a. At the time and place appointed for the meeting of the General Convention, the President of the House of Deputies, or, if absent, the Vice-President of the House, or, if there be neither, a presiding officer pro tempore appointed by the members of the House of Deputies on the Joint Committee of Arrangements for the General Convention, shall call to order the members present. The Secretary of the House of Deputies, or, if absent, a Secretary pro tempore of the House of Deputies appointed by the presiding officer, shall record the names of those whose testimonials, in due form, shall have been presented, which record shall be prima facie evidence that the persons whose names are therein recorded are entitled to seats. In the event that testimonials are presented by or on behalf of persons from jurisdictions which have not previously been represented in a General Convention, then the Secretary of the House of Deputies, or one appointed instead as provided herein, shall proceed as provided in Clause c. If there be a quorum present, the Secretary of the House of Deputies shall so certify, and the House shall proceed to organize by the election, by ballot, of a Secretary of the House of Deputies, and a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to such election. Upon such election, the presiding officer shall declare the House organized. If there be a vacancy in the office of President or Vice-President, the vacancy or vacancies shall then be filled by election, by ballot, the term of any officer so elected to continue until the adjournment of the General Convention. As soon as such vacancies are filled, the President shall appoint a committee to wait upon the House of Bishops and inform it of the organization of the House of Deputies, and of its readiness to proceed to business.

b. Election of President and Vice-PresidentThere shall be a President and a Vice-President of the House of Deputies, who shall perform the duties normally appropriate to their respective offices or specified in these Canons. They shall be elected not later than the seventh day of each regular meeting of the General Convention in the manner herein set forth. The House of Deputies shall elect from its membership, by a majority of separate ballots, a President and a Vice-President, who shall be of different orders. Such officers shall take office at the adjournment of the regular meeting at which they are elected, and shall continue in office until the adjournment of the following regular meeting of the General Convention. They shall be and remain ex officio members of the House during their term of office. No person elected President or Vice-President shall be eligible for more than three consecutive full terms in each respective office. In case of resignation, death, absence, or inability, of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the office until the adjournment of the next meeting of the General Convention. In case of resignation, death, absence, or inability of the Vice-President, the President shall appoint a Deputy of the opposite order, upon the advice and consent of the lay persons, presbyters and deacons of the Executive Council, who shall serve until the adjournment of the next meeting of the General Convention. Appointment of Advisory Council and Chancellor The President shall be authorized to appoint an Advisory Council for consultation and advice in the performance of the duties of office. The President may also appoint a Chancellor to the President, a confirmed adult communicant of the Church in good standing who is learned in both ecclesiastical and secular law, to serve so long as the President may desire, as counselor in matters relating to the discharge of the responsibilities of that office.

c. Diocesan Journals to be forwardedIn order to aid the Secretary of the House of Deputies in preparing the record specified in Clause .a, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese to forward to the Secretary of the House of Deputies, as soon as may be practicable, a copy of the latest Journal of the Diocesan Convention, together with a certified copy of the testimonials of members aforesaid, and a duplicate copy of such testimonials. Testimonials requiredWhere testimonials are received for persons from jurisdictions which have not previously been represented in General Convention, the Secretary of the House of Deputies shall ascertain that the applicable provisions of Article V, Section 1, of the Constitution have been complied with prior to such persons being permitted to take their seats in the House.

d. Secretary to keep minutes and recordsThe Secretary shall keep full minutes of the proceedings of the House; record them, with all reports, in a book provided for that purpose; preserve the Journals and Records of the House; deliver them to the Registrar, as hereinafter provided; and perform such other duties as may be directed by the House. The Secretary may, with the approval of the House, appoint Assistant Secretaries, and the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries shall continue in office until the organization of the next General Convention, and until their successors be chosen.

e. Amendments to Constitution and Prayer BookIt shall be the duty of the Secretary of the House of Deputies, whenever any alteration of the Book of Common Prayer or of the Constitution is proposed, or any other subject submitted to the consideration of the several Diocesan Conventions, to give notice thereof to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Church in every Diocese, as well as to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese, and written evidence that the foregoing requirement has been complied with shall be presented by the Secretary to the General Convention at its next session. All such notices shall be sent by electronic means, with the Secretary’s certificates to be returned. The Secretary shall notify all diocesan Secretaries that it is their duty to make known such proposed alterations of the Book of Common Prayer, and of the Constitution, and such other subjects, to the Conventions of their respective Dioceses at their next meeting, and to certify to the Secretary of the House of Deputies that such action has been taken.

f. Secretary and Treasurer to have seat and voiceThe Secretary of the House of Deputies and the Treasurer of the General Convention shall be entitled to seats upon the floor of the House, and, with the consent of the President, they may speak on the subjects of their respective offices.

g. Rules of the House of DeputiesAt the meetings of the House of Deputies the Rules and Orders of the previous meeting shall be in force until they are amended or repealed by the House.

h. In case of the resignation, death, or total disability of the President and Vice-President during the recess of the General Convention, the Secretary of the House of Deputies shall perform such ad interim duties as may appertain to the office of President until the next meeting of the General Convention or until such disability is removed.

i. If, during recess, a vacancy shall occur in the office of Secretary of the House of Deputies, the duties thereof shall devolve upon the First Assistant Secretary, or, if there be none such, upon a Secretary pro tempore appointed by the President of the House, or if the office of President be also vacant, then by the Vice-President, and if both offices be vacant, then by the members from the House of Deputies of the Joint Committee on Planning and Arrangements for the next General Convention, appointed by the preceding General Convention.

j. Secretary to be Secretary of ConventionAt every regular meeting of the General Convention, the Secretary elected by the House of Deputies shall, by concurrent action of the two Houses of the General Convention, also be made the Secretary of the General Convention, who shall have responsibility for assembling and printing of the Journal of the General Convention, and for other matters specifically referred to the Secretary and shall serve until a successor is elected.

a. The General Convention by Canon may establish Standing Commissions to study and draft policy proposals on major subjects considered to be of continuing concern to the mission of the Church. The Canon shall specify the duties of each Standing Commission. Standing Commissions shall be composed of five Bishops, five Priests and/or Deacons of this Church and ten Lay Persons, who shall be confirmed adult communicants of this Church in good standing. The Priests, Deacons, and Lay Persons are not required to be Deputies to General Convention.

b. TermsThe terms of all members of Standing Commissions shall be equal to the interval between the regular meeting of the General Convention preceding their appointment and the adjournment of the second succeeding regular meeting of the General Convention, and such terms shall be rotated so that, as near as may be, the term of one-half of the members shall expire at the conclusion of each regular meeting of the General Convention. The term of a member shall become vacant in the event of two absences from meetings of the Commission occurring in the interval between successive regular meetings of the General Convention unless excused by the Commission for good cause.

c. Appointment of membersThe Presiding Bishop shall appoint the Episcopal members and the President of the House of Deputies shall appoint the Lay and other Clerical members of each Commission as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the General Convention, but not later than 90 days after adjournment. Episcopal members appointed after the adjournment of any General Convention at which a Presiding Bishop is elected shall be appointed by the Presiding Bishop-elect. Vacancies shall be filled in similar manner; provided however, that vacancies occurring within one year after the next regular General Convention shall not be filled unless requested by the Commission.

d. Liaisons and consultantsThe Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies shall jointly appoint members of the Executive Council as liaisons to facilitate communication between the Executive Council and each Standing Commission and the coordination of the work of each Standing Commission and the committees of Executive Council. Notice of such appointments shall be given to the Secretary of General Convention. These liaisons shall not be members of the Commission but shall have seat and voice. The reasonable expenses of these liaisons shall be provided for by the Executive Council. Each Commission shall have staff support from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society designated by the Presiding Bishop. Each Commission may constitute committees from among members or non-members of the Commission, and, subject to the Commission’s budget, engage the services of consultants and coordinators necessary to complete its work.

e. Ex officiis membersThe Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies shall be members ex officiis of every Commission, or may appoint personal representatives to attend any meeting in their stead, but without vote.

f. NotificationThe Executive Officer of the General Convention shall, not later than 120 days following the meeting of the General Convention, notify the members of the General Convention of the Commission appointments and their duty to present reports to the next Convention and shall schedule an organizational meeting for each Commission. One year prior to the opening day of the Convention, the Executive Officer of the General Convention shall remind the Chairs and Secretaries of all Commissions of this duty.

g. OfficersEvery Commission shall elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary.

h. ReferralsThe General Convention may refer a relevant matter to a Commission for its consideration; but may not direct the Commission to reach any particular conclusion.

i. Public noticeA Commission shall give timely and appropriate notice to the Church of the time, place, and agendas of meetings; and instructions on how members of the Church may address their views to the Commission.

j. Reports dueEvery Commission shall prepare a report, which, together with any minority report, shall be sent, not later than 150 days prior to the opening day of each Convention, to the Executive Officer of the General Convention, who shall distribute the same to all members of the Convention.

k. Content of reportThe Report of every Commission presented at the General Convention shall:

l. SpokespersonsEvery Commission, as a condition precedent to the presentation and reception of any report to General Convention in which such Commission proposes the adoption of any Resolution, shall, by vote, authorize a member or members of General Convention, who, if possible, shall be a member of the Commission, with such limitations as the Commission may impose, to accept or reject, on behalf of the Commission, any amendments proposed by General Convention to any such Resolution; provided, however, that no such amendment may change the substance of the proposal, but shall be primarily for the purpose of correcting errors. The name of the member or members of General Convention upon whom such authority has been conferred, and the limitations of authority, shall be communicated in writing to the Presiding Officers of General Convention not later than the presentation of such report to the General Convention.

