Pathways to ordination

ORDINATION/INCARDINATION AND CONSECRATION IN THE ANCIENT CELTIC CHURCH IN AMERICA

By Canon Law of the Ancient Celtic Church, the Diocesan Bishop of the Ancient Celtic Church in America has the sole authority to ordain or consecrate priests into Holy Orders. Canon VI-1.8 states 

By virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, conferred by a Bishop of ACC, any person receiving Ordination to the Order of Priest or Deacon is automatically incardinated into the Diocese for which they are ordained.

The Bishop of the United States has stated their will be two routes to Ordination and they are as follows;

Route 1: The Pathway to Holy Orders

The path to ordination begins and ends with the diocesan bishop. Currently, the only Ancient Celtic Consecrated Bishop in America is John Gee. As we are the newest branch of the ACC, this will change as we grow.

This work involves four distinct steps:

 Aspirancy, Postulancy, Candidacy, and Ordination. 

This process typically takes one to three years from Nomination to Ordination depending on the ability of the aspiring Priest and their time commitment. It will take as long or as short as it takes, and no step can be waived without consent of the bishop.

* Important Notices: • Before embarking in discernment, familiarize yourself with the 7 Tenets of Celtic Christianity found at Ancientceltic.info. Read these carefully and consider whether or not you can agree to these tenets in their entirety in good conscience. Also, consider your stances on marriage equality, and your stance on biblical inerrancy, and ensure they align with the ACC in America.

• Please note, you may begin the discernment process before reaching the minimum age for ordination, but you must be 24 years of age before the date of your ordination to the Priesthood. The following portion of this document is a summary of the discernment process from beginning to end. Use this document as a checklist. Though it contains valuable information, please note that it is not exhaustive, and additional requirements may be added. 

BEGINNING THE JOURNEY: BECOMING AN ASPIRANT FOR HOLY ORDERS  IN THE ACC 

Discernment begins informally with those who know you best: your family and friends, your priest, and/or other members of your community. When the time is right, you begin your first steps as follows: 

o Have an intentional conversation with your community about beginning formal discernment.  

o Schedule a meeting with the bishop to discuss your interest in beginning formal discernment.  

o You become an aspirant if/when the bishop approves you to engage in formal discernment.  

o The Bishop will Notify both the Canon to the Ordinary and the College of Bishops of their decision.  

Upon completion of the Section, you are officially an Aspirant of the ACC in America!

THE PATH TO NOMINATION 

Once you’ve been made an aspirant, discernment officially begins within the community, where a Bishop will work with you to determine whether or not to nominate you to pursue Holy Orders within the ACC. Your relationship with your community is a vitally important part of the work of discernment, and you will need their support in order to continue formal discernment. 

o You will convene a Committee on Vocation. This will consist of a Bishop of the ACC, an Anamcara (Soul Friend) and mentor. The Anamcara nor the mentor need be part of the ACC. 

o Write a spiritual autobiography (2-3 pages) and submit to your committee.  

o Meet with your COV for the necessary period of time, usually around 2-5 months but no less than 2 months. Length of time is decided by the COV.

o When their discernment process is complete, your COV submits their final recommendation to the Diocesan Bishop.

Once you become a nominee, discernment moves from the community level to the diocesan level, where you discern with and gain the support of the Diocesan Bishop. The bishops role is 

1) to discern for themselves and confirm the vocation sensed by the bishop and affirmed by your vestry, and 

2) to observe whether or not you are internalizing all that you are learning and experiencing in discernment and formation. 

The first step in progressing towards ordination is, again, being granted postulancy. 

Upon Completion of this Section, you are officially a Nominated Aspirant! 

