UNIT 1: THE NATURE OF AUTHORITY

1.1 Service, Not Status

The Guide to Formation is blunt: “Ordination does not confer personal status, power, or privilege. It is a sacramental commissioning to service”. In many independent jurisdictions, bishops accumulate titles (“Patriarch,” “Metropolitan,” “Monsignor”) while having no flock. The AOCM rejects this “ecclesiastical cosplay.”

• Titles: We use titles (Father, Deacon, Bishop) only as descriptions of function, not as badges of honour.
• The Rector: The head of the Mission is the “Rector” (currently Rev Fr Ashley R. Deutschmann). Even if a bishop serves in the Mission, the Rector retains administrative authority. This separates sacramental rank from administrative function, preventing clericalism.

1.2 Canonical Obedience

When you are incardinated, you promise “canonical obedience.” What does this mean?

• It is not blind submission. You are not a serf.
• It is “Pastoral Accountability”. It means you agree to abide by the Statutes, to teach the Doctrine of the Mission, and to respect the decisions of the Council.
• The Covenant: Incardination is described as a “Covenant,” signed by both parties. It is a mutual bond of trust.