Appendix C
revised June 2002

DIOCESE OF MAINE

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION AS A POSTULANT FOR HOLY ORDERS

To The Right Reverend Chilton Knudsen, Bishop of Maine:

I hereby make application to be admitted as a Postulant for Holy Orders.

 

I. Biographical Information

Full Name _____________________________________________________________

Address _______________________________________________________________

E-Mail Address _________________________________________________________

Telephone _____________________________________________________________

Date of Birth ________________________ Marital Status _______________________

I have resided in the Diocese of Maine since __________________________________

I am a member in good standing of the following Congregation:

__________________________________Church, _______________________, Maine

Name of Sponsoring Presbyter _____________________________

Date and Location of Baptism ____________________________________________

I was baptized by ________________________________________________

Date and Location of Confirmation ________________________________________

I was confirmed by ______________________________________________

 

I have ( ) have not ( ) previously applied for admission as a Postulant for Holy Orders.

If the answer is affirmative, please state details on separate attachment.

I intend to seek ordination to ( ) the Diaconate ( ) the Priesthood.

The Sponsoring Presbyter has informed me that she/he sent the written report (See Part V below) to the Bishop on ______________.  (date)

II. Education History

 

Name of College/University Years Enrolled Degree/Major

______________________________ ___________ ____________

______________________________ ___________ ____________

______________________________ ___________ ____________

Describe in a separate attachment other training you have received that you believe is relevant.

III. Attachments

Note: This application will not be considered complete until all attachments are delivered to the office of the Bishop. Please note that all of these items are copied and are available for Interview Team and COHO review.

A. The certification from the Commission on Ministry of completion of its discernment process and the results of that portion of the discernment process designed specifically for applicants for Holy Orders. In special cases a letter from the Bishop verifying comparable experience satisfactory for discernment will replace the certification from the Commission on Ministry.

B. An essay indicating why you are moved to seek Holy Orders.

C. Full official transcripts of all post high school academic work completed.

D. Certification of participation in Diocesan course of training regarding appropriate sexual conduct, or equivalent training acceptable to the Bishop, or a written commitment to complete this training as soon as possible.

E. List any current employment and any employment in the past ten years. Include name of employer, description of responsibilities and period of employment. A current resume is satisfactory for this purpose.

F. Certificate of Endorsement with accompanying letter from the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee (Appendix B), including detailed statement.

  1. Separate Letter of support from sponsoring Clergy (see part V of this Appendix.)

H. the signed Representations and Authorizations page (Appendix C section IV).

IV. Representations and Authorizations

A. I authorize the Commission on Ministry to release to COHO and to the Bishop those reports from the discernment program which are specifically designated for this reporting purpose.

B. I understand that I am under a continuing obligation to provide COHO with any information that would correct any representations to COHO on any applications or other documents in its possession that are or become inaccurate at any time during the period subsequent to my being accepted as a Postulant for Holy Orders, and that failure to do so shall constitute grounds for my removal from the Register as a Postulant or Candidate.

C. I authorize the Bishop of Maine and COHO to request from me any further information which is deemed relevant to determining my suitability or fitness for Holy Orders, or my continuing progress in the ordination process. If I am accepted as a Postulant, I understand that both COHO and the Bishop have a responsibility to seek and receive any information which they reasonably determine they must have in the exercise of their duties.

In every possible case, my permission and signed release will be sought for such an inquiry. However, I understand that information may come to the Bishop or to COHO without my knowledge or express permission. Wherever possible, questions arising from such information will be discussed with me. I acknowledge that information given to the Bishop may be offered in the understanding that the Bishop will hold such information confidential and that the Bishop, in that instance, must comply.

D. I acknowledge that Postulancy and Candidacy are terms denoting canonical status and that the Bishop, in exercising the responsibilities of episcopal office, may need to seek information about me which is not specified in the procedures in this Handbook. I acknowledge the Bishop’s prerogative to do so, and waive my right to claim privileged communication, except for those circumstances which are understood to be absolutely binding as to confidentiality (eg., the Sacrament of Reconciliation). I understand that the Bishop will make no inquiry of my personal therapist, spiritual director or physician without my signed release, except in extreme cases (danger to self or to others) where circumstances require the Bishop to make such inquiry.

 

Date ________________________ ___________________________________

Signature of Applicant

V. Letter of Recommendation from Sponsoring Presbyter to the Bishop

To the Sponsoring Presbyter:

Please write a letter to the Bishop with your recommendations about this
applicant. Your letter will be shared with the Committee on Holy Orders.
Please cover at least the following topics:


A. FINANCIAL

Please describe how the applicant will provide financial support for his/her
self and family during the educational program required for ordination.
In your opinion, are these expectations realistic?


B. FAMILY

If the applicant is not single, give a brief evaluation of the partner’s feelings
regarding the applicant’s intent to enter Ordained Ministry.
If the applicant has children, give a brief account of their feelings about
the applicant’s intent to enter Ordained Ministry.


C. EVALUATION

Please comment concerning your feelings about the applicant’s strengths and
weaknesses.

What is your assessment, factual and intuitive, of the applicant’s quality of
Christian commitment for Ordained Ministry?


D. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Anything else about the applicant that you feel is relevant for the Bishop's
consideration?

If, in addition to this formal recommendation, you wish to communicate
privately with the Bishop, please send a separate letter marked "Confidential
to the Bishop."

 

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