Office of Ministry Provides Vital Functions for Church and Faithful

The Office of Ministries which is supported by the ADF, houses the office of the Vicar General, the Vicar for Ministries and the Chancellor and serves the Archbishop, the Priests of the Archdiocese, various Archdiocesan departments and the people of the Archdiocese. The Office of the Safe Environment Coordinator is also an adjunct to the Office of Ministries.

The Office of Ministries provides direct service to the people of the Archdiocese in several important areas. For example, the Office is responsible for processing prenuptial investigations for the people of the Archdiocese.   During 2005, more than 600 prenuptial investigations were completed and recorded. The Office also maintains schedules for the priests of the Archdiocese in order to provide emergency and night coverage of Deaconess and Integris Hospital in Oklahoma City. Sacramental records are researched for persons seeking information to qualify for Social Security or other government benefits, and the Office is available to those seeking general information regarding the Archdiocese and Archdiocesan activities. The Office of Ministries is also available to assist in obtaining Papal Blessings and facilitating Papal Audiences.

The Office of Ministries is the central statistics office for the Archdiocese and compiles and maintains statistical data for the Official Catholic Directory (Kenedy Directory) which is utilized by many Archdiocesan parishes and offices and important for maintaining the Archdiocese’s tax-exempt status. Statistical information is used by the Office of Ministries in preparing grant applications such as the “Black and Indian Grant” the Archdiocese receives and distributes to eligible parishes and missions.

The Office of Ministries provides canon law research and civil law assistance and research for Archbishop Beltran and other departments. The Office of Ministries also consults with the priests of the Archdiocese and parishes on canon law and civil legal matters. The Vicar for Ministries assists the priests of the Archdiocese, including priests from other countries serving in the Archdiocese.   The Chancellor serves as the general spokesperson for the Archdiocese and is responsible for coordinating media contacts and press releases. The Archives of the Archdiocese are also under the supervision of the Chancellor.

The Office of Safe Environment coordinates the Archdiocesan safe environment efforts and organizes workshops. This office actively interacts with civic leaders and service providers serving children.   The Offices of Safe Environment and Ministries are responsible for coordinating the annual audit by the USCCB/Office of Child and Youth Protection.