Thank you for your interest in the Old Catholic Churches International.
Because of the varying views in the Independent Sacramental Movement, we would like to make sure you understand what our denomination is all about and the requirements we have for our clergy.
- Our church believes in being committed to the call of Christ. This means our clergy are clergy all the time. Being a priest or deacon is not a part-time job; those who wish to play dress-up on Sunday or who desire to be a priest when they are in the mood need not apply. You must be willing to commit to the call of the Christ or you will not make it through our process. The process to become a priest or deacon, either through ordination or incardination into the Old Catholic Churches International is one that is long and complex. We are looking for people of God, serious about their vocations and serious about serving God. Understand that just because you have applied to the church for ordination does not in any way guarantee your acceptance into ministry.
- The Old Catholic Churches International ordains people to all ranks of clergy (deacon, priest, and bishop) without regard to race, gender identity and/or expression, or sexual orientation. Marriages are celebrated in our church between any two consenting adults regardless of orientation, gender identity, and/or expression.
- All clergy who are ordained by, or incardinated into the Old Catholic Churches International must be able to support themselves financially. The church does not have the resources to give stipends to, or pay our clergy. We are not here to get rich off the church, but to be servants to those who our help the most.
- We believe in intellectual honesty as a church. This means that sometimes our faith and doctrine are at odds with most mainstream churches. We believe, though, that unless something can be proven by the Bible, church history, and/or scientific fact then it should not be adhered to for the sake of maintaining the status quo.
- Old Catholicism to us means a return to the Christocentric roots of the Catholic Faith. It does not mean that we are a Latin Mass church, or that we are stuck in the past. Rather, we are here to seek out the lost, hurt, disenfranchised, and poor in our communities and to help them find the support and love they need. After all, our Christ ate with prostitutes and sinners, he spent time with the poor and the sick; as followers of the Christ, especially as clergy, we should do the same.
These five points are non-negotiable. If you do not agree with them, we invite you to seek another jurisdiction or denomination.
The process of ordination or incardination is as follows:
- The candidate submits an application for ordination or incardination. If you have not completed this application, you can do so at the following link: https://osv.myocci.org/?page_id=18. Please complete forms 1A through 1F. Please be as thorough as possible in your answers, however, we do not need a novel for each answer.
- Submission of the following paperwork:
| Proof of Baptism (Required) |
| Proof of Confirmation (Required) |
| Proof of Marriage(s) (if applicable) |
| Copies of civil divorce decrees and annulments or grants of dissolution (if applicable) |
| Married candidates must also provide the written consent from their spouse prior to beginning the formation program (Required) |
| Copy of any degrees or certificates from continuing education (Required) |
| Copy of any degrees or certificates from primary or college education (Required) |
| Proof of membership in religious orders (if any) (Required) |
| Certified Criminal Record report (You will receive an email from SafeScreener requesting that you complete and pay for your Criminal Background Check. For applicants outside the United States, you must supply your own background check from your local authorities, it must be certified or notarized, have an English translation if in another language, and it must be less than 90 days old.) (Required) |
| Letters of Reference (if any) – Not required but would add weight to your application. |
Complete the following Personality Tests
| Test | Cost (USD) | Link |
| Disc Personality Test | $14.99 | http://www.123test.com/disc-personality-test/ |
| Jung Personality Test | $14.99 | https://www.123test.com/jung-personality-test/ |
| Big 5 Personality Test | $14.99 | https://www.123test.com/personality-test/ |
Please send the Extended Report to Bishop Godsey at bishopgodsey@myocci.org. (Required)
Complete the Darkness to Light Stewards Plus program.
| Course | Cost (USD) | Link |
| Stewards of Children* | $16.00 | https://www.d2l.org/education/stewards-of-children/ |
| Beyond Stewards of Children | $10.00 | https://www.d2l.org/get-trained/beyond-stewards-of-children/ |
| Recognizing & Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect | $5.00 | https://www.d2l.org/education/additional-training/child-abuse-neglect/ |
| Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children | $5.00 | https://www.d2l.org/education/additional-training/csec/ |
| Bystander Protecting Children from Boundary Violations & Sexual Abuse | $5.00 | https://www.d2l.org/education/additional-training/bystander-intervention/ |
| Healthy Touch for Children and Youth | $5.00 | https://www.d2l.org/education/additional-training/healthy-touch-children/ |
| Talking with Children about Safety from Sexual Abuse | $5.00 | https://www.d2l.org/education/additional-training/talking-with-children/ |
Please send the certificate of completion to Bishop Godsey at bishopgodsey@myocci.org. (Required)
- Upon completion of the above paperwork, the Candidate will enter a six (6) month discernment process during which they work with us. This is to make sure they are a good fit for the OCCI and that they feel the OCCI is a good fit for them. A mentor will be assigned to the candidate and routine conversations with the candidate will begin. Failing to meet with your mentor (in-person, by phone or by Skype) will end your process here.
- At or near the end of the six (6) month discernment period, the Commission on Ordained Ministry will evaluate the candidate and make a recommendation to the Diocesan bishop or Presiding Bishop.
For Bishops applying
A Bishop’s Application is sent to the College of Bishops and Vicars to be reviewed and voted on. If they accept, the Bishops is accepted.
- The Diocesan bishop will either accept or reject the candidate. (Note: This acceptance is provisional only. The Diocesan bishop reserves the right to dismiss any candidate from the program for a canonical reason at any time.)
- Reception of the candidate.
For Bishops applying:
A Bishop who has be accepted by the Commission and the College will not be given a diocese to administer until after a year has passed. Once the year from the date of acceptance has past, the bishop may be granted a diocese to administer.
Note: If any of the above documentation provided by the candidate is not in English, translations of those documents into English must be included with the originals.
The application of any candidate for Orders, Religious Life or Incardination will be considered for approval only after ALL required materials and documents are submitted.
We take the process of accepting new clergy into our church seriously. As such, we require a lot to prove that one is committed to the call and that they will be a compatible match for our church. We are here to help you along your journey, but it will not be an overnight process.
Thank you for your message and if we can be of any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.
Blessings!
Office of Staffing and Vocations