FREE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMMES

for Clergy Formation in the Independent Sacramental Movement

About Our Free Courses

The Seminary of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the formation house of the Ancient Apostolic Catholic Church, is pleased to offer a suite of free certificate programmes designed to address the most widely recognised formation gaps among clergy serving within the independent sacramental movement.

Research into clergy formation across the independent Catholic, Old Catholic, and broader independent sacramental traditions consistently identifies several areas in which ordained ministers have received little or no structured education. The challenge of clergy training has been described as the single most important challenge facing the movement. Too often, formation has depended upon fragments: scattered reading, informal mentoring, sacramental training without broader theological depth, or the assumption that sincerity and a sense of vocation alone are sufficient preparation for the demands of priestly ministry.

These five certificate programmes have been developed in direct response to those identified needs. They are offered entirely free of charge as a service to the wider Church, in the conviction that every priest and deacon, regardless of jurisdiction, deserves access to rigorous, accessible theological education. No candidate will be asked for payment at any stage of study; however, those who complete a programme and wish to support the ongoing work of the Seminary are welcome to make a voluntary donation towards administrative costs and the fees of teaching staff at the conclusion of their course. Each programme is self-contained and may be undertaken independently of the others, or candidates may choose to complete several certificates as part of a broader programme of continuing ministerial development.

The five certificates, totalling sixty (60) credit hours of free formation, address the following core areas:

• Certificate in Sacred Scripture for Ministry — 10 credit hours

• Certificate in Sacramental and Liturgical Theology — 15 credit hours

• Certificate in Church History and Ecclesiology — 10 credit hours

• Certificate in Pastoral Ministry and Homiletics — 15 credit hours

• Certificate in Foundations of Catholic Doctrine — 10 credit hours

Candidates who complete one or more free certificates and subsequently enrol in the Seminary’s Master of Arts in Ministry (MMin) programme may, at the discretion of the academic advisor, receive credit towards their degree for modules already completed.

Certificate in Sacred Scripture for Ministry

Course Code: C(SSM)

The Certificate in Sacred Scripture for Ministry provides a foundational education in the study and interpretation of the Bible, equipping clergy with the knowledge and critical skills necessary to read, teach, and preach from the scriptures with confidence and fidelity to the Catholic tradition.

Candidates undertaking the certificate can expect to fulfil the programme requirements within approximately one year of part-time study. All programme requirements must be completed within two years of initial enrolment.

The primary aim of the C(SSM) programme is to address the widespread lack of biblical literacy among clergy in the independent sacramental movement by offering a structured, accessible introduction to the major divisions of Sacred Scripture, the principles of sound biblical interpretation, and the relationship between scripture, tradition, and the liturgical life of the Church.

Course Requirements

Students must complete ten (10) credit hours of course work according to the following distribution:

Sacred Scripture: 10 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Introduction to Sacred Scripture and Biblical Interpretation

• 4 credit hours in Old Testament Studies

• 3 credit hours in New Testament Studies

Candidates are required to complete all three modules listed below:

Sacred Scripture

SS 110 Introduction to Sacred Scripture and Biblical Interpretation — required course

An introduction to the nature, inspiration, and authority of Sacred Scripture within the Catholic tradition. Students will explore the formation of the biblical canon, the relationship between scripture and tradition, and the principal methods of biblical interpretation, including historical-critical, literary, and canonical approaches. The module establishes the hermeneutical foundations upon which all subsequent scripture study depends.

SS 111 The Old Testament: Law, History, Wisdom, and Prophecy — required course

A survey of the major divisions of the Old Testament: the Pentateuch, the Historical Books, the Wisdom Literature, and the Prophetic Books. Students will examine the key theological themes of covenant, creation, law, exile, and redemption, and will consider how the Old Testament scriptures are received and proclaimed within Catholic liturgical and doctrinal life.

SS 112 The New Testament: Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles — required course

A study of the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline and Catholic Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. Students will examine the literary forms, theological perspectives, and historical contexts of the New Testament writings, with particular attention to their significance for preaching, catechesis, and the celebration of the sacraments.

