Speaker / Minister Verification of Good Standing

Before engaging the services of anyone for short-term ministry or speaking events, it is necessary to verify the good standing of the prospective speaker/minister.  The purpose of Verification of Good Standing is three-fold:

• To ensure fidelity to Church teaching
• To safeguard the Catholic identity of the Diocese
• To ensure and maintain a safe environment for all God’s people, especially those who are vulnerable

This policy applies to:

• Clergy (bishops, priests, and deacons)
• Men and women religious
• Laity

Process:

1. Speakers and ministers who are members of the Diocese of Covington (examples: consecrated religious, parish staff, catechists, members of lay ecclesial movements, parishioners, etc.):
   • It is the responsibility of the pastor/administrator of the local parish, institution, or organization to verify the good standing of the prospective speaker/minister.
   • This includes verifying the individual’s compliance with diocesan safe environment policies and procedures as applicable.
   • Pastors and administrators (or their delegates) must consult with one another regarding speakers/ministers who are coming from other parishes, institutions or organizations within the Diocese.
   • Priests, deacons and seminarians of the Diocese of Covington, and non-Covington clergy who have been granted faculties in the Diocese are automatically cleared for ministry.
2. Speakers and ministers from outside the Diocese of Covington (clergy, religious, and laity from other dioceses as well as individuals who reside within the diocese but who are not Catholic) who will provide service related to religion, faith, and/or morals (examples: (con)celebration of Sacraments personal faith witnesses, retreats, sacred music concerts; talks on topics such as abortion and other life/end-of-life issues, gender and sexuality, marriage and relationships, drugs/alcohol/bullying and other abuse, social justice, religious liberty, etc.):
   • A request for verification of the speaker/minister’s good standing must be submitted to the Chancery.
     • Complete the appropriate application form available below.
       Please provide all information requested on the form to expedite the screening process. The form must be signed by a priest of the Diocese, the proper authority of an institution or organization, or by his/her delegate. The form should not be given to the prospective speaker/minister for completion. However, it is permissible to ask the speaker/minister to provide the necessary contact information.
     • Send the completed form to the Chancery.
       Requests should be submitted well in advance, no later than eight weeks before the desired date of service. Earlier submission is strongly recommended for international speakers/ministers. Exceptions to the time limit include funerals and other emergency situations, but a request still must be submitted.

       Mail to:
       Chancellor
       Diocese of Covington
       Cathedral Square
       1125 Madison Ave
       Covington, KY 41011-3115

       Or Email to:
       [email protected]

       Or Fax to:
       (859) 392-1508

        

     • The Chancery will contact the appropriate authorities to determine the status of the prospective speaker/minister.
     • A letter will be sent from the Chancery to the requester indicating whether clearance has been granted to accept the services of the speaker/minister.
   • An application must be submitted for every individual event, even if the prospective speaker/minister has provided service in the diocese previously. Clearance to accept the services of a speaker/minister is event-specific and does not carry over to any future events or to any other parishes/institutions.
   • Confirmation/booking of the speaker/minister may not take place until clearance to accept his/her services is received. Likewise, advertising featuring the speaker’s name may not take place until clearance is received.
   • It is strongly recommended that prospective Catholic speakers/ministers be informed of Diocesan policy:
     • All who wish to speak or minister are expected to be trained and current in the safe environment program of their home diocese and have a clear background check on file.
       • If, during the screening process, it is determined that this expectation cannot be met, the speaker/minister may still be cleared. However, the requesting parish/institution/organization will be notified that the speaker/minister must be accompanied and monitored during the event by two individuals who are fully trained and current in the Diocese of Covington safe environment program and have a clear background check on file. This supervision must happen the entire time the guest speaker/minister is on Diocesan property and whenever the guest speaker/minister interacts with members, constituents or other guests of the Diocese of Covington, its parishes, schools, institutions, or agencies. A Speaker Supervision form listing the two supervising individuals must be completed and submitted to the Chancery Office no later than two weeks before the event. The form is available below.
       • Non-Catholic speakers are not expected to complete safe environment training or a background check through the Catholic Church but are still screened for a background check and are subject to the above.
3. Speakers and ministers from outside the Diocese of Covington (clergy, religious, and laity from other dioceses as well as individuals who reside within the diocese but who are not Catholic) who will give presentations unrelated to religious topics (examples: career day, college application/preparation, library read-alongs, fire prevention/safety, science demonstrations, etc.):
   • A Speaker/Minister Supervision form must be completed and submitted to the Chancery Office no later than two weeks before the event. The form is available below.
   • The speaker/minister must be accompanied and monitored during the event by two individuals who are fully trained and current in the Diocese of Covington safe environment program with a clear background check on file. This supervision must happen the entire time the guest speaker/minister is on Diocesan property and whenever the guest speaker/minister interacts with members, constituents or other guests of the Diocese of Covington, its parishes, schools, institutions, or agencies.

Effective September 15, 2023
Approved by
Most Reverend John C. Iffert
Bishop of Covington

Click below for the appropriate application.