m. Budget requirementEvery Commission whose Report requests expenditure out of The Episcopal Church budget (except for the printing of the Report) shall include that request in its report to the General Convention and in accordance with Canon I.4.6.

n. There shall be the following Standing Commissions:

a. The right of calling special meetings of the General Convention shall be vested in the Bishops. The Presiding Bishop shall issue the summons for such meetings, designating the time and place thereof, with the consent, or on the requisition, of a majority of the Bishops, expressed to the Presiding Bishop in writing.

b. Deputies at special meetingsThe Deputies elected to the preceding General Convention shall be the Deputies at such special meetings of the General Convention, except in those cases in which other Deputies shall have been chosen in the meantime by any of the Diocesan Conventions, and then such other Deputies shall represent in the special meeting of the General Convention the Church of the Diocese in which they have been chosen.

c. VacancyAny vacancy in the representation of any Diocese caused by the death, absence, or inability of any Deputy, shall be supplied either temporarily or permanently in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Diocese, or, in the absence of any such provision, by appointment by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese. During such periods as shall be stated in the certificate issued to such person by the appointing power, the Provisional Deputy so appointed shall possess and shall be entitled to exercise the power and authority of the Deputy in place of whom he or she shall have been designated.

a. All jurisdictions of this Church entitled by the Constitution or Canons to choose Deputies to the General Convention shall be required to do so not later than twelve months preceding the opening date of the General Convention for which they are chosen. Deputies of jurisdictions failing so to elect may not be seated unless permitted by ruling of the Presiding Officer.

b. It shall be the duty of each seated Deputy to communicate to the electing jurisdiction the actions taken and the positions established by the General Convention.

c. It shall be the responsibility of each Diocese to provide a forum in which the Deputies to the General Convention from that jurisdiction have opportunity to report.

a. The Secretary of the General Convention shall, ex officio, be the Registrar of the General Convention, whose duty it shall be to receive all Journals, files, papers, reports, and other documents or articles that are, or shall become, the property of either House of the General Convention, and to transmit the same to the Archives of the Church as prescribed by the Archivist.

b. To keep and transmit recordsIt shall also be the duty of the said Registrar to maintain suitable records of the ordinations and consecrations of all the Bishops of this Church, designating accurately the time and place of the same, with the names of the consecrating Bishops, and of others present and assisting; to have the same authenticated in the fullest manner practicable; and to take care for the similar record and authentication of all future ordinations, consecrations and installations of Bishops in this Church; and to transmit the same to the Archives of the Church when and as prescribed by the Archivist. Due notice of the time and place of such ordinations and consecrations shall be given by the Presiding Bishop to the Registrar; and thereupon it shall be the duty of the Registrar to attend such ordinations and consecrations, either in person or by appointing a clergy or lay deputy Registrar.

c. Letters of ConsecrationThe Registrar shall prepare, in such form as the House of Bishops shall prescribe, the Letters of Ordination and Consecration in duplicate, shall have the same immediately signed and sealed by the ordaining and consecrating Bishops, and by such other Bishops assisting as may be practicable, shall deliver to the newly consecrated Bishop one of the said Letters, shall carefully file and retain the other, and shall make a minute thereof in the official records.

d. Registrar as Historiographer The Registrar shall also be Historiographer, unless in any case the House of Bishops shall make a separate nomination; and in this event the House of Deputies shall confirm the nomination.

e. The necessary expenses incurred under this Section shall be paid by the Treasurer of the General Convention.

f. Journals and papers sent to Registrar and ArchivesIt shall be the duty of the secretaries of both Houses to deliver to the Registrar the minutes of both Houses, together with the Journals, files, papers, reports, electronic records, and all other records of either House in a manner prescribed by the Archivist. The minutes of both Houses shall remain filed until after the adjournment of the first General Convention following that at which such minutes shall have been taken; provided, however, that any part of such minutes, for any reason unpublished in the Journal, shall remain filed in the Archives. The Secretary of the House of Deputies shall also deliver to the Registrar, as prescribed by the Archivist, when not otherwise expressly directed, all the Journals, files, papers, reports, and other published, unpublished or electronic documents specified in Canon I.6. The Secretaries shall require the Registrar to give them receipts for the Journals and other records. The Registrar shall transmit the records of the secretaries of both Houses to the Archivist of the Church.

g. VacancyIn the case of a vacancy in the office of Registrar, the Presiding Bishop shall appoint a Registrar, who shall hold office until the next General Convention.

a. The House of Deputies, upon nomination of the House of Bishops, shall elect a Recorder (who may be a natural person or an incorporated organization of this Church), whose duty is/shall be to continue the List of Ordinations and to keep a list of the Clergy in regular standing.

b. Information to be sent to RecorderIt shall be the duty of the Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, of the President of the Standing Committee of every jurisdiction to forward to the Recorder on or before the first day of March in each and every year a report certifying the following information as of the thirty-first day of December in the preceding year: (1) the names of the Clergy canonically resident therein with their several charges; (2) the names of the Clergy licensed by the Bishop to officiate, but not yet transferred; (3) the names of all persons connected with the jurisdiction who have been ordered Deacons or Priests during the preceding twelve months, with the date and place of ordination and the name of the Bishop ordaining; (4) the names of the Clergy of the jurisdiction who have died during the preceding twelve months, with the date and place of death; (5) the names of the Clergy who have been received during the preceding twelve months, with the date of their reception and the name of the jurisdiction from which received, and, in the case of Clergy not received from a jurisdiction of this Church, the date and place of ordination and the name of the Bishop ordaining; (6) the names of the Clergy who have been transferred during the preceding twelve months, with the dates of the Letters Dimissory and of their acceptance, and the name of the jurisdiction to which transferred; (7) the names of the Clergy who have been suspended during the preceding twelve months, with the date and ground of suspension; (8) the names of the Clergy who have been removed or deposed during the preceding twelve months, with the date, place, and ground of removal or deposition; (9) the names of the Clergy who have been restored during the preceding twelve months, with the date; (10) the names of Deaconesses canonically resident therein.

c. Recorder to furnish informationIt shall be the duty of the Recorder to furnish, upon proper authority and at the expense of the applicant, such information as may be in the possession of the Recorder, based upon the reports required under Clause .b hereof.

d. Report to the General Convention The Recorder shall prepare and present to each session of the General Convention a list of all Clergy ordained, received, suspended, removed, deposed, or restored, and of all Bishops consecrated, and of all Bishops and other Clergy who have died; such list to cover the period from the last preceding similar report of the Recorder through the thirty-first day of December immediately preceding each session of the General Convention.

e. ExpensesThe necessary expenses incurred under this Section by the Recorder shall be paid by the Treasurer of the General Convention.

f. VacancyIn case of a vacancy in the office of Recorder, the Presiding Bishop shall appoint a Recorder, who shall hold office until the next General Convention.

a. At every regular meeting of the General Convention a Treasurer (who may also be Treasurer of the Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society and the Executive Council) shall be elected by concurrent action of the two Houses, and shall remain in office until a successor shall be elected. It shall be the Treasurer’s duty to receive and disburse all moneys collected under the authority of the Convention, and of which the collection and disbursement shall not otherwise be prescribed; and, with the advice and approval of the Presiding Bishop and the Treasurer of the Executive Council, to invest, from time to time, such surplus funds as may be on hand. The Treasurer’s account shall be rendered to the Convention at each regular meeting, and shall be audited at the direction of a committee acting under its authority.

b. VacancyIn case of a vacancy, by death, resignation, or otherwise, in the office of Treasurer of the General Convention, the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies shall appoint a Treasurer, who shall hold office until a successor is elected. In case of temporary inability of the Treasurer to act, from illness or other cause, the same officials shall appoint an Acting Treasurer who shall perform all duties of the Treasurer until the Treasurer is able to resume them.

a. There shall be an Executive Office of the General Convention, to be headed by a General Convention Executive Officer to be appointed jointly by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies with the advice and consent of the Executive Council. The Executive Officer shall report to and serve at the pleasure of the Executive Council.

b. FunctionsThe Executive Office of the General Convention shall include the functions of the Secretary of the General Convention and the Treasurer of the General Convention and those of the Manager of the General Convention and, if the several positions are filled by different persons, such officers shall serve under the general supervision of the General Convention Executive Officer, who shall also coordinate the work of the Committees, Commissions, Boards and Agencies funded by The Episcopal Church budget.

a. At each meeting of the General Convention the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements shall submit to the General Convention its recommendations for sites for the meeting of the General Convention to be held as the second succeeding General Convention following the General Convention at which the report is made. In making such recommendations, the Committee shall certify to the Convention the willingness of the Dioceses within which recommended sites are located to have the General Convention meet within their jurisdictions.

b. Approval of sitesFrom the sites recommended by the Joint Committee, the General Convention shall approve no fewer than three nor more than five sites as possible for such meeting of the General Convention.