THE PATH TO POSTULANCY

The path leading to postulancy is a time of more intense and focused discernment. 

o Complete the Required reading assigned by the Bishop. This is extensive and requires several essays. Mandated writings are as follows;

1. Read the entire Bible in the NRSV version

2. Read the following Scriptures of the ACC in America, not found in the American Bible

a. Holy Scripture additions

Psalm 151 Jubilees I-III Enoch I-II Ezra I-II Enoch Ezra Sutel Tobit

I-III Meqabyan Judith Wisdom of Solomon I-II Sirach I-IV Baruch Letter of Jeremiah Book of Creation

I-IV Maccabees Prayer of Manasseh I-II Clement Shepherd of Hermas Acts of Paul and Thecla Seven Epistles of Ignatius The Gospel of Thomas

b. Historical Writings

Didache Book of Giants Life of Adam and Eve Haggadah Joseph and Asenath

Assumption of Moses Psalms of Solomon Gospel of the Hebrews Words of Gad Ascension of Isaiah

Revelation of Abraham Revelation of Elijah Revelation of Zephaniah Apocryphon of Ezekiel Epistle of Aristeas

Gospel of Ebionites Secret Gospel of Mark Gospel of Bartholomew Gospel of Nicodemus Infancy Gospel of James

Infancy Gospel of Matthew Infancy Gospel of Thomas Acts of Peter Acts of John Acts of Paul

Acts of Andrew Acts of Thomas Christian Sibyllines Sibylline Oracles The Divine Chariot

Theology of Dionysis

c. Celtic Christian Holy Writings

Patrick's Confessio   Letter to Coroticus Sayings of Patrick Life of Patrick

Life of Brigit the Virgin  Voyage of Brendan Life of Saint David Life of Beuno

Carmina Gadelica The Evernew Tongue Creation of Adam The Power of Women

On the Christian Life Sermons of Columbanus The Food of the Soul The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Life of Melangell The Irish Life of Brigit The Vision of Adamnan

3. Water from an Ancient Well by Kenneth McIntosh

4. The Carmina Gadelica by Alexander Carmichael

5. The Celtic Journey with Christ by John Gee

6. Redeeming the River by John Gee

7. Restoring the Woven Cord by Michael Mitton

8. Celtic Spirituality by Thomas O’loughlin

9. Write a paper on your interpretation of Celtic Theology

Please allow considerable time to complete.

o Plan of Theological Education Specific to the Ancient Celtic Church in America.  

This plan is agreed to by the Aspirant and the Bishop. The Aspirant must show proof and demonstrate knowledge of the following areas of theology

1. Henotheism

2. History of Celtic Spirituality

3. History and use of Ogham for Celtic Christians and Druids

4. Ecological Theology

5. Divination

6. Mystic Christianity

7. Druidic Teachings

8. The Celtic Wheel of the year, and its use in the ACC in America  

o Complete the Financial Statement. This states you will not require payment to perform any ritual or service of the church.  

o Complete the Nominee Agreement.  

o Complete Background Check 

NOTE: The Bishop of the Ancient Celtic Church requires a background check to have been completed within thirty six months (3 years) of your ordination to the priesthood and/or diaconate. Any of these more than three years old at the scheduled date of your ordination will need to be done again. After the bishop receives and reviews the results, he will review the COM’s recommendation and make a judgment on whether or not to grant you postulancy. 

At this point you will also develop a plan for your theological formation and training with the bishop and your community. 

Postulancy Granted by the Bishop 

Once you complete this section, you are officially a Postulant in the ACC in America!

THE PATH TO CANDIDACY

The path to candidacy is a time focused on your continued theological and spiritual formation. The interview for candidacy is an opportunity to check in with you, the discerner, making sure you are 1) demonstrating the same qualities that were evident at your postulancy interviews, 2) still confident and growing in your sense of vocation, and 3) receiving suitable formation. The amount and time are at the discretion of the Bishop

1. Any required Spiritual Formation

2. Any further required Educational Formation (A Bachelors degree or suitable replacement course of study as prescribed by the Bishop)

¨ Before your interview submit any of the following which will have been completed by the time of the interview:  

o In this phase, the Postulant will begin the process of learning the liturgical rites, mass and other religious ceremonies of the ACC. These are

1. The ACC Liturgical Mass

2. The Body-Light Exercise

3. Ogham Staves and Divination

4. The Fire Ritual

5. The Water Ritual

6. The Air Ritual

7. Imbolc

8. Samhain

9. Beltaine

10. Lughnasdadh

¨ Submit at least one audio sermon to the COM 

Scheduled Date for Interview with the Bishop

Upon Completion of this section, the postulant may prepare for full ordination!

