Christ at the Centre. Everyone at the Table.

The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission (AOCM) welcomes all who are discerning God’s call. We believe that vocations are at the heart of our life as a Church. Whether lived out in family, in community service, or in ordained ministry, each vocation is a unique gift of the Holy Spirit meant for building up the Body of Christ.

While we are proud of our roots in the wider Independent Sacramental Movement, the Mission is a distinct community with a specific ethos. We hold firmly that vocations belong to the whole people of God, not just a select few. We are a community of “servant leaders,” not title collectors, dedicated to the ancient faith and the radical welcome of Jesus Christ. This page is for all those who seek to become a priest or deacon, or who wish to incardinate.

No Gatekeepers: A Radical Welcome

We believe the Holy Spirit blows where It wills. Therefore, the Mission has no gatekeepers at the door to block those whom God has called to become a priest or deacon based on identity. We reject the barriers that have historically kept faithful people out of ministry vocations.

We affirm and welcome candidates with a heart to serve Jesus Christ. Our clergy, postulants, and lay leaders include people who are LGBTQI+, straight, bi, binary, non-binary, divorced, married, single, men, and women.

If you love the Lord, affirm the Creeds, and are willing to wash feet in service to others, you are welcome here. We do not ask you to leave your identity at the door; we ask you to bring your whole self to the Altar.

1. Formation: How to Become a Priest or Deacon

(For those seeking ordination for the first time)

The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, meaning “to call.” For us, this call is universal—every Christian is called to holiness. However, some are called to a specific sacramental role within the Church.

If you are exploring how to become a priest or a deacon, please understand that at the Mission, this is a process of deep discernment, not a transaction. We are not an “ordination mill.” We uphold the historic threefold ministry of Deacon, Priest, and Bishop, and we take the formation of our clergy seriously.

The Path to Ordination

For those seeking to become a priest or deacon, we offer a robust formation pathway through our Institute of Ministry. This training is designed to be accessible yet rigorous, ensuring you are grounded in Scripture, Theology, and the specific ethos of the Old Catholic tradition.

Step 1: The Diaconate (The Foundation) Every journey begins with service. All candidates for ordination first complete the training for the Diaconate.

• The Course: Candidates must complete the Licentiate in Diaconal Ministry (LDM).
• The Focus: This course focuses on the “Ministry of the Threshold”—serving the poor, reading the Gospel, and assisting at the Altar.
• Timeframe: Depending on your pace and prior experience, this typically takes between 1 and 2 years of study and spiritual formation.

Step 2: The Priesthood (The Presider) For those discerning a call to become a priest, the formation continues after the Diaconate.

• The Course: Candidates proceed to the Licentiate in Sacred Ministry (LSM).
• The Focus: This advanced formation covers the celebration of the Eucharist, the theology of reconciliation (Confession), and the pastoral care of souls.
• The Goal: To form a priest who is not a “magician” performing rites, but a shepherd caring for a flock.
• Timeframe: Depending on your pace and prior experience, this typically takes approximately 1 year of further study and spiritual formation (after the Diaconate training).

Key Requirements for Formation

To ensure the maturity and safety of our ministry, we have set the following non-negotiable standards for all applicants:

• Age: You must be over 21 years of age to enter formation.
• Safeguarding: The protection of the vulnerable is a spiritual duty. All postulants must complete the A1 Safeguarding Course (or a recognised equivalent) and provide a clear police background check before ministry can begin.
• Financials: We believe training for vocations should not be a financial burden. We strive to keep our formation free or as low-cost as possible to ensure that financial status never hinders a genuine calling.
• The Reality: Please note that our clergy are not salaried; we are a worker-priest movement. We serve for love of God and neighbour, supporting ourselves through secular employment.

2. Incardination: Joining the Mission

(For clergy already ordained in valid Apostolic Succession)

For those who are already ordained as deacons, priests, or bishops in other jurisdictions, incardination is the process of formally entering into ministry within the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission.

Incardination is more than just a transfer of paperwork; it is a covenant of mutual accountability. We honour your existing ordination and the grace God has already poured into your life, while asking you to embrace the specific pastoral life, values, and accountability structure of the Mission.

The “Bridge” to Incardination

We welcome validly ordained clergy from across the Christian world—Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and the wider Church. However, to ensure we are truly walking together (“synodality”), we require a period of orientation.

• The Course: All candidates for incardination must complete our Orientation & Equivalency (OEI) course.
• Why is this required? Even experienced clergy need to understand how the Mission is governed and why we hold our specific theological stances. The OEI acts as a “bridge,” aligning your previous formation with our ethos of radical inclusion and servant leadership.
• Vetting: We rigorously review your orders to ensure valid apostolic succession (proper form, matter, and intent). We also require a current background check and completion of our mandatory safeguarding training.
• Timeframe: Depending on your pace and prior experience, this typically takes approximately 25 hours of study, prayer and preparation; plus additional time for any spiritual formation.