Certificate in Sacramental and Liturgical Theology

Course Code: C(SLT)

The Certificate in Sacramental and Liturgical Theology offers a comprehensive introduction to the theology, history, and practice of the seven sacraments and the liturgical life of the Church. The programme is designed to move clergy beyond the mere ability to perform rites towards a deep understanding of the theological realities that the sacraments signify and effect.

Candidates undertaking the certificate can expect to fulfil the programme requirements within approximately eighteen months of part-time study. All programme requirements must be completed within three years of initial enrolment.

The primary aim of the C(SLT) programme is to provide clergy with a thorough grounding in sacramental theology and liturgical practice, addressing the widely acknowledged gap between the ability to celebrate rites and the capacity to understand, teach, and pastoral-ly inhabit the Church’s sacramental and liturgical tradition.

Course Requirements

Students must complete fifteen (15) credit hours of course work according to the following distribution:

Sacramental Theology: 9 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Foundations of Liturgical Theology

• 3 credit hours in Eucharistic Theology

• 3 credit hours in General Sacramental Theology

Liturgical Practice: 6 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Liturgical Practice and the Liturgical Year

• 3 credit hours in the Divine Office and the Prayer of the Church

Candidates are required to complete all five modules listed below:

Sacramental Theology

LT 110 Foundations of Liturgical Theology — required course

An introduction to the theology of worship, examining the nature and purpose of the liturgy, the relationship between lex orandi and lex credendi, and the historical development of Christian worship from the apostolic age to the present day. Students will explore the theological principles that underpin all liturgical celebration and consider the liturgy as the source and summit of the Church’s life.

LT 111 The Eucharist: History, Theology, and Celebration — required course

A detailed study of the Eucharist as the central sacrament of the Church. The module examines the scriptural foundations of the Eucharist, the development of eucharistic theology through the patristic, scholastic, and modern periods, the theology of real presence and sacrifice, and the practical dimensions of the celebration of the Mass. Particular attention is given to the eucharistic theology of the independent Catholic tradition.

LT 112 The Sacraments: Initiation, Healing, and Vocation — required course

A comprehensive survey of the six sacraments beyond the Eucharist: the sacraments of initiation (Baptism and Confirmation), the sacraments of healing (Penance and the Anointing of the Sick), and the sacraments of vocation (Holy Orders and Matrimony). For each sacrament, the module covers scriptural foundations, historical development, theological meaning, canonical requirements, and pastoral practice.

Liturgical Practice

LT 113 Liturgical Practice: Rites, Rubrics, and the Liturgical Year — required course

A practical module addressing the competent celebration of the Church’s rites. Students will study liturgical rubrics, ceremonial, the structure and theology of the liturgical year, the proper use of liturgical vestments and furnishings, and the adaptation of liturgical celebration to the particular circumstances of small and dispersed communities. The module includes guided liturgical practicums.

LT 114 The Divine Office and the Prayer of the Church — required course

An introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours as the public prayer of the Church. The module covers the history and development of the Divine Office, its theological significance, the structure of the Hours, psalmody, hymnody, and the practical integration of the Office into the daily rhythm of priestly life and ministry. Students will engage in the regular praying of the Office as part of their formation.

Certificate in Church History and Ecclesiology

Course Code: C(CHE)

The Certificate in Church History and Ecclesiology provides a structured introduction to the history of the Christian Church from the apostolic age to the present day, together with a sustained study of ecclesiology: the theological understanding of the nature, mission, and structure of the Church. The programme equips clergy to situate their own ministry and jurisdiction within the broader story of the Church catholic.

Candidates undertaking the certificate can expect to fulfil the programme requirements within approximately one year of part-time study. All programme requirements must be completed within two years of initial enrolment.

The primary aim of the C(CHE) programme is to address the frequent lack of historical and ecclesiological awareness among clergy in the independent sacramental movement, providing a clear understanding of how the Church has developed, how schisms and reform movements have shaped Christianity, and how independent Catholic communities relate to the apostolic and conciliar heritage of the undivided Church.

