Incardination and Vocations
We welcomes those who feel called to serve Christ.
Answering the Call
The Apostolic Old Catholic Mission welcomes all who are discerning God’s call. Vocations are at the heart of our life as Church: whether lived out in family, community, or ordained ministry, each vocation is a gift of the Spirit for building up the Body of Christ. Rooted in the Old Catholic tradition and connected to the wider Independent Catholic movement, we hold firmly that vocations belong to the whole people of God.
For some, the call to vocation takes the form of ordination — a desire to become a priest and serve the people of God through sacramental ministry. Within the Old Catholic and Independent Catholic traditions, the path to priesthood is a process of discernment, beginning with the diaconate and requiring formation, prayer, and accountability.
For some, this calling takes shape through incardination — joining our Mission as already ordained clergy, bringing existing gifts and experience. For others, it begins with a fresh call to discernment and preparation for ordination. This page outlines our approach to vocations and incardination, and invites you to begin your own journey.
What it means in the Old Catholic Tradition
The word vocation comes from the Latin vocare, meaning “to call.” For us as an Old Catholic community, these are not limited to clergy. Every Christian has a calling: to holiness, service, and love. Within this, some are called to ordained ministry — deacons, priests, and bishops — while others live their calling through family, work, or pastoral service.
Our understanding of vocations flows from the faith we set out in our Beliefs, where we affirm the sacraments, inclusion, and the ministry of the whole people of God.
The Independent Catholic movement continues this wide vision. We affirm the calling of women and men alike to ordained ministry, and we celebrate vocations that emerge from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Our conviction is that God calls all kinds of people, and our role is to accompany and discern with them.
Discernment and the Path of Vocations
Discerning a calling is a prayerful process, not a quick decision. For those exploring ordained ministry within our Mission, the journey to become a priest usually begins with the diaconate — the ancient first step of ordained service — and may, in time, lead to priesthood or episcopal ministry. We emphasise formation, mentoring, and accountability.
We ask candidates to consider practical realities:
- Clergy in the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission are not salaried.
- We require safeguarding training and police clearance at the applicant’s own cost.
- We affirm the ordination of women and are committed to being an inclusive church for all people.
- Alongside formal discernment, the Mission also offers Pastoral Care and Sacrament Requests to those we accompany, recognising that vocation grows in the midst of real pastoral life.
This clarity ensures that vocations grow in honesty and responsibility.
Joining Us, in the Independent Catholic Context
For clergy already ordained elsewhere, incardination is the process of formally entering into ministry within our Mission. Incardination honours existing ordination while asking the person to embrace the pastoral life, values, and accountability of the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission.
We welcome incardination from across the Independent Catholic and Old Catholic world, while recognising that each candidate must be ready to support our commitments to inclusivity, transparency, and shared ministry. Some may bring with them a community, parish, or other clergy colleagues — all of which we discern carefully.
Our approach reflects the wider ecumenical vision expressed in the World Council of Churches’ Lima Document on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, which emphasises the shared call to ministry across traditions.
How the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission Welcomes Vocations
Our Mission motto — Christ at the Centre. Everyone at the Table. — reflects our understanding of vocation. We believe every person is called to participate in Christ’s mission. For some, that means deepening their faith as lay disciples. For others, it means a path of discernment toward ordination or incardination.
Whatever your background, you are invited to begin with openness, prayer, and honesty. The first step is completing the online enquiry form, which helps us learn more about you and sets out our non-negotiables. Once submitted, you will receive a reference number and a member of our clergy will be in touch.
Begin Your Journey
If you sense God may be calling you, we invite you to begin the process by completing the form below. Together, let us discern how your gifts may serve Christ’s Church in the Independent/Old Catholic tradition.
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