Our no-nonsense Cookie Policy

Last updated: 19 November, 2025

1. Introduction

This Cookie Policy explains how the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission (“we”, “us”, “our”, “the Mission”) uses cookies and similar technologies on https://apostolicoldcatholic.org (“the website”). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions, which explain more broadly how we collect, store, and protect personal data and how the site is governed.

We are committed to using cookies in a way that is lawful, proportionate, and consistent with our values. We do not use cookies to sell your data or to run third-party advertising campaigns.

2. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or phone) when you visit a website. They allow the site to recognise your device, remember certain information about your visit, and help the website function properly.

Cookies can be:

• First-party cookies – set by the website you are visiting.
• Third-party cookies – set by other services whose content or tools are embedded on the page (for example, videos, donation tools, or newsletter forms).
• Session cookies – which expire when you close your browser.
• Persistent cookies – which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.

3. Who we are

The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission operates under the sacramental care of the Apostolic Catholic Church, but functions independently in its pastoral, digital, and organisational life. We operate our website using WordPress and trusted third-party services such as Brevo (for newsletters and contact tools) and secure donation platforms.

Our general contact details (including email and contact form) are listed on our Contact page and in our Privacy Policy.

4. Why we use cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies on this website to:

• Keep the site secure and functioning (for example, remembering your cookie choices and basic technical settings).
• Enable forms and features such as “Save and Resume Later” on contact forms.
• Remember basic preferences, such as your cookie consent choices.
• Understand how visitors use the site in an aggregated way so we can improve content, accessibility, and performance.

We do not require you to create an account or provide personal details simply to browse or download resources, and we do not use cookies to lock content behind registration.

5. Types of cookies we use

5.1 Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions you take, such as:

• Loading pages and navigating the site.
• Submitting forms (including contact and pastoral request forms).
• Remembering your cookie consent choices so we do not ask you repeatedly.

Without these cookies, parts of the site may not work correctly.

5.2 Functional (preference) cookies

These cookies allow the site to remember choices you make, such as:

• Whether you have seen certain informational notices.
• Your use of “Save and Resume Later” on forms, which temporarily stores a token so you can return and complete a form within a limited time window (normally up to 30 days).

These cookies are intended to make your experience smoother and more reliable.

5.3 Analytics and performance cookies

We may use privacy-respecting analytics tools (such as WordPress statistics or similar) to collect anonymised or aggregated information about how visitors use our website—for example:

• Which pages are visited most often.
• Basic technical information such as browser type and approximate location based on IP address.

This helps us understand what is helpful, identify broken links or errors, and improve the site. We do not use analytics cookies to build individual marketing profiles or to target advertising.

Where analytics cookies are not strictly necessary, they are used on the basis of your consent (see section 7).

6. Third-party cookies and tools

Some parts of our website rely on services provided by trusted third parties. These services may set their own cookies when you visit our site or when you interact with their content. These may include:

• WordPress and plugins
  Our site runs on WordPress, which may set essential cookies for security, performance, and basic site functionality.
• Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
  We use Brevo for newsletters and, in some cases, form processing. When you subscribe or submit certain forms, Brevo may set cookies to manage subscriptions, measure deliverability (for example, whether emails are opened), and prevent abuse.
• Contact and pastoral request forms
  Our contact and pastoral forms use secure form technology that may set cookies to protect against spam, manage submission limits, and enable “Save and Resume Later” functionality.
• Donation platforms (GiveWP and PayPal)
  When you choose to make a voluntary donation, you may be redirected to GiveWP, PayPal, or similar providers. These platforms may set their own cookies for fraud prevention, transaction security, and payment processing. Their use of cookies is governed by their own privacy and cookie policies.
• Embedded media and social platforms
  Some pages may include embedded video, images, or links from platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and DMCA.com (content protection). These services may set cookies if you view or interact with their content.

We do not control the cookies used by third-party providers and recommend that you review their own policies if you would like more information.

7. Legal basis for using cookies

Because we are based in the European Union and serve visitors worldwide, we follow the requirements of the GDPR and related e-privacy rules for our use of cookies.

• Strictly necessary cookies are used on the basis of our legitimate interest in providing a secure, working website.
• Non-essential cookies (such as analytics or certain third-party tools) are used on the basis of your consent where required.

8. Cookie consent banner and your choices

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie notice or banner. This notice:

• Explains that we use cookies and similar technologies.
• Gives you the option to accept all cookies or to limit your choices to essential cookies only (where supported).
• Links to this Cookie Policy and/or our Privacy Policy for more detail.

You can usually change or withdraw your consent at any time by:

• Adjusting settings via the cookie banner or “cookie settings” link (where available); and/or
• Changing cookie settings in your browser (see section 9).

If you disable or block certain cookies, some features of the site (such as embedded content or “Save and Resume” forms) may not work as intended.

9. Managing cookies in your browser

Most web browsers allow you to:

• See what cookies are stored on your device.
• Delete some or all cookies.
• Block cookies from all sites or from specific sites.
• Set your browser to notify you before a cookie is stored.

Instructions vary by browser and device. For general guidance on managing cookies, you can visit the independent resource All About Cookies at:
https://www.allaboutcookies.org

10. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the law, our technology, or our website. When we do so, we will update the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the website after changes are posted implies acceptance of the updated cookie policy.

11. Contact

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, you are welcome to contact us:

• By email: admin@apostolicoldcatholic.org
• Via our online contact form on the Contact page of the website.

We will do our best to respond promptly and to deal with your query in a way that reflects both our legal obligations and our pastoral concern for your privacy.

Read our full Privacy Policy for more information about how we handle data beyond cookies.
For help clearing cookies from your browser or device, visit this cookie management guide.