Incardination applies to those in Holy Orders and Religious Life. The Church will consider all applications for incardination provided all supporting documentation and requirements are met by the applicant. Incardination is not limited to those in Holy Orders. Religious congregations may apply for incardination provided all members of the congregation are in agreement and submit the required documentation inclusive of a letter indicating that they are in agreement with the intent of their congregation to join the Church. Individual Religious may apply for incardination by completing the required documentation and submitting a copy of the Rule they intend to observe to the Church at the time of their application.

Requirements

The Church wishes to clarify its position on the requirements for applicants for incardination. It is not an uncommon practice for any organization - secular or religious - to request documents testamentary to an applicants past experience and training as well as to ascertain the suitability for consideration of an applicant for a position with the organization. The documentary requirements were adopted by the Church for a two-fold purpose. First, these requirements insure that the Church is not placed at risk for violation of any state or federal laws which it must be in compliance with as a recognized tax exempt organization and state-approved corporation. These extend into ascertaining the physical and mental status of an applicant, the verification of a clear criminal record and the right of the applicant to work and reside in the United States (for those applicants outside of the United States wishing to live in the United States as clerics and Religious of the Church). The meeting of these requirements is achieved through the completion of items 1-8 on the application. The second purpose for these requirements allows the Church to defend its clergy from unfounded attacks by less than well-intentioned individuals. It was and is felt that should any question as to the moral or physical suitability of a cleric or religious to function in this jurisdiction arise, the required documentation will more than satisfy any question in the Church's mind and, should it be necessary to address this in the public sector, the Church will then be able to assist in defending its clergy and religious.

Applying for Incardination
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Religious applying for Incardination

 

All Religious applying for incardination shall complete the application in its entirety. In addition and as noted on Page 2 of the application, a copy of the Rule being observed by the applicant shall be supplied with the application. A detailed description, including photo, of the applicant in Religious habit shall also be included. Whenever possible, the candidate shall also provide a letter of excardination from their former jurisdiction AND Religious congregation/order. In lieu of the letter, candidates may give written consent for the Presiding Bishop to make inquiry from their former Religious Superior and Ordinary unless their exists a grave situation which would preclude obtaining a  letter or information from the former Superior and Ordinary. Conditional faculties and Episcopal Protection shall, upon approval of the application, be granted for a period of 1 year from the date of approval. At the conclusion of the one-year conditional status, either an extension of the status by mutual consent shall be approved or full incardination granted. Full incardination shall result in granting of a Charter and Faculties by the Church and unconditional Faculties to function as part of the Church. The one-year period may, at the discretion of the Presiding Bishop, be shortened to less than one year but not less than 6 months.

 

Clerics applying for Incardination

 

Clerics, particularly those in Major Orders, shall provide all of the required documentation as part of the application for ordination. A Canonical examination may be required. This examination is in written form and must be proctored and may not be done independently. Proctoring can be arranged with a local college, university or public library, or Notary Public. Priests may be asked to provide a videotape which demonstrates their method of celebrating the Mass. The liturgical norm for the celebration of the Mass in this Church is the Tridentine Rite according to Pope St. Pius V.

 

Upon approval of the application for incardination, conditional faculties and Episcopal protection shall be granted for a period of one (1) year. At the conclusion of the one-year conditional status, either an extension of the status by mutual consent shall be approved or full incardination granted. The one-year period may, at the discretion of the Presiding Bishop, be shortened to less than one year but not less than 6 months. During the one-year period, the candidate shall be given the opportunity to become familiar with the Church, its Canons and it's mission so that the candidate will be able to give informed consent at the end of the one year period to the question of incardination. This one year period allows both Church and candidate to become acquainted and build a trusting relationship as the Church is aware of the often painful events that lead an individual or group of individuals to excardinate from one jurisdiction and incardinate with another. If, at the end of this one year period, the candidate finds that Church is not the jurisdiction they wishe to remain with, the Church will assist with locating (if requested) another jurisdiction and the transition thereto provided that the reasons for not incardinating are not due to illegal activities or violations of Canon Law or because of scandalous behaviors. If, at the end of one year, the candidate wishes to remain with this jurisdiction, a Charter and faculties will be issued as well as permanent identification card.

 

Information provided by candidates applying for incardination is confidential and retained in a confidential file by the Presiding Bishop. No information in this file may be disclosed without the candidate's written permission under penalty of law and pain of sin. Should a candidate leave the jurisdiction or be laicized, a sealed and confidential copy of the file is retained in the Chancery archives by the Presiding Bishop and the original file in its entirety except for documents specific to the administration of the Church are returned to the candidate. The sealed copy may not be accessed by anyone other than the Presiding Bishop and the contents may not be disclosed under any circumstances, secular or canonical. Applicants are asked to provide or obtain a letter of Excardination from their former jurisdiction particularly in cases where there have not been any certificates of ordination issued. Said letter should contain dates, location and Rite used of all ordinations up to the time of excardination. All applications are reviewed on an individual basis. In cases where there may be some question of proper intent in the administration of an ordination, the Presiding Bishop reserves the right to subconditionally ordain the candidate or regularize ordinations. However, this is a rare exception and not the rule. Any requirements beyond those noted in the application shall be discussed with the candidate by the Presiding Bishop with the candidate.

 

Procedure for requesting Incardination:

 

Print the application and complete the application—typed OR blue/black ink only. Please print clearly. Indicate that you are applying for incardination. Send the completed application, marked CONFIDENTIAL to:

 

Most Rev. R. Michael Pangan, OCDSM, STD

Presiding Bishop

The Traditional Old Roman Catholic Church

P. O. Box 58324

Cincinnati, OH 45258

 

Provide the required documentation and clearances along with any requested documents to the Presiding Bishop

 

Include a signed statement authorizing the Church to verify information provided on the application.  This must be in  your handwriting and include your signature.

 

A letter authorizing the Presiding Bishop to contact your former ordinary particularly if excardination was denied.  Include the name, address and telephone number of your former Bishop in the letter.