DECREE OF PROMULGATION AMENDING DIOCESAN POLICY TO INCLUDE POLICY ON DISTRIBUTION OF SACRAMENTAL CERTIFICATES
I, Alberto Rojas, DD, by the grace of God, Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino, recognizing the importance of the proper administration of providing sacramental certificates to the faithful irrespective of financial ability; and,
Having sought and received the counsel and unanimous consent of the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of San Bernardino on April 21, 2021, in accordance with the norms of the Code of Canon Law (Canons 8 §2 and 29), and by testimony of this document.
Under the norms of the Code of Canon Law (Canons 391 §2 and 29), I decree, therefore, that the particular law of the Diocese of San Bernardino contained within the Diocesan Policy Manual be amended to include the following:
- The Diocesan Policy entitled, “Distribution of Sacramental Certificates” and that said policy is hereby effective March 26th, 2025 and is to be immediately promulgated by dissemination to the clergy and the laity of the Diocese and included in the appropriate section of the Diocesan Policy Manual.
Given at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, San Bernardino, California on the 26th day of March, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand Twenty-Five.
Most Reverend Alberto Rojas Bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino
Leticia Salazar, ODN Sister Leticia Salazar, ODN Chancellor of the Diocese of San Bernardino
DISTRIBUTION OF SACRAMENTAL CERTIFICATES POLICY:
Every person who successfully completes the designated process of Sacramental preparation set forth by the particular parish in which the Sacrament will be celebrated, is entitled to the original certificate which acknowledges the reception of the Sacrament. As directed by the Office of Archives, every parish is to officially record the reception of all Sacraments in a timely manner, into the Parish Sacramental Registry. No certificate is to be withheld from the recipient for any reason, which includes outstanding registration balances.
IMPLEMENTATION:
The Director/Coordinator of Catechetical Ministry is to provide the original certificate, which includes the parish seal and the signature of the Pastor. The certificate should be given to the person receiving the Sacrament either at the end of the celebration of the Sacrament received or at the next session held with all recipients.
No person is to be denied the reception of the Sacrament due to financial reasons of any kind. Families with any financial concerns should speak directly to the Pastor, in order to resolve the issue regarding registration and discuss alternative options.
Under no circumstances are Sacramental certificates to be withheld from the recipient nor is the candidate to be denied a Sacrament due to lack of registration payments.
