Resolution Number: | 2003-A111 | |
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Title: | Revise Title III Canons | |
Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Substituted | |
Final Text: |
Resolved, That Canons III.1-9, 13-17, and 19 be deleted and replaced by the following amended Canons III.1-9, with all remaining Canons renumbered as appropriate:
[The final text of Resolution A111 has not been italicized because of its size and for ease of reading. Journal Ed.]
CANON 1: Of the Ministry of All Baptized Persons
Sec.1. Each Diocese shall make provision for the affirmation and development of the ministry of all baptized persons, including:
(a) | Assistance in understanding that all baptized persons are called to minister in Christ's name, to identify their gifts with the help of the Church and to serve Christ's mission at all times and in all places. |
(b) | Assistance in understanding that all baptized persons are called to sustain their ministries through commitment to life-long Christian formation. |
Sec. 2. No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established.
CANON 2: Commissions on Ministry
Sec. 1. In each Diocese there shall be a Commission on Ministry ("Commission") consisting of Priests, Deacons, if any, and Lay Persons. The Canons of each Diocese shall provide for the number of members, terms of office, and manner of selection to the Commission.
Sec. 2. The Commission shall advise and assist the Bishop:
(a) | In the implementation of Title III of these Canons. |
(b) | In the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons. |
(c) | In the design and oversight of the ongoing process for discernment, formation for ministry and assessment of readiness therefor. |
Sec. 3. The Commission may adopt rules for its work, subject to the approval of the Bishop; Provided that they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of this Church and of the Diocese.
Sec. 4 The Commission may establish committees consisting of members and other persons to report to the Commission or to act on its behalf.
Sec. 5 The Bishop and Commission shall ensure that the members of the Commission and its committees receive ongoing education and training for their work.
CANON 3: Of Discernment
Sec 1. The Bishop and Commission shall provide encouragement, training and necessary resources to assist each congregation in developing an ongoing process of community discernment appropriate to the cultural background, age and life experiences of all persons seeking direction in their call to ministry.
Sec 2. The Bishop, in consultation with the Commission, may utilize college and university campus ministry centers and other communities of faith as additional communities where discernment takes place. In cases where these discernment communities are located in another jurisdiction, the Bishop will consult with the bishop where the discernment community is located.
Sec 3. The Bishop and Commission shall actively solicit from congregations, schools and other youth organizations, college and university campus ministry centers, seminaries, and other communities of faith, names of persons whose demonstrated qualities of Christian commitment and potential for leadership and vision mark them as desirable candidates for positions of leadership in the Church.
Sec. 4. The Bishop, Commission, and the discernment community shall assist persons engaged in a process of ministry discernment to determine appropriate avenues for the expression and support of their ministries, either lay or ordained.
CANON 4: Of Licensed Ministries
Sec. 1
(a) | A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed by the Ecclesiastical Authority to serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor or Catechist. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons and the duration of licenses shall be established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. |
(b) | The Presiding Bishop or the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces may authorize a member of the Armed Forces to exercise one or more of these ministries in the Armed Forces in accordance with the provisions of this Canon. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons shall be established by the Bishop granting the license. |
Sec. 2
(a) | The Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith may request the Ecclesiastical Authority with jurisdiction to license persons within that congregation or other community of faith to exercise such ministries. The license shall be issued for a period of time to be determined under Canon III.4.1(a) and may be renewed. The license may be revoked by the Ecclesiastical Authority upon request of or upon notice to the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. |
(b) | In renewing the license, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall consider the performance of the ministry by the person licensed, continuing education in the licensed area, and the endorsement of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith in which the person is serving. |
(c) | A person licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another congregation or other community of faith in the same or another Diocese only at the invitation of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight, and with the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority in whose jurisdiction the service will occur. |
Sec. 3. A Pastoral Leader is a lay person authorized to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances, as defined by the Bishop.
Sec. 4. A Worship Leader is a lay person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 5. A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 6. A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 7. A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor shall should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 8. A Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Priest-in-Charge Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
CANON 5: Of General Provisions Respecting Ordination
Sec. 1.
