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The Independent Catholic Union
Ordination Information
General Prerequisites for Holy Orders
1. You must be a baptized Christian.
2.
All persons seeking ordination with the ICU must submit a “religious
resume” describing their religious background and upbringing along with
any previous training undertaken. This includes, but is not limited to
seminary, bible colleges or schools, colleges or universities. Any
training listed and included by the candidate must be supported by
proper documentation. That is photocopies of any degrees, diplomas or
certificates. Transcripts may be requested. If so, the responsibility
for obtaining and submitting the transcripts rests with the candidate.
If a candidate has been previously ordained by a communion or
jurisdiction that has valid, historical lines of Apostolic Succession,
and is seeking incardination, photocopies of all certificates or
documents of ordination must be included. If a candidate wishes any or
all previous training, experience or education to be considered and
evaluated in his or her application, the time for this consideration and
evaluation is upon and during the application process, not after.
Requests for consideration and evaluation of prior training, experience
or education in the ministry after the application process has been
completed will not be considered.
3. A Statement of Faith must be submitted by the candidate.
4.
ALL applications for ordination or incardination must be completed,
signed by the candidate, notarized, submitted and returned by postal
mail to the Office of the Director of Vocations or Archbishop. There are NO exceptions
to this.
5. A photocopy of your driver’s license, state, province or country identification card must be included.
6. A current photograph of you must be included.
7.
ANY false or misleading statements or declarations will, if Holy Orders
have been conferred, result in the nullification of Holy Orders,
revocation of faculties and a return to lay status. If Holy Orders or
licensing have not yet been conferred, the application in question will
be declined.
8. If the sole reason for seeking ordination or
incardination is the pursuit of Apostolic Succession, please do not
apply. The ICU takes its responsibility in the conferral of Holy Orders
very seriously. All clergy members are expected to be the best servants
of The Lord that they can be.
9. Please note that all persons
are initially ordained into the Order of Deacon, where they serve for a
period of at least one year. This is a time of formation and study. In
some cases the time constraint may be modified. This is only done when
there is a consensus of opinion and determination between the Director
of Vocations, the ICU Council of Elders, and the Archbishop. In
any case, the time period of service in the Diaconate will not be less
than six months. All persons licensed into the Diaconate, whether it is
for six months or one year, will study under the guidance and tutelage
of the Director of the Seminary, or his or her delegate or
representative. Successful completion of the Seminary will depend on
several factors, including but not limited to maintaining the contact
and reporting requirements, successfully completing and passing required
examinations, and exhibiting proficiency in the required areas of study
and worship.
The ICU DOES NOT assume any LEGAL
responsibility for its ministers. Neither the ICU nor the individual
minister is an agent for or of the other. All clergy are responsible for
their own actions, including but not limited to any and all financial
and fiscal responsibilities, contracts or liabilities and the commission
or omission of any action. However, each clergy member IS answerable to
the ICU and does come under the Episcopal oversight of the Archbishop and the ICU Council of Elders. If an investigation finds serious
violation of Christian ethics, morals and values have indeed been
committed; certain sanctions can and may be applied, up to and including
removal, revocation and nullification of the clergy member’s faculties,
ordination and or consecration and a return to the state of laity.
If
you are currently a member of any ecclesiastical body or organization
that has conferred Holy Orders upon you in ANY capacity, i.e., Deacon,
Presbyter (Priest) or Episcopacy (Bishop) are you planning to resign
from this ecclesiastical body or organization?
If you plan to
resign from this body or organization or to seek release from this body
or organization, then a letter of release must be obtained from your
Bishop, Ordinary or Superior. The ordination/incardination process
cannot begin until this letter is submitted with your application.
If
you are or have been a member of any religious or monastic community in
ANY capacity, i.e., lay Brother or Sister, Monk, Friar, Abbot or
Superior of any Order, then a letter of release must be obtained from
your Archabbot, Abbot General or Superior. The ordination/incardination
process cannot begin until this letter is submitted with your
application.
If you are currently a member of either of the above
described bodies or organizations and you are not resigning from them, a
letter of authorization or permission from your Bishop, Ordinary, or
Superior giving their authorization or permission to apply for and
accept ordination/incardination (if granted) must be submitted with your
application. The ordination/incardination process cannot begin until
this letter is submitted. If you have previously been ordained into Holy
Orders and are no longer associated or affiliated with the communion or
jurisdiction that had ordained you, please explain why and submit a
letter of release.
May the Peace and Grace of Our Risen Savior be with you!
+Bruce D. Campbell
Archbishop
Independent Catholic Union
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