The Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers (or, “the Alliance”) seeks to affirm and promote lay ecclesial ministry in parishes and dioceses throughout the United States. The Alliance is comprised of five national Catholic ministry organizations working collaboratively to produce common standards for lay ecclesial ministry and to implement and promote the certification of lay ecclesial ministers. The Alliance partners include:
Now available: This video discusses the value of lay ecclesial ministry certification with specific attention to pastoral leaders and various ministries.
Update information: Application and other forms are available for download on the "How Do I Get Certified?" page. Also links to Forms page.
In fulfilling its mission, the Alliance has revised and updated the 2003 National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers
and has developed procedures for the certification of lay ecclesial
ministers serving in the specialized ministries represented by the
Alliance partners.
Applications for candidacy and portfolio completions for consideration to be certified are accepted twice a year before the following deadlines:
In October 2011, the Committee on Certification and Accreditation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB/CCA) granted approval of the national certification standards and procedures for a period of seven years.
The
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on
Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service (formerly the USCCB
Commission on Certification and Accreditation) has approved the
certification standards and procedures of the Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers through 2018. The USCCB Subcommittee national office is located at 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington, DC 20017 (202-541-3154).
For more information go to: www.usccb.org/certification.
© . National Association for Lay Ministry on behalf of the Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers