St. Paul reminds us that we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). We are called to build up the Body of Christ, as an enlivened, engaged and connected community of clergy. To help us do this, these are some basic processes and expectations for clergy in our diocese. They are offered in a spirit of pastoral collegiality, with awareness that some expectations may evolve over time, and with the understanding that there will be circumstances in which expectations cannot always be met. The goal is to reduce confusion, honor the diversity of ways we live out our ordained vocations and build trust among us as a clericus.
A. Clergy Attendance at Regular Diocesan Events
Being together regularly as diocesan clergy is a vital part of our shared vocation to serve the whole church.
- It is Bishop Whitworth’s hope that all active clergy* living within the diocese, whether licensed or canonically resident, attend: Fall Clergy Day, the Spring Clergy Conference and Diocesan Convention. We will continue to develop structures and explore scheduling options to make room for bi-vocational and secularly employed clergy to participate in these gatherings, and we encourage such clergy to do your best to participate as you are able. On occasions where you won’t be able to participate at all, please do let the Bishop’s Office know as it helps us adjust our plans for future years.
* Realizing that nearly all active deacons are bi-vocational or secularly employed, while your presence at Clergy Day and Clergy Conference would be a welcome gift, your attendance is only expected at Diocesan Convention.
Retired clergy are welcome to attend these events as well, as you are able.
It is the Bishop’s expectation that congregations (or other diocesan employers) are to pay registration fees for the clergy who serve them to attend these events. If your ministry is not honoring this expectation, please contact the Bishop’s Office to arrange a conversation.
Active priests are also expected to regularly attend their clericus meetings. Deans are asked to schedule some gatherings in evenings or on weekends to accommodate priests in non-parochial settings. Should scheduling of these meetings regularly conflict with non-parochial employment, priests are expected to maintain pastoral contact with their dean by checking in at least twice a year.
Active deacons are expected to maintain pastoral contact with the Archdeacons through regular participation in deacon gatherings or checking in at least twice per year.
- All clergy (active and retired) are encouraged to attend: Celebrations of New Ministry in their deaneries, the Renewal of Vows liturgy during Holy Week, diocesan ordination services, clergy funerals and other liturgies, as announced. Prompt registration for those attending these events is much appreciated by the organizers to ensure capacity.
- Clergy are encouraged to VEST for the following liturgies: Renewal of Vows, ordinations, Celebrations of New Ministry and various other events. (For worship at Clergy Conference, Clergy Days and Diocesan Convention, clergy will ordinarily not vest.) Normally, the instructions regarding vestments, color, etc. are included on invitations. Clergy are welcome to vest in albs or cassocks/surplices, as convenient, along with stoles worn appropriate to your order. Other vestments, such as dalmatics and chasubles, should not normally be worn, except by liturgical leaders.
B. Canonical Residency, Licensing and Good Standing Requirements
- Guidelines for canonical residency in the Diocese of Massachusetts:
• All newly ordained deacons and priests formed for Holy Orders through the Diocese of Massachusetts automatically become canonically resident. Clergy whose first call is outside of our diocese should consult with the Canon for Ordained Vocations to determine the appropriate time to transfer their canonical residency.
• The canons require that rectors and priests-in-charge newly called to our diocese request canonical residency here upon acceptance of their call, by presenting Letters Dimissory (III.9.4.d) to the Bishop’s Office, which should be done through the Regional Canon during the final stages of the call process.
• Clergy called to other positions within our diocese, unless already canonically resident or licensed here, shall immediately apply for a license, which must be renewed annually. After being licensed for at least 12 months, they may request canonical residency at the time of their next annual license renewal. Determination of canonical residency is at the Bishop’s discretion, subject to the requirements of the canons.
• Clergy who move into our diocese following retirement, for purposes of further study, or who are otherwise without a pastoral appointment, and wish to exercise their ordained ministry in any public way, must apply for a license to officiate. This license must be renewed annually. After being licensed for at least 12 months, they may request canonical residency at the time of their next annual license renewal. Determination of canonical residency is at the Bishop’s discretion, subject to the requirements of the canons. Canonical residency for clergy in these circumstances is not normally considered without at least 18 months of service, or an expectation of permanent geographic residency.
- License to Officiate (for non-canonically resident clergy): If you are a priest from another diocese who wishes occasionally to serve as supply clergy for one of our congregations or otherwise function publicly as a priest in our diocese (lead worship of any kind, serve in any kind of ministry context, offer regular pastoral care, etc.), you must become licensed in the Diocese of Massachusetts. This must be done within two months of beginning to function. All licensed clergy must apply to renew their licenses annually on the first Sunday of Advent. Requests for a license may be sent to David Ames (dames@diomass.org).
