Clergy Licensing Requirements

The Bishop of Maryland's Crozier Clergy who receive a call to serve in a congregation of the Diocese of Maryland are licensed upon the receipt of a signed Letter of Agreement. Any cleric not canonically resident in the Diocese wishing to provide supply services or to work regularly in a congregation in any capacity – either as deacon, long-term supply, or sabbatical supply – must be licensed. Clergy wishing to officiate at a wedding in the Diocese need not be licensed; it is, however, customary for the cleric to write to the Bishop to let him know that he or she plans to do so and the date of the wedding.

Clergy wishing to be licensed to serve in the Diocese of Maryland must provide the Transitions Ministries Office, Natalie Conway:

  1. A completed Background Check, to be paid by the cleric, at a cost of $155 for the initial investigation. An additional cost is incurred for the criminal portion of the investigation.
  2. Copies of a resume or curriculum vitae and a copy of a Church Deployment Office personal profile.
  3. A letter from the Bishop of the diocese of canonical residence, a current document stating that he or she is a priest or deacon in good standing.
  4. Certificates of completion in a course of prevention of child abuse and adult sexual misconduct and anti-racism training. Click here for the training schedule.

Once a license is granted, the cleric is free to serve as needed in the congregations and other facilities (such as nursing homes, hospitals, and military bases) within the Diocese. Copies of completed Licenses will be sent from the Bishops' Office.

Licenses are valid for a year (12 months). If a cleric will be resident in the Diocese of Maryland for a period longer than a year and would like to continue in active service, he or she must contact the Transitions Ministries Office to request another license Requests to become canonically resident in the Diocese of Maryland and for Letters Dimissory should be sent to Ms. Maizie Heil, the Bishop’s Administrative Assistant.

 

Supply Clergy

In order to keep the Diocesan Supply List current, for those who are currently on this list but have a “rather long term employment” in a parish, please let the Transitions Office know so that your name may be removed. If you wish to be on the Supply List, please let the Transitions Office know and if you are not canonically resident, please following the instructions for licensing above. Clergy should also contact the Transitions Office when hiring supply or “assisting” clergy who are not canonically resident to insure that the cleric is licensed in the diocese.