Chancellor

Diocesan Administration and Operations

The Chancellor fulfills the canonical duties of this position by ensuring the documents of the curia are gathered, arranged, and safeguarded in the archives, and by recording the ecclesiastical acts, decrees, and dispensations issued by the Bishop (can. 482). The Chancellor is the chief notary, chief secretary and chief archivist of the diocesan curia. The duties of the Chancellor also extend to assisting the Bishop and the diocese in administrative and operational matters. Finally, in the name of the Bishop, the Chancellor issues a letter of suitability and permissions for clergy and lay guests to minister and present in the diocese.

Important Documents & Links

2025 Diocesan Liturgical Calendar (PDF)

2024 Diocesan Liturgical Calendar (PDF)

Request for Delegation from the Bishop for Confirmation (MS Word)

Policies

Acts of Extraordinary Administration (PDF)

Construction and Renovation Projects Process Summary (PDF)

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (PDF)

Holy Communion Under Both Kinds (PDF)

Parish Finance Council Norms (PDF)

Parish Pastoral Council Norms (PDF)

USCCB Record Retention Guidelines (PDF)

Decrees

Decree Relegating Former St. Mary Magdalene Church in Flint to Profane But Not Sordid Use (PDF)

Decrees Altering the Boundaries of Parishes in Smith County (PDF)

Sacramental Records and Requests

All sacramental records in the Diocese of Tyler are kept and maintained at the parish level.

There are no baptism or marriage records at the diocesan chancery.

Requests should be directed to the appropriate parish.

Permission for Guest Speakers and Presenters

In order for the diocesan bishop to protect the integrity and unity of the faith, written approval from the bishop is required before speakers, presenters, or performers can be brought into the diocese by parishes, missions, schools, or other Catholic organizations. This applies to clergy, religious, and lay guests.

The Diocese of Tyler is responsible for ensuring, to the best of its ability, that anyone brought in as a speaker, presenter, or performer for events held within the diocese is both faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing with the safe environment policies of their home diocese. This requires advanced communication (generally at least 30 days before the event) with the Office of the Chancellor as part of the event preparation. Events should not be promoted until approval is written received.

Protocol and Required Form (PDF)

Letter of Suitability for Visiting Clergy and Religious

Priests or deacons from outside of the Diocese of Tyler who will be engaging in public ministry at any parish, school, or other location in the diocese are required to obtain the prior permission of the bishop to undertake their ministry within the territory of the Diocese of Tyler.

Permission will only be granted if satisfactory written confirmation (Letter of Suitability) is given to the chancery from the visiting cleric’s own bishop or superior stating that he is in good canonical standing, that he is compliance with the training and background check requirements of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and that he is suitable for ministry with minors and vulnerable adults. By particular law, this is required even if the cleric is known to the pastor of the church he will be visiting in the Diocese of Tyler (c. 903).

The same permission is required of consecrated men and women religious, in which case the testimonial of suitability is to be provided from their religious superior or the bishop of the diocese in which they are currently engaged in ministry.

Please note that visiting clergy and religious are not permitted to solicit funds or goods from parishioners, individuals, or parish groups, including for charitable causes in their home country or diocese, unless it has been expressly permitted by the Bishop of Tyler.

Visiting clergy and religious are expected to abide by all canonical and other legal requirements of their ministry while here.