Last Updated: 7/1/2025
I. Objetivo
This policy outlines a process of selecting and welcoming Clero internacional for service in the Archidiócesis and sets forth the requirements for Clero internacional providing service in the Archidiócesis.
II. Policy
Clero internacional will be accepted into the Archidiócesis based on the needs of this local Church or some specific and discernable benefit to the overall ministry of the Presbyterate. A formal request to respond to this need and requirements to fulfill it will be made in writing to the Arzobispo. Once the proposed recruitment of Clero internacional to meet the need has been approved by the Arzobispo, he will communicate that need to the Director of Clergy Personnel, who will coordinate the overall process of searching for candidates.
I. PROCESS OF SELECTION
Selection will be based on comprehensive criteria, including a personal interview utilizing appropriate means to determine language ability. The interview will occur after candidates submit a letter from their bishop or religious superior granting preliminary permission to engage in a selection process that may lead to ministry, assignment and admission in the Archidiócesis, and review the entire file from home diocese. The completed admission from the diocesan bishop will include a statement related to language skills and proficiency, the potential for adapting to the cultural life of the United States and relationship with Parroquia structures and people; the moral, intellectual, physical and psychological attributes of the candidate; documents attesting to the Cleric’s ordination and incardination; a complete assignment history since the time of ordination; a completed Application for Ministerial Faculties form; and any information related to experience of the candidate in their service to any other diocese.
The Director of Clergy Personnel will request appropriate references in order to gauge the Cleric’s readiness for Pastoral ministry in the Archidiócesis. En Clérigo will be required to complete a U.S. and international criminal background check before beginning any visa or immigration processes.
At the time of selection, the Chancellor for Canonical Affairs will establish a Clero file for the candidate. All documentation related to the process of selection will be included in the Cleric’s file.
Once a mutually agreeable candidate has been identified, a written agreement is to be drawn up between the Arzobispo of the Archidiócesis, and the Diocesan Bishop or religious superior of the sending diocese, or religious community and the candidate setting forth in detail all of the duties and responsibilities of the parties (Agreement). All parties must sign the Agreement before the candidate arrives in the Archidiócesis.
At the time of selection, consideration is to be given to the visa process and a specific assignment. Terms of both the visa process and a specific assignment should be included in the Agreement between the Archidiócesis, and the Diocesan Bishop or religious superior of the sending diocese, or religious community. The costs related to the application of a visa are to be paid by the Clérigo coming to the Archidiócesis. The Agreement of Clero internacional for service in the Archidiócesis will include these provisions unless otherwise stated by the Arzobispo.
The Agreement must also address the issues of 1) initial duration and options of renewal that allow for the sending ordinary to reserve the right to call the Clérigo home for just cause; 2) faculties, remuneration, and providing for an annual evaluation; 3) financial obligations of the sending diocese; 4) health care provisions; 5) pension; 6) other issues such as graduate studies, if applicable; and 7) additional issues as set forth in this Policy.
Once the above steps have been completed, then the United States visa process will begin through the Director of Clergy Personnel.
Absent a written Agreement, the Archidiócesis will not pay for any expenses for Clero coming to the Archidiócesis on an F-1 or R-1 Visa, and in such circumstances the Clero member coming to the Archidiócesis, or his diocese or Order, is fully responsible for all of their living expenses, health insurance, housing, tuition, legal expenses, transportation, and other financial support.
II. ARRIVAL
The arrival process should begin once the visa process is started. The arrival process will begin with the assignment to a Parroquia or institution and include the assignment of a mentor priest outside of the Parroquia Pastor or institutional supervisor. The Director of Clergy Personnel will make appropriate arrangements for the Cleric’s arrival and enculturation process and will work with the Pastor or supervisor of the assignment to prepare the receiving community for the Cleric’s arrival.
En Clérigo can make travel arrangements to the Archidiócesis once the United States visa has been granted by the Department of Homeland Security. Travel costs are to be paid by the Clérigo coming to the Archidiócesis with this provision noted in the Agreement between the Archidiócesis and sending diocese or religious community. The Agreement by Clero internacional for service in the Archidiócesis must include these provisions.
En Clérigo cannot begin public ministry until all safe environment requirements of the Archidiócesis are completed and ministerial faculties are granted by the Arzobispo.
The Director of Clergy Personnel and the receiving Pastor or supervisor are to consult the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Guidelines for Receiving Pastoral Ministers in the United States and appropriate sections related to pre-welcome, welcome, orientation, and ongoing support.
Any costs for enculturation including accent reduction and language skills are considered costs of continuing education as outlined in the current Tabla de retribuciones del clero. Any additional costs beyond the limits of the Compensation Schedule are to be paid by the individual Clérigo.
III. SALARY AND INTERNATIONAL PRIESTS RETIREMENT RESERVE FUND
During the time the Clérigo is serving in the Archidiócesis, he will receive remuneration commensurate with the Archdiocese’s Comprehensive Schedule for Clergy, which shall be paid by the Archidiócesis during the enculturation period and thereafter by the institution where the Clérigo is providing ministry.
- En Clérigo will also receive health and dental insurance similar to those of diocesan priests serving within the Archidiócesis which benefits shall initially be paid by the Archidiócesis during the enculturation period and thereafter by the institution where the Clérigo is providing ministry.
- Payments will be made to the International Priests Retirement Reserve Fund (IPRRF) pursuant to the current schedule of the Archidiócesis for such contributions. Said payments may be made by the Archidiócesis during the enculturation period and thereafter shall be made by the institution where the Clérigo is providing ministry. When the Clérigo is no longer assigned to ministry in the Archidiócesis, the amount to be provided from the IPRRF to the home diocese of the Clérigo for the Cleric’s service in the Archidiócesis will be calculated by multiplying the number of years of service in the Archidiócesis times $5,000. The factor for the partial years of service will be rounded to the nearest whole month.
- In order for the home diocese of the Clérigo to receive any payments from the IPRRF, the Parroquia where the Clérigo is assigned must make all required payments into the IPRRF during the time the Clérigo serves at that Parroquia. If the Parroquia does not pay in full to the IPRRF as invoiced by the Archidiócesis, the amount the Archidiócesis will remit to the home diocese of the Clérigo will be reduced on a pro-rata basis based upon the amount the Parroquia actually pays into the IPRRF versus the amount the Parroquia was invoiced. The Clérigo shall have no right to receive any payments directly from the IPRRF.
Attached hereto as an addendum is a memo on the legal requirements and restrictions relating to Student Visas and Religious Worker Visas.
