Receiving Clergy From Other Christian Bodies in Apostolic Succession 

Section II:

Receiving Clergy From Christian Bodies Outside Apostolic Succession

Section III:

Candidacy For Holy Orders and The Norms For Ordination

Section IV:

Non-Ordained and Minor Order Ministries

Section 1

Receiving Clergy From Other Christian Bodies

in  Apostolic Succession

1. A person ordained in  apostolic succession should apply to the office of one of the Bishop of The Dioceses. 

2. The person applying must meet in person with the Bishop, at which time (if not previously done) the following should be provided:

a) A written letter of request for reception.

c) A Letter of Affirmation from the petitioner=s spouse (if married).

d) Copies of the petitioner=s ordination certificates in  Apostolic Succession.

e) Copies of the petitioner=s educational certificates - diplomas, transcripts, or related life experiences.

f) An overview of the petitioner=s ministerial experience, and a list of the places they have served .

g) The petitioner must provide a minimum of two references from past ministerial experience - one from clergy, one from laity.

h) The petitioner must have a current ministry at this time, or submit a suggested plan for future ministry. Exception to this requirement would be for retired clergy who are seeking to stay in communion with a bishop, so that their orders may remain active.

i) A written affirmation from a business person in the petitioner=s community.

3. The clergy candidate (petitioner) shall be interviewed by at least two clergy and two laypersons from the Diocese. Their recommendations must be submitted in writing.

4. Petitioner=s must affirm, in writing, their belief and commitment to a historical, traditional view of purity. Whether single or married, each clergy person must express his or her commitment to a life of purity. Those who are single must remain chaste throughout their lives, until such a time as they are joined to a spouse in Holy Matrimony. Those who are married are to practice faithfulness and fidelity in their marriage.

5. The clergy person should be received in a setting of public worship as a matter of public record. This service should include the affirmation of the clergy and laity in the service, the blessing of the clergy received, and the right hand of fellowship extended. Faculties will be extended.

6. The above said documents will be kept in the Diocesan Office.

7. Each clergy person received into the diocese will submit an update of their ministry by the feast of Christ the King each year. These letters will be a part of the ongoing file of that clergy person.

Section II

Receiving Clergy From Those Churches in the

Apostolic Tradition Not Yet in Apostolic Succession

1. A person ordained or licensed by another Christian body who is not in the historic Apostolic Succession should apply for Holy Orders through the office of the Bishop.

2.. The person applying must meet in person with the Bishop, at which time (if not previously done) the following should be provided:

a) A written letter of request for reception.

b) The said person must sign the Doctrinal Essentials.

c) A Letter of Affirmation from the petitioner=s spouse (if married).

d) Copies of the petitioner=s ordination certificates.

e) Copies of the petitioner=s educational certificates - diplomas, transcripts, or related life experiences.

f) An overview of the petitioner=s ministerial experience, and a list of the places they have served.

g) The petitioner must provide a minimum of two references from past ministerial experience - one from clergy, one from laity.

h) The petitioner must have a current ministry at this time, or submit a suggested plan for future ministry. 

i) A written affirmation from a business person in the petitioner=s community.

3. The clergy candidate (petitioner) with an ordination in a non- apostolic body shall be interviewed by at least two clergy and two lay persons from the Diocese. Their recommendations must be submitted in writing.

4. Petitioner=s must affirm, in writing, their belief and commitment to a historical, traditional view of purity. Whether single or married, each clergy person must express their commitment to a life of purity. Those who are single must remain chaste throughout their lives, until such a time as they are joined to a spouse in Holy Matrimony. Those who are married are to practice faithfulness and fidelity in their marriage.

5. The clergy petitioner who is being received with an ordination or license from a non-apostolic body should be proficient in their knowledge of:

a) The Holy Scriptures

b) Church History

c) Dogmatic Theology

d) Sacramental Theology

e) Practical Theology

f) Christian Ethics / Moral theology

g) Liturgics

h) Pastoral Care

i) Parish Administration

j) Missions

k) Homiletics

l) Ecclesiastical Polity of The American Catholic Church. 

6. Because The The American Old Catholic Church honors the ordinations and licenses of ministers in the non-apostolic succession churches, the clergy may be ordained into the Apostolic Succession, after agreeing upon a course of continued studies, as needed and set forth by the Bishop. This agreement will be in writing and signed by both parties prior to ordination.

7. The ordination of a clergy person being ordained in the apostolic succession should be done in a setting of public worship, preferably in their home church or parish, or in the Cathedral Church of the Bishop. Ordination Certificates should be presented at this time.

8. The above said documents will be kept in the Diocesan Office.

9. Each clergy person being ordained into the apostolic succession will submit an update of his or her ministry by the feast of Christ the King each year. These letters will be a part of the ongoing file of that clergy person.

