STEPS IN THE ORDINATION PROCESS This is a synopsis of the ordination process as required by the Canons. Much detail has been omitted, in the interest of giving a general outline and checklist. Be sure to check the Canons of Title III for more complete information. Anyone in the ordination process, as well as his or her sponsoring congregation or community of faith, should have a copy of the Canons of The Episcopal Church. The ordination process follows the Canons in Title III. Canon III.5 covers general requirements for ordination; Canon III.6 is for ordination to the Diaconate; and Canon III.8 is for ordination to the Priesthood. Those previously ordained in another tradition will also need to focus on requirements outlined in Canon III.10. Persons and congregations should go to the diocesan website (www.episcopalhawaii.org), to the various pages under Our Ministries > Commission on Ministry for more information and links to additional documents. Be aware that persons in the ordination process must be proactive. It is your responsibility to make sure that the steps are followed and all the appropriate interviews and required documents are accomplished, even if occasionally you might feel as if you are nagging someone. He or she will tell you if it s not yet time for that particular step. Do not wait for someone to contact you to arrange an interview. The process is good preparation for ordained ministry, which requires a person to be a self-starter. Discernment Sense of call, whether by an individual or by the church about an individual. Priest in charge of the congregation forms a Discernment Committee, in consultation with the individual. Discernment Committee meets over the course of several months. See section Specific Methods for Discernment Committees in the document Guidelines for Discernment of Ministry for several different ways a Discernment Committee can accomplish its work. These methods are also posted on the diocesan website. When ready, Discernment Committee writes a report and submits it to the Vestry/Bishop s Committee. The report should specify the type of ministry to which the Committee discerns the person is called. Steps in the Ordination Process Page 1 of 5
Nomination If the Discernment Committee discerns that the person is called to ordination, the report should follow the guidelines outlined in the document Nomination Steps. Vestry/Bishop s Committee votes on whether they will nominate the person to the Bishop to enter the ordination process in the Diocese. See recommendations for writing this letter in the document Nomination Steps. The priest in charge of the congregation must sign this document also, or write a separate In any case, the priest in charge of the congregation must endorse the person s proceeding into the ordination process. The letter from the Vestry/BC and the Discernment Committee s report are sent to the Bishop. It is helpful to send an additional copy directly to Canon Liz Beasley. (The church and the Nominee should also keep copies.) The Nominee (as the person is now called) writes a letter accepting nomination. See what is required for this letter in the document Nomination Steps or in Canon III.6 (for the Diaconate) or III.8 (for the Priesthood). The Commission on Ministry supplies an Acceptance of Nomination Form that includes all the required information. This form is available on the diocesan website or in the document Guidelines for Discernment of Ministry. Nominee arranges for Letters of Recommendation to be sent to the Office of the Bishop from the Nominee s current employment, from a community or volunteer position, and from someone who knows the Nominee personally. Nominee contacts the Bishop s Executive Assistant, at (808) 536-7776, ext. 302, or at BishopSecretary@episcopalhawaii.org, to arrange for an interview with the Bishop to be considered for Postulancy. The Canon to the Ordinary does three things: Arranges for background check Sends forms for physical and psychological exams to the Nominee Schedules psychological exam, OR sends the Nominee the contact information for scheduling this exam Nominee contacts the Canon to the Ordinary to arrange for an interview with the Commission on Ministry. After the meeting, the COM sends to the Bishop a letter evaluating the person s fitness to enter the ordination process. If Bishop accepts the Nominee as a Postulant and sends an official letter stating such acceptance. The Nominee should be careful to keep this letter. Steps in the Ordination Process Page 2 of 5
Postulancy COM assesses Postulant s formation so far. The Postulant begins attending one of the local formation programs, OR applies for seminary. In any event, a suitable formation program is worked out between COM, Bishop, and Postulant. Postulant writes letters to the Bishop quarterly, on the Ember Days, giving a report of progress in formation and account of spiritual life. Postulant continues to meet with Discernment Committee. Sometime during the period of formation, the Postulant (or Candidate) completes required trainings: Safeguarding God s Children Preventing Sexual Misconduct Diversity/Cultural Competency Title IV (the Disciplinary Canons) Candidacy Postulant writes letter to the Bishop, with copy to the Canon to the Ordinary, applying for Candidacy. Postulant asks Vestry/Bishop s Committee for letter endorsing application for Candidacy. The priest in charge of the congregation must sign this letter and/or send separate Vestry/BC sends letter to the Bishop, with copy to the Canon. (Church and Postulant should also keep copies.) Bishop interviews Postulant for Candidacy. COM interviews Postulant for Candidacy. Standing Committee interviews Postulant for Candidacy. Postulant admitted to Candidacy once Bishop and Standing Committee have both approved. (The COM is simply an advisory body to the Bishop.) Letters from the Bishop, COM, and Standing Committee must be put in the Candidate s file. Formation continues. Candidate continues to meet with Discernment Committee. Ordination When Candidate nears end of formal period of formation: COM determines and administers (or sees that it is administered) a method of assessing formation in the required canonical areas, whether for Diaconate or Priesthood. Steps in the Ordination Process Page 3 of 5
Candidate applies to the Bishop for ordination. Vestry/BC writes letter endorsing application for ordination. The priest in charge of the congregation also must sign this letter, or write separate COM interviews the Candidate for ordination. COM sends letter to the Standing Committee, indicating their recommendation for ordination. The COM must certify that the Candidate, if being ordained to the vocational Diaconate, is proficient in the required canonical areas specified in Canon III.6.5(f). If the Candidate is being ordained to the Transitional Diaconate, the COM must show the Candidate s record of preparation in the canonical areas required for ordination and specified in Canon III.8.5(g). Canon to the Ordinary verifies that the background check, physical exam, and psychological exam have been completed within 36 months of the projected ordination date. If a greater period of time than 36 months has elapsed, the Canon arranges that these be updated. Standing Committee interviews Candidate for ordination. Standing Committee signs certificate recommending ordination, using the form given in the Canons [Canon III.6.6(c) for Diaconate and Canon III.8.6(d) for Priesthood]. Bishop determines place and date of ordination. The Bishop is the preacher at all ordinations, unless he specifically decides otherwise. Ordination liturgy is planned. Ordination to the Priesthood If ordination has been to the Transitional Diaconate, then at a time determined between Deacon and Bishop (together they assess readiness for ordination), the Deacon sends letter applying for ordination to the Priesthood. Vestry/BC writes letter endorsing application for ordination. The priest in charge of the congregation also must sign this letter, or write separate COM interviews for ordination. COM sends letter to the Standing Committee, indicating recommendation for ordination to the Priesthood and certifying that the Transitional Deacon is proficient in the required canonical areas. Standing Committee interviews Deacon for ordination to the Priesthood. Standing Committee signs certificate recommending ordination, using the form given in the Canons [Canon III.8.7(c)]. Steps in the Ordination Process Page 4 of 5
Bishop determines place and date of ordination. The Bishop is the preacher at all ordinations, unless he specifically decides otherwise. Ordination liturgy is planned. Steps in the Ordination Process Page 5 of 5