c. Determination of siteFrom the sites approved by the General Convention, the Joint Committee, with the advice and consent of a majority vote of the following: The Presidents and the Vice-Presidents of both Houses of Convention, the Presidents of the Provinces and the Executive Council, shall determine the site for such General Convention and proceed to make all reasonable and necessary arrangements and commitments for that meeting of the General Convention. The site and date thus selected shall be deemed to have been appointed by the General Convention, as provided in the Constitution.

d. Notice to Dioceses Upon the final selection of and the arrangements for the site for that General Convention, the Joint Committee shall advise the Secretary of the General Convention, who shall communicate the determination to the Dioceses.

e. Changes in the date and length of General ConventionWithin such guidelines as may have been established by the General Convention regarding the date and length of future General Conventions, and pursuant to the reasonable and necessary arrangements and commitments with the Dioceses and operators of facilities within the Diocese in which the next General Convention will be held, the Joint Committee shall fix the date and the length of the next succeeding Convention, report the same to the Secretary of the General Convention and include the same in its report to the Convention. In the event of a change of circumstances indicating the necessity or advisability of changing the date or length previously fixed, the Joint Committee shall investigate and make recommendations to the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, who, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, may fix a different date or length or both.

a. Members of Nominating Committee At each General Convention a Joint Nominating Committee for the election of the Presiding Bishop shall be elected. The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of 20 members, as follows: five Bishops elected by the House of Bishops; five clergy persons, including at least one deacon, and five lay persons elected by the House of Deputies who may but need not be members of that House; two persons, age 16-23, appointed by the President of the House of Deputies; and three persons appointed jointly by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies to ensure the cultural and geographic diversity of the Church. The Joint Standing Committee on Nominations will nominate a slate of nominees for the elected positions, in accordance with its canonical charge and procedures. In all cases, the nominees and appointees shall have the skill sets needed for effective service on the Nominating Committee.

b. Vacancies on Nominating Committee In the event vacancies shall occur in the Joint Nominating Committee after the election of its members due to death, disability, resignation, or other cause within one year of the next General Convention, the vacancies shall not be filled and the remaining members shall constitute the Joint Nominating Committee. In the event such vacancies shall occur more than one year prior to the next General Convention, the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops shall appoint Bishops and the President of the House of Deputies shall appoint Clerical and Lay Deputies. A Lay member of the Committee who is ordained Presbyter or Deacon, or a Presbyter or Deacon who is consecrated a Bishop before the next General Convention, shall not thereby become ineligible to continue to serve on the Joint Nominating Committee through the next succeeding General Convention.

c. Term of Nominating CommitteeThe Joint Nominating Committee shall remain in office until the adjournment of the next General Convention, at which a new Joint Nominating Committee shall be elected. Members of the Committee are eligible for reelection.

d. Nomination processThe Joint Nominating Committee shall develop and manage a process for soliciting and identifying qualified nominees for the office of Presiding Bishop and for providing the nominees to the General Convention at which a Presiding Bishop is to be elected. The process must enable the work to be done efficiently and as cost-effectively as practicable. This process shall be designed to encourage diversity that reflects the breadth of The Episcopal Church. The process shall include (1) the Nominating Committee shall inform the wider church of the process and timeline; (2) the Nominating Committee shall prepare a profile for the election of the next Presiding Bishop, and the profile will be distributed widely to the Church; (3) providing the names of not fewer than three members of the House of Bishops for consideration by the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies in the choice of a Presiding Bishop; (4) establishing a timely process for any bishop or deputy to nominate any other member of the House of Bishops through a petition process, and for each Bishop so nominated to be vetted through the same process of background and reference checks as all nominees, and for each Bishop so nominated to be included in the information distributed about the nominees; and (5) providing pastoral care for each nominee bishop and his or her family and diocese.

e. Transition committeeA Presiding Bishop Transition Committee shall be appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies. The members shall have the necessary skills and talents to determine the need for and provide for transition assistance to the Presiding Bishop and the Presiding Bishop-elect.

f. Installation committeeA small Presiding Bishop Installation Committee shall be appointed by Executive Council with the necessary skills and talents to plan for and carry out a Celebration of New Ministry for the new Presiding Bishop.

g. Election to follow Joint Session At the General Convention at which a Presiding Bishop is to be elected, the Joint Nominating Committee shall present to the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies in Joint Session the names of not fewer than three members of the House of Bishops, along with those nominated through the petition process, for the consideration of the two Houses in the choice of a Presiding Bishop, and there may be discussion of all nominees. Commencing on the day following the Joint Session, election shall be by the House of Bishops from among such nominees. If the House of Bishops shall find itself unable to elect a Presiding Bishop from among such nominees, another Joint Session shall be held, at which additional nominations may be received, and on the following day, election shall be by the House of Bishops from among all of the nominees. After the election by the House of Bishops, report of the result thereof, including the number of votes cast for each nominee on each ballot, shall be made to the House of Deputies which shall vote to confirm or not to confirm such choice of Presiding Bishop.

h. Vacancy between meetings of the General ConventionIn the event a vacancy in the office of Presiding Bishop shall occur in the interim between meetings of the General Convention, as specified in the second paragraph of Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution, the Joint Nominating Committee, subject to the said Article, shall submit to the Secretary of the House of Bishops the names of not fewer than three members of the House of Bishops for the consideration by that House in the choice of a Presiding Bishop to fill the vacancy, and simultaneously therewith shall transmit a copy of such report to the Secretary of the House of Deputies for mailing to all Deputies. Such report shall also be released to the Church and secular press. Thereafter, the House of Bishops shall hold a special meeting for the purpose of electing a Presiding Bishop to fill the vacancy, and, in such election, the vote shall be upon the nominees of the Joint Nominating Committee and any further nominations made by any voting member of the House of Bishops. Immediately following the election by the House of Bishops, the Secretary of the House of Bishops shall inform the President and Secretary of each Diocesan Standing Committee, requesting a meeting at the earliest possible date to consider approval. Upon receipt of the approval of a majority of the Standing Committees of the Dioceses, the Presiding Bishop Elect shall be declared elected.

a. Upon the expiration of the term of office of the Presiding Bishop, the Bishop who is elected successor shall tender to the House of Bishops a resignation from the Bishop’s previous jurisdiction to take effect upon the date of assuming the office of Presiding Bishop, or, upon good cause with the advice and consent of the Advisory Committee established under the Rules of Order of the House of Bishops, not later than six months thereafter.

b. Such resignation shall be acted upon immediately by the House of Bishops.

a. The Presiding Bishop shall be the Chief Pastor and Primate of the Church, and shall:

b. Reports and Pastoral Letters The Presiding Bishop shall report annually to the Church, and may, from time to time, issue Pastoral Letters.

c. The Presiding Bishop shall perform such other functions as shall be prescribed in these Canons; and, to be enabled better to perform such duties and responsibilities, the May delegate authorityPresiding Bishop may appoint, to positions established by the Executive Council of General Convention, officers, responsible to the Presiding Bishop, who may delegate such authority as shall seem appropriate.

a. There shall be an Executive Council of the General Convention (which Council shall generally be called simply the Executive Council, or the Council) whose duty it shall be to oversee the execution of the program and policies adopted by the General Convention. The Executive Council shall have oversight of the work done by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society in its capacity as its Board of Directors. The Council shall have oversight responsibility for the disposition of the funds and other property of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society in accordance with the provisions of this Canon and the resolutions, orders, and budgets adopted or approved by the General Convention. The Executive Council shall also have oversight responsibility for the work of the Office of General Convention and the Executive Officer of General Convention who shall report directly to the Executive Council. It shall also have oversight responsibility for the disposition of the moneys of the Office of General Convention. The Council shall adopt procedures it deems appropriate for approval of expenditures by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and the Office of General Convention.

b. Accountability The Executive Council shall be accountable to the General Convention and shall render a full, published report concerning the work of the bodies for which it has oversight responsibility to each meeting of the General Convention. The report shall include information on the implementation of all resolutions adopted in the previous General Convention calling for action by the Executive Council, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Office of General Convention.

c. Authority The Council shall exercise the powers conferred upon it by Canon, and such further powers as may be designated by the General Convention, and between sessions of the General Convention may initiate and develop such new work as it may deem necessary. Subject to the provisions of these Canons, it may enact By-laws for its own government and enact procedures for its own committees.

d. How constitutedThe Executive Council shall be composed (a) of 20 members elected by the General Convention, of whom four shall be Bishops, four shall be Presbyters or Deacons, and 12 shall be Lay Persons who are confirmed adult communicants in good standing (two Bishops, two Presbyters or Deacons, and six Lay Persons to be elected by each subsequent regular meeting of the General Convention); (b) of 18 members elected by the Provincial Synods; (c) of the following ex officiis members: the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies; and (d) the Chief Operating Officer, the Secretary of the General Convention, the Treasurer of the General Convention, the Chief Financial Officer of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Chief Legal Officer of the Executive Council, all of whom shall have seat and voice but no vote. Each Province shall be entitled to be represented by one Bishop or Presbyter or Deacon canonically resident in a Diocese which is a constituent member of the Province and one Lay Person who is a confirmed adult communicant in good standing of a Diocese which is a constituent member of the Province, and the terms of the representatives of each Province shall be so rotated that two persons shall not be simultaneously elected for equal terms.