(a) | The canonical authority assigned to the Bishop Diocesan by this Title may be exercised by a Bishop Coadjutor, when so empowered under Canon III.25, by a Bishop Suffragan when requested by the Bishop Diocesan, or by any other Bishop of the Anglican Communion canonically in charge of a Diocese, at the request of the ordinand's Bishop. |
(b) | The Council of Advice of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe, and the board appointed by a Bishop having jurisdiction in an Area Mission in accordance with the provisions of Canon I.11.2(c), shall, for the purpose of this and other Canons of Title III have the same powers as the Standing Committee of a Diocese. |
(c) | In case of a vacancy in the episcopate in a Diocese, the Ecclesiastical Authority may authorize and request the President of the House of Bishops of the Province to take order for an ordination. |
Sec. 2.
(a) | No Nominee, Applicant, Postulant or Candidate for ordination shall sign any of the certificates prescribed required by this Title. |
(b) | Testimonials required of the Standing Committee by this Title must be signed by a majority of the whole Committee, at a meeting duly convened, except that testimonials may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original. |
(c) | Whenever the letter of support of a Vestry is required, the letter must be signed and dated by at least two-thirds of all of the members of the Vestry, at a meeting duly convened, and by the Rector or Priest-in-Charge of the Parish, and attested by the Clerk of the Vestry. Should there be no Rector or Priest-in-Charge, the letter shall be signed by a Priest of the Diocese acquainted with the nominee and the Parish, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause. |
(d) | If the congregation or other discernment community of which the nominee is a member is not a Parish, the letter of support required by Canon III.6 or Canon III.8 shall be signed and dated by the Member of the Clergy and the council of the that congregation or other community of faith, and shall be attested by the secretary of the meeting at which the letter was approved. Should there be no Member of the Clergy, the certification letter shall be signed and dated by a Priest of the Diocese acquainted with the applicant nominee and the congregation or other community of faith, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause. |
(e) | If the applicant is a member of a Religious Order or Christian Community recognized by Canon III.30 the certificates letters of support referred to in Canon III.6 or Canon III.8 and any other requirements imposed on a congregation or Priest-in-Charge Member of the Clergy, may be given by the Superior or person in charge, and Chapter, or other comparable body of the Order or Community. |
Sec. 3 An application for any dispensation permitted by this Title from any of the requirements for ordination must first be made to the Bishop, and if approved, referred to the Standing Committee for its advice and consent.
CANON 6: Of the Ordination of Deacons
Sec. 1. Selection
The Bishop, in consultation with the Commission, shall establish procedures to identify and select persons with evident gifts and fitness for ordination to the Diaconate.
(a) | Nomination. A confirmed adult
communicant in good standing may be Nominated for ordination to the diaconate
by the person's congregation or other community of faith. The Nomination shall
be in writing, and shall include
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(b) |
Admission to Postulancy. Postulancy is the time between nomination and candidacy and includes a process of exploration of and decision on the Postulant's call to the diaconate.
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Sec. 2. Candidacy
(a) | Candidacy is a time, no less than one year in length, of formation in preparation for ordination to the Diaconate, established by a formal commitment by the Candidate, the Bishop, the Commission and the congregation or other community of faith. |
(b) | The Bishop may assign the Candidate to any congregation of the diocese or other community of faith after consultation with the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight. |
(c) | At the Bishop's sole discretion, any Candidate may be removed from the list of Candidates, with reasons given to the Candidate and written notice of the removal being given to the Candidate and the Member of the Clergy Rector or other leader exercising oversight of the nominating congregation or other community of faith and the Commission. |
Sec. 3. Preparation for Ordination
(a) | The Bishop, in consultation with the Commission, shall determine the length of time and extent of formation needed to prepare each Candidate for ordination. | ||||||||||
(b) |
Before ordination each Candidate shall be prepared in and demonstrate basic competence in five general areas:
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(c) | The formation process shall include sexual misconduct prevention training, training regarding Title IV of these Canons, and anti-racism training. | ||||||||||
(d) | Formation shall reflect the local culture and each Candidate's background, age, occupation, and ministry. Prior education and learning from life experience may be considered as part of the formation required for ordination. | ||||||||||
(e) | Wherever possible, formation shall take place in community, including persons in preparation for the diaconate, or others preparing for ministry. | ||||||||||
(f) | Each Candidate shall communicate with the Bishop in person or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, reflecting on the Candidate's academic, diaconal, human, spiritual, and practical, and academic development. | ||||||||||
(g) | During Candidacy each Candidate's progress shall be evaluated from time to time, and there shall be a written report of the evaluation by those authorized by the Commission to be in charge of the evaluation program. Upon certification by those in charge of the Candidate's program of preparation that the Candidate has successfully completed preparation and is ready for ordination, a final written assessment of readiness for ordination to the Diaconate shall be prepared as determined by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission. This report shall include a recommendation from the Commission regarding the readiness of the Candidate for ordination. Records shall be kept of all evaluations, and assessments and the recommendation and shall be made available to the Standing Committee. | ||||||||||
(h) | If the medical examination, psychological examination, or background check have taken place more than 36 months prior to ordination, they must be updated. | ||||||||||
(i) | Before ordination each Candidate must have reached the age of twenty-four, and made application for ordination. | ||||||||||
(j) | Upon certification in writing by the Standing Committee that all canonical requirements have been met, and that there is no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, doctrinal, or spiritual grounds and that they recommend ordination, the Bishop may ordain the Candidate a Deacon. |
CANON 7: Of the Life and Work of Deacons
Sec. 1. Deacons serve directly under the authority of and are accountable to the Bishop.