Incardination in the Ecumenical Context

Our approach reflects the wider ecumenical vision expressed in the World Council of Churches’ Lima Document on Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry. We emphasise the shared call to ministry across traditions. Whether you are coming alone or bringing a small community or parish with you, we discern each case individually with care and prayer.

3. A Life of Study: Scholarly Yet Humble

We encourage all our clergy—whether they are looking to become a priest or seeking incardination—to maintain an active life of the mind. We value a clergy that is “scholarly yet humble,” able to engage with the complex questions of the modern world while remaining grounded in the simplicity of the Gospel.

To understand the breadth of our theological outlook and the richness of the Independent Sacramental Movement, we recommend all candidates engage with our study materials before and during their formation.

• Click here to access our Recommended Reading & Study Materials

4. Our Ethos: Servant Leaders, Not Title Collectors

Before you apply, it is vital to understand the culture of the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission. We have no room for “showmen” or those seeking elevation or titles for its own sake.

• We are not an ordination mill. We do not hand out titles.
• We are not a “diploma factory.” Our courses (LDM, LSM, OEI) require real work.
• We are a field hospital. Our vestments are work clothes. Our altars are workbenches. Our mission is to heal, not to rule.
• We are servants. We do not value grandiose titles or titles, and do not dish out heraldic titles.

If you are looking for a path to quick titles, unchecked authority, or fancy robes without service, this is not the home for you. But if you are looking to serve Christ in humble freedom, deep community, and theological curiosity, we welcome you to the Table.

Begin Your Journey

If you have read the above and feel your heart stirring, we invite you to take the next step. Whether you are discerning a new vocation to become a priest or deacon, or seeking incardination as existing clergy, the door is open.

Click “Next” below to start your application… 👇

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

– Step 1 of 8

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SECTION 1 — Eligibility & Non-Negotiables

I understand the Mission does not pay stipends/salaries to clergy. *

• Yes
• No

I support the Mission’s practice of ordination and consecration of women. *

• Yes
• No

I affirm the Mission’s commitment to welcome all people, without discrimination of any kind. *

• Yes
• No

I am willing to obtain a police clearance / criminal record check (or equivalent) at my own cost if asked. *

• Yes
• No

I have completed recognised safeguarding training within the last 3 years or I am willing to complete it at my own cost. *

• Yes
• No

I am willing to pay all costs relating to formation or incardination (fees, materials, clearances, etc.). *

• Yes
• No

I confirm I have read the Mission’s website (ecclesiology, beliefs, ministry & sacraments, governance, safeguarding, policies). *

• Yes
• No

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SECTION 2 — About You

Name *

First

Last

Preferred title (Mr/Ms/Fr/Rev/Other) *OtherFather/Pastor/ReverendMrMsThey/Them

Email *

Email

Confirm Email

Mobile/WhatsApp

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

— Select country —AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBolivia (Plurinational State of)Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo (Democratic Republic of the)Cook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatini (Kingdom of)EthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran (Islamic Republic of)IraqIreland (Republic of)Isle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea (Democratic People's Republic of)Korea (Republic of)KosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesia (Federated States of)Moldova (Republic of)MonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth Macedonia (Republic of)Northern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine (State of)PanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint Maarten (Dutch part)SlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzania (United Republic of)ThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluTürkiyeUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican City StateVenezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)VietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (U.S.)Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweÅland IslandsCountry

Languages – Languages you can use in ministry, that you speak, read & write (check all that apply) *

• English
• Bulgarian
• Russian
• Afrikaans
• isiXhosa
• isiZulu
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Other

What Other Language/s? *

Current denomination/church affiliation *

• Roman Catholic
• Anglican / Episcopal
• Apostolic (African Initiated / Pentecostal Apostolic)
• Baptist
• Lutheran
• Methodist
• Non-denominational / Independent
• Old/Independant Catholic
• Orthodox (Eastern / Oriental)
• Pentecostal / Charismatic
• Other

Current status *Layperson (not ordained)DeaconPriestBishopOther

I would like to *

• Apply for Formation (Vocation) – become a deacon
• Apply for Formation (Vocation) – become a priest
• Incardinate (already a deacon, priest or bishop)

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SECTION 3A — Incardination (For Deacons/Priests/Bishops)

Current ecclesial status *

• Deacon
• Priest
• Bishop

Church/denomination of ordination/consecration *

• Roman Catholic
• Anglican / Episcopal
• Apostolic (African Initiated / Pentecostal Apostolic)
• Baptist
• Lutheran
• Methodist
• Non-denominational / Independent
• Old/Independent Catholic
• Orthodox (Eastern / Oriental)
• Pentecostal / Charismatic
• Other

Date & place of ordination(s)/consecration(s) *

Date, country, city/town/village, and church/jurisdiction/community name. Full information is required.

