The Celtic Christian Church recognizes the variety
of calls within the Church.
A vocation, in the context of Christian life, is a
call to serve God and the People of
God in a specific way of life, married, vowed, or ordained. In the Celtic
Christian Church all three are possible for both men and
women.
Whether one is called to married or single life each
person is sacred and each path is sacred as we live the Christian life of
service to one another. We support the spiritual journey
of our married and single members who are called to live by a Rule of Life.
The Order of the Merciful Christ
was founded to answer that call, and welcomes members from
the Celtic Christian Church and other Catholic Churches to
live by the ancient Celtic Rule of St. Columba.
The Franciscans of the Divine Mercy
was founded for members of the CCC and other Catholic
Churches to live by the Rule for Secular Franciscans.
Whether one is married or single, we recognize the
call to serve at the altar is indeed heard by some, whether male or female.
The Celtic Christian Church will listen to this call with an individual, support
him or her as it is discerned within a communal setting, and assist in formation
for the call that is heard.
With these options in mind, we urge each person to have a
spiritual director, guide, or spiritual friend who can help on a personal level
as one discerns what God may be saying. We encourage openness with one's
bishop in this honest attempt to work within the Church tradition of being in
union with one's bishop. We require that each be a part of a community of
Faith, and that this community of Faith be served to each individual's capacity,
given the gifts he or she has.
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Holy Orders
The Celtic Christian
Church recognizes that God calls both men and women, married
or celibate to serve as priests.
Our Formation Program
for Holy Orders is
serious and thorough. Our bishops and mentors work with each
individual as s/he prepares for Orders, and are always
available and approachable.
For the protection of the people
of God, in practice of
due diligence on the part of our bishops and vocation
office, all persons entering the Formation Program OR
seeking incardination within the CCC must submit current
criminal history and child abuse clearances, as well as take
the battery of psychological tests administered by our
psychologists. Each applicant will complete
a personal questionnaire to be submitted to the bishop and
to sign our
Statement of Faith
as well as sign a "hold-harmless"
agreement.
Additionally, all those incardinating are required to
complete our Celtic Christian theology program ,
and
any other theological, clinical pastoral education training
as required by our bishops. unless the required material
has been completed elsewhere and is documented.
This practice is
intentionally strict, and has served our Church well because
not all theological training is indeed equal, and not all
priests who are ordained have had access to good seminary
training.
Click below for:
Our Statement of Faith
Our Formation Program for Holy Orders
Women Priests
The Order of the Merciful Christ
Franciscans of the Divine Mercy
or write for
Vocation Information
the Celtic
Christian Church
