Visiting Clergy Information

• Any priest or deacon incardinated outside the Diocese of Toledo coming into the diocese, which also includes coming to Our Lady of Consolation Basilica & Shrine, to perform a ministry (e.g. pilgrimage, mission, presentation, conference, Mass, etc.), must provide a Letter of Suitability (Certificate of Aptitude) from an official of his diocese of incardination (the diocese to which he belongs) or from his Religious Superior/Provincial Director of the religious order or Institute of Apostolic Life of which he is a member.
  • If the cleric just wishes to visit the basilica and shrine, but not perform any aspects of his clerical ministry, no letter is needed.
    
• This Letter of Suitability (Certificate of Aptitude) must be current and bearing the seal of the diocese of incardination (the diocese to which he belongs) or of the religious order or institute of apostolic life to which he belongs and mailed to the Vicar for Clergy of the Diocese of Toledo.
  
• The letter must clearly state the purpose and dates for your visitation to Our Lady of Conslation Basilica & Shrine.
  
• This letter must be on file at the Chancery of the Diocese of Toledo before the visiting priest or deacon is granted permission to perform any ministry or (con)celebrate Mass at the Basilica & Shrine.
  
• A copy of the letter must be sent to the Rector of Our Lady of Consolation even though the Chancery of the Diocese of Toledo forwards a copy of the letter to the Rector. This is to ensure that proper documentation is received at both ends, especially if there are any problems or questions that might arise.
  
• Providing this information and the sending of it to the Chancery should not be done at the last minute. If so, there is a good possibility the letter or other required information might not arrive in time. If so, the required permission will not be granted and an embarrassing situation for all involved could arise.
  
• It is to be clearly understood that a CELEBRET is no longer sufficient or accepted as proof to (con)celebrate at Mass or perform other ministries in the dioceses of the United States. This regulation applies to all priests or deacons coming to Our Lady of Consolation Basilica & Shrine, even to those coming from outside of the United States.

Chancery Address:
Very Rev. Michael Dandurand
Vicar for Clergy and Senior Director of Clergy, Consecrated Life, & Vocations
Diocese of Toledo
1933 Spielbusch Ave
Toledo, OH 43604
P: 419-244-6711
F: 419-244-4791

Letters of Suitability request by email:
Ingrid Cooper – icooper@toledodiocese.org

Copy sent to:
Basilica & National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Father Thomas Merrill, OFM Conv., Rector
315 Clay Street
Carey, Ohio 43316

Please email a copy to:
rector@olcshrine.com and pilgrimdir@olcshrine.com