Sec. 2. Deacons canonically resident in each Diocese constitute a Community of Deacons, which shall meet from time to time. The Bishop may appoint one or more of such Deacons as Archdeacon(s) to assist the Bishop in the formation, deployment, supervision, and support of the Deacons or those in preparation to be Deacons, and in the implementation of this canon..
Sec. 3. The Bishop may establish a Council on Deacons ("Council") to oversee, study, and promote the diaconate.
Sec. 4. The Bishop, after consultation with the Deacon and the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight, may assign a Deacon to one or more congregations, other communities of faith or non-parochial ministries. Deacons assigned to a congregation or other community of faith act under the authority of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight in all matters concerning the congregation.
(a) | Deacons may have a letter of agreement, subject to the Bishop's approval, setting forth mutual responsibilities in the assignment. |
(b) | Deacons shall report annually to the Bishop or the Bishop's designee on their life and work. |
(c) | Deacons may serve as administrators of congregations or other communities of faith, but no Deacon shall be in charge of a congregation or other community of faith. |
(d) | Deacons may accept chaplaincies in any hospital, prison, or other institution. |
Sec. 5. The Bishop and Commission shall require and provide for the continuing education of Deacons and keep a record of such education.
Sec. 6.(a) A Deacon may not serve as Deacon for more than two months in any diocese other than the diocese in which the Deacon is canonically resident unless the Bishop of the other diocese shall have granted a license to the Deacon to serve in that diocese.
(b) |
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Sec. 7. A Deacon may retire from active service for reasons of age or infirmity with the consent of the Bishop at any time and shall retire for reasons of age or infirmity at the request of the Bishop mutually acceptable to the Deacon and the Bishop, or at any time for reasons of health. The Bishop may, with the consent of the Deacon, assign a retired Deacon to any congregation, other community of faith or non-parochial ministry, for a period not to exceed twelve months, and this period may be renewed.
CANON 8: Of the Ordination of Priests
Sec. 1. The Bishop, in consultation with the Commission, shall establish procedures to identify and select persons with evident gifts and fitness for ordination to the Priesthood.
Sec 2. Of General Provisions concerning Postulancy and Candidacy
(a) | Postulancy is a time, no less than six months in length, for the exploration of and decision on the Postulant's call to the Priesthood. | ||||||||||
(b) | Candidacy is a time of formation in preparation for ordination to the Priesthood, established by a formal commitment by the Candidate, the Bishop, the Commission and the congregation or other community of faith. The period of Candidacy shall be no less than six months. | ||||||||||
(c) | The combined period for Postulancy, Candidacy and Diaconate under this Canon shall be no less than 18 months. | ||||||||||
(d) |
The responsibilities for the formation and preparation of Postulants and Candidates shall include the following:
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(e) |
Prior to ordination as a deacon under this canon, the following must be accomplished:
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Sec. 3. Postulancy
(a) |
A person nominated for admission as a Postulant for ordination to the Priesthood shall provide to the Bishop the following:
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(b) |
Before granting admission as a Postulant, the Bishop:
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(c) | On the basis of the application and the personal interview, the Bishop shall notify the nominee and the Commission whether the application process may proceed. | ||||||||||||||||
(d) | If the Bishop approves proceeding, the Commission, or a committee of the Commission, shall meet with the nominee to review the application and prepare an evaluation of the nominee's qualifications to pursue a course of preparation for ordination to the Priesthood. The Commission shall present its evaluation and recommendations to the Bishop. | ||||||||||||||||
(e) | The Bishop may admit the nominee as a Postulant for ordination to the Priesthood. The Bishop shall record the Postulant's name and date of admission in a Register kept for that purpose. The Bishop shall inform the Postulant, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the Postulant's congregation or other community of faith, the Commission, the Standing Committee, and the Dean of the seminary the Postulant may be attending or proposes to attend, or the director of Postulant's program of preparation, of the fact and date of such admission. | ||||||||||||||||
(f) | Any Postulant may be removed as a Postulant at the sole discretion of the Bishop. The Bishop shall give written notice of the removal to the Candidate and the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the Postulant's congregation or other community of faith, the Commission, the Standing Committee, and the Dean of the seminary the Postulant may be attending or the director of the program of preparation. | ||||||||||||||||
(g) | No Bishop shall consider accepting as a Postulant any person who has been refused admission as a Candidate for ordination to the Priesthood in any other Diocese, or who, having been admitted, has afterwards ceased to be a Candidate, until receipt of a letter from the Bishop of the Diocese refusing admission, or in which the person has been a Candidate, declaring the cause of refusal or of cessation. If the Bishop decides to proceed the Bishop shall send the letter to the Commission. |
Sec. 4. Formation. Postulants shall pursue the program of preparation for ordination to the Priesthood developed by the Bishop and Commission. The program shall include theological training, practical experience, emotional development, and spiritual formation.