e. The Executive Council shall appoint a committee from among its members to assist the Council to (i) advise the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations and the Provincial Councils on what skills, gifts and experience are needed on the Executive Council to enable it to function with maximum effectiveness, and whether those skills are at that time represented on the Executive Council, and (ii) create a description of the skills, gifts and experience requisite for service on the Executive Council, including the value of cultural and geographic diversity on the Council and the value of including historically underrepresented voices in the governance of the Church.

f. ElectionOf the Executive Council members elected by the General Convention, the Bishops shall be elected by the House of Bishops subject to confirmation by the House of Deputies, and the Presbyters or Deacons and Lay Persons shall be elected by the House of Deputies subject to confirmation by the House of Bishops.

g. Terms of officeExcept in the case of members initially elected for shorter terms in order to achieve rotation of terms, the terms of office of the members of the Council (other than ex officiis members) shall be equal to twice the interval between regular meetings of the General Convention. The terms of office of all members shall commence immediately upon the adjournment of the General Convention at which they were elected or, in the case of election by a Synod, upon the adjournment of the first regular meeting of General Convention following such election. The term of a member shall become vacant in the event of two absences from meetings of the Council in the interval between successive regular meetings of the General Convention unless excused by the Chair or Vice Chair for good cause. Members shall remain in office until their successors are elected and qualified. No person who has served at least three consecutive years on the Executive Council shall be eligible for immediate re-election for a term of more than three years. After any person shall have served six consecutive years on the Executive Council, a period of three years shall elapse before such person shall be eligible for re-election to the Council.

h. VacancyShould any vacancy occur in the Council through death, resignation, disability, or other reason, with respect to a member elected by the General Convention, the Council shall fill such vacancy by the election of a suitable person to serve until a successor is elected by the General Convention.

i. Should any vacancy occur in the Council through the failure of any Provincial Synod to elect a member, or through the death, resignation, or removal from the Province of any such member, the Provincial Council of the Province shall appoint a suitable person to serve until the Provincial Synod shall by election fill the vacancy.

a. The Presiding Bishop shall, ex officio, be the Chair and chief executive officer of the Executive Council, and as such, shall have ultimate responsibility for the oversight of the work of the Executive Council in the implementation of the ministry and mission of the Church as may be committed to the Executive Council by the General Convention.

b. The President of the House of Deputies shall, ex officio, be the Vice-Chair of Executive Council.

c. The Secretary of the General Convention shall be ex officio the Secretary of the Executive Council.

d. The Treasurer of the General Convention shall be ex officio the Treasurer of the Executive Council.

e. The Chair shall preside at meetings of the Council, shall perform such other duties as are customary for such office, and shall perform such other duties as may be conferred by Canon and the By-laws of the Council. In the absence of or at the request of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall preside at meetings of the Council and shall perform such other duties as may be conferred by Canon and by the By-laws of the Council.

f. Upon joint nomination by the Chair and the Vice-Chair, the Council shall appoint a Chief Operating Officer who shall serve at the pleasure of, and report and be accountable to, the Chair. If a vacancy should occur in the office of the Chief Operating Officer, a successor shall be appointed in like manner.

g. Upon joint nomination by the Chair and the Vice-Chair, the Council shall appoint a Chief Financial Officer who shall serve at the pleasure of, and report and be accountable to, the Chair. If a vacancy should occur in that office, a successor shall be appointed in like manner.

h. Upon joint nomination by the Chair and the Vice-Chair, the Council shall appoint a Chief Legal Officer who shall function as general counsel and serve at the pleasure of, and report and be accountable to, the Chair. If a vacancy should occur in that office, a successor shall be appointed in like manner.

i. Performance and ministry reviewsThe Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Legal Officer of the Executive Council shall participate in an annual performance review conducted by the Chair, the results of which will be presented to the Executive Committee of the Executive Council.

j. The Officers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and the Officers of the Executive Council, and a committee of six members of Executive Council who are not officers, shall engage in a mutual ministry review every eighteen months, facilitated by a consultant selected by the Chair and the Vice-Chair.

k. Elects representativesThe Council shall elect the Church’s members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and of other Anglican and ecumenical bodies for which no other procedure is provided in the Canons. Members of the ACC representing The Episcopal Church shall report to each General Convention using the schedule and format required for Standing Commissions in these Canons, and shall provide comprehensive written reports to Executive Council at the Council’s next meeting following each meeting of the ACC.

a. MeetingsThe Council shall meet at such place, and at such stated times, at least three times each year, as it shall appoint and at such other times as it may be convened. The Council shall be convened at the request of the Chair, or on the written request of any five members of Council.

b. Quorum A majority of the elected members of the Council shall be necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Council. No action shall be taken in the name of the Council except when a quorum, so defined, is present and voting. A member may participate in, and vote at, Council meetings by means of technology where all participants may hear one another simultaneously and according to procedures and guidelines set forth in the Council By-laws.

c. Expenses and salaries Members of Executive Council shall be entitled to reimbursement for their reasonable expenses of attending meetings, in accordance with procedures established and approved by Executive Council. Except as determined by General Convention, the salaries of all officers of the Council and of all agents and employees of the Council and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society shall be fixed by the Council.

a. Following open and accessible budget hearings, at least four months prior to the next regular meeting of the General Convention, the Executive Council shall submit to the Secretary of the General Convention a proposed Episcopal Church budget for the ensuing budgetary period (as used in this Section 6, the "budget"). The ensuing budgetary period shall comprise the calendar years starting with the January 1st following the adjournment of the most recent regular meeting of the General Convention and ending with the December 31st following the adjournment of the next regular meeting of the General Convention.

b. Single assessment Revenue to support the budget shall be generated primarily by a single assessment of the Dioceses of the Church based on a formula which the General Convention shall adopt as part of its budget process. If in any year the total anticipated income for budget support is less than the amount required to support the budget approved by the General Convention, the canonical portion of the budget shall have funding priority over any other budget areas subject to any decreases necessary to maintain a balanced budget.

c. PresentationFollowing open and accessible legislative hearings on the budget held within 90 days of the General Convention and also at General Convention, there shall be joint sessions of the two Houses for the presentation of the budget; and thereafter consideration shall be given and appropriate action taken thereon by the General Convention.

d. Notice of assessmentUpon the adoption by the General Convention of a budget and the planned assessments for the budgetary period, the Council shall formally advise each Diocese of its share of the total assessments to support the budget.

e. PaymentFull payment of the diocesan assessment shall be required of all Dioceses, effective January 1, 2019.

f. WaiversCouncil shall have the power to grant waivers from the full annual assessments of Dioceses within the limit established by the General Convention. Any diocese may appeal to Executive Council for a waiver of the assessment, in full or in part, on the basis of financial hardship, a stated plan for working toward full payment, or other reasons as agreed with the Executive Council. Effective January 1, 2019, failure to make full payment or to receive a waiver shall render the diocese ineligible to receive grants or loans from the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society unless approved by Executive Council.

g. Budget authorityThe Council shall have the power to expend all sums of money covered by the budget and estimated budgets approved by the General Convention, subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by the General Convention, including but not limited to the priority declaration set forth in Section 6.b of this Canon. It shall also have power to undertake such other work provided for in the budget approved by the General Convention, or other work under the jurisdiction of the Council, the need for which may have arisen after the action of the General Convention, as in the judgment of the Council its income will warrant.

h. AdjustmentsIn respect of the budget the Executive Council shall have the power to consider and vote to make such adjustments therein, or additions thereto, as it shall deem to be necessary or expedient, and which, in its judgment, available funds and anticipated income will warrant subject to such restrictions as may be imposed by the General Convention. It shall also have power to approve other initiatives proposed by the Chair or otherwise considered by Council between meetings of the General Convention, as in the judgment of the Council are prudent and which the Church revenues will be adequate to support.

i. Diocesan financial reportsEach Diocese shall annually report to the Executive Council such financial and other information pertaining to the state of the Church in the Diocese as may be required in a form authorized by Executive Council.

j. Each Diocese shall report annually to the Executive Council the name and address of each new congregation, and of each congregation closed or removed by reason of any of the following:

a. Every Missionary Bishop or, in case of a vacancy, the Bishop in charge of the jurisdiction, receiving aid from the General Convention Budget, shall report at the close of each fiscal year to the Council, giving account of work performed, of money received from all sources and disbursed for all purposes, and of the state of the Church in the jurisdiction at the date of such report, all in such form as the Council may prescribe.

b. The Ecclesiastical Authority of every Diocese receiving aid from the General Convention Budget shall report at the close of each fiscal year to the Council, giving account of the work in the diocese supported in whole or in part by that aid.

a. Ordained Ministers and Lay Communicants of this Church, or of some Church in full communion with this Church, in good standing, who qualify in accordance with the standards and procedures adopted from time to time by the Executive Council, shall be eligible for appointment as Missionaries of this Church.

b. Members in good standing of Churches not in full communion with this Church, but otherwise qualified as above, may, at the request of the Ecclesiastical Authority of the jurisdiction in which the requirement exists, be employed and assigned to positions for which they are professionally prepared; and may receive the same stipends and other allowances as appointed Missionaries. The Ecclesiastical Authority of a jurisdiction may employ any qualified person for work in the jurisdiction.

a. There shall be an Archives Advisory Committee which shall consist of the Archivist, the Registrar, the Chief Legal Officer, the Historiographer, and between eight and twelve appointed persons, two or three of whom shall be Bishops, two or three of whom shall be Clergy, and four, five or six of whom shall be Lay Persons. All appointed Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve terms beginning upon the adjournment of the General Convention at which their appointments are confirmed and ending with the close of the second regular Convention thereafter.

