Visiting Clergy

Welcome Our Visiting Clergy

The archbishop is happy to grant faculties to visiting bishops, priests and deacons wishing to minister in any of our parishes, schools or agencies.  

Bishops, Priests and Deacons Ministering for Up to 14 Days

The following documents are required: 

  1. Written confirmation of the invitation of the bishop, priest or deacon by the pastor, principal or agency director.
  2. Appropriate letter of suitability from the ordinary/recognized authority for bishops, priests and deacons or the provincial or superior in the case of order priests or religious.

For both the invitation and letter of suitability, email is acceptable with a visible diocesan/order seal. Letters of suitability follow the USCCB format. 

Bishops, Priests and Deacons Ministering for 15 Days or Longer

The following documents are required: 

  1. Written confirmation of the invitation of the bishop, priest or deacon by the pastor, principal or agency director.
  2. Appropriate letter of suitability from the ordinary/recognized authority for bishops, priests and deacons or the provincial or superior in the case of order priests or religious. 

For both the invitation and letter of suitability, email is acceptable with a visible diocesan/order seal. Letters of suitability follow the USCCB format. 

  1. Archdiocese of Atlanta Sterling background screening including the following signed documents: 
  1. Code of Conduct for Church Personnel for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, Especially in Regard to Interaction with Minors and Vulnerable Individuals
  2. Updated Policy of the Archdiocese of Atlanta Concerning the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Individuals from Sexual Abuse by Church Personnel 
  3. Ministerial Standards for Clergy and Religious when Dealing with Children and/or Vulnerable Individuals
  4. VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children certificate 

Bishops, Priests and Deacons from Outside of the U.S.

The following documents are required: 

  1. Color copy (front and back) of passport and driver’s license 
  2. International forms (see below for more information) 

Payments to Visiting International Priests with NO R-1 Visa

For members of a religious order, a check may be made payable to the order. For a diocesan bishop or priest, a check may be made payable to his diocese. 

In either case, without an R-1 Visa, payments cannot be made directly to the visiting bishop or priest. Payment should be coded as a gift to either the religious order or the diocese. It is highly recommended that the payor keeps copies of the visa and check for audit purposes.  

Visiting Instructions

Clergy should contact the following Chancery staff of the Archdiocese of Atlanta immediately upon extending an invitation to a visiting bishop, priest or deacon, as the background reporting process takes as long as eight (8) weeks. 

Communication with the visiting clergy member and follow through with the required paperwork will be conducted by the Office of the Chancellor, culminating in the issuance of the letter granting faculties. 

These policies are in place to protect God’s faithful and those of us who have been entrusted with the responsibility of ministry. It is imperative that these policies be followed, and your endorsement and cooperation are most appreciated.  

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