VISITING SPEAKERS' SUITABILITY PROCESS

Lay Speakers, Musicians, Etc.

The pastor of the speaker should send a letter of suitability to the Office of the Chancellor no more than six weeks before the event. The Assistant to the Chancellor will review the letter for relevant details (location, date, nature of event). Letters not dated within six weeks or lacking the specifics of the event will be rejected and an updated letter will be requested.

The Assistant to the Chancellor researches each speaker on Google. Any hits that include misconduct allegations, regardless of the source, are reported as concerns to the Chancellor. In addition, if the speaker has written any articles or books or given interviews, the Assistant to the Chancellor reviews these for theological error. Any theological error by the speaker or controversial remarks are reported as concerns to the Chancellor.

Upon completion of the research, the Assistant to the Chancellor sends the letter of suitability to the Chancellor for review and approval. If there are any concerns, the Chancellor consults with the Vicar General about the individual. The Assistant to the Chancellor communicates the approval or denial to the Safe Environment Database Administrator, who notifies the individual and the parish or NPBO of the decision.

Diocese of Dallas Chancellor's Office

Clergy and Religious

The diocese or province of the cleric or religious should send a letter of suitability to the Office of the Chancellor no more than six weeks before the event (or six months before a wedding). The Assistant to the Chancellor will review the letter for relevant details (location, date, nature of event). Letters not dated within the appropriate time frame or lacking the specifics of the event will be rejected and an updated letter will be requested.

The Assistant to the Chancellor researches each individual on Google. Any hits that include misconduct allegations, regardless of the source, are reported as concerns to the Chancellor. In addition, any hits that include theological errors or controversial statements made by the individual are reported as concerns. Upon completion of the research, the Assistant to the Chancellor sends the letter of suitability to the Chancellor, the Vicar General, and the Vicar for Clergy for review and approval.

If there are any concerns, the Chancellor consults with the Vicar General about the individual. For individuals staying less than two weeks, the Chancellor can give approval; for those staying more than two weeks, the Vicar General must give approval. The Assistant to the Chancellor communicates the approval or denial to the Safe Environment Database Administrator, who notifies the individual and the parish or NPBO of the decision.