Reformed Catholics

Reformed Catholics are a small religious body which originated in New York City about 1879. Some priests who left the Catholic Church formed a few congregations, chiefly in New York, and began evangelistic work on a Protestant basis of belief. The leader of the movement was Rev. James A. O'Connor, the editor of The Converted Catholic, New York City, which protests against features of the Roman system of doctrine, government, discipline, and practise, and teaches Protestant doctrine as understood by the Evangelical churches. Opposition to the sacramental system of the Roman Catholic Church is a pronounced feature of this body. The salvation of the believer is not dependent on his relation to the Church, but comes directly from Christ. Hence, there is no need of intermediaries or other mediators. All can come directly to God by faith in Christ, the only high priest. The Holy Spirit is the only teaching power in the Church. There are six churches, eight ministers, and about 2,000 or 3,000 communicants.