Course Requirements

Students must complete ten (10) credit hours of course work according to the following distribution:

Church History: 6 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Church History: The Apostolic Age to the Great Schism

• 3 credit hours in Church History: The Reformation to the Modern Era

Ecclesiology: 4 credit hours

• 4 credit hours in Ecclesiology: The Nature, Mission, and Structure of the Church

Candidates are required to complete all three modules listed below:

Church History

CH 110 Church History I: The Apostolic Age to the Great Schism — required course

A survey of the history of Christianity from the apostolic community to the East–West Schism of 1054. Topics include the expansion of the early Church, the age of persecution and martyrdom, the Constantinian settlement, the ecumenical councils, the development of creeds and doctrine, the rise of monasticism, the patristic tradition, and the growing divergence between the Latin West and the Greek East.

CH 111 Church History II: The Reformation to the Modern Era — required course

A study of the history of Christianity from the late medieval period to the present day. Topics include the Western Schism, the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Council of Trent, the First Vatican Council, the Old Catholic movement, the Oxford Movement, the Second Vatican Council, and the emergence of the independent sacramental movement. Particular attention is given to the historical origins of independent Catholicism and the question of apostolic succession.

Ecclesiology

EC 110 Ecclesiology: The Nature, Mission, and Structure of the Church — required course

A theological study of the Church as the Body of Christ, the People of God, and the communion of the faithful. The module examines the marks of the Church (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic), the theology of apostolic succession and episcopal governance, models of ecclesiology from the patristic period to the present, the relationship between local and universal Church, and the particular ecclesiological questions raised by dispersed jurisdictions and small communities within the independent Catholic tradition.

Certificate in Pastoral Ministry and Homiletics

Course Code: C(PMH)

The Certificate in Pastoral Ministry and Homiletics provides a thorough grounding in the theology and practice of pastoral care, together with structured training in the art of preaching. The programme recognises that the priest is called not only to celebrate the mysteries but to proclaim the Gospel, accompany the faithful, care for the sick and the dying, and serve the wider community with compassion and competence.

Candidates undertaking the certificate can expect to fulfil the programme requirements within approximately eighteen months of part-time study. All programme requirements must be completed within three years of initial enrolment.

The primary aim of the C(PMH) programme is to develop the practical ministerial skills that are essential to faithful and effective priestly service, addressing the consistently identified need for structured formation in preaching, pastoral care, counselling, and the diverse contexts in which independent Catholic clergy are called to minister.

Course Requirements

Students must complete fifteen (15) credit hours of course work according to the following distribution:

Pastoral Studies: 9 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Foundations of Pastoral Theology

• 3 credit hours in Pastoral Care and Counselling

• 3 credit hours in Ministry in Context

Homiletics and Practicum: 6 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Homiletics

• 3 credit hours in Pastoral Practicum

Candidates are required to complete all five modules listed below:

Pastoral Studies

PA 110 Foundations of Pastoral Theology — required course

An introduction to the theology and methodology of Christian pastoral ministry. The module examines the scriptural and theological foundations of pastoral care, the identity and role of the ordained minister as pastor, the integration of spirituality and ministry, and the particular challenges and opportunities of pastoral work in small, dispersed, and independent Catholic communities.

PA 111 Pastoral Care and Counselling — required course

A practical module equipping clergy with the foundational skills of pastoral care and counselling. Topics include active listening and empathic presence, the theology of suffering and hope, ministry to the bereaved and the dying, crisis intervention, safeguarding and professional boundaries, and the appropriate referral of parishioners to specialist services. The module addresses the particular pastoral needs encountered in hospital and hospice chaplaincy, prison ministry, and community outreach.

PA 112 Ministry in Context: Chaplaincy, Community, and Outreach — required course

A study of the diverse contexts in which independent Catholic clergy exercise ministry beyond the parish. The module explores chaplaincy (healthcare, military, educational, and workplace), community engagement, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, ministry to the marginalised, and the development of outreach programmes. Students will reflect on the distinctive vocation of independent Catholic ministry in settings where the Church is present not through institutional structures but through the witness of individual clergy and small communities.

Homiletics and Practicum

HO 110 Homiletics: The Theology and Practice of Preaching — required course

A comprehensive introduction to the art and theology of preaching. Students will study the scriptural mandate to proclaim the Word, the history and development of the homiletic tradition, the structure and preparation of the homily, the use of scripture in preaching, rhetorical and communicative skills, and the particular demands of preaching to small congregations. The module includes the preparation, delivery, and peer review of practice homilies.