(a) | If the Postulant has not previously obtained a baccalaureate degree, the Commission, Bishop and Postulant shall design a program of such additional academic work to prepare the Postulant to undertake a program of theological education. | ||||||||||||||
(b) | Prior education and learning from life experience may be considered as part of the formation required for the Priesthood. | ||||||||||||||
(c) | Whenever possible, formation for the Priesthood shall take place in community, including other persons in preparation for the Priesthood, a ministry team, or others preparing for ministry. | ||||||||||||||
(d) | Formation shall take into account the local culture and each Candidate's background, age, occupation, and ministry. | ||||||||||||||
(e) |
Subject areas for study during this program of preparation shall include:
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Sec. 5. Candidacy
(a) |
A person desiring to be considered as a Candidate for ordination to the Priesthood shall apply to the Bishop. Such application shall include the following:
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(b) | Upon compliance with these requirements, and receipt of a statement from the Commission attesting to the continuing formation of the Postulant, the Bishop may admit the applicant as a Candidate for ordination to the Priesthood. The Bishop shall record the Candidate's name and date of admission in a Register kept for that purpose. The Bishop shall inform the Candidate, the Member of the Clergy or leader exercising oversight of the Candidate's congregation or other community of faith, the Commission, the Standing Committee, and the Dean of the seminary the Candidate may be attending or proposes to attend, or the director of the Candidate's program of preparation, of the fact and date of such admission. | ||||
(c) | A Candidate must remain in canonical relationship with the Diocese in which admission has been granted until ordination to the Diaconate under this Canon, except as provided in Canon III.8.5(d). | ||||
(d) | For reasons satisfactory to the Bishop, the Candidate may be transferred to another Diocese upon request, provided that the Bishop of the receiving Diocese is willing to accept the Candidate. | ||||
(e) | Any Candidate may be removed as a Candidate at the sole discretion of the Bishop. The Bishop shall give written notice of the removal to the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the Candidate's congregation or other community of faith, the Commission, the Standing Committee, and the Dean of the seminary the Candidate may be attending or the director of the program of preparation. | ||||
(f) | If a Bishop has removed the Candidate's name from the list of Candidates, except by transfer, or the Candidate's application for ordination has been rejected, no other Bishop may ordain the person without readmission to Candidacy for a period of at least twelve months. |
Sec. 6. Ordination to the Diaconate
(a) | A Candidate must first be ordained Deacon before being ordained Priest. | ||||||
(b) | To be ordained Deacon under this canon, a person must be at least twenty-one years of age. | ||||||
(c) | No one shall be ordained Deacon under this canon within six months of admission as a Candidate nor within one year of admission as Postulant | ||||||
(d) |
The Bishop shall obtain in writing:
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(e) |
The Standing Committee shall obtain:
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(f) |
On the receipt of such certificates, the Standing Committee, a majority of all the members consenting, shall certify that the canonical requirements for ordination to the Diaconate under this canon have been met and there is no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, doctrinal, or spiritual grounds and that they recommend ordination, by a testimonial addressed to the Bishop in the form specified below and signed by the consenting members of the Standing Committee. To the Right Reverend __________, Bishop of __________ We, the Standing Committee of ______, having been duly convened at _____, do testify that A.B., desiring to be ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood under Canon III.8, has presented to us the certificates as required by the Canons indicating A.B.'s preparedness for ordination to the Diaconate under Canon III.8; and we certify that all canonical requirements for ordination to the Diaconate under Canon III.8 have been met; and we find no sufficient objection to ordination. Therefore, we recommend A. B. for ordination. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this _____ day of _____, in the year of our Lord _____ (Signed) _______________ | ||||||
(g) | The testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, doctrinal, or spiritual grounds, the Bishop may ordain the Candidate to the Diaconate under this canon; and at the time of ordination the Candidate shall subscribe publicly and make, in the presence of the Bishop, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution. |
