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Letter of Suitability

All Diocesan Priests and Deacons are required to request a Letter of Suitability* from our Bishop for any ministry done outside of the Diocese of Cleveland.

If a priest is unable to access a computer, please call the Office of Clergy and Religious at 216-696-6525 x2930.

*Holiday Timing Note* Please be aware, because there will be limited email access in the Office of Clergy and Religious during the week of Christmas and New Years, the Office asks that, if you need a Letter of Suitability between Wednesday, December 16, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, to please submit your requests by Monday, December 14th 2026. However, if you are in need of a Letter of Suitability for an emergency or funeral during this time period, please contact Fr. Joe Mamich at jmamich@dioceseofcleveland.org. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Letters of Suitability are placed in queue on Tuesdays and Fridays, with the nearest-occurring events being processed first. Please submit your requests at least one month prior to the event (but not more than two months) unless your event requires something be sent sooner, e.g. weddings. Of course, there are times when sufficient notification cannot be given, such as in the event of a funeral. In that case, please contact Fr. Joseph Mamich (jmamich@dioceseofcleveland.org) after you have submitted the form electronically, so that your request can be handled in a timely manner. 

RELIGIOUS ORDER/EXTERN Priests & Deacons: If you are a Religious Order priest/deacon or an Extern priest/deacon, we cannot process letters of suitability for you. Even if you are serving in the Diocese of Cleveland, you will need to request letters of suitability from your congregation superior or bishop of the diocese in which you are incardinated.