Incardination and Vocations

We welcome those who feel called to serve Christ.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Does the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission ordain women to the priesthood?

    Yes. The Mission affirms the full participation of women in all levels of Holy Orders, including the diaconate, priesthood, and the episcopate. We believe the Holy Spirit calls individuals based on their gifts and devotion rather than their gender.

  • Can a married or partnered person become a priest in the Mission?

    Yes. We welcome married, single, and partnered individuals to pursue a vocation. Following the ancient apostolic tradition, we believe that the lived experience of family life and secular employment provides a grounded and empathetic foundation for pastoral ministry.

  • Is it possible for an LGBTQ+ person to be ordained?

    Yes. The Mission operates with a “Radical Welcome” and has no gatekeepers that block candidates based on identity. We affirm and welcome LGBTQ+ candidates who have a heart to serve Jesus Christ and the people of God.

  • Do you accept clergy who were ordained in other denominations?

    Yes. Through the process of incardination, we welcome validly ordained deacons, priests, and bishops from Roman Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, and other jurisdictions. This involves a period of mutual discernment and our Orientation & Equivalency (OEI) bridging course.

  • Do I have to pay for my seminary or formation training?

    No. We believe that a calling should not be a financial burden. While candidates are responsible for their own study materials and administrative costs like background checks, the Mission strives to keep the LDM and LSM formation programmes free or at the lowest possible cost.

  • Will I receive a salary or stipend for my ministry?

    No. The Mission is a worker-priest movement. Our clergy are not salaried and support themselves through secular employment. This allows us to serve freely and maintain a presence in the world as a “field hospital” for those in need.

  • Is there a minimum age requirement to start formation?

    Yes. You must be over 21 years of age to enter the formation process. This ensures that candidates have reached a level of maturity and life experience necessary for the responsibilities of ordained ministry.

  • Do I need a university degree to apply for the priesthood?

    No. While we value a “scholarly yet humble” clergy, a prior university degree is not a strict prerequisite for entry. Our Institute of Ministry provides a robust academic pathway through the LDM and LSM courses to ensure you are properly equipped.

  • Can I remain in my current secular job while serving as a priest?

    Yes. We actively encourage our clergy to maintain secular employment. This “tent-making” model follows the example of St Paul and ensures our priests remain deeply connected to the everyday struggles and joys of the people they serve.

  • Are background checks and safeguarding training mandatory?

    Yes. The protection of the vulnerable is a sacred duty. All candidates must complete an approved safeguarding course and provide a clear police background check before they can be authorised for ministry.

  • Does the Mission have a presence in the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa?

    Yes. The Mission is an international community with candidates for formation currently in the US and an ordinand in South Africa. We utilise modern communication to maintain close pastoral support for our global members.

  • Is the formation process quick?

    No. We are not an “ordination mill.” The path to the diaconate typically takes between one and two years, with further time required for those discerning the priesthood. We value deep discernment and rigorous preparation over speed.

  • Does the Mission accept or perform online ordinations?

    No. We do not recognise or perform online ordinations. To become a priest is a sacramental act that requires the physical laying on of hands in Apostolic Succession. While your theological vocation training may involve online study, the ordination itself is always a physical, in-person Catholic/Byzantine/Anglican/Old Catholic rite.

  • Must I affirm the traditional Creeds to be ordained?

    Yes. All candidates must affirm the historic Creeds of the Church and sign our Code of Conduct and Clergy Covenant. This ensures we are walking together in a shared faith and a commitment to radical inclusion.

  • Is the training conducted online?

    Yes. Our formation is designed to be accessible globally, utilising a blend of online study and personal mentoring. This allows our international candidates to remain in their home communities while receiving high-quality theological training.

  • Can I start the process if I am divorced and remarried?

    Yes. We believe in the grace of second chances and do not consider divorce or remarriage a barrier to discerning a vocation. We welcome you to bring your whole self to the Altar.

  • Does the Mission value Apostolic Succession?

    Yes. We hold firmly to the historic threefold ministry and ensure that all ordinations are performed within valid Apostolic Succession, maintaining the chain of grace passed down from the Apostles.

  • Is there a probationary period for incardinating clergy?

    Yes. Clergy joining from other jurisdictions undergo a period of orientation and mutual accountability (normally between 3 and 12 months depending on a number of variables). This ensures that the transitioning minister fully understands and embraces the specific ethos and governance of the Mission.

  • Can I lead a small community or house church as a Mission priest?

    Yes. We specifically support clergy who wish to build small, vibrant communities or “field hospitals” where traditional barriers to the sacraments have been removed.

  • Is there a formal process for incardination?

    Yes. We have a structured process for incardination for clergy already in valid orders. This allows you to bring your existing vocation into the Mission while aligning with our catholic ethos and standards.

  • Does incardination require further training?

    Yes. While we respect your existing vocation, the incardination process includes an orientation to ensure you are fully integrated into the life and practices of our Mission.

  • Are these vocations recognised as part of the Catholic tradition?

    Yes. Our Mission is firmly rooted in the broader Old catholic tradition. When you become a priest here, you are entering into a valid and historic vocation within the broader sacramental movement. Note that this does not mean the Roman Catholic Church will officially recognise your ordination – read more by clicking here.

  • Does the Mission assist with the incardination of entire communities?

    Yes. We can facilitate the incardination of clergy along with their existing communities. We welcome those who wish to bring their collective vocation into a more inclusive and traditional catholic environment.

  • Is a vocation to the diaconate required before I become a priest?

    Yes. Following ancient tradition, the first step in your vocation is usually the diaconate. Serving as a deacon provides the essential foundation of service required before you become a priest.

  • Can I become a priest if I have no prior theological training?

    Yes. We provide the necessary formation for your vocation. You can become a priest through our structured study programmes, which provide a deep and traditional education.

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.

A Matter of Conscience: Our Code of Conduct

Ministry in the Apostolic Old Catholic Mission is a covenant of trust, not just a title. For this reason,
please be aware that anyone seeking formation or incardination will be expected to sign our
Code of Conduct & Clergy Covenant (click to download) without reservation.
This document is not merely administrative paperwork; it is a solemn declaration
of our shared theology of safety, transparency, and radical inclusion.
If you have reservations about signing this document, or if you find yourself in disagreement
with its principles, we respectfully ask that you do not pursue formation or ordination with us.
It is unethical to sign a covenant if you do not fully intend to live by it.
To proceed while disagreeing with our core ethos would be a waste of your time and effort, and ours.
We are looking for co-labourers who can say a wholehearted “Amen”
to our vision of a church where Christ is at the centre and everyone is safe at the table.

Download Our Code of Conduct

Click “Next” below to start your application… 👇

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