Sec. 67. Ordination to the Priesthood
(a) |
A person may be ordained Priest
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(b) |
The Bishop shall obtain in writing and provide to the Standing Committee:
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(c) |
On the receipt of such certificates, the Standing Committee, a majority of all the members consenting, shall certify that the canonical requirements for ordination to the Priesthood have been met, and there is no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, doctrinal, or spiritual grounds and that they recommend ordination, by a testimonial addressed to the Bishop in the form specified below and signed by the consenting members of the Standing Committee. To the Right Reverend __________, Bishop of __________ We, the Standing Committee of ______, having been duly convened at _____, do testify that A.B., desiring to be ordained to the Priesthood, has presented to us the certificates as required by the Canons indicating A.B.'s preparedness for ordination to the Priesthood have been met; and we certify that all canonical requirements for ordination to the Priesthood have been met, and we find no sufficient objection to ordination. Therefore, we recommend A. B. for ordination. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this _____ day of _____, in the year of our Lord _____ (Signed) _____________ | ||||||||||
(d) | The testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, doctrinal, or spiritual grounds, the Bishop may ordain the Deacon to the Priesthood; and at the time of ordination the Deacon shall subscribe publicly and make, in the presence of the Bishop, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution. | ||||||||||
(e) | No Deacon shall be ordained to the Priesthood until having been appointed to serve in a Parochial Cure within the jurisdiction of this Church, or as a Missionary under the Ecclesiastical Authority of a Diocese, or as an officer of a Missionary Society recognized by the General Convention, or as a Chaplain of the Armed Services of the United States, or as a Chaplain in a recognized hospital or other welfare institution, or as a Chaplain or instructor in a school, college, or other seminary, or with other opportunity for the exercise of the office of Priest within the Church judged appropriate by the Bishop. | ||||||||||
(f) | A person ordained to the Diaconate under Canon III.6 who is subsequently called to the Priesthood shall fulfill the Postulancy and Candidacy requirements set forth in this canon. Upon completion of these requirements, the Deacon may be ordained to the Priesthood. |
CANON 9: Of the Life and Work of Priests
Sec. 1. The Bishop and Commission shall require and provide for the continuing education of Priests and keep a record of such education.
Of Mentoring for Newly Ordained Priests
Sec. 2. Each newly ordained priest, whether employed or not, shall be assigned a mentor priest by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. The mentor and new priest shall meet regularly for at least a year to provide guidance, information and a sustained dialogue about priestly ministry.
Of the Appointment of Priests
Sec. 3. (a) Rectors.
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(b) | Priests-in-Charge. After consultation with the Vestry, the Bishop may appoint a Priest to serve as Priest-in-Charge of any congregation in which there is no Rector. In such congregations, the Priest-in-Charge shall exercise the duties of Rector outlined in Canon III.9.4 subject to the authority of the Bishop. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(c) | Assistants. A Priest serving as an assistant in a Parish, by whatever title designated, shall be selected by the Rector, and when required by the Canons of the Diocese, subject to the approval of the Vestry, and shall serve under the authority and direction of the Rector. Before the selection of an assistant the name of the Priest proposed for selection shall be made known to the Bishop and a time, not exceeding sixty days, given for the Bishop to communicate with the Rector and Vestry on the proposed selection. Any assistant shall serve at the pleasure of the Rector and may not serve beyond the period of service of the Rector, except that pending the call of a new Rector, an assistant may continue in the service of the Parish if requested to do so by the Vestry under such conditions as the Bishop and Vestry shall determine. An assistant may continue to serve at the request of a new Rector. Assistants may have a letter of agreement with the Rector and the Vestry setting forth mutual responsibilities subject to the Bishop's approval. | ||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Chaplains.
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(e) |
Non-ecclesiastical or Non-parochial Employment of Priests
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Of Letters Dimissory
Sec. 4.
