OLD CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES
OLD CATHOLIC CONFEDERATION
A mystical fraternity...
INCARDINATION OF CLERGY
INCARDINATION OF CLERGY
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE INCARDINATION OF CLERICS
Only those clergy (priests and deacons) who have been properly ordained in the canonical Churches mentioned below, and who have canonical residence in the United States, can be considered as clerics eligible for incardination into the Prelature.
When a clerical candidate desires Incardination into the U.S. Prelature for Old-Catholics, the candidate must do the following after consultation with the Vicar for Clergy:
- Write a formal letter to the Prelate petitioning Incardination into the Prelature.
- Make an appointment to see his “Priest-Mentor” appointed by the Prelate upon formal acceptance as a candidate.
- Psychological Examination by the appointed Psychologist, paid by the candidate.
- Prepare the following documents:
a) Letter of Excardination from one’s current or previous Bishop.
b) Three Letters of Recommendation from Priests in a canonical Church.
c) Biographical Statement and Ministry Statement.
d) Official Academic Transcripts.
e) Sealed Original Sacramental Certificates/Documentation, or Notarized Copies of Original Certificates.
f) Complete Background Check.
5. In general, upon completion of the above application, candidates will meet with the Commission on Ministry to be examined orally and in written form concerning the one or all of the following areas: 1) Catholic Theology, 2) Sacramental Theology, 3) Church History, 4) Spirituality and 5) Liturgy and liturgical praxis.
6. Upon acceptance, the newly-Incardinated priest or deacon, must make a public promise of obedience to the Prelate (usually at the next Sunday Liturgy).
7. All clerical candidates are expected to make a retreat at a monastery designated by the Prelate prior to ordination or incardination.. All clerics are required to take at least one retreat a year, if possible, during Lent, at a monastery designated by the Prelate.
8. Aside from the social teachings of the Church, clerics may not publicly voice or advocate any political ideology contrary to the Gospel and Apostolic tradition.
9. In general, candidates for Holy Orders are expected to worship at a local Old-Catholic or Anglican parish for at least six months and serve the Mass for at least six months.
10. In accordance with Canon law, all priests are required to have a Master's degree or equivalent in theology or divinity from a recognized seminary or university.
11. The Code of Canon Law of the Old Catholic Confederation defines a clerical candidate for Incardination as a priest or deacon who was properly and canonically ordained to Holy Orders by a bishop in Apostolic Succession within a recognized and canonical Church (i.e. Catholic Churches in Communion with the ancient See of Rome, Orthodox Churches in Communion with the ancient See of Constantinople, the ancient Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht, the Old Catholic Church of British Columbia, the Church of England and Churches of the Anglican Communion) after a period of discernment and spiritual formation.
INFORMATION FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
For candidates of the Prelature, psychological evaluations are conducted by a local licensed psychologists appointed by the Prelate. Otherwise, candidates are requested to contact a licensed psychologist at the Greenridge Counseling Center at 6122 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128. Once a candidate has been accepted as a postulant, he may make an appointment for a psychological evaluation at 215-487-1330. The fee is $900.00, which is to be paid by the candidate directly who must agree to have the final report sent to the Vicar General. The psychological evaluation involves the standard battery of tests, an interview and appointment for feedback.
Contact the Office of the Vicar General
U.S. Prelature for Old-Catholics
