Anglo-Catholic Ordination Candidates Fund

The Anglo-Catholic Ordination Candidates Fund, established in 1927 by leading Anglo-Catholic figures, is dedicated to sustaining the Catholic tradition within the Church of England by providing financial assistance to individuals pursuing ordained ministry. Its mission centers on enabling those with a clear vocation—particularly committed to the traditional Catholic understanding of priesthood and episcopate—to overcome financial barriers through deep theological formation, academic study, pastoral placements, and practical training rooted in Anglo-Catholic liturgical and ecclesiological principles. Core values emphasize tradition, vocation, theological rigor, and preserving a faithful Anglo-Catholic clergy presence UK-wide, including churches in full communion.

The fund primarily supports individual ordinands and potential ordinands whose training costs exceed Church funding, as well as select theological colleges and institutions aligned with Anglo-Catholic ethos. Grants cover specific ordination-related expenses like unmet tuition fees, pastoral assistant schemes, and formation programs, aiming to boost the number and quality of clergy equipped for traditional ministry.

Eligible applicants are UK-based individuals preparing for ordination in the Church of England or communion churches, demonstrating strong Anglo-Catholic commitment; occasional support extends to aligned academic institutions. No strict income limits apply, and unsolicited applications are welcomed via online form, with annual trustee meetings and decisions in the submission year—apply early in the academic cycle, as 2025 grants are fixed at £650 standard, potentially more for fees.

Distinctively specialist, the fund excludes non-Anglo-Catholic candidates, general living costs, or organizational core funding, focusing solely on mission-driven aid to safeguard this niche tradition amid broader Anglican shifts, setting it apart as a vital continuity provider for UK Anglo-Catholic ministry.