What is Independent Catholic churches?
'''Independent Catholic Churches''' is the name for a few [[Christianity|Christian]] churches which say that they have the traditions of the [[Catholicism|Catholic Church]], but who are not recognised by the [[Holy See]]. Almost all of them say that their [[bishop]]s have [[apostolic succession]], that is that their [[wikt:legitimacy|legitimacy]] comes from an [[Twelve Apostles|apostle]]. The first of these churches was the [[Old Catholic Church]], who did not agree that the [[pope]] was infallible, in religious matters. This was agreed at the [[First Vatican Council]] in 1870. Most of the independent Catholic churches split from the Old Catholic church. A notable exception is the [[Society of St. Pius X]], a grouping of traditionalist priests, founded in the 1970s. Communities such as the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]], the [[Oriental Orthodox Church]], or the [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Orthodox Church]] do not have the problem of recognition, as they are at least partially recognised by the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Most Independent Catholic Churches were created after 1870. {{Christianityfooter}} {{ChristianBeliefs}} {{religion-stub}} [[Category:Catholicism]] [[Category:Old Catholicism]]