Chancellor's Office

In a Catholic Diocese the Chancellor is the diocesan official appointed by the Bishop to gather, draw up, countersign, copy, forward and record all official documents required in the various areas of Diocesan governance. The Chancellor ensures that the administrative and judicial acts of the Diocese are gathered, arranged, safeguarded and preserved in the Diocesan Archives. (Canon 482) The Bishop may also delegate the Chancellor to exercise other functions for the diocese as follows:
 
1.     To provide personnel support for the priests and deacons of the Diocese, including retirement and clearance for ministry outside of our diocese.

2.    The Office of the Chancellor works closely with the Bishop and the Vicars General of the Diocese of Tucson in the administrative placement of priests.

3.    The Chancellor is the Diocesan Notary and is responsible for the diocesan archives which includes the preservation of the diocesan history, permanent documents, religious objects and sacramental records.

4.    To receive and verify the suitability and good standing of ministerial clergy, religious and laity wishing to serve in the Diocese of Tucson through administrative clearance practices.

5.    Data Maintenance, Collection and Files for priest information, parish history, assignment history, priest status and personnel data, Diocesan Organizations, ministries and movements

6.    A key responsibility of the Chancellor’s office is Reporting. This includes the compilations for the Official Catholic Directory, Diocese of Tucson Directory, Annual Pastoral Reporting, Annual Statistical General Questionnaire to the Vatican, Quinquennial Report – for the ad limina visit of our Bishop to the Vatican, Necrology Report for the Order of Prayer Publication, and general report generation for the Pastoral Center.

7.    The Chancellor serves as first contact on general sacramental questions within the Diocese. By working with the Diocesan Judicial Vicar, the Chancellor answers questions according to canon law and established norms of the diocese and brings inconsistencies or issues to the Bishop for clarification.

8.    The office of the Chancellor (or "Chancery") is concerned with the official documents, including the archives, of the Diocese, especially of the Bishop.