Certification Approval Handbook “Ministry is diverse and, at the same time, profoundly relational. This is so because ministry has its source in the triune God and because it takes shape within the Church understood as a communion. Ministerial relationships are grounded first in what all members of Christ’s Body have in common. Through their sacramental initiation all are established in a personal relationship with Christ and in a network of relationships within the communion of the People of God. The personal discipleship of each individual makes possible a community of disciples formed by and for the mission of Christ. The further development and ordering of right relationships among those called to public ministries is done with a view to enabling all the disciples to realize their calling to holiness and service.” - Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, p. 21 “Regardless of how the desire to invest a significant part of one’s life in some form of ecclesial ministry develops, that desire deserves the support of the whole Church…. Lay ecclesial ministers, just like the ordained, need and deserve formation of high standards, effective methods, and comprehensive goals.” - Co-Workers, pp. 28, 33 Revised & Approved: March 10, 2021 Effective Date: January 1, 2022 USCCB Certification Approval Handbook ii Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................. iii Mission Statement .............................................................................................................................................. v Website ................................................................................................................................................................ v 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 About this Handbook ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Audience for Whom this Handbook is Intended ..................................................................... 1 1.3 Review and Revision of This Handbook ................................................................................... 1 1.4 Scope of Approval of Certification Standards and Procedures .............................................. 1 1.5 Staff for the USCCB Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service .. 2 1.6 Clarifying USCCB Subcommittee Approval of Certification and Standards ........................ 2 1.7 Clarifying USCCB Subcommittee Approval of Certification Standards for Specialized Ministers ................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.8 Focus of This Handbook .............................................................................................................. 2 1.9 Resources ........................................................................................................................................ 2 2.0 Benefits of Life-Long Ministry Formation & Certification ................................................................... 4 2.1 Benefits to the Church in the United States ...................................................................... 4 2.2 Benefits to Provinces, Regions, and State Catholic Conferences ................................... 5 2.3 Benefits to the Local Church ............................................................................................... 6 2.4 Benefits to Academic Institutions ........................................................................................ 7 2.5 Benefits to Mentors of Candidates for Certification ........................................................ 8 2.6 Benefits to Lay Ecclesial Ministers ...................................................................................... 8 2.7 Benefits to Agencies, Institutions, and Church Communities ........................................ 9 3.0 Submitting Certification Standards and Procedures ............................................................................. 11 3.1 Establishing a Relationship with the USCCB Office of Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service (USCCB Office) ............................................................................................. 11 3.2 Gathering Initial Documentation ......................................................................................... 12 3.3 Peer Review ............................................................................................................................. 14 3.4 USCCB Subcommittee Review and Decision .................................................................... 15 3.5 Diocesan or National Organization Response to Major Required Changes, Recommendations, or Delay / Denial of Approval ...................................................................... 17 USCCB Certification Approval Handbook iii 3.6 Periodic & Statistical Reports ................................................................................................ 18 3.7 Periodic Review Process for Re-Approval .......................................................................... 19 3.8 Withdrawal of Approval ........................................................................................................ 21 3.9 Procedures Regarding Compliance with Approved Standards and Procedures ................. 22 4.0 Required Documentation ......................................................................................................................... 23 As noted in Section 3.2.1, the documentation required may be submitted in other media formats, provided all the information requested is accessible and clearly presented. .............. 23 4.1 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... 23 4.2 For Diocesan Offices ............................................................................................................. 23 4.3 For National Organizations ................................................................................................... 26 5.0 USCCB Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service Standards for Specialized Ecclesial Ministers ....................................................................................................................... 30 5.1 Mission ..................................................................................................................................... 30 5.2 Standard One: Human ........................................................................................................... 30 5.3 Standard Two: Spiritual .......................................................................................................... 32 5.4 Standard Three: Intellectual................................................................................................... 34 5.5 Standard Four: Pastoral .......................................................................................................... 35 6.0 Fees .............................................................................................................................................................. 37 6.1 Fees for a Diocesan Office / Catholic Conference ........................................................... 37 6.2 Fees for an Organization of Specialized Ministers with Certification Standards and Procedures Approved by the USCCB Subcommittee .................................................................. 39 6.3 Adjustment of Fees................................................................................................................. 40 6.4 Extensions ................................................................................................................................ 41 7.0 Policies and Procedures of the USCCB Subcommittee ....................................................................... 42 7.1 Certification Standards and Procedures for a Specialized Ministry ................................. 42 7.2 Revision of this Certification Approval Handbook................................................................... 42 7.3 Listing of Approved Programs and Organizations and Those Preparing for Approval on the USCCB website ...................................................................................................................... 42 7.4 Location of the USCCB Office of Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service ..... 42 Appendix 1: Glossary ...................................................................................................................................... 43 Glossary Grid #1: Distinctions between Accreditation, Certification and Approval .............. 56 Glossary Grid #2: Distinctions - Endorsement, Appointment, Commissioning and Authorization ...................................................................................................................................... 61 USCCB Certification Approval Handbook iv Appendix 2: Sample Codes of Ethics Statements from Members of the Alliance for Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers ...................................................................................................................................