| THE HOLY BYZANTINE CATHOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH A TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Thanks for your inquiry about a Canonical Transfer as a cleric in the Holy Byzantine Catholic
Orthodox Church.
These are some answers to frequently asked questions about ministry in the our church. Also,
carefully read our Church Canons, Tenets, Liturgical Rites , and About us in this website.
If you have any specific questions we will answer them via direct mail or email.
(1) What is the process for a Canonical Transfer?
The first step is to read about us in our website, ask questions, and then if you would like to be
considered for Canonical Transfer, download and complete the application.
Canonical Transfer is open only to:
A) Lectors and Acolytes in Minor Orders and Deacon,
(18 years or older and open to females also)
B) Priests (1) and Bishops (2) ordained in the Catholic Orthodox tradition by a church
with valid lines of Apostolic Succession.
C) You do not need to be an American Citizen to apply, but will need to speak with
the Bishop in charge of your Province.
1. Married or un-married males.
2. Celibate ( married with ekonomia from the Patriarchal Council with the understanding that all future
bishops consecrated will be celibate).
While our Patriarchal Council makes the final determination on each applicant, generally
speaking we welcome clerics from most mainline (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican,
Episcopal, Lutheran and independent Catholic (too numerable to list).
Obviously, conformity to reception of the sacraments of Baptism and Ordination administered
in the traditional Catholic Faith manner, and faith compatibility to our Statements of Beliefs are
significant criteria for acceptance into our clergy.
The application which you may download or request to forward to you upon request should be
thoroughly and thoughtfully completed. That application and the requested documentation will
need to be submitted before the Canonical Transfer decision is made. It is acceptable to send
the application first and then supply the documentation as it is gathered.
(2) What training (education) do I need to be Canonically Transferred?
Our review of your education as related to ministry should show a strong correlation to our
ordination requirements as presented in our Seminary Catalog available on our website under
Seminary
Significant deficits will be identified by the Canonical Transfer Committee and the applicant and
the Presiding Bishop will develop a plan for making up the deficits. This may be done through
seminary course work or through directed reading. The amount and depth of ministry
experience is also factored into this decision and can substitute for specific course content.
Clerics from mainline churches enjoy the presumption of having appropriate and sufficient
education and experiences related to ministry. However, since the educational background is
so varied, we review transcripts and ministry experience carefully. The Holy Byzantine Catholic
Orthodox Church is strongly committed to having ministers who are well prepared to present
and live the message of Jesus and His Holy Church.
(3) Is there full time paid ministry available?
In order to stop the abuse the of clergy with the tithing's given by the faithful to the Holy
Church, the Holy Synod inspired by the Holy Ghost has decreed that no one will be ordained
until they first have a profession and are self supported. The funds of the Holy Church will
never be used to give the clergy an exuberant lifestyle.
"Paul went to see them, and because he was a tent-maker as they were, he stayed and
worked with them" Acts 18:3
The only exception is if a parish counsel requests full time clergy and is willing to pay them a
full time salary, the same is for the bishop if the diocese requests and is willing to pay him a full
time salary this is also acceptable.
(4) Are there expenses involved in being Canonically Transferred in your church?
No fee or charge is ever paid for a Canonical Transfer or for ordination! There are, however,
some expenses that are passed on to the applicant.
This is the current total list:
A. There is an application fee of $50.00. That covers printing, mailing, psychologist
review, and follow-up telephone conversations. It is non-refundable.
B. As part of the application process, the applicant is required to visit in person with the
Presiding Bishop or other clergy more proximate to the applicant’s home city. Travel
expenses related to that visit are the responsibility of the applicant.
C. If deficits in education need to be made up through seminary course work, all course
work is paid for by the candidate directly to the seminary program provider (either our
own seminary program or a mutually agreed upon program).
See our current Saint John the Divine Theological Seminar Catalog on our website so
that you know in advance the cost of course work through our program.
We award course-work credit toward ordination for ministry related course-work in
other institutions and for ministry related job and life experiences. There is no charge
for transfer and experiential credit.
D. For ordination: There is never a charge for A Canonical Transfer or ordination. Our
Church Law does require that Reception (Canonical Transfer) of Clergy and
Ordinations ordinarily take place at our annual Synod/Retreat.
E. Currently our clergy are required to be licence by the church, please see LICENSURE.
*If someone is unable to make the requested donation, he/she simply talks to the Patriarchal
Council to make adjustments.
F. Deacons, priests, and bishops are expected to purchase their own vestments and
altar appointments needed in their ministry. The offerings of the congregation are used
by the pastor for the operational expenses of the parish or ministry. If parish sponsors
a candidate, the cleric does not need to purchase their own vestments and altar
appointments needed in their ministry.
G. Our Church Law requires that all clerics attend and participate every year in our
Church Synod/Retreat wherever it is held. The travel costs and registration fee are
the annual responsibility of the cleric.
(5) How long does it take to be Canonically Transferred?
Each candidate is led through the process in an individualized and personal manner. When the
application process is complete, the Presiding Bishop presents the application with his/her
recommendation to the House of Bishops who then send their recommendation to Patriarchal
Council. So, the “how long?” time-line varies.
I hope this information helps you as you look at the possibility of serving in The Holy Byzantine
Catholic Orthodox Church as our clergy. I want to be totally upfront with you as you look at us
and I promise I will be.
If you would like to move on to the next step, please download
Canonical Transfer Application
If you have any questions or would just like to talk with me to see if we can be partners in the
ministry of the Lord contact me at the following:
byzanpater1@aol.com.
THBCOC