b. MembershipBishops shall be appointed by the Presiding Bishop, and other Clerical and all Lay Members shall be appointed by the President of the House of Deputies; after the initial appointments, all subsequent appointments shall be subject to the confirmation of General Convention. Consideration shall be given to assure that membership includes persons who possess knowledge either of history or archival administration, or are persons skilled in disciplines pertinent to the resolutions of the concerns of the Archives. Positions of Members of the Committee which become vacant prior to the normal expiration of such Members’ terms shall be filled by appointment by the Presiding Bishop or by the President of the House of Deputies, as appropriate. Such appointments shall be for the remaining unexpired portion of such Members’ terms, and if a regular meeting of the General Convention intervenes, appointments for terms extending beyond such meeting shall be subject to confirmation of the General Convention. Because of the special skills and knowledge needed by this Committtee, a Member shall be eligible for appointment for two successive terms, after which the Member may not be reappointed prior to the next meeting of the General Convention following the meeting at the close of which the second successive term of the Member expired. Members appointed to fill vacancies in unexpired terms shall not thereby be disqualified from appointment to two full terms immediately thereafter.

c. DutiesThe Archives Advisory Committee shall provide advice regarding identification, collection, preservation, management, use, and accessibility of records, and establishment of best practices regarding the same to the Archivist, the Archives, and the Executive Council.

d. MeetingsThe Archives Advisory Committee shall meet at least annually, or as requested by the Archivist or the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Executive Council.

a. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Convention of every jurisdiction to forward to the Secretary of the House of Deputies by electronic means, immediately upon publication, one (1) copy of the Journal of the Convention of the jurisdiction, together with episcopal charges, statements, and such other records in electronic format as may show the state of the Church in that jurisdiction, and one (1) copy to the Archives of the Church in electronic format as prescribed by the Archivist of the Church.

b. Report to the House of Deputies A Committee of the House of Deputies shall be appointed following the close of each General Convention, to serve ad interim, and to prepare and present to the next meeting of the House of Deputies a report on the State of the Church; which report, when agreed to by the said House, shall be sent to the House of Bishops.

a. Provinces to be audited All accounts of Provinces shall be audited annually by an independent certified public accountant, or independent licensed accountant, or such audit committee as shall be authorized by the Provincial Council. The Audit Report shall be filed with the Provincial Council not later than September 1 of each year, covering the preceding calendar year.

b. Deposit of funds Funds held in trust, endowment and other permanent funds, and securities represented by physical evidence of ownership or indebtedness, shall be deposited with a National or State Bank, or a Diocesan Corporation, or with some other agency approved in writing by the Finance Committee or the Department of Finance of the Diocese, under a deed of trust, agency or other depository agreement providing for at least two signatures on any order of withdrawal of such funds or securities. ProvisoBut this paragraph shall not apply to funds and securities refused by the depositories named as being too small for acceptance. Such small funds and securities shall be under the care of the persons or corporations properly responsible for them. This paragraph shall not be deemed to prohibit investments in securities issued in book entry form or other manner that dispenses with the delivery of a certificate evidencing the ownership of the securities or the indebtedness of the issuer.

c. Record of trust funds Records shall be made and kept of all trust and permanent funds showing at least the following:

d. Treasurers to be bondedTreasurers and custodians, other than banking institutions, shall be adequately bonded; except treasurers of funds that do not exceed five hundred dollars at any one time during the fiscal year.

e. Books of accountBooks of account shall be so kept as to provide the basis for satisfactory accounting.

f. Annual auditAll accounts of the Diocese shall be audited annually by an independent Certified Public Accountant. All accounts of Parishes, Missions or other institutions shall be audited annually by an independent Certified Public Accountant, or independent Licensed Public Accountant, or such audit committee as shall be authorized by the Finance Committee, Department of Finance, or other appropriate diocesan authority.

g. Filing reportsAll reports of such audits, including any memorandum issued by the auditors or audit committee regarding internal controls or other accounting matters, together with a summary of action taken or proposed to be taken to correct deficiencies or implement recommendations contained in any such memorandum, shall be filed with the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority not later than 30 days following the date of such report, and in no event, not later than September 1 of each year, covering the financial reports of the previous calendar year.

h. InsuranceAll buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured.

i. Report to ConventionThe Finance Committee or Department of Finance of the Diocese may require copies of any or all accounts described in this Section to be filed with it and shall report annually to the Convention of the Diocese upon its administration of this Canon.

j. Fiscal yearThe fiscal year shall begin January 1.

a. When a new Diocese or Area Mission shall be created wholly within any Province, such new Diocese or Area Mission shall be included in such Province. In case a new Diocese or Area Mission shall embrace territory in two or more Provinces, it shall be included in and form part of the Province wherein the greater number of Presbyters and Deacons in such new Diocese or Area Mission shall, at the time of its creation, be canonically resident. Whenever a new Diocese or Area Mission shall be formed of territory not before included in any Province, the General Convention shall designate the Province to which it shall be annexed.

b. Transfer of Dioceses By mutual agreement between the Synods of two adjoining Provinces, a Diocese or Area Mission may transfer itself from one of such Provinces to the other, such transfer to be considered complete upon approval thereof by the General Convention. Following such approval, Canon I.9.1 shall be appropriately amended.

a. The President of each Province may be one of the Bishops, Presbyters, Deacons, or Lay Persons of the Province, elected by the Synod. The method of election and term of office shall be determined by the rules of the Synod.

b. When the person elected is not a Bishop, a Vice-President shall be elected who shall be a Bishop member of the Province. In this event the Bishop so elected shall serve, ex officio, as President of the House of Bishops of the Synod, and shall represent the Province in all matters requiring the participation of a Bishop.

a. The House of Bishops may establish a Mission in any Area not included within the boundaries of a Diocese of this Church, or of a Church in full communion with this Church, under such conditions and agreements, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of this Church, as shall be approved by the House of Bishops from time to time.

b. May be ecumenical Such Area Mission may be undertaken under the sole auspices of this Church, or it may be undertaken jointly with another Christian body or bodies, on such terms as shall not compromise the doctrines of the Christian faith as this Church has received the same.

c. Bishops to be assigned to oversee Area Missions For every such Area Mission, a Bishop of this Church, or of a Church in full communion with this Church, shall be assigned by the House of Bishops to give episcopal oversight. The person so assigned, if a Bishop of this Church, shall, for the duration of such assignment, exercise jurisdiction as a Missionary Bishop under these Canons, so far as they are applicable to the Area Mission; and should occasion arise for the function of a Standing Committee or a Commission on Ministry, the Bishop shall appoint a board or boards of Clergy and Lay Persons resident in the area, to fulfill such functions as may be required.

d. Except as may be expressly provided otherwise in the agreements referred to in paragraph a. of this Section, the Bishop having jurisdiction in an Area Mission may authorize the use of such forms of worship as the Bishop may judge appropriate to the circumstances.

e. May be terminated by House of BishopsAn Area Mission may be terminated by the House of Bishops as a mission of this Church; or it may be transferred by them to become a mission of another Church, or to become a constituent part of an autonomous Province in full communion with this Church; or it may organize itself as an extra-provincial Diocese.

f. Representation in its ProvinceAn Area Mission which shall have been undertaken under the sole auspices of this Church, with a Bishop of this Church assigned to give episcopal oversight, shall be entitled to representation in the Provincial House of Bishops and the Provincial House of Deputies in the Province of which it is a part.

g. Episcopal vacancyIn the event of a vacancy in the office of Bishop assigned jurisdiction in an Area Mission, the charge thereof shall devolve upon the Presiding Bishop, with the power of appointing some other Bishop as his substitute in such charge, until the vacancy is filled by the House of Bishops.

a. An Area not previously organized as a Diocese, and not under the permanent jurisdiction of a Bishop in full communion with this Church, may, upon application for admission, in accordance with the procedures of Article V, Section 1, be admitted as a Diocese, and may be accepted as a Missionary Diocese within the meaning of Sec. 1 of this Canon. Such Missionary Diocese, and every present Missionary Diocese organized by the House of Bishops under previously existing Canons and admitted into union with the General Convention, shall be governed by a Constitution and Canons, To adopt a Constitution and Canonsadopted by the Convention of the said Diocese, which acknowledge the authority of the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention, and incorporate the provisions set forth in the subsequent paragraphs of this section.

b. Transfer to another Province In the event a Missionary Diocese beyond the territory of the United States of America is incapable of functioning as a jurisdiction in union with The Episcopal Church, and the Bishop, or if there be none the Ecclesiastical Authority, of such Diocese, after consultation with appropriate diocesan authorities and the Presiding Bishop agree that continuation in union with this Church is no longer feasible, the Presiding Bishop is authorized, after consultation with the appropriate authorities in the Anglican Communion, to take such action as needed for such Diocese to become a constituent part of another Province or Regional Council in full communion with this Church.

