Overseas Clergy

Overseas Clergy

Overseas Clergy from churches within the Anglican Communion who wish to accept a post or to minister in a Diocese within an English Province will need to obtain approval from the Archbishop of Canterbury through the office of the Provincial Registrar at Church House before taking up any post in the Diocese. This process is governed by the Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967  

Guidance notes for clergy are available at OPTO Non CofE Clergy – GUIDE. An application form is available through a link at  OPTO Application Form – Canterbury Province. When completed the application should initially be sent to the Bishop of the Diocese in which the cleric intends to serve, and then forwarded to The Provincial Registrar, Legal Office, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ, together with the following:

  1. Copies of Letters of Orders as Deacon and Priest as appropriate
  2. A letter from the ‘sending’ Bishop confirming that the applicant is in good standing; and
  3. A copy of a letter indicating that the Bishop of the ‘receiving’ diocese is willing to give the applicant permission to officiate in the diocese.

Note that visiting Overseas Bishops (as opposed to Deacons and Priests) are subject to a slightly different approval process under section 4 of the 1967 Measure.

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