Becoming a Priest (or Deacon)
ASPIRANT
All Christians have a call to serve, but not all are called to the ordained ministry.
If you feel that you are called to this ministry and would like to pursue this calling, the following outlines the steps and requirements
for the priesthood in the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States.
1.
Are you a baptized and confirmed member of the Anglican Catholic Church?
2.
Are
you a communicant in good standing in a parish within the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States?
3.
Are you a male currently between the ages of 18-60?
4.
Are you currently serving as a lay reader/ acolyte/server in your local parish?
5.
Have you talked to your parish priest about your calling?
Once
you have considered the above questions
and are prepared to continue:
1.
Contact the Diocesan Secretary (or have your 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.
3.
Be prepared to have a background investigation and psyche evaluation (w/MMPI)
completed.
4.
Once
all documents have been prepared, your parish priest will review,
endorse and submit application.
5. Approved applicants will now meet with the Diocesan Commission on Ministry.
POSTULANT
1. If
approved, the postulant will be assigned a supervising priest and an educational
path will be developed
2. A
postulant may attend an accredited theological seminary or university or may “read”
for orders. An undergraduate degree is required
for priesthood along with Anglican formation courses.
3. If
enrolled at a seminary the course of study towards a master’s degree will be followed.
Anglican formation courses may be required
if not taken at the seminary.
4. If
the postulant is reading for orders, the supervising priest will assign reading
and papers as appropriate and administer the canonical exam for the course.
5. Postulants
will continue to meet with the commission until all educational requirements have
been met and the Commission feels the Postulant is ready as a Candidate for Ordination
as deacon or priest.
6. Postulants
will write letters to the Bishop Ordinary, copying the supervising and parish priests,
four times a year (on Ember Days) informing the Bishop of progress made since the
last meeting/letter.
7. Every
6 months during the educational formation process, both the parish priest and the
supervising priest will provide an evaluation to the Bishop Ordinary summarizing
the postulant’s progress through Anglican Formation.
CANDIDATE FOR HOLY ORDERS
1. Once
University and Seminary course work and canonicals have been passed, the commission
will meet a final time to recommend the postulant as a candidate for Holy Orders.
2. A
time and location will then be determined for the ordination of the candidate and
he will be assigned to a parish. The candidate/deacon
will not be assigned to his home parish for the first year.
3. The
newly ordained deacon will continue with his supervising priest as well as working
with the priest at the assigned parish. Both
will provide input and evaluation to ensure progress toward priesthood.
4. During
this period of formation, the deacon, supervising priest, local priest, commission
and/or Bishop may determine that a deacon will best serve as deacon rather than
being priested.
5. The
Deacon will continue to meet with the Commission until such time as it is determined
that he will be priested or remain as a perpetual deacon.