THE PATH TO ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Submit your most recent seminary transcript(s) to the diocese, or bishop approved program.  

¨ Submit any outstanding items related to Education/Internship 

Complete and pass Diocesan Ordination Interview.   

If the bishop concurs with the recommendation and approval, they will approve you for ordination to the diaconate and schedule your ordination. Diaconal ordinations are typically performed in person but online can be arranged in extreme instances.

Approved by the Bishop for Ordination to the Priesthood 

Ordination to the Diaconate scheduled for 

Route 2: The Pathway to Incardination into the ACC

The following Canon Laws apply to this pathway

Canon VI-1.8.3

a) No member of clergy of ACC may be incardinated in another church. In addition to a letter of Excardination from the Church that they are leaving, clergy desiring Incardination from Churches not in Communion with ACC must submit documents attesting to the valid reception of the Sacrament of Holy Orders to the highest Order they have attained, and documentation which proves the valid Apostolic Succession of the person who ordained them to each Order. Those not holding valid Holy Orders as recognised by ACC shall submit to Ordination by a Bishop of ACC.

b) A Diocesan Bishop may, upon request by a Priest or Deacon possessing a letter of Excardination and other required documentation, and who meets the qualifications for their Holy Order established in this Constitution, incardinate or decline to incardinate that member of the Clergy into his Diocese from any Church in his sole discretion.

c) Persons in the Holy Order of Bishop may be incardinated into ACC only with the concurrence of the College of Bishops by majority vote. The role such Bishop shall exercise within the Church (e.g. Auxiliary, Coadjutor, or Diocesan Bishop; Priest or Deacon) shall also be established by majority vote of the Synod of Bishops.

d) Documentation of Apostolic Succession need trace Succession only as far as the Roman Catholic or Orthodox Church. Standard reference materials which sustain the claim of Apostolic Succession may be employed in substantiating Succession.

e) Persons whose Orders or Succession cannot be validated may receive the Orders of Deacon or Priest sub-conditione in the discretion of the College of Bishops.

f) Persons in the Order of Bishop may be consecrated sub-conditione only with the concurrence of the College of Bishops

g) Candidates for incardination into ACC in the Order of Bishop from other Celtic Christian Communions, generally, shall not receive sub-conditione re-consecration in ACC unless, in the opinion of the College of Bishops, there is grave reason to believe that the candidate for incardination is, indeed, not validly consecrated as a Bishop.

Incardination may be granted by the ACC in America Bishop under the following circumstances

1. Must be a previously ordained Priest or Minister in an approved Christian denomination with 5 years faithful service. (see list below)

NOTE: In order to apply for Incardination, the minister must be able to provide Ordination documents and 5 years of documented ordained ministry in the following Churches

1. The Ancient Celtic Church

2. The Celtic Christian Church

3. Any national church in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition

4. The Roman Catholic Church

5. The Old Catholic Church

6. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

8. United Church of Canada

9. Presbyterian Church (USA)

10. Alliance of Affirming Baptists

11. Church of Ireland

12. Church of England

13. The Episcopal Church of the United States

14. Disciples of Christ

15. United Church of Christ

16. Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church in Ireland 

2. Applicant must make a written signed statement affirming their religious support of marriage equality and be willing to officiate any wedding ceremony between two consenting adults over the age of 18. Clergy in the Ancient Celtic Church are forbidden from conducting any wedding ceremony where either participant is under the age of 18, regardless of consent or the laws of their country.

