I am an ordained priest, but the hospital where I minister is outside of my home diocese. When I fill out the application for certification or renewal of certification, should I list the bishop of the diocese where I work, or the diocese where I am incardinated?

The NACC Certification Procedures Manual (123, 223, 368, 395, 3125 and 523) states that the NACC National Office requires and requests a current letter of ecclesiastical endorsement (Standard 301.1). Current is defined as within one year of application for certification. Diocesan priests or deacons need current endorsement from their ordinary (the bishop of the diocese in which they are incardinated). The NACC will request this directly from your bishop. For religious, a current endorsement by the member’s major superior is required. The NACC will request this directly from the major superior. For laypersons, a letter of recommendation from your pastor or from a priest in active ministry is required. This letter should be addressed to the Certification Commission Chair and sent to the NACC. Secondly, a current endorsement by the bishop in the diocese of your ministry is also required. The NACC will request this directly from the bishop and will enclose a copy of the priest’s letter of recommendation. We suggest that you make an appointment with your bishop as you move through the processes, so that he is familiar with you and your ministry. If the endorsement letter is delayed, the process will still proceed, but final action will wait until the NACC receives the endorsement.