c. Convention to elect officials In every Missionary Diocese there shall be an annual Convention, composed of the Bishop or Bishops, the other Clergy of the Diocese, and Lay Delegates from the organized Congregations. Such Convention shall elect a Standing Committee, in accordance with the diocesan Canons, which shall have the powers and duties set forth for Standing Committees in Canon I.12 and in other Canons of the General Convention. It shall also elect Clerical and Lay Deputies and alternate Deputies to the General Convention, in accordance with its diocesan Canons, and the provisions of Article I.4 of the Constitution. If the Missionary Diocese is a member of a Province of this Church, it shall also provide for Clerical and Lay Deputies and alternate Deputies to the Synod, in accordance with the diocesan Canons and the provisions of the Ordinances of the Province.

d. Missionary Diocese to adopt a budgetThe Convention of a Missionary Diocese shall also adopt an annual budget and program for the Diocese, and provide for the means of its administration throughout the year; and shall make provision for the review and approval of requests for grants in aid from the Executive Council or other sources of funds, both toward current operations and for capital needs.

e. Election of BishopThe election of the Bishop of a Missionary Diocese, in the event of a vacancy, or, when canonical consent is given, the election of a person to be Bishop Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan, shall be made by a Diocesan Convention in accordance with its own Canons, and the provisions of Canon III.11 of the General Convention.

f. General Convention may grant autonomyAt the request of the Convention of a Missionary Diocese, supported by the presentation of relevant facts and a reasonable plan, the General Convention may by joint Resolution (1) permit the Diocese seeking autonomy to unite with another Province, or Regional Council having metropolitical authority, of the Anglican Communion, or (2) permit the Diocese seeking autonomy but not planning to unite with May transfer to another Province or Regional Councilanother Province or Regional Council, to unite with no less than three other viable Dioceses at the same time which are geographically contiguous, or so located geographically as to be considered of the same region, for the purpose of establishing a new Province, or new Regional Council having metropolitical authority, of the Anglican Communion.

g. Missionary Diocese may become an Area MissionAt the request of the Convention of a Missionary Diocese, accompanied by the Bishop’s written resignation of permanent jurisdiction therein, the General Convention may alter the status of a Missionary Diocese to that of an Area Mission, under such terms and conditions as may be stipulated by the House of Bishops in accordance with Canon I.11.2.a; and in such case, its right to representation by Deputies in the General Convention shall cease.

a. The ascertainment and defining of the boundaries of existing Parishes or Parochial Cures, as well as the establishment of a new Parish or Congregation, and the formation of a new Parish within the limits of any other Parish, is left to the action of the several Diocesan Conventions.

b. Formation of new Parish within limits of existing Parish Until a Canon or other regulation of a Diocesan Convention shall have been adopted, the formation of new Parishes, or the establishment of new Parishes or Congregations within the limits of existing Parishes, shall be vested in the Bishop of the Diocese, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee thereof, and, in case of there being no Bishop, of the Ecclesiastical Authority.

a. Where Parish boundaries are not defined by law, or settled by action of the Convention of the Diocese under Section 2 of this Canon, or are not otherwise settled, they shall be defined by the civil divisions of the State as follows:

b. Parochial boundaries shall be the limits as fixed by law, of a village, town, township, incorporated borough, city, or of some division of any such civil district, which may be recognized by the Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, as constituting the boundaries of a Parish.

c. Parochial Cure If there be but one Church or Congregation within the limits of such village, town, township, borough, city, or such division of a civil district, as herein provided, the same shall be deemed the Parochial Cure of the Member of the Clergy having charge thereof. If there be two or more Churches or Congregations therein, it shall be deemed the Cure of the Members of the Clergy thereof.

d. Not to affect legal rights This Canon shall not affect the legal rights of property of any Parish or Congregation.

a. With the permission of the Presiding Bishop, the Bishop in Charge and the Council of Advice may (i) engage a Diocese of this Church to provide the needed Disciplinary Structures to fulfill the requirements of the Canons of this Church, or (ii) establish among the Congregations of the Convocation the needed Disciplinary Structures to fulfill the requirements of the Canons of this Church. In either case, for the purposes of implementing the provisions for Ecclesiastical Discipline (Title IV) of a member of the Clergy, the Bishop in Charge shall serve the function reserved for the Bishop Diocesan, except that the Presiding Bishop must approve any Accord, any Agreement for Discipline and the terms of any Order, and pronounce the Sentence.

b. If no other provision has been made to organize or provide the Disciplinary Structures in fulfillment of the Canons on Ecclesiastical Discipline for a Congregation in a foreign land, it shall be the duty of the Bishop in charge of such Congregations to summon the Council of Advice, and cause an inquiry to be instituted as to the truth of such accusation; and should there be reasonable grounds for believing the same to be true, the said Bishop and the Council of Advice shall appoint a Commission, consisting of three Clergy and two Lay Persons, whose duty it shall be to meet in the place where the accused resides, and to obtain all the evidence in the case from the parties interested; they shall give to the accused all rights under the Canons of this Church which can be exercised in a foreign land. The judgment of the said Commission, solemnly made, shall then be sent to the Bishop in charge, and to the Presiding Bishop, and, if approved by them, shall be carried into effect; Proviso provided that no such Commission shall recommend any other discipline than admonition or removal of the Member of the Clergy from charge of said Congregation. Should the result of the inquiry of the aforesaid Commission reveal evidence tending, in their judgment, to show that said Member of the Clergy deserves a more severe discipline, all the documents in the case shall be placed in the hands of the Presiding Bishop, who may proceed against the Member of the Clergy, as far as possible, according to the Canons of the General Convention.

a. All persons who have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church, are members thereof.

b. Adult members Members sixteen years of age and over are to be considered adult members.

c. Members confirmed or received It is expected that all adult members of this Church, after appropriate instruction, will have made a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and will have been confirmed or received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church or by a Bishop of a Church in full communion with this Church. Those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another Church may be received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church, rather than confirmed.

d. Adult baptismAny person who is baptized in this Church as an adult and receives the laying on of hands by the Bishop at Baptism is to be considered, for the purpose of this and all other Canons, as both baptized and confirmed; also,

Any person who is baptized in this Church as an adult and at some time after the Baptism receives the laying on of hands by the Bishop in Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows is to be considered, for the purpose of this and all other Canons, as both baptized and confirmed; also,

Any baptized person who received the laying on of hands at Confirmation (by any Bishop in historic succession) and is received into The Episcopal Church by a Bishop of this Church is to be considered, for the purpose of this and all other Canons, as both baptized and confirmed; and also,

Any baptized person who received the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this Church at Confirmation or Reception is to be considered, for the purpose of this and all other Canons, as both baptized and confirmed.

a. All members of this Church who have received Holy Communion in this Church at least three times during the preceding year are to be considered communicants of this Church.

b. Adult communicants For the purposes of statistical consistency throughout the Church, communicants sixteen years of age and over are to be considered adult communicants.

a. A member of this Church removing from the congregation in which that person’s membership is recorded shall procure a certificate of membership indicating that that person is recorded as a member (or adult member) of this Church and whether or not such a member:

Upon acknowledgment that a member who has received such a certificate has been enrolled in another congregation of this or another Church, the Member of the Clergy in charge or Warden issuing the certificate shall remove the name of the person from the parish register.

b. Recorded in Register The Member of the Clergy in charge or Warden of the congregation to which such certificate is surrendered shall record in the parish register the information contained on the presented certificate of membership, and then notify the Member of the Clergy in charge or Warden of the congregation which issued the certificate that the person has been duly recorded as a member of the new congregation. Whereupon the person’s removal shall be noted in the parish register of the congregation which issued the certificate.

c. If a member of this Church, not having such a certificate, desires to become a member of a congregation in the place to which he or she has removed, that person shall be directed by the Member of the Clergy in charge of the said congregation to procure a certificate from the former congregation, although on failure to produce such a certificate through no fault of the person applying, appropriate entry may be made in the parish register upon the evidence of membership status sufficient in the judgment of the Member of the Clergy in charge or Warden.

d. Any communicant of any Church in full communion with this Church shall be entitled to the benefit of this section so far as the same can be made applicable.

a. that both parties have the right to marry according to the laws of the State and consent to do so freely, without fraud, coercion, mistake as to the identity of either, or mental reservation; and

b. that at least one of the parties is baptized; and

c. that both parties have been instructed by the Member of the Clergy, or a person known by the Member of the Clergy to be competent and responsible, in the nature, purpose, and meaning, as well as the rights, duties and responsibilities of marriage.

a. Any member of this Church whose marriage has been annulled or dissolved by a civil court may apply to the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which such person is legally or canonically resident for a judgment as to his or her marital status in the eyes of the Church. Such judgment may be a recognition of the nullity, or of the termination of the said marriage; provided that no such judgment shall be construed as affecting in any way the legitimacy of children or the civil validity of the former relationship.

b. Judgment in writing Every judgment rendered under this Section shall be in writing and shall be made a matter of permanent record in the records of the Diocese.

a. The Member of the Clergy shall be satisfied by appropriate evidence that the prior marriage has been annulled or dissolved by a final judgment or decree of a civil court of competent jurisdiction.

b. The Member of the Clergy shall have instructed the parties that continuing concern must be shown for the well-being of the former spouse, and of any children of the prior marriage.

c. The Member of the Clergy shall consult with and obtain the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese wherein the Member of the Clergy is canonically resident or the Bishop of the Diocese in which the Member of the Clergy is licensed to officiate prior to, and shall report to that Bishop, the solemnization of any marriage under this Section.

d. If the proposed marriage is to be solemnized in a jurisdiction other than the one in which the consent has been given, the consent shall be affirmed by the Bishop of that jurisdiction.