3. Applicant must sign the following statements regarding the Holy Scriptures:

a. It is the inalienable right of every Christian to search these records of Divine Truth for his own instruction and guidance, to form his own opinions with regard to what they teach and to worship God in sincerity, agreeably to the dictates of his own conscience, without privation, penalty or inconvenience by their fellow community members.'

b. I affirm the following as Holy Scriptures, Historical Writings and Celtic Holy Writings, for use in instruction and for contemplation. I affirm the right of every believer to decide for themselves on matters of univocality and the inerrancy of scripture. However, as member of the clergy of the Ancient Celtic Church in America, I affirm the position of multivocality and errancy of the following scripture.

i. The Hebrew Scriptures

Genesis Exodus Leviticus

Ruth Deutero-nomy Joshua Judges

Numbers I-II Samuel I-II Chronicles I-II Kings Psalm 151 Jubilees I-III Enoch

I-II Ezra I-II Enoch Ezra Sutel Tobit Judith Job Esther

I-III Meqabyan Ecclesiastes Proverbs Psalms Wisdom of Solomon I-II Sirach Ezekiel

Song of Songs Isaiah Jerimiah I-IV Baruch Lamentations Letter of Jeremiah Jonah

Daniel (Catholic Version) Hosea Zechariah Micah Joel Obadiah Book of Creation

Nahum Zephaniah I-IV Maccabees Amos Malachi Prayer of Manasseh Haggai

Lives of the Prophets Josippon, The Son of Sirach Prayer of Azariah

ii. The Christian Scriptures

Matthew Mark Luke

John Acts Romans

I-III Corinthians Galatians Ephesians

Philippians Colossians I-II Timothy

I-II Thessalonians Titus Philemon

Hebrews I-II Peter I-III John

James Jude I-II Clement

Shepherd of Hermas Acts of Paul and Thecla Seven Epistles of Ignatius 

Epistle of Polycarp Revelation The Gospel of Thomas

iii. The Historical Writings

Didache Book of Giants Life of Adam and Eve Haggadah Joseph and Asenath

Assumption of Moses Psalms of Solomon Gospel of the Hebrews Words of Gad Ascension of Isaiah

Revelation of Abraham Revelation of Elijah Revelation of Zephaniah Apocryphon of Ezekiel Epistle of Aristeas

Gospel of Ebionites Secret Gospel of Mark Gospel of Bartholomew Gospel of Nicodemus Infancy Gospel of James

Infancy Gospel of Matthew Infancy Gospel of Thomas Acts of Peter Acts of John Acts of Paul

Acts of Andrew Acts of Thomas Christian Sibyllines Sibylline Oracles The Divine Chariot

Theology of Dionysis

iv. Celtic Holy Writings

Patrick's Confessio Letter to Coroticus Sayings of Patrick Life of Patrick

Life of Brigit the Virgin Voyage of Brendan Life of Saint David Life of Beuno

Carmina Gadelica The Evernew Tongue Creation of Adam The Power of Women

On the Christian Life Sermons of Columbanus The Food of the Soul The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Life of Melangell The Irish Life of Brigit The Vision of Adamnan

4. The Applicant must affirm the 7 Tenets of the Ancient Celtic Church in America

5. The Applicant must submit to a Background Check, and may not be incardinated until the completion of this check.

6. Applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the following or attend an approved course of instruction:

a. Henotheism

b. History of Celtic Spirituality

c. History and use of Ogham for Celtic Christians and Druids

d. Ecological Theology

e. Divination

f. Mystic Christianity

g. Druidic Teachings

h. The Celtic Wheel of the year, and its use in the ACC in America  

7. Applicant must learn to conduct the following religious ceremonies in accordance with ACC in America guidelines

a. The ACC Liturgical Mass

b. The Body-Light Exercise

c. Ogham Staves and Divination

d. The Fire Ritual

e. The Water Ritual

f. The Air Ritual

g. Imbolc

h. Samhain

i. Beltaine

j. Lughnasdadh

8. Upon satisfactory completion, the Bishop will write an official incardination letter