Excardination

Excardination refers to the canonical process by which a cleric, typically a priest or deacon, is released from the jurisdiction of their home diocese or religious order and transferred to the authority of another. This is a formal procedure within the Catholic Church and some other Christian denominations that have a similar hierarchical structure. The process ensures that the cleric's ministry is properly overseen and that there is no ambiguity regarding their obedience and responsibilities.

The primary reason for excardination is usually a change in ministry or location. For example, a priest might wish to serve in a different diocese, join a new religious community, or undertake specific apostolates that are outside the scope of their original diocese. The process involves obtaining permission from both the excardinating bishop (the bishop of the diocese from which the cleric is leaving) and the incardinating bishop (the bishop of the diocese to which the cleric is moving). If the cleric is a member of a religious institute, the provincial superior or equivalent authority would be involved in place of the bishop.

The request for excardination is usually initiated by the cleric themselves, often with the support of the bishop or superior they wish to join. The canons of the Church outline the specific requirements and steps for this process, which can involve documentation, interviews, and the formal acceptance by the new ecclesiastical authority. Once excardination is granted, the cleric is no longer under the jurisdiction of their former diocese or order and is fully incorporated into the new one. This ensures continuity and proper pastoral care within the Church.