Visiting Clergy/ Religious/ Lay Speakers

Clearance of Speakers ~ Update

*Since early 2020, we have been presented with other options for ministry to the people of God within the Diocese of St. Petersburg. One of those options is the use of the Zoom or Microsoft Teams applications to conduct meetings and webinars.
Concerning clergy, religious or lay presenters via these or other videoconferencing applications, if they are presenting via video conference to members of our parishes or other diocesan entities, they should be cleared just as if they were presenting in person.  A Clearance Request Form should be submitted with all pertinent information, which would allow us to confirm the speakers’ good standing within their diocese/parish/religious institute .

Request forms for clearance of such persons can be found below:

Clearance guidelines and form–Clergy -Sept 2018 ~ fillable

Clearance guidelines and form–Religious -Sept 2021 ~ fillable

Clearance guidelines and form–Lay Presenters – Feb 2023 ~ fillable

In the case of local priests and deacons, it is not necessary to complete a Clearance Request Form if they are in good standing. This can be verified by checking our diocesan website under this link:  https://www.dosp.org/find-clergy/.
If you have any questions about the suitability of a priest or deacon residing in our diocesan boundaries who is not listed on our diocesan website, please contact the Chancellor’s Office at (727) 341-6832 or by email .
If the invited presenter will not be speaking on topics of faith and morals but rather on non-religious subjects or general topics related to other areas of a school’s curriculum, then the approval should come from the pastor, the entity’s administrator or, in the case of a school, from the school’s pastor, president, principal or from the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.
*Updated July 31, 2023.