This is a new dispensation which has a softer and less punitive tone than in previous dispensations. A lot more is placed on the local Ordinary (Bishop) in determining how and in what way the dispensed priest can operate in his diocese.
DICASTERIUM PRO CLERICIS
(Dispensatio ab oneribus Ordinationi conexis)
Prot. N. XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX, priest of the XXXXXXXXX, humbly requests dispensation from sacred celibacy and from the obligations connected to Sacred Ordination.
The Holy Father LEO XIV,
on the XX day of XXXX, in the year 2026,
after having received the report of the Dicastery for the Clergy, has given his consent to the request, together with the following provisions:
1. The Rescript comprising the grace of the dispensation, to be transmitted as soon as possible by the Ordinary of the petitioner, in conformity with the norms found below (n. 2),
a) takes effect from the moment in which it is notified to the petitioner;
b) includes inseparably a dispensation from celibacy and, at the same time, the loss of the clerical state. These two elements can never be separated, being, in the current praxis, part of a single procedure;
c) if the petitioner is a religious, this Rescript also includes a dispensation from his vows;
d) in addition, said Rescript includes, if necessary, an absolution from censures;
2. The notification of the grace of dispensation for the petitioner may be done either personally (by the same Ordinary, by his delegate, or by an ecclesiastical notary) or by registered letter. The Ordinary must return a copy, duly signed by the petitioner, as an attestation of the reception of the Rescript and of the acceptance of the norms.
3. The notification of the concession of the grace of dispensation must be registered in the baptismal registry of the home parish of the petitioner, to which the notice will be transmitted by the petitioner's Ordinary.
4. Regarding the celebration of a canonical marriage, the norms found in the Code of Canon Law on this matter (cf. cann. 1055-1140) must be applied, with respect for the sensibilities of the local faithful.
5. The ecclesiastical Authority to which it pertains to communicate the Rescript to the dispensed cleric, is to endeavor as far as possible to see to it that he takes an active part in the life of the People of God, in a manner consonant with his new state, to give edifying example and, thereby, show himself as a devoted son of the Church, fulfilling useful service to the Christian community and placing at its service the gifts and talents given him by God. At the same time, he must be informed of the following points:
a) The dispensed cleric automatically loses the rights proper to the clerical state, and all those connected to it, as well as the related obligations (cf. cann. 273-289); the dispensed cleric will be able to exercise ecclesiastical offices that do not require Holy Orders, with the permission of the competent Bishop, having heard the College of Consultors;
b) The dispensed cleric retains, however, the duties relative to the sacrament of Reconciliation in the case of a penitent in danger of death, as found in canons 976 and 986 52:
6. It is desirable that the dispensed cleric be accepted in the community of the Church where he resides, to continue his journey, faithful to the duties of his baptismal vocation. In receiving the dispensed cleric in the Church community tamquam laicus, it will be necessary for the Bishop to take care that any functions or services that may eventually be entrusted to him will not cause wonderment or scandal among the faithful.
7. Considering the concrete circumstances, according to the prudent judgment of the competent Bishop, the dispensed cleric will be able to carry out a directive office or the duty of teaching the theological disciplines in institutions of lower studies that depend upon ecclesiastical authority. The same holds for the dispensed cleric concerning the teaching of Religion in similar institutions that do not depend upon ecclesiastical authority.
8. In institutions of higher learning, that are in any way dependent upon ecclesiastical authority, the dispensed cleric will be unable to carry out a directive office. Nevertheless, this prohibition will be able to be removed by the Dicastery for the Clergy, at the request of the competent Bishop, and after having consulted the Dicastery for Culture and Education, in such a way that the dispensed cleric may be able to fulfill some function in theological faculties or in equivalent institutions of academic formation, as well as in other institutions of higher learning that are in any way dependent upon ecclesiastical authority.
9. In institutions of higher learning, whether or not they are dependent upon ecclesiastical authority, the dispensed cleric will not be able to teach properly theological disciplines, or those intimately connected to theology. Nevertheless, this prohibition will be able to be removed by the Dicastery for the Clergy, at the request of the competent Bishop, and after having consulted the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
10. The dispensed cleric is not able to fulfill formative functions in Seminaries or in equivalent institutions.
11. At a convenient time, a brief report should be made to this Dicastery on the completed notification and on the prospects for the dispensed cleric within the community of the Church.
Given at the offices of the Dicastery, on the XX day of the month of XXXX in the year 2026.
Lagzars Cand. You
Lazzaro Card. You Heung sik Prefect
Carlo Roberto Maria Redaelli Archbishop Emeritus of Gorizia Secretary
Date of notification XXth XXX 2026
Manh Hygis
Signature of Petitioner indicating acceptance
Signature of Ordinary