a. the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht (via ratification of the Bonn Agreement of 1931 by the 51st General Convention in 1934),

b. la Iglesia Filipina Independiente/the Philippine Independent Church (via The Concordat of Full Communion Between the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and The Episcopal Church of 1961 adopted by the 60th General Convention in 1961), and

c. the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar(via the Mar Thoma Church - Episcopal Church Agreement of 1979).

d. The Episcopal Church has a relationship of full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada under the terms of the Memorandum of Mutual Recognition of Relations of Full Communion dated September 26, 2018 by and among The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, which was accepted by the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church as Resolution 2022-A092.

a. Whenever the General Convention, pursuant to Article X of the Constitution, shall authorize for trial use a proposed revision of the Book of Common Prayer, or of a portion or portions thereof, the enabling Resolution shall specify the period of such trial use, the precise text thereof, and any special terms or conditions under which such trial use shall be carried out including translation.

b. Duties of CustodianIt shall be the duty of the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer:

c. Authorized trial use textsDuring the said period of trial use and under the modifying conditions specified, only the material so authorized, and in the exact form in which it has been so authorized, shall be available as an alternative for the said Book of Common Prayer or the said portion or portions thereof; provided, however, that it shall be competent for the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, jointly, on recommendation by a resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music communicated to the said presiding officers in writing, to authorize variations and adjustments to, or substitutions for, or alterations in, any portion of the texts under trial, which seem desirable as a result of such trial use, and which do not change the substance of a rite.

d. In the event of the authorization of such variations, adjustments, substitutions, or alternatives, as aforesaid, it shall be the duty of the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer to notify the Ecclesiastical Authority of every Diocese, and the Convocation of the Episcopal Churches in Europe, of such action, and to give notice thereof through the media of public information.

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.

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 recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefor.

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, Evangelist, 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. Member of the Armed Forces The Presiding Bishop or the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces of the United States, Veterans’ Administration Medical Centers, and Federal Correctional Institutions 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.

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. RenewalIn 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.

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.11.9.a, and at the request of the Bishop Diocesan, by a Bishop Suffragan, or by any other Bishop of a Church in full communion with this Church who was ordained in the historic succession, at the request of the ordinand’s Bishop.

b. The Council of Advice of the Convocation of Episcopal 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, as defined in Canon III.12.4.d, the Ecclesiastical Authority may authorize and request the President of the House of Bishops of the Province to take order for an ordination.

a. TestimonialsTestimonials 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, any of which may be delivered by facsimile or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original.

b. Vestry’s letter of supportWhenever 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.

c. 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 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 letter shall be signed and dated by a Priest of the Diocese acquainted with the nominee and the congregation or other community of faith, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause.

d. Member of a Religious Order or CommunityIf the applicant is a member of a Religious Order or Christian Community recognized by Canon III.14, the letters of support referred to in Canon III.5 or Canon III.6 and any other requirements imposed on a congregation or 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.

a. The Nomination shall be in writing and shall include a letter of support by the Nominee’s congregation or other community of faith committing the community to:

If it be a congregation, the letter shall be signed by two-thirds of the Vestry or comparable body, and by the Member of the Clergy or leader exercising oversight.

b. Application for admission as PostulantThe Nominee, if in agreement with the nomination, shall accept the nomination in writing and shall provide the following to the Bishop:

a. Before granting admission as a Postulant, the Bishop shall:

b. Application reviewIf the Bishop approves the Nominee proceeding into Postulancy, 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 program of preparation for ordination to the Diaconate. The Commission shall present its evaluation and recommendations to the Bishop.

c. Previous refusal or cessationNo Bishop shall consider accepting as a Postulant any person who has been refused admission as a Candidate for ordination to the Diaconate 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.

d. Admission to PostulancyThe Bishop may admit the Nominee as a Postulant for ordination to the Diaconate. 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 director of the Postulant’s program of preparation, of the fact and date of such admission.

e. Ember WeeksEach Postulant for ordination to the Diaconate shall communicate with the Bishop in person or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, reflecting on the Postulant’s academic, diaconal, human, spiritual, and practical development.

f. RemovalAny 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 Postulant 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 director of the program of preparation.

a. A person desiring to be considered as a Candidate for ordination to the Diaconate shall apply to the Bishop. Such application shall include the following:

b. Admission to CandidacyUpon compliance with these requirements, and receipt of a written statement from the Commission attesting to the continuing formation of the Postulant, and having received approval in writing of the Standing Committee who shall have interviewed the Postulant and who shall have had an opportunity to review the documentation relating to the application of the Postulant, the Bishop may admit the Postulant as a Candidate for ordination to the Diaconate. 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 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 proposes to attend, or the director of the Candidate’s program of preparation, of the fact and date of such admission.

c. Transfers to another DioceseA Candidate must remain in canonical relationship with the Diocese in which admission has been granted until ordination to the Diaconate under this Canon, except, for reasons acceptable 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.

d. Candidate may be removed 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 Candidate and 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 director of the program of preparation.

e. 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.

a. Preparation for OrdinationThe Bishop and the Commission shall work with the Postulant or Candidate to develop and monitor a program of preparation for ordination to the Diaconate in accordance with this Canon to ensure that pastoral guidance is provided throughout the period of preparation.

b. AssignmentThe Bishop may assign the Postulant or 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. FormationFormation shall take into account the local culture and each Postulant or Candidate’s background, age, occupation, and ministry.

d. Prior education and learning from life experience may be considered as part of the formation required for ordination.

e. Wherever possible, formation for the Diaconate shall take place in community, including other persons in preparation for the Diaconate, or others preparing for ministry.

f. CompetenciesBefore ordination each Candidate shall be prepared in and demonstrate basic competence in five general areas:

g. TrainingPreparation for ordination shall include training regarding

h. Ember WeeksEach Candidate for ordination to the Diaconate 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 development.

i. Evaluation of progressDuring 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, assessments, and the recommendation, and shall be made available to the Standing Committee.

j. Examinations and evaluationsWithin thirty-six months prior to ordination as a Deacon, the following must be accomplished:

a. Ordination to the DiaconateA person may be ordained Deacon:

b. Ordination papersThe Bishop shall obtain in writing and provide to the Standing Committee:

c. Standing Committee to consent

On the receipt of such certificates, the Standing Committee, if a majority of all members consent, shall certify that the Canonical requirements for ordination to the Diaconate under this Canon have been met, that there is no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, or spiritual grounds and that they recommend ordination. The Standing Committee shall evidence such certification, 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 ____________ at ____________, do testify that A.B., desiring to be ordained to the Diaconate under Canon III.6 has presented to us the certificates as required by the Canons indicating A.B.’s preparedness for ordination to the Diaconate under Canon III.6; and we certify that all canonical requirements for ordination to the Diaconate under Canon III.6 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. Declaration of conformityThe testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, 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.

a. Subject to the Bishop’s approval, Deacons may have a letter of agreement setting forth mutual responsibilities in the assignment, and, if such a letter exists, it is subject to renegotiation with the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee after the resignation of the Rector or the Priest-in-Charge.

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.

e. Deacons may participate in the governance of the Church.

f. For two years following ordination, new Deacons shall continue a process of formation authorized by the Bishop.

g. MentorsThe Bishop or the Bishop’s designee, in consultation with the Commission, shall assign each newly ordained Deacon a mentor Deacon where a suitable mentor Deacon is available. The mentor and Deacon and shall meet regularly for at least one year to provide guidance, information, and a sustained dialogue about diaconal ministry.

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.

a. Return to ordained MinistryWhen a Deacon who has been released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church under Canon III.7.8 desires to return to that Ministry, the person shall apply in writing to the Bishop of the Diocese in which the Deacon was last canonically resident, attaching the following:

b. If the Bishop so chooses, the Bishop may give permission for the Deacon to continue the process toward reinstatement, which may include the following:

c. Before the person may be permitted to return to the ordained Ministry of this Church, the Bishop shall require the Deacon seeking to return to the ministry to sign a written declaration as required in Article VIII of the Constitution, without recourse to any other ecclesiastical jurisdiction and execute such declaration in the presence of the Bishop and two or more members of the clergy of this Church.

d. Thereafter the Bishop, taking into account the facts and circumstances surrounding the Deacon’s removal and release, may permit, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, the return of the Deacon into the ordained Ministry of this Church.

e. The provisions of this Canon III.7.11 shall not be applicable to any Deacon who has been removed, released, or deposed from their ministry as the result of any proceeding of Title IV of these Canons.

f. Notice of the Deacon’s return to the ordained Ministry of this Church shall be provided in writing to the same persons and entities receiving notice under Canon III.7.10.

a. Application for admission to PostulancyThe Nomination shall be in writing and shall include a letter of support by the Nominee’s congregation or other community of faith committing the community to:

If it be a congregation, the letter shall be signed by two-thirds of the Vestry or comparable body, and by the Member of the Clergy or leader exercising oversight.

a. Before granting admission as a Postulant, the Bishop shall

b. Application reviewIf 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 program of preparation for ordination to the Priesthood. The Commission shall present its evaluation and recommendations to the Bishop.

c. Previous removal or cessationNo 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.

d. Admission to PostulancyThe 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.

e. Ember WeeksEach Postulant for ordination to the Priesthood shall communicate with the Bishop in person or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, reflecting on the Postulant’s academic experience and personal and spiritual development.

