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| SACRED MINISTRY |
Contact: The Rector of Formation The OCCE welcomes interest and invites applications from men of any age interested in discerning a vocation to the permanent sub-diaconate (see Lay Ministry), diaconate or priesthood. The minimum age for ordination is twenty-four (24) there is no upper age limit. All applicants must be in good health mentally and able physically to exercise a ministry. The OCCE does not offer stipendiary positions, all our clergy are “non-stipendiary” meaning that they must be financially self-sufficient and are either (self/) employed, retired or members of religious institutes (shared economy). Expenses are sometimes covered by congregations, but applicants should be aware that no accommodation or salary will be provided by the Church to them. The OCCE will only ordain men into the Sacred Ministry who have an existing ministry, one in detailed concept or for a religious institute (the Oratory of St John Vianney is currently the only form of consecrated life expressed within the OCCE). The OCCE does not ordain for other denominations and will not re-ordain or sub-conditionally ordain existing ministers without Incardination if such action is deemed necessary or desirable. After a process of discernment an applicant may become a “seminarian” and be enrolled on the Seminarian Formation Programme, this is the same whether for permanent diaconate or priesthood. A minimum of four years before ordination to the diaconate may normally be expected, five to six years for the priesthood. Previous ministerial experience and academic qualifications relevant to theology may be taken into consideration though this is at the discretion of the Formation Rector. All costs of tuition and course materials are to be borne by the student (though some assistance can be provided for the un-waged or those on low income). |
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Deacons in the Early Church were the assistants to the Bishop not just liturgically but assisting in the organisation and pastoral care of the Church Community to which they belonged. As the Order of Presbyter developed and the distinction between Priest and Bishop became clear, the Deacons remained the first vocation in service of the Church. PERMANENT: Following the Apostolic example of the Early Church and historical and current developments in the exercise of the Sacred Ministry, the OCCE offers Ordination to men desirous to serve the Church permanently in the Clerical State as Deacons. The Church recognises that not all men called to ministry are called to be Priests and recognises that over the centuries the Church as a whole has failed to give the respect and honour due to this Order as it was understood and practised in the Early Church. Permanent Deacons are fully "Clerics" of the Church, that is they are Canonically bound in obedience to their Bishop and to the recitation of the Divine Office. They are "officers" of the Church and as such may hold positions of responsibility both locally within a Parish or generally within the Diocese. TRANSITIONAL: Deacons ordained transitionally prior to Priestly Ordination. The OCCE sees no distinction between the rights and duties of Transistional and Permanent Deacons except the desire of the former to receive Priestly Orders. Transitional Deacons are expected to assist locally in the Parish to which they belong or are put to serve until their Priestly Ordination and may hold positions of authority locally in such circumstances. It is unusual for Transitional Deacons to hold positions with Diocesan responsibility prior to their Priestly Ordination. |
PRIESTHOOD |
A Priest stands at the Altar on behalf of the Bishop – he is a Deacon still and yet also permitted, authorised and Ordained to share in the priesthood of his Bishop. A man cannot become a Priest without a Bishop and he cannot exercise a Priestly ministry without belonging to a Bishop. The vocation of a Priest is to serve but also to lead, he shares particularly in the Apostolic authority of the Bishop to teach, to forgive, to bless and to offer. The Priest is both Deacon - server and Presbyter - priest; his is a dual vocation to serve the Bishop and to share with the Bishop in leading the people. Too often people mistake or misunderstand the nature and vocation of Priesthood. It is not, as some people believe, to be "in charge"; a Priest's authority comes from his Bishop, by sharing in the Bishop's authority he has authority, but not his own authority only his Bishop's. A Priest is bound Canonically i.e. by the Church's Law, in obedience to his Bishop; he cannot do anything without the Bishop's permission as it is the sharing in his Bishop's ministry that he is able to celebrate the Sacraments and most especially the Mass. In the OCCE this understanding of Priesthood (as explained above) forms the basis upon which we discern vocations to Priesthood. The length of time for discernment and seminary study reflects the ongoing and careful discernment of the Church and the Bishop as to the suitability of the candidate and his understanding of priesthood. Committment and dedication to the OCCE, to the Church and primarily the Bishop, is what will decide whether a candidate is Ordained or not to the Priesthood. |
Information & Training |
For further information regarding discernment, formation and application please contact the Episcopal Vicar: The Rector of Formation |