Legal Definitions - dimissoriae litterae

In ecclesiastical (church) law, dimissory letters (from the Latin dimissoriae litterae) are formal, official documents issued by a religious superior, such as a bishop or other competent authority. These letters grant permission for a cleric or, in some cases, a layperson, to receive sacraments, be ordained, or transfer their ecclesiastical affiliation or duties within a different diocese or jurisdiction than their own, or to another religious superior.

Essentially, dimissory letters serve as a formal release, recommendation, or authorization from one ecclesiastical authority to another, confirming the individual's good standing and suitability for the requested action in the new context.

• Example 1: Ordination of a Seminarian

  A young man from the Diocese of Springfield has been studying for the priesthood at a seminary located in the Diocese of Capital City. When the time comes for his ordination as a deacon or priest, the Bishop of Springfield, who is his ordinary (the bishop with jurisdiction over him), would issue dimissory letters to the Bishop of Capital City. These letters would formally request or grant permission for the ordination to take place in the Capital City cathedral, or confirm his suitability for ordination if he were to return to Springfield, thereby ensuring all canonical requirements are met across diocesan boundaries.

• Example 2: Transfer of a Priest to a New Diocese

  Father Michael has served faithfully in the Diocese of Lakeside for fifteen years but feels called to ministry in the Diocese of Mountainview, perhaps due to a specialized need there or family reasons. For Father Michael to officially transfer and begin serving as a priest under the Bishop of Mountainview, his current Bishop of Lakeside would issue dimissory letters. These documents would formally release Father Michael from his obligations to the Diocese of Lakeside and recommend him to the Bishop of Mountainview, confirming his good standing and suitability for ministry in his new assignment.

• Example 3: Marriage in a Different Parish or Diocese

  Sarah and David are both registered members of St. Jude's Parish in the Diocese of Riverbend. However, they wish to have their wedding ceremony at the historic St. Paul's Church in the Diocese of Coastal Plains, which holds sentimental value for Sarah's family. To proceed with their marriage in a different diocese, their pastor at St. Jude's, acting under the authority of the Bishop of Riverbend, would issue dimissory letters to the pastor of St. Paul's Church and the Bishop of Coastal Plains. These letters would confirm that Sarah and David are free to marry, have completed any necessary marriage preparation in their home diocese, and that there are no canonical impediments to their union, allowing the marriage to be validly celebrated in the Coastal Plains Diocese.