Bishop Ryan Cox serves as the Bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Apostolic Catholic Church in America. Based in Indianapolis, his ministry is rooted in the sacramental life of the Church and in the call to live the Gospel through compassion, justice, and service. He believes that while tradition grounds the Church, it must never be held onto for its own sake but rather respected and renewed in ways that allow it to speak meaningfully to the world today.

Bishop Ryan works alongside Father Mike Parks, the pastor of St. Luke’s Independent Catholic Church, supporting him in his pastoral ministry and helping to provide leadership as the parish grows as a vibrant and welcoming community. His role in guiding St. Luke’s reflects his broader vision for the Diocese, where parish life is alive, inclusive, and centered on the Eucharist.

He is committed to modernizing liturgy so that worship is both faithful and accessible, and to reaching out to those who feel unchurched or overlooked by institutional religion. While not Old Catholic, Bishop Ryan embraces many of the principles that movement upheld, including shared leadership, a respect for apostolic faith, and the belief that the sacraments are a gift of God’s grace for all people.

Bishop Ryan envisions the Eastern Diocese as a Church that honors its history while remaining fully present in today’s world, offering a faith that is relevant, compassionate, and transformative.