Already Ordained And Discerning A Vocation To Serve As A Priest or Deacon in The ACC?
Transferring to the ministry in the Anglican Catholic Church
All Christians have a call to serve, but not all are called to the
ordained ministry. If you feel that you are
called to the Anglican Catholic Church (ACC) and would like to transfer from a different
Jurisdiction it is best to begin by first making sure the following requirements
have been met:
1.
Are you a baptized, confirmed and ordained member in a recognized
body of solid Catholic Traditions? Some
examples: Roman Catholic, Eastern
Orthodox, Anglican Communion prior to 1975, Polish National Catholic Church,
United Episcopal Church of American, Anglican Province of Christ the King,
Anglican Province of America, Anglican Church in America, Diocese of the Holy
Cross – or any other Christian body.
2.
Are you a communicant in good standing in one of those Jurisdictions?
3.
Are you a male currently over the age of 25?
4.
Are you currently serving as a priest or deacon in a parish?
5.
Have you talked to an ACC parish priest or bishop about your interest
in the ACC?
Once you have considered the above questions and are prepared to
continue:
1.
Contact the Diocesan Secretary (or have parish priest do so) to obtain
an application.
2.
The application will need to include copies of baptism, confirmation,
marriage certificates, divorce decree and annulment (if applicable), recommendation
from your parish priest, the vestry and a letter of support from your wife, if
married. Also to be included are college
and seminary transcripts (sent direct from the institution) and ordination
certificates (diaconate and priesthood) as applicable.
3.
Be prepared to have a background investigation and psyche
evaluation (w/MMPI) completed, even if completed in your previous Jurisdiction.
4.
Once all documents have been prepared, and ACC parish priest or Bishop
will review, endorse and submit application.
5.
Approved applicants will now meet with the Diocesan Commission on
Ministry.
Now is the opportunity for you to tell the Commission on Ministry a
little about yourself and why you feel called to the Anglican Catholic Church. After meeting with you and reviewing the application
and documents provided, the commission will make a recommendation to the Bishop
for transfer to the ACC. The following items
can be completed before meeting with the commission.
1.
If approved, the minister’s educational history will be reviewed.
2.
The review will determine a path for Anglican Formation if necessary.
All clergy transferring to the ACC are required
to meet Canon 11 requirements. An individualized
formation path can be developed and some educational requirements may be necessary,
via university, seminary or diocesan reading program.
3.
The minister will continue to meet with the commission until all educational
requirements and formation issues been met and the Commission feels the minister
is ready to be received. If it has been determined
that the minister’s order are in doubt, to the Diaconate or Priesthood a sub-conditione
ordination if necessary. If both Priesthood
and Diaconate are necessary, both Orders shall not be on the same day. Canons require
an assignment to a parish or other ministerial post following ordination.
4.
Every 6 months during the educational formation process, the local
parish priest will provide an evaluation to the Bishop Ordinary summarizing the
minister’s progress through the completion of Anglican Formation.