(a) |
A Priest desiring to become canonically resident within a Diocese shall present to the Ecclesiastical Authority a testimonial from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese of current canonical residence, which testimonial shall be given by the Ecclesiastical Authority to the applicant, and a duplicate thereof may be sent to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese to which transfer is proposed. The testimonial shall be accompanied by a statement of the record of payments to The Church Pension Fund by or on behalf of the Priest concerned and shall be in the following words: I hereby certify that A.B., who has signified to me the desire to be transferred to the Ecclesiastical Authority of __________, is a Priest of __________ in good standing, and has not, so far as I know or believe, been justly liable to evil report, for error in religion or for viciousness of life, for the last three years.
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(b) | Such a testimonial shall be called Letters Dimissory. If the Ecclesiastical Authority accepts the Letters Dimissory, the canonical residence of the Priest transferred shall date from such acceptance, and prompt notice of acceptance shall be given to the applicant and to the Ecclesiastical Authority issuing the Letters Dimissory. | ||
(c) | Letters Dimissory not presented within six months of their date of receipt by the applicant shall become void. | ||
(d) | If a Priest has been called to a Cure in a congregation in another Diocese, the Priest shall present Letters Dimissory. The Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese shall accept Letters Dimissory within three months of their receipt unless the Bishop or Standing Committee has received credible information concerning the character or behavior of the Priest concerned which would form grounds for canonical inquiry and presentment. In such a case, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall notify the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident and need not accept the Letters Dimissory unless and until the Priest shall be exculpated. The Ecclesiastical Authority shall not refuse to accept Letters Dimissory based on the applicant's race, color, ethnic origin, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age. | ||
(e) |
A Priest shall not be in charge of any congregation in the Diocese to which the person moves until obtaining from the Ecclesiastical Authority of that Diocese a certificate in the following words: I hereby certify that A.B. has been canonically transferred to my jurisdiction and is a Priest in good standing.
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(f) | No person who has been refused ordination or reception as a Candidate in any Diocese, and is thereafter ordained in another Diocese, shall be transferred to the Diocese in which such refusal has occurred without the consent of its Ecclesiastical Authority. |
Of Priests and Their Duties
Sec. 5.
(a) |
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(b) |
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(c) |
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Of Licenses
Sec. 6.
(a) | No Priest shall preach, minister the Sacraments, or hold any public service, within the limits of any Diocese other than the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident for more than two months without a license from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Priest desires to so officiate. No Priest shall be denied such a license on account of the Priest's race, color, ethnic origin, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided in these Canons. Upon expiration or withdrawal of a license, a priest shall cease immediately to officiate. | ||||||||||||
(b) |
No Priest shall preach, read prayers in public worship, or perform any similar function, in a congregation without the consent of the Rector or Priest-in-Charge of that congregation, except as follows:
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(c) |
No Rector or Priest-in-Charge of any congregation of this Church, or if there be none, no Wardens, Members of the Vestry, or Trustees of any congregation, shall permit any person to officiate in the congregation without sufficient evidence that such person is duly licensed and ordained and in good standing in this Church; Provided, nothing in these Canons shall prevent:
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(d) | (a) If any Member of the Clergy or Priest-in-Charge, as a result of disability or any other cause, shall neglect to perform regular services in the congregation, and refuse, without good cause, to consent to any other duly qualified Member of the Clergy to perform such services, the Wardens, Vestry, or Trustees of the congregation shall, upon providing evidence to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese of such neglect or refusal and with the written consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority, have the authority to permit any duly qualified Member of the Clergy to officiate. | ||||||||||||
(e) |
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Of Retirement
Sec. 7. Upon attaining the age of seventy-two years, a Priest occupying any position in this Church shall resign that position and retire from active service, and the resignation shall be accepted. Thereafter, the Priest may accept any position in this Church, including, with permission of the ecclesiastical authority, the position or positions from which resignation pursuant to this Section has occurred; Provided,
(a) | tenure in the position shall be for a period of not more than one year, which period may be renewed from time to time, |
(b) |
service in the position shall have the express approval of the Bishop of the Diocese in which the service is to be performed, acting in consultation with the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident. |
(c) | Anything in this Canon to the contrary notwithstanding, a Priest who has served in a non-stipendiary capacity in a position before retirement may, at the Bishop's request, serve in the same position for six months thereafter, and this period may be renewed from time to time. |
Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), pp. 641-667. |
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