In 1980 the Holy See, in response to requests from priests and laity of the Episcopal Church who were seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, created a pastoral provision to provide them with special pastoral attention. The Pastoral Provision is under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith whose Delegate directs the working of the Provision.

Under the Provision the ordination of married Episcopal priests was made possible. It also authorized the establishment of personal parishes in dioceses of the United States in response to the request of former faithful of the Episcopal Church in which they may retain certain liturgical elements proper to the Anglican tradition. The special liturgy was subsequently approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Committee for the Liturgy of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Pastoral Provision is a service rendered to the bishops of the United States by which former Episcopal ministers who have been accepted as candidates for priestly ordination receive theological, spiritual, and pastoral preparation for ministry in the Catholic Church. It is to prepare former Episcopalian priests for service in Catholic Dioceses of the United States.

Since 1983 more than 100 men have been ordained for priestly ministry in Catholic dioceses of the United States; three personal parishes have been established and the Book of Divine Worship has been authorized.

Even with the establishment of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, the Pastoral Provision remains available for individuals and married former Episcopalian priests to become Catholic priests in a diocese.


Correspondence concerning the Pastoral Provision can be addressed to:

Bishop Kevin W. Vann J.D.C., D.D
The Pastoral Provision Office
Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
800 West Loop 820 South
Fort Worth, Texas 76108-2919

Marlon de la Torre, MA MEd.
Secretary to Pastoral Provision Office
(817) 560-3300