Ordination and Incardination in The Sanctuary Liberal Catholic Church 

Ordination

Ordination in The Sanctuary Liberal Catholic Church is the sacramental act by which a person is set apart for sacred ministry within the Church. Through prayer, the laying on of hands, and the invocation of the Holy Spirit, the ordinand is entrusted with a share in Christ’s ministry of service, healing, teaching, and sacramental care.

TSLCC understands Holy Orders as a vocation of servant-leadership, exercised in humility, integrity, and compassion. Ordination is recognised in those who demonstrate a mature spiritual life, a clear sense of calling, theological openness within the Liberal Catholic tradition, and a commitment to inclusive, affirming ministry.

Those admitted to ordained ministry are expected to live in accordance with the Church’s Rule of Life, ethical standards, safeguarding requirements, and pastoral expectations. Ordination is never regarded as an honour or status, but as a responsibility undertaken for the good of the faithful and the wider world.

 

Incardination

Incardination is the formal canonical act by which an ordained cleric is received into, and placed under the pastoral and ecclesial authority of, The Sanctuary Liberal Catholic Church. Through incardination, a cleric becomes fully accountable to TSLCC and is recognised as exercising ministry in the name of and on behalf of the Church.

Clergy may be incardinated into TSLCC having been validly ordained in another Christian jurisdiction, subject to prayerful discernment, review of orders, and formal acceptance by the appropriate ecclesial authority.

Incardination establishes a mutual relationship of responsibility:

The cleric commits to the mission, discipline, theology, and governance of TSLCC.

The Church commits to pastoral oversight, spiritual support, and canonical recognition of the cleric’s ministry.

Until incardination is formally completed, no cleric may publicly function, represent themselves, or administer sacraments as clergy of TSLCC.

 

Unity of Vocation and Belonging

Ordination and incardination together express both calling and belonging: the personal vocation to ordained ministry and the communal reality of serving within a particular Church. In TSLCC, these are held together in a spirit of trust, mutual accountability, and a shared commitment to Christ’s inclusive and healing love.