasion by Germanic tribes. Western Europe found a steady hand in the Church at Rome, and the Roman Church began to apply the word "catholic" to those who were loyal to the bishop of Rome. Until 1054, the bishop of Rome and the bishop of Constantinople served as the heads of the Western and Eastern churches, respectively, without one asserting dominion over the other. But in that year, each bishop excommunicated the other.
In 1870, a group calling themselves the Old Catholics separated from Rome over the issue of papal infallibility. Over the years other separations took place. Church bodies professing to be the one Catholic Church are listed here.
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American Catholic Church in the United States
The ACCUS in the United States affirms traditional Catholic beliefs, celebrates the seven sacraments, and adheres to the essential Catholic doctrine and practice as expressed and implied in the Vatican Council II, but seeks to reach out to those who have been alienated by the Roman Catholic Church on the basis of marital status, sexuality or orientation. Its bishop is introduced, and its locations are stated.
http://www.accus.us/
American National Catholic Church
The ANCC is an independent Catholic community established in 2009. Its history, mission and beliefs are outlined. Worshipping through the liturgical form of the Roman Missal 2nd Edition rather than the 3rd Edition, its liturgical worship is consistent with the Roman Church and similar to that used by Anglicans. Its ministries, parishes, and vocations are highlighted, and its incardination process is posted.
http://americannationalcatholicchurch.org/
Formerly known as the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church, the Augustana Catholic Church has been pursuing recognition by the Holy See in Rome since 1997. Founded by members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, the Church immediately sought union with the Roman Catholic Church, but are also pursuing intercommunion with the Old Roman Catholic Church of North America. The church leadership, congregations, and an overview of the Church’s beliefs are posted.
http://www.augustanacatholicchurch.co/
Catholic Apostolic Church in North America
As an independent Catholic church that worships in the Catholic tradition and celebrates the seven sacraments, CACINA is a small body of Catholic parishes in North America that welcomes all, regardless of race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political beliefs and economic status. Its membership policies, affiliations, religious communities, parishes and missions are defined.
http://www.cacina.org/
A member of the Archdiocese of the Prince of Peace, an historic jurisdiction of the Free Catholic Movement, the Church came from the Orthodox and Old Catholic traditions, but now carried an emphasis on peace, social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Its history, ministries and beliefs are highlighted. Historical and official documents, pastoral letters, position papers, sermons and writings are posted.
http://christcatholic.church/
Ecumenical Catholic Church USA
The independent Catholic Church is autocephalous and non-ethnic, but tracing its line of apostolic succession to Archbishop René Vilatte, who was consecreated bishop by the Patriarchate of the Syrian Orthodox Catholic Church in India in 1892. Its history, canons and beliefs are set forth, and its congregations, clergy and orders are introduced. Its policies on ordination are posted.
http://www.ecc-usa.org/
Independent Catholic Church of North America
ICCONA is Catholic, but not Roman Catholic or in communion with the Holy See in Rome, although the Body shares the same core beliefs with the Roman Catholic Church, the conservative Old Catholic Rites, conservative Episcopal Rites, the Rites of the Orthodox community, the Anglo-Catholic churches, and others who adhere to the principles of the Catholic faith. A statement of faith, announcements, proclamations, and vocations are discussed.
http://www.iccona.org/
The LCC is Catholic Church body that is independent of Rome, allowing more intellectual and religious freedom, and a balance between ceremonial worship, devotional aspiration, scientific and mystic thought. Its doctrine, tenets and history are highlighted, and its parishes are identified. Messages from the bishop are posted and “Ubique,” the journal of the Liberal Catholic Church, is available in PDF format.
http://www.thelccusa.org/
National Catholic Church of America
The apostolic, inclusive Catholic body is an apostolic, independent Catholic Church that holds to the tenets of the faith as expressed in the Nicene and Apostles Creeds, the teachings of the Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church, the efficacy of the seven sacraments of the Church, and the principal of Apostolic Succession, as well as the special position of the Bishop of Rome as first among equals, but not primacy of jurisdiction over the entire Church.
http://www.nccofa.org/
Orthodox Catholic Church of America
The Spanish Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Apostolic Chaplain Service began in 1987, first as a service to those in nursing homes, then as a broader mission to the Spanish speaking community of Los Angeles. Independent and self governing, the Church now has affiliates in Africa, Europe, Brazil, and the Pacific, asserting that its bishops have multiple lines os Apostolic Succession through the schismatic Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican.
http://www.orthodoxcatholicchurchnp.com/
The RCC is Catholic in its liturgy, sacraments and apostolic successions, but not Roman Catholic. Its heritage comes from the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht, which split with the Roman Catholic Church in 1870, and currently offers a progressive theology, ordaining men and women, offering open communion, and fully affirmative and inclusive of the LGBTQ community. Its beliefs, lineage, dioceses, and vocations are highlighted.
http://www.reformedcatholic.org/
Founded in 1996, the UCC is an outgrowth of the Old Catholic Church, which broke with Rome in 1870. Functioning as a denomination and an inter-church fellowship, the UCC is recognized by the National Council of Churches, and holds that it is a fully Catholic denomination. Its history, articles of association, lines of apostolic succession, and history are told, and its endorsed clergy, leadership and locations are included.
http://unitedcatholic.org/
Worldwide Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ
The Worldwide ECCC was founded by Archbishop Karl Rodig, who was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1986, but decided to leave the Roman Catholic Church in 1989 over the issue of mandatory celibacy. In 1998, he began a new ecumenical movement for Catholics from different Rites and Protestant churches alike, seeking dialogue with all Christian churches, which has since grown worldwide.
http://www.ecumenicalccc.org/