f. RemovalAny 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 Postulant 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 director of the program of preparation.

a. Application for CandidacyA person desiring to be considered as a Candidate for ordination to the Priesthood shall apply to the Bishop. Such application shall include the following:

b. Admission to CandidacyUpon compliance with these requirements, and receipt of a statement from the Commission attesting to the continuing formation of the Postulant, and having received approval in writing of the Standing Committee who shall have interviewed the Postulant and who shall have had an opportunity to review the documentation relating to the application of the Postulant, the Bishop may admit the Postulant 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. Transfer to another DioceseA Candidate must remain in canonical relationship with the Diocese in which admission has been granted until ordination to the Diaconate under this Canon, except, for reasons acceptable 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.

d. Candidate may be removedAny 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 Candidate and 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.

e. 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.

a. The Bishop and the Commission shall work with the Postulant or Candidate to develop and monitor a program of preparation for ordination to the Priesthood and to ensure that pastoral guidance is provided throughout the period of preparation.

b. Pre-theological educationIf the Postulant or Candidate has not previously obtained a baccalaureate degree, the Commission, Bishop, and Postulant or Candidate shall design a program of such additional academic work as may be necessary to prepare the Postulant or Candidate to undertake a program of theological education.

c. FormationFormation shall take into account the local culture and each Postulant or Candidate’s background, age, occupation, and ministry.

d. Prior education and learning from life experience may be considered as part of the formation required for the Priesthood.

e. Whenever possible, formation for the Priesthood shall take place in community, including other persons in preparation for the Priesthood, or others preparing for ministry.

f. Formation shall include theological training, practical experience, emotional development, and spiritual formation.

g. Theological educationSubject areas for study during this program of preparation shall include:

h. TrainingPreparation for ordination shall include training regarding:

i. Ember WeeksEach Postulant or Candidate for ordination to the Priesthood shall communicate with the Bishop in person or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, reflecting on the Candidate’s academic experience and personal and spiritual development.

j. Evaluation of progressThe seminary or other formation program shall provide for, monitor, and report on the academic performance and personal qualifications of the Postulant or Candidate for ordination. These reports will be made upon request of the Bishop and Commission, but at least once per year.

k. Examinations and evaluationsWithin thirty-six months prior to ordination as a Deacon under this Canon, the following must be accomplished:

l. Reports of all investigations and examinations shall be kept permanently on file by the Bishop and remain a part of the permanent diocesan record.

a. Ordination of Deacons with a call to the PriesthoodA 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-four years of age.

c. Ordination papersThe Bishop shall obtain in writing and provide to the Standing Committee:

d. Standing Committee to consent and certify CandidatesOn 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, 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 ____________ 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) ___________________________________

e. Declaration of conformityThe testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, 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.

a. A person may be ordained Priest:

b. Ordination papersThe Bishop shall obtain in writing and provide to the Standing Committee:

c. Standing Committee to consent and certify for ordination to PriesthoodOn 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, 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. Declaration of conformityThe testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, 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. Exercise of office before ordinationNo 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. Deacons called to the PriesthoodA person ordained to the Diaconate under Canon III.6 who subsequently expresses a call to the Priesthood shall apply to the Bishop Diocesan and the Commission on Ministry. The Commission on Ministry and Bishop Diocesan shall ensure that the Deacon meets the formational requirements set forth in III.8.5.g and shall recommend such additional steps as may be necessary and required. Upon completion of these requirements and those required for Postulancy and Candidacy as set forth in Canon III.8, the Deacon may be ordained to the Priesthood.

a. Rectors.

b. Priests-in-ChargePriests-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.9.6 subject to the authority of the Bishop.

c. Assistants.

Rector to select assistantsA 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. Upon resignation by the Rector, death of the Rector, or in the event of the dissolution of a pastoral relationship between the Rector and the Vestry,In case of vacancy 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 and containing a clearly articulated dissolution clause, subject to the Bishop’s approval.

d. Chaplains.

e. Employment of Priests in Other Settings.

a. Testimonial for transfer 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 may include a portfolio of training, continuing education and exercise of ministries. The testimonial shall be in the following form:

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.

(Date)     ___________________________________

(Signed) ___________________________________

b. Acceptance of Letters DimissorySuch 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. Voided letters and nonacceptanceLetters 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 proceedings under Title IV. 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. Certificate of transferA 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 form:

I hereby certify that A.B. has been canonically transferred to my jurisdiction and is a Priest in good standing.

(Date)     ___________________________________

(Signed) ___________________________________

f. In case of previous refusalNo 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.

a. Transfer of canonical residencyA Priest desiring to become canonically resident within a Diocese or equivalent jurisdiction of a Church in full communion with The Episcopal Church (as identified in Canon I.20) shall request 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 or equivalent jurisdiction to which transfer is proposed. The testimonial may include a portfolio of training, continuing education, and exercise of ministries. The testimonial shall be in the following form or in the form specified by the receiving Diocese or equivalent jurisdiction:

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 the Diocese of ____________ of The Episcopal Church 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.

(Date)     ___________________________________

(Signed) ___________________________________

b. If the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or equivalent jurisdiction of the Church in full communion with The Episcopal Church accepts the testimonial, the canonical residence of the Priest transferred shall date from such acceptance, and notice of acceptance shall be promptly forwarded by the Priest to the Ecclesiastical Authority in the sending Diocese. Such notification from the receiving Ecclesiastical Authority may be in the following form:

I hereby certify that A.B. has been canonically transferred to my jurisdiction and is a Priest in good standing.

(Date)     ___________________________________

(Signed) ___________________________________

c. Upon receipt of said acceptance, the Ecclesiastical Authority of the sending Diocese shall notify the Church Pension Fund and the Recorder of Ordinations of the priest’s departure from The Episcopal Church.

d. LimitationsThis provision shall not be used for Priests who seek to enter churches not in full communion with The Episcopal Church or for those who seek transfer to another Province of the Anglican Communion while remaining geographically within the boundaries of The Episcopal Church. In such cases the provisions of Canon III.9.9 shall be followed.

a.

b.

c.

a. License to officiate in a DioceseNo 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. Consent of RectorNo 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:

c. Evidence required to officiateNo 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; Proviso provided, nothing in these Canons shall prevent:

d. Neglect of services or refusal to officiateIf any Member of the Clergy or Priest-in-Charge, as a result of impairment 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. Officiating outside the Church’s jurisdictionAny Priest desiring to officiate temporarily outside the jurisdiction of this Church but in a Church in full communion with this Church, shall obtain from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the person is canonically resident, a testimonial which shall set forth the person’s official standing, and which may be in the following form:

I hereby certify that A.B., who has signified to me the desire to be permitted to officiate temporarily in churches not under the jurisdiction of The Episcopal Church, yet in full communion with this Church, is a Priest of ____________ in good standing, and as such is entitled to the rights and privileges of that Order.

(Date)     ___________________________________

(Signed) ___________________________________

Such testimonial shall be valid for one year and shall be returned to the Ecclesiastical Authority at the end of that period. The Ecclesiastical Authority giving such testimonial shall record its issuance, the name of the Priest to whom issued, its date and the date of its return.

a. tenure in the position shall be for a term of not more than twelve months, which term 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 resignation may, at the Bishop’s request, serve in the same position for a term not to exceed twelve months thereafter, and this term may be renewed.

a. Return to ordained MinistryWhen a Priest who has been released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church under Canon III.9.8 desires to return to that Ministry, the person shall apply in writing to the Bishop of the Diocese in which the Priest was last canonically resident, attaching the following:

b. If the Bishop so chooses, the Bishop may give permission for the Priest to continue the process toward reinstatement, which may include the following:

c. Before the Priest may be permitted to return to the ordained Ministry of this Church, the Bishop shall require the Priest seeking to return to the ministry to sign a written declaration as required in Article VIII of the Constitution, without recourse to any other ecclesiastical jurisdiction and execute such declaration in the presence of the Bishop and two or more members of the clergy of this Church.

d. Thereafter the Bishop, taking into account the facts and circumstances surrounding the Priest’s removal and release, may permit, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, the return of the person into the ordained Ministry of this Church.

e. The provisions of this Canon III.9.13 shall not be applicable to any Priest who has been removed, released, or deposed from their ministry as the result of any proceeding of Title IV of these Canons.

f. Notice of the Priest’s return to the ordained Ministry of this Church shall be provided in writing to the same persons and entities receiving notice under Canon III.9.12.

a. Resignation or removal of a RectorExcept upon mandatory resignation by reason of age, a Rector may not resign as Rector of a parish without the consent of its Vestry, nor may any Rector canonically or lawfully elected and in charge of a Parish be removed there from by the Vestry against the Rector’s will, except as hereinafter provided.

b. Notice to Ecclesiastical AuthorityIf for any urgent reason a Rector or majority of Vestry based on a vote in a duly-called meeting, desires a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and the parties cannot agree, either party may give notice in writing to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese with a copy available to the Rector or Vestry. Such notice shall include sufficient information to inform the Ecclesiastical Authority and all parties involved of the nature, causes, and specifics requiring the dissolution of the pastoral relationship. If the parties have participated in mediation or consultation processes under III.9.14, a separate report from the mediator or consultant will be submitted to the Ecclesiastical Authority with copies available to the Rector and Vestry. Whenever the