License to Officiate Guidelines
Title III Canon 16, Sec. 2
Deacons or priests may be licensed to officiate in this diocese under the following conditions:
- Licenses will be issued to officiate either throughout the diocese or restricted to a specific church, area or institution at the discretion of the bishop.
- Licenses will be effective the first Sunday of Advent of the church year they are requested and will expire the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent three years from that date.
- Licenses will be issued and renewed only after the receipt of a written request.
- A deacon or priest requesting to be licensed must attend a church within the Diocese on a regular basis and have done so for at least one year.
- A deacon or priest requesting to be licensed must have an active ministry in a church within this diocese or have a position in a secular institution which requires that he or she perform clerical functions as part of his or her employment.
- The clergy person in charge of the church or the person in charge of the secular institution must recommend in writing that the license be issued.
- A deacon or priest requesting to be licensed must have fulfilled all of the requirements of the Policy and Procedures for Addressing Allegations of Sexual Misconduct of the Diocese of San Diego prior to the license being issued.
- Clergy not currently licensed but wishing to be licensed must undergo a background investigation. We contract with Oxford Documents and the cost is $200. Fees must be paid prior to initiating the background check.
- Clergy requesting to be licensed in this diocese will need to meet with the bishop prior to the initial license being issued. Contact Bobbi Hoff, executive assistant to the bishop, to make the appointment, 619-481-5454.
- The bishop may waive any of the above requirements in special situations.