Membership of the Society is open to all, both clerical and lay, who are willing to keep the Rule of the Society of Traditional Old Catholics, and seeks to create and foster within all of its Members, the dedication of a life of absolute fidelity to the Gospel, to a structured lifestyle of daily prayer, and of a lifestyle that values and demonstrates the highest moral values to the world in which we all live.
Membership of the Society of Traditional Old Catholics is a life-long commitment and resignation from the Society is explored by counsel and support with the Superior or his delegate. This may include an agreed period of sabbatical, but if there is no resolution to be found, then the member should submit a letter of formal resignation.
As the new Member contemplates the following of the Rule of the Society, they must understand that the Rule is primarily a spiritual endeavour and is not to be taken as the Society’s Code of Conduct, this may be found in a separate place and must also be taken into consideration before formally accepting the Rule.
The Code of Conduct includes this directive: at all times, and in all places, members of the Society are to demonstrate a countenance and demeanour worthy of the Gospel ethic, and as an ambassador of the Society of Traditional Old Catholics. Any behaviour or communication, of any agency or means or medium, which is considered to be unacceptable by the Society, or unbecoming of Society members, or acts in any manner not befitting membership and which may bring the Society into disrepute, will be dealt with by the Superior General and Superiors, and appropriate steps taken, which may include sanctions or termination of membership. Any behaviour which is criminal, or deemed to be of a very serious nature, will be immediately reported to the relevant authorities, termination may be authorised by the Superiors. Members who are guilty of a criminal offence will not be supported financially in their defence, and may also face suspension, or even excommunication, from the Society of Traditional Old Catholics.
As to the structure and government of the Society, where there are sufficient members of the Society in a given area, a Chapter may be established, with a Priest as the Superior, and also a Secretary who can be either a cleric or a lay person. Where there are fewer members, a Cell may be formed, and any isolated members may be attached to their nearest Chapter, or Cell, or directly to the Headquarters Chapter. Chapters and Cells should gather for prayer and worship, for fellowship and for social activities. The Cells, and the larger Chapters, form part of the overall Fraternity of the Society, and through these structures the commitment of each one is nourished and sustained in his vocation and service.
The admission of new members will be reliant upon the conditions and stages of admission as directed by the Superior, and these conditions and stages will relate directly to the Rule and the Code of Conduct. The Superior General ultimately presides over all Chapters and Cells, and the Society as a whole. It is the Superior General alone who, after consulting with his Leadership Team, reserves the right to change the Code of Conduct and all other procedures, protocols and practices, as he deems it necessary or desirous so to do.