[9] The conference stated in 2003 that full communion "could not be restored" and "effectively expelled" the Polish National Catholic Church.

"In cooperation with ecumenical partner churches" the parishes were "offered a model that guarantees their continued pastoral care".

[11] Individual Union of Utrecht member churches maintain a degree of autonomy, similar to the practice of the Anglican Communion.

From 2000 to 2020, the archbishop was Joris Vercammen, a former Roman Catholic who served on the central committee of the World Council of Churches.

Old Catholics of Utrecht generally refrain from using the filioque[19] and deum de deo[citation needed] clauses in the Nicene Creed and also reject a dogmatic understanding of Purgatory; however, they generally do recognize a purification by Christ's grace after death and include prayers for the dead in their liturgy and devotions.

They maintain such basic western Catholic practices as baptism by affusion (pouring of water) and the use of unleavened bread in the Eucharist.