PA 113 Pastoral Practicum — required course

A supervised practical placement in which candidates apply the knowledge and skills acquired across the certificate programme. Under the guidance of a mentor, students will engage in a structured programme of pastoral activity within their own ministry context, maintaining a reflective journal and participating in theological reflection seminars. The practicum provides the opportunity to integrate theological learning with lived ministerial experience.

Certificate in Foundations of Catholic Doctrine

Course Code: C(FCD)

The Certificate in Foundations of Catholic Doctrine provides a structured introduction to the central doctrines of the Catholic faith, encompassing systematic theology, moral theology, and Catholic social teaching. The programme is designed for clergy who have received little or no formal doctrinal education and who seek a solid grounding in the faith they are called to teach and defend.

Candidates undertaking the certificate can expect to fulfil the programme requirements within approximately one year of part-time study. All programme requirements must be completed within two years of initial enrolment.

The primary aim of the C(FCD) programme is to equip clergy with a clear, coherent understanding of Catholic doctrine, enabling them to teach, catechise, and give an informed account of the faith. The programme addresses the recognised tendency within the independent sacramental movement for clergy to subscribe to standard Catholic theology without having undertaken sustained theological study, and the consequent need for structured doctrinal formation.

Course Requirements

Students must complete ten (10) credit hours of course work according to the following distribution:

Systematic Theology: 4 credit hours

• 4 credit hours in Foundations of Systematic Theology

Moral Theology: 3 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Fundamental Moral Theology

Applied Theology: 3 credit hours

• 3 credit hours in Catholic Social Teaching and Applied Ethics

Candidates are required to complete all three modules listed below:

Systematic Theology

DT 110 Foundations of Systematic Theology: God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit — required course

A foundational study of the central doctrines of the Christian faith. The module examines the doctrine of God (the Trinity, divine attributes, creation and providence), Christology (the person and work of Christ, the Incarnation, the atonement, and the resurrection), and Pneumatology (the person and work of the Holy Spirit). Students will engage with the creeds and conciliar definitions, the patristic and scholastic traditions, and contemporary theological reflection.

Moral Theology

DT 111 Fundamental Moral Theology — required course

An introduction to the principles and methods of Catholic moral theology. The module covers the nature of morality, conscience and moral decision-making, natural law, virtue ethics, the Ten Commandments as a framework for the moral life, the theology of sin and grace, and the role of the magisterium in moral teaching. Students will examine contemporary moral questions in the light of the Catholic tradition, with particular attention to the pastoral application of moral principles.

Applied Theology

DT 112 Catholic Social Teaching and Applied Ethics — required course

A study of the Church’s social doctrine and its application to contemporary ethical questions. The module examines the key principles of Catholic social teaching (human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity, the preferential option for the poor), the major social encyclicals, and the application of these principles to issues including poverty and economic justice, bioethics, environmental stewardship, and the ethics of war and peace. The module equips clergy to speak with confidence and theological depth on the moral challenges facing their communities.

General Regulations

Admission

The free certificate programmes are open to all ordained and candidate clergy of any jurisdiction within the independent sacramental movement, as well as to lay ministers and interested laypersons. No prior academic qualifications are required for admission. Candidates must complete a simple enrolment form and provide a brief statement of their ministry context and formation goals. A copy of your ordination is all that is required to set you on your learning journey.

Mode of Study

All free certificate programmes are delivered through distance learning, combining self-directed study with online tutorials, written assignments, and, where applicable, supervised practical work. The programmes are designed to accommodate the commitments of clergy who are engaged in full-time secular employment alongside their ministry.

Assessment

Each module is assessed through a combination of written coursework, reflective essays, and, where specified, practical assessments. There will be a formal examination in the form of an essay of between 1,500 and 2,000 words at the culmination of the course. Assessment is criterion-referenced, and candidates are expected to demonstrate engagement with the course material, critical reflection, and the ability to apply theological knowledge to their ministry context.

Certification

Upon successful completion of all modules within a certificate programme, candidates will receive a certificate issued by the Seminary of Saint Thomas Aquinas under the authority of the Ancient Apostolic Catholic Church. Candidates who subsequently enrol in the MMin programme may, at the discretion of the Rector and the academic advisor, receive credit towards their degree for modules completed within the free certificate programmes.