1784: 24 George 3 c.35: An Act to impower the Bishop of London for the Time being, or any other Bishop to be by him appointed, to admit to the Order of Deacon or Priest, Persons being Subjects or Citizens of Countries out of his Majesty’s Dominions, without requiring them to take the Oath of Allegiance as appointed by Law.
[Preamble.]
‘WHEREAS, by the Laws of this Realm, every Person who shall be admitted to Holy Orders is to take the Oath of Allegiance in Manner thereby provided: And whereas there are divers Persons, Subjects or Citzens of Countries out of fos Majesty’s Dominions, inhabiting and residing within the said Countries, who profess the Publick Worship of Almighty God according to the Liturgy of the Church of England, and are desirous that the Word of God, and the Sacraments, should continue to be administered unto them according to the said Liturgy, by Subjects or Citizens of the said Countries, ordained according to the Form of Ordination in the Church of England;’ be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same,
[The Bishop of London, or any other Bishop by him appointed, way admit Aliens to the Order of Deacon or Priest, without their taking the Oath of Allegiance.]
That, from and after the passing of this Act, it shall and may be lawful to and for the Bishop of London for the Time being, or any other Bishop by him to be appointed, to admit to the Order of Deacon or Priest, for the Purposes aforesaid, Persons being Subjects or Citizens of Countries out of his Majesty’s Dominions, without requiring them to take the Oath of Allegiance.
[Persons so ordained, not to exercise their Office in his Majesty’s Dominions.]
II. Provided always, and be it hereby declared, That no Person, ordained in the Manner herein-before provided only, shall be thereby enabled to exercise the Office of Deacon or Priest within his Majesty’s Dominions.
[The Name and Country, &c. of the Persom ordained to be inserted in the Letters Testimonial.]
III. Provided always, and be it further enacted, That in the Letters Testimonial of such Orders, there shall be inserted the Name of the Person so ordained, with the Addition of the Country whereof he is a Subject or Citizen, and the further Description of his not having taken the said Oath of Allegiance, being exempted from the Obligation of so doing by virtue of this Act.
Source: Ruffhead, Statute at Large, voume 14.