Names/titles of ordaining/consecrating bishop(s) *

Full information is required (first and last names).

Documentation available? *

• Yes – can upload/send
• No – will request copies

File Upload (ordination/consecration certificates, if available) *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 3 files.

Please upload a scanned copy (or copies) of your signed ordination/consecration certificate (or signed letter confirming your ordination/consecration). Allowed extensions are: .doc, .docx, .txt, .pdf, .jpeg and .jpg Maximum file size is 2MB Maximum files you can upload: 5

Are you currently in good standing? *

• Yes
• No

If No: Please explain briefly *

Any current or past disciplinary actions, safeguarding concerns, or legal matters relevant to ministry? *

• Yes
• No

If Yes: Please explain briefly *

Why are you seeking incardination into the Mission at this time? *

Why do you wish to leave your current jurisdiction? *

How do you see yourself serving within the Mission? *

Will you bring others with you? *

• Yes – clergy
• Yes – a community
• No – just me
• Unsure at this time

Clergy (how many? names/titles) *

A community/parish (average attendance; location) (Short answer)

Does any parish/community you lead have legal/financial obligations or assets we should be aware of? *

• Yes
• No

If Yes: Please provide brief details *

I am willing to complete bridging formation, safeguarding, and police clearance at my own cost if requested. *

• Yes
• No

All formation takes place within the Mission’s commitment to apostolic succession.

I understand incardination may involve a probationary period and regular supervision. *

• Yes
• No

References: I can provide at least two signed, written references with contact details (one clerical, one lay) upon request. *

• Yes
• No

To help us discern your vocation, we ask for two written letters of reference: one from a member of the clergy and one from a layperson. Please ask your referees to write and sign these letters, then scan or save them as documents to upload here. Please do not simply list names and phone numbers; the full signed letters are required to proceed.

File Upload (References, if available) *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 4 files.

Please upload scanned copies of your signed reference letters (one pastoral, one personal). Contact information alone is not accepted. Allowed extensions are: .doc, .docx, .txt, .pdf, .jpeg and .jpg Maximum file size is 2MB Maximum files you can upload: 5

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SECTION 3B — Vocation & Formation

Are you baptised? *

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

Have you been Confirmed/Chrismated? *

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

Why do you feel called to ordained ministry? *

I understand the normal path is diaconate first, followed by further discernment. *

• Yes
• No

Highest Education level *

• Secondary
• Tertiary
• Seminary/Theological
• Other

Please briefly tell us about the theological/pastoral training you have undergone. *

Briefly tell us about any current employment & weekly availability for formation/training. *

Are there any personal, legal, or safeguarding matters we should be aware of? *

• Yes
• No

If Yes: Brief details *

I am willing to complete safeguarding training at my own cost. *

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

I am willing to obtain police clearance at my own cost if requested. *

• Yes
• No

I am willing to pay for any formation costs. *

• Yes
• No
• Unsure – need to discuss

any location) two

References: I can provide at least two references (one clerical, one lay) upon request. *

• Yes
• No

File Upload (References, if available) (copy) *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 5 files.

Allowed extensions are: .doc, .docx, .txt, .pdf Maximum file size is 2MB Maximum files you can upload: 5

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SECTION 4 — Preferences & Consent

Preferred contact method *

• Email
• WhatsApp
• Zoom

Anything else you’d like us to know?

Signature (type your full name) *

DECLARATION: By adding my signature here: I declare the information provided is true to the best of my knowledge. I consent to the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission storing and reviewing my information for discernment purposes and to being contacted about next steps. I understand that submission does not constitute acceptance into formation or incardination.

Date *

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SECTION X — Exit (Not Eligible Yet)

Thank you for your honesty. Based on your responses, we aren’t able to proceed at this time. If your circumstances change—or once you’re ready to affirm our non-negotiables (inclusion, women’s ordination, no stipends, safeguarding & checks at own cost)—you’re warmly welcome to re-apply. Blessings.

SECTION Y — Exit (Please Read Our Website First)

Thank you. Please take time to read our website to understand our beliefs, governance, and ministry distinctives. When you’re ready, return and complete the form. If you have questions after reading, we’re happy to help – email us at hello@apostolicoldcatholic.org

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