The Roots of the Old Catholic Church

  The OCC, as an autonomous apostolic and catholic church outside of Rome, got its foundation in The Netherlands way back in the 12th century. See the timetable below. (Following from - http://www.anglicanritecatholicchurch.org/timeline.html ) 

   “1145    The See of Utrecht is   granted autonomy by Blessed Pope Eugene III.    

 1215    The privileges of   Utrecht are confirmed by the Fourth Lateran Council.     

                           1522  Hadrian VI, from the See of Utrecht, is elected Pope. 

1739 Bishop Dominique-Marie Varlet, Roman Catholic Titular Bishop of Ascalon, consecrated by Bishop de Matignon, consecrates Peter John Meindaerts to the vacant See of Utrecht. The name of Old Roman Catholic Church of Holland was used. Prior to this point, the Old Roman Catholic and Roman Communion successions were held in common.” 

 Essentially, back in the Middle Ages, Rome gave the far-away church/district in the Netherlands (headquartered in Utrecht) the official ability to run its own affairs, including selecting and consecrating its own bishops (and priests). Thus, bishops from within the See of Utrecht had valid Apostolic Succession- going all the way back to the Apostles. Having this intimate heritage and line going back to the disciples of Jesus is required for any “Catholic” church. This is what, in part, provides the Holy Tradition of Christianity. This tradition is in addition to what is learned via the Holy Scriptures. 

Disgruntled RCC bishops, after walking out- literally- of the First Vatican Council needed a new spiritual/church “home” outside of the jurisdiction of Rome and Rome’s mandates. These clergy found it within the centuries-old Utrecht based diocese.