This is an enquiry form. Submitting it does not mean that you have been accepted into formation, ordination, ministry, or incardination. Entering formation also does not guarantee ordination.
Formation intake is currently closed until 1 February 2027. Enquiries submitted before then will be treated as early expressions of interest. They do not create a first-come-first-served queue. The Mission will review enquirers prayerfully and carefully according to readiness, suitability, documentation, references, safeguarding requirements, theological alignment, and our capacity to support each person properly.
The next LDM / Licentiate in Diaconal Ministry pathway is planned as a 10-month, cohort-based formation course for catechised Christians preparing for diaconal ministry. It is an ecclesial formation award of the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission, not a state-accredited academic qualification or university degree.
Before completing this form, please read A Guide to Formation and Ministry within the Independent Sacramental Tradition. It explains our approach to vocation, formation, mentorship, safeguarding, accountability, incardination, and ministry within the independent sacramental tradition.
No formation fee is payable merely for submitting an enquiry.
Formation costs will be confirmed before accepted candidates are enrolled. The current estimate for the 2027 LDM is approximately US$300, payable in advance after selection and before enrolment is completed.
Payment in full is the normal payment route. A monthly payment arrangement may be considered only by exception for an accepted applicant who submits a written hardship application explaining the circumstances. Approval is discretionary and must be confirmed in writing before enrolment is completed.
Where a monthly arrangement is approved, the current estimate is approximately US$30 per month, paid monthly in advance, plus a non-refundable deposit of approximately US$30. A monthly arrangement is not a bursary, scholarship, fee waiver, discount, loan, or entitlement.
Formation candidates should expect to fund their own studies, books, equipment, internet access, travel, vestments, ministry costs, and local ministry needs unless the Mission has expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
Fees and deposits are non-refundable once paid, including where a candidate withdraws, fails to complete the required work, is removed from the programme, is found unsuitable, loses access because of non-payment, or does not proceed to ordination, licensing, incardination, or ministry authorisation, except where a refund is required by applicable law.
Please gather clear copies of your documents before you begin. Blurred, cropped, altered, incomplete, unclear, or unreadable documents may delay or prevent review.
If you are shortlisted later, we may ask you to provide updated documents, especially where police clearances or safeguarding evidence are no longer recent enough.
Incardination enquiries are considered separately from ordinary formation enquiries. Incardination is never automatic or rushed.
Ordained clergy should also be ready to provide clear ordination and/or consecration certificates, details of the date, place, jurisdiction, and bishop or bishops involved, evidence of current or previous good standing where available, and a clear account of previous ministry and jurisdictional history.
Where prior formation or ministry is accepted as relevant, additional AOCM orientation, safeguarding, ecclesiology, governance, liturgical, or pastoral requirements may still be required before any decision is made.
Please set aside enough quiet, uninterrupted time to complete the form carefully. This is a discernment process, not a quick sign-up form. If you cannot complete everything at once, please use the Save & Resume option and return when ready.
The Mission does not gatekeep on the basis of identity. We do, however, take formation, safeguarding, documentation, references, accountability, and theological alignment seriously. The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission is not an ordination mill or an incardination mill.
If you experience technical problems with the form, please contact support@apostolicoldcatholic.org and explain what happened.