- Maintaining good standing: To be a cleric in good standing in the Diocese of Massachusetts, all clergy, whether canonically resident or licensed, must participate in the Clergy Professional Development process at least once every three years. This includes: attending both parts of the annual Clergy Professional Development Days, completing the required Safe Church and Clergy Misconduct trainings and completing a background check conducted by the Bishop’s Office. These requirements must all be met during the same calendar year and, once complete, will extend your period of good standing for three years.
NOTE: A cleric’s good standing may be revoked by the Bishop for failure to complete these requirements, failure to renew your license (if not canonically resident) or at any time as part of the Title IV process or in the context of a pastoral direction.
- Clergy in later retirement: Clergy who are entering into the later stages of their retirement (and expect to no longer be engaging in public ministry) are invited to contact Bishop Whitworth’s office to arrange a conversation about maintaining their good standing and/or license with fewer requirements.
C. Formation for Newly Ordained (and Newly Received) Parish Priests
For newly ordained or newly received Episcopal priests serving in congregations of our diocese, we offer a required formational program. Participation is required of all newly ordained priests who are serving in congregations of our diocese (whether licensed or canonical resident). The program includes didactics, peer group formation, professional development and canonically required individual mentoring (III.9.2). If you are eligible for the program and do not receive an invitation within three months of beginning your call, please contact the Bishop’s Office to be invited to the program.
D. Communicating with the Bishop's Office when Planning to Discern a New Call
Priest transitions in our diocese are supported and overseen by our Regional Canons on behalf of the Bishop in her role as chief pastor. Priests contemplating departure from their current pastoral call are expected to speak with their Regional Canon early in their discernment, both for counsel and to help plan for communicating your intentions to others in your ministry context. The Bishop is also happy to speak with you during your times of discernment, as a
pastoral support. It is important that you communicate with Bishop Whitworth, either directly or through the Canons, if you put your name into a search in another diocese, so she can well represent you in bishop-to-bishop phone calls.
Deacon transitions are determined by assignment from the Bishop, with advisement by the Archdeacons and the Canon for Ordained Vocations. Priests and deacons preparing to retire from ministry are expected to discuss their retirement plans with the Bishop well before sharing with their parishes.
E. Expectations After Rector/Priest-in-Charge Transitions
When a priest leaves a parish or mission, it is important that they create ample space for the congregation to grieve, adjust and reconnect with new leadership. Clarity around boundaries is most important. Upon retirement or resignation, an outgoing rector or priest-in-charge should avoid worshiping, performing sacramental rites or spending time with their former community unless or until the new rector invites the previous clergy to re-engage with the community. In most cases, this would not take place for at least two years following the departure. Should a former congregant contact a cleric about conducting a sacramental rite (funeral, baptism, wedding), please decline and refer the request to the new rector/priest-in-charge. If you are having challenges with these guidelines, or are struggling with how to manage boundaries with former clergy, please contact your Regional Canon or the Bishop for assistance with navigating the tenderness of transition.
F. Non-parochial Clergy Visits with the Bishop
Episcopal visitations provide occasion for parochial clergy to have conversation with the Bishop. However, non-parochial clergy do not have this same opportunity. If you are actively serving in ministry in our diocese and are not part of a worshiping community which receives episcopal visitations, Bishop Whitworth would like to meet with you (either in person or on Zoom). To be added to the Bishop’s three-year cycle for a “conversation in lieu of visitation,” please contact Laura Simons (lsimons@diomass.org) in the Bishop’s Office.
G. Notification of Change in Family Structure, Pastoral or Disciplinary Concern
Please be sure to let the Bishop know of major changes in your or your family’s lives, either through the Deans, Regional Canons or Archdeacons, or directly, in a pastoral meeting arranged with her office. This includes: engagements, pregnancies, marital troubles which might lead to divorce, or significant illness. Bishop Whitworth wants to be pastorally present to you, as best she can. Moreover, should you have legal troubles, a major parish or personal emergency or significant conflict in your parish setting, please be sure to communicate this to the Bishop, Canons or Archdeacons as quickly as possible.
H. Continuing Education Expectations and Support
The canons require that deacons and priests engage regularly in continuing education, as required and provided by the Bishop (III.7.5 and III.9.1). In addition to the Clergy Professional Development Days, diocesan clergy are encouraged to seek out additional continuing education opportunities, and to fully use the time and resources available to you through your letter of agreement.
If additional funding is needed to support a continuing education opportunity, the Bishop’s Office also maintains a Clergy Professional Development Grants program, to which eligible clergy may apply for up to $1,000 to supplement these funds by contacting David Ames (dames@diomass.org). Clergy must be actively serving a call in our diocese to be eligible. Quarterly grant deadlines follow the Ember Day Cycle and are the Friday following: St. Lucy’s Day (12/13), Ash Wednesday, Pentecost, and Holy Cross Day (9/14).
Prepared: Eastertide 2025