Overseas clergy applications

Policy and procedures for overseas and other clergy applications^[1]

Introduction

1. The Diocese of Lichfield welcomes and values the contributions of priests and deacons from the wider Anglican Communion who find themselves in a position to offer ministry in our diocese. As a diocese, we are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We particularly want to encourage ministry opportunities for those from Global Majority Heritage (GMH) communities. We are keen to build on existing partnerships with our link dioceses, others from the wider Anglican Communion and other churches in communion with the Church of England and/or whose orders are recognised and accepted by the Church of England.
2. This policy supports and will assist in achieving diocesan strategic objectives on diversity: ‘Every worshipping community reflecting the diversity of the community it serves’ and leadership: ‘All people being able to see themselves reflected in the leadership and governance of the diocese.’ This policy is one way to satisfy those objectives. In the longer term, the objective: ‘a strengthened culture of vocation amongst all God’s people, and at least 30 new licensed lay ministers and 30 ordinations a year,’ is another.

Yet diversity and inclusion are broader than that, and welcoming clergy to minister from any nation where possible, whether reflected in the community or not models the diversity of the family to which we belong, the Body of Christ

Overseas Permission to Officiate (OPTO)

3. The Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967 stipulates that clergy ordained in churches in communion with the Church of England, or of churches whose ordination the Church of England accepts, require permission from the relevant Archbishop before they can officiate at a Church of England service of any kind^[2] . (Further information about OPTO can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/legal-resources/archbishops-opto)
4. Members of the clergy ordained by Bishops in the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Church in Wales or the Church of Ireland do not need the Archbishop’s Permission. However, the Diocesan Bishop of the diocese in which the applicant wishes to officiate will need to grant a diocesan authority to officiate.
5. The legal effect of an Overseas Permission to Officiate (OPTO) is to put that cleric in the same position as a Clerk in Holy Orders of the Church of England so that the overseas (or other) cleric possesses “all such rights and advantages” and is “subject to all such duties and liabilities” as they would have possessed (and been subject to) if they had been ordained by the bishop of a diocese in the province of Canterbury or York.
6. Any clergy ordained overseas and wishing to minister in the Diocese of Lichfield will require:

• Proof of eligibility to reside in the UK under the UK Government visa system and Proof of Right to Work in the UK.
• Archbishops’ Overseas Permission to Officiate (OPTO) in addition to diocesan authorisation (PTO). OPTO applications are processed by the Chaplain to the Bishop of Lichfield.

Overseas and other clergy applying for stipendiary posts

7. The term ‘stipendiary’ ministry here refers to all forms of remunerated clerical offices, including full and part-time paid ministries and House for Duty posts.
8. For clergy ordained overseas and in other churches, stipendiary posts, including incumbent, associate minister, interim, or house for duty will be open only to those with at least 3 years’ experience in ordained full-time ministry (or a proven equivalent) and with a supporting statement from their current bishop stating their eligibility and suitability.[3] OPTO, proof of eligibility to reside and to work in the UK and compliance with Safer Recruitment will be required. Any offer of a post will be subject to these requirements being satisfactorily fulfilled before any licensing can take place.
9. For senior leadership posts above incumbency level, any stipulations in the person specification regarding length of service in a particular role as a requirement for potential candidates will also apply to clergy from around the Anglican Communion.
10. Candidates invited to interview will normally be expected to attend in person (except under exceptional circumstances). When a candidate travels to interview from the country of origin, the parish will pay travel expenses only from the point of disembarkation and back within the United Kingdom.
11. For applications made directly from the country of origin, overseas permission to officiate (OPTO) will be sought for successful candidates after an offer has been made, and the offer will be subject to the issue of an OPTO, proof of eligibility to reside and to work in the UK, and compliance with Safer Recruitment.
12. Induction training and familiarisation with the Church of England and Lichfield diocesan context will be provided as appropriate for all overseas and other clergy when a new ministry commences or prior to applying for posts, should the candidate choose to do so. The area bishop, in conjunction with the archdeacon and ministry officers, will offer a pastoral supervisor and mentor to all new incumbents. 

Overseas and other clergy in the UK seeking stipendiary ministry in the Diocese of Lichfield but without the necessary experience and qualification

13. All overseas and other clergy, without the necessary experience and qualification to apply for stipendiary posts as outlined above, already in the United Kingdom and seeking opportunities for ministry in the Diocese of Lichfield, are required to have an OPTO by the Archbishop of Canterbury and a PTO issued by the Bishop of Lichfield. Application for an OPTO and PTO is subject to the recommendation of the relevant area bishop. Proof of eligibility to reside in the UK, compliance with Safer Recruitment, and a suitable reference from the candidate’s previous bishop will all be required.
14. All those issued with OPTO and PTO will be attached by the area bishop to a suitable parish and offered 3-6 months of training and familiarisation with the Church of England and Lichfield diocesan context (Phase 1- Induction).  Additionally, the Area Bishop will assign an experienced priest as a mentor and coach.
15. Following at least 3-6 months induction and familiarisation, and in consultation with the Area Bishop, a clergyperson holding an OPTO and PTO may:
    • • Attend a National Candidate’s Panel (NCP) to discern if they are ready and wish to enter stipendiary incumbent ministry. The question posed to the Panel is ‘May this priest be licensed to exercise stipendiary incumbent ministry in the Church of England?’ A subsidiary question is usually, ‘If so, what training is required?’
      • Attend a Diocesan Candidate’s Panel (DCP) to discern if they are ready and wish to exercise Assistant Level Ministry (Stipendiary or SSM)[4] in the Church of England.
      • Continue with PTO (renewable at the appropriate date)

Diocesan Candidate’s Panel

16. The Clergyperson attending a Diocesan Candidate’s Panel (DCP) will be required to demonstrate that they have sufficient experience and understanding of ministry in the Church of England to be granted a licence for Assistant Ministry in the diocese.
17. The DCP may recommend the candidate:
    • Should continue in their current or a similar ministry role with OPTO and PTO, renewable at the appropriate date, while receiving further training and development for a further 3-6 months. (Phase 2 - Familiarisation, arranged by the Area Bishop). The Clergy person will be required to demonstrate, by the end of Phase 2 - Familiarisation, through an end-of-term review, that they have sufficient experience and understanding of ministry in the Church of England. Considering the end-of-term review, the area Bishop will recommend whether the clergyperson is eligible to apply for an Assistant Minister post.
    • Be eligible to apply for an Assistant Minister post in consultation with the Area Bishop and the Bishop of Lichfield. Additionally, a mentor and pastoral supervisor will be offered to provide ongoing development, support and training during their tenure in the post.
18. A clergyperson for whom the Area Bishop is not willing to write a recommendation for Assistant Ministry has the option to request the Bishop of Lichfield to reconsider the decision through an appeal process.
19. Where the clergyperson is unable, at the end of Phase 2 Familiarisation, to demonstrate suitable experience and understanding of ministry in the Church of England, the Phase 2 Familiarisation will come to an end. While the responsibility for the next step for the clergyperson will rest with the individual themselves, the area bishop, supported by the Bishop’s Officers, will want to provide appropriate support as they explore other types of employment, training, and/or other avenues for service.
20. For those recommended for Assistant or Incumbent Post responsibility, no guarantee is given that a suitable post will be available in the Diocese of Lichfield, nor should such assumption be made. However, the clergyperson will be free to apply for any vacancies available at the time.