Any clergy person who is not canonically resident in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and wishes to officiate in ECCT on a regular basis for more than two (2) months must obtain a License to Officiate in accordance with the Canons of The Episcopal Church*.
Clergy must be canonically resident in another diocese in The Episcopal Church or a branch of the Anglican Communion, or be ordained by a denomination in full communion with The Episcopal Church, to be licensed.
Licenses are currently being issued through December 31, 2028.
Application Process
- Complete the online application form linked below to indicate your interest in being licensed in ECCT.
- Meet with one of ECCT’s bishops at a time arranged with the Bishop’s Office.
As part of the process you may be asked to provide the following to the Bishop’s Office:
- A letter of good standing from the bishop of your diocese of canonical residence.
- A resume.
- A certificate of completion from ECCT’s Comprehensive Safe Church Training.*
- A completed Background and Reference Check.
*Note: If you have previously completed online courses through Praesidium, you may be asked to provide copies of your course certificates. You may not have to complete the online portion; however, you are required to complete the in-person section as this is specific to ECCT’s portion of Safe Church Training and complies with Connecticut’s statutes for protecting the vulnerable.
*The Canons of The Episcopal Church (Of the Life and Work of Deacons and Of the Life and Work of Priests)
Title Ill, Canon 7, Section 6(a) (Of the Life and Work of Deacons)
A Deacon may not serve as Deacon for more than two months in any Diocese other than the Diocese in which the Deacon is canonically resident unless the Bishop of the other Diocese shall have granted a license to the Deacon to serve in that Diocese.
Title Ill, Canon 9, Section l(a) (Of the Life and Work of Priests)
No Priest shall preach, minister the Sacraments, or hold any public service, within the limits of any Diocese other than the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident for more than two months without a license from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Priest desires to so officiate. No Priest shall be denied such a license on account of the Priest’s race, color, ethnic origin, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age, except as otherwise provided in these Canons. Upon expiration or withdrawal of a license,
a priest shall cease immediately to officiate.