In the life of the Church, incardination is the juridical act by which a cleric is attached to a particular church and exercises ministry under the authority of its bishop. Through incardination, a cleric becomes a member of the clergy of that church and shares in its pastoral life and sacramental ministry.
The Ordinariate exists especially to support ministries that arise outside traditional parish structures, including chaplaincy, missionary outreach, and emerging Eucharistic communities. Clergy who share this vision of ministry may wish to explore incardination into the Ordinariate.
Eligibility for Incardination
Deacons and priests from the catholic tradition who are engaged in pastoral or specialized ministries may inquire about incardination into the Ordinariate. This includes those serving in chaplaincy, missionary work, or the gathering of Eucharistic communities.
The Nature of Ministry in the Ordinariate
Clergy of the Ordinariate ordinarily serve in non-stipendiary ministry. The Ordinariate itself does not provide a salary or stipend for clergy.
Many clergy serve in ministries such as healthcare chaplaincy, institutional pastoral care, or other forms of specialized ministry where compensation is provided by the institution they serve. Others serve bi-vocationally or within small Eucharistic communities.
The Ordinariate exists to provide sacramental life, pastoral oversight, and fellowship among its clergy, supporting ministries that arise in these settings.
The Process of Discernment
Because incardination establishes a lasting relationship between a cleric and the Church, the process is undertaken with care and mutual discernment.
The process ordinarily includes:
- An initial conversations with the Ordinary and other clergy
- Review of ministerial background and formation
- A period of discernment and familiarity with the life of the Ordinariate
- Reception into the clergy of the Ordinariate
Initiating the Inquiry
Clergy who wish to explore incardination are invited to contact the Ordinariate or to complete the Application for Incardination and return it to the Bishop Ordinary.
All inquiries are received in a spirit of prayerful discernment, with attention to the vocation of the individual cleric and the mission entrusted to the Ordinariate.