Iglesia Catolica Apostolica de Texas

Official Domains:  www.ICATX.org • www.OrthodoxChurchOfTexas.org

The Catholic Apostolic Church of Texas (Iglesia Católica Apostólica de Texas) is a Catholic institution serving as a continuation of the Holy Catholic Church in Texas. We preserve the fullness of the apostolic faith through the Misa Tridentina according to the 1954 Missal, the reverent celebration of the sacraments, and unwavering fidelity to the teachings of Christ handed down through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

Our Church is a community formed by clergy and monastics and faithful seeking unity, clarity, and continuity in the apostolic ministry during a time of profound crisis in the wider Catholic world. Through prayerful discernment and a desire for ecclesial stability, these communities were brought together under the pastoral leadership of Archbishop Elliot Esch, whose clear and well‑documented apostolic succession provided the foundation for a renewed and unified Catholic body. Following this union, Archbishop Esch re‑ordained and regularized the clergy, establishing a single, cohesive Church for Texas and for all regions we serve.

Although we retain the domain www.OrthodoxChurchOfTexas.org for historical continuity (we were formerly a mostly Western Rite Orthodox jurisdiction), we stand openly as a Catholic jurisdiction rooted in the Western patrimony of the Church and celebrating the Misa Tridentina as our principal form of worship. Our liturgical life reflects the beauty, solemnity, and theological depth of the historic Roman Rite, which has sanctified countless generations of the faithful.

The Catholic Apostolic Church of Texas professes the sedeprivationist position: we recognize the Bishop of Rome as primus inter pares within the historic episcopate, yet hold that the papal office has lacked a true and formal occupant since 1965 due to the modernist rupture in doctrine and governance. This position reflects our commitment to the ancient Catholic understanding of the Church, the authority of the ecumenical councils, and the integrity of the faith as it was universally professed before the reforms of the late 20th century.

While we recognize the sacramental validity of other Catholic communities—such as the SSPX and similar groups—we maintain a more organized and unified ecclesial structure, ensuring clarity, stability, and continuity in doctrine, liturgy, and apostolic governance.

Our mission is deeply tied to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Texas. We seek to embody the virtues that have shaped this land—hospitality, courage, faithfulness, and community—while remaining rooted in the universal call to holiness. ICATX serves the faithful not only in Texas but also in Latin America and Northern Europe, continuing the missionary spirit that has long characterized the Catholic tradition.

The Catholic Apostolic Church of Texas welcomes all who seek a deeper relationship with Christ, a reverent sacramental life, and a community grounded in truth, tradition, and charity. With humility and hope, we strive to be a witness to the enduring love of God and the unbroken continuity of the apostolic faith.

May God bless ICATX, strengthen its clergy and faithful, and guide all who walk with us in the light of Christ.  

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.