Office of the Vicar

The Office of Vicar for Clergy and Religious is charged with the responsibility of providing ministry to the ministers serving the people of the Diocese of Cleveland.

The Office of the Secretary and Vicar for Clergy and Religious is charged with the responsibility of providing "ministry to the ministers" serving the people of the Diocese of Cleveland. Some of these ministries include: administrating policies pertaining to the life and ministry of priests, deacons and members of institutes of consecrated life; wellness issues; vocations; formation of candidates for ordination to priesthood and diaconate; infirmed priests; retirement; and, in collaboration with the Secretary for Parish Life and Development, oversight of the Center for Pastoral Leadership. The office oversees the offices of Clergy Personnel, Diaconate, Religious, Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood, Senior Priests, and Continuing Education and Formation of Ministers - as well as the Priests' Retirement Board, Borromeo Seminary and Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology.

View recent Clergy Assignments

Sacrament of Reconciliation for priests: The Blessed Sacrament Fathers at Saint Paschal Baylon Rectory in Highland Heights are available weekdays from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm and weekends from 8:00 am until 12 noon for any priest of the diocese who would like to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While there is always a priest on duty, you might want to call 1-440-442-3410 or 1-440-840-7724 before arriving just to make sure or if you would like to schedule an appointment. Thanks to the priests of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for providing this service to the priests of our diocese.

If you know that a priest or deacon is hospitalized or in need of assistance: Please call 216-696-6525 extension 2930 or e-mail Christina Harrison and let us know in a timely manner. Please be advised that the clergy medical and health updates are usually distributed on Fridays of each week. To respect individuals' privacy the secretariat communicates only those names which have been authorized.

Are you planning your vacation and anticipating exercising public acts of priestly/diaconal ministry in the local Church where you are vacationing? Remember, priests and deacons of the Diocese of Cleveland need a "Testimonial of Suitability" sent to the Diocesan Bishop of the destination diocese before you arrive on your vacation. This same requirement is necessary for any priest or deacon who is anticipating exercising any public acts of priestly/diaconal ministry outside his place of incardination. Please use the on-line Letter of Suitability request form.

Any priest or deacon from outside the Diocese of Cleveland who will be visiting in the Diocese of Cleveland and anticipating exercising public acts of priestly/diaconal ministry here must have his Diocesan Bishop or Superior send a "Testimonial of Suitability" to the Diocese of Cleveland prior to your arrival in the diocese. This requirement is necessary for any priest of deacon who is anticipating exercising any public acts of priestly/diaconal ministry outside his place of incardination. Please contact Christina Harrison if you have any questions about this requirement.