Section III

Ordination in The American Old Catholic Church

Candidacy For Holy Orders

1. A person desiring to be received as a candidate for Holy Orders should apply to the office off the Bishop.

2. The candidate should be a communicate in good standing with The American Catholic Church, and must at least 22 years of age.

3. The prospective candidate must meet in person with the Bishop, two clergy, and two members of laity, at which time (if not previously done) the following should be provided:

a) A written letter of request for reception as a candidate for Holy Orders.

b) The said person must sign the Doctrinal Essentials.

c) A Letter of Affirmation from the petitioner's spouse (if married).

d) A Letter of Affirmation from the petitioner's Rector/Pastor.

e) A Letter of Affirmation from the governing body of the petitioner's home parish.

f) Copies of the petitioner's educational certificates - diplomas, transcripts, or related life experiences.

g) A letter of reference from the petitioner's current or former employer, supervisor, etc.

h) A letter from a doctor attesting to the physical well-being of the petitioner.

i) A willingness to, if asked, take a psychological evaluation.

j) Proof of current employment, with an ability to provide for oneself.

k) Any information that the prospective candidate feels would be helpful to their being accepted.

4. Before the acceptance of the applicant for Holy Orders, the applicant will be informed and agree upon the following. This agreement shall be written and signed by the prospective candidate.

a) A spiritual director shall be appointed to the candidate, to help monitor them through their preparation for Holy Orders.

b) The candidate will be informed of and agree upon:

i) the processes of theological training.

ii) the implementation of getting practical experience at the parish level.

iii) a plan for their spiritual formation and accountability.

5. If the candidate does not hold a baccalaureate degree, but has shown such proficiency in an occupation or profession as gives promise of usefulness in Holy Orders, the candidate may be required to obtain a baccalaureate degree or to read for Holy Orders, and pass an examination on essential subjects. This examination will become part of their file in the Diocesan Office. Those subjects shall include:

a) The Holy Scriptures

b) Church History

c) Dogmatic Theology

d) Sacramental Theology

e) Practical Theology

f) Christian Ethics / Moral Theology

g) Liturgics

h) Pastoral Care

i) Parish Administration

j) Missions

k) Homiletics

l) The Ecclesiastical Polity of The American Old Catholic Church.

6. Because of the special place they play in our own understanding, there shall be a special emphasis upon each of the following:

a) The Three Catholic Creeds: The faith they proclaim in their original and historic meaning.

i) The Apostle=s Creed

ii) The Nicene Creed

iii) The Athanasian Creed

b) A workable understanding of the 1st seven Ecumenical councils.

c) The Vincention cannon

d) The Roman Catholic Catechism

e) The Anglican 39 articles of Religion

f) Convergence Theology

Before ordination to the Diaconate and in addition to the other Letters already obtained, there shall be:

1. An updated Letter of Recommendation from the candidate=s Rector / Pastor.

2. A Letter of Recommendation from the candidate=s spiritual director.

The candidate shall complete the preparatory requirements for the Diaconate during a period of extensive and thorough internship and ministry preparation.

The ministry of the deacon includes:

í. Sharing in the pastoral oversight of the Parish

í. Caring for the sick, poor, and needy.

í. Assisting the bishop or priest in the administration of the Sacraments.

í. Teaching and preaching the Word of God.

í. Assisting in parochial administration.

Before ordination to the Priesthood and in addition to the other Letters already obtained, there shall be:

1. An updated Letter of Recommendation from the candidate=s Rector / Pastor.

2. A Letter of Recommendation from the candidate=s spiritual director.

The candidate shall complete the preparatory requirements for the Priesthood during a period of extensive and thorough internship and ministry preparation.

The ministry of the priest includes:

í. Pastoral oversight of a parish and/or other formal ministry.

í. Administration of the Sacraments

í. Teaching and preaching the Word of God.

í. Hearing private and confidential confessions.

í. Serving on the Bishop=s Council, if appointed.

í. Serving the diocese by working closely with the Bishop in unity with other priests and deacons.

í. A priest serving as the Rector of a parish is an ex-officio member of all councils within the parish to which the priest is called to serve.

In any situation where the aforementioned cannot be followed, the Diocesan Bishop shall seek out the wisdom, counsel, and approval of the Council of Bishops before performing an ordination that does not follow the normal (established) process.

1. The ordination of the candidate for Holy Orders should be done in a setting of public worship, preferably in their home church or parish, or in the Cathedral Church of the Bishop. Ordination Certificates should be presented at this time.

Section IV

Non-Ordained and Minor Order Ministries

Non-ordained and minor order ministries including Catechists, Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes and Lay Leaders may be empowered by the Bishop with the Pastor=s consensus, with guidelines for the training and selection of such persons being established by the Pastor.

The ordained ministry is called chiefly to equip and lead the Church which is a royal and priestly company who offer to God the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving through the stewardship of their time, energy, money, and spiritual gifts. In all its life and work the American Old Catholic Church shall encourage the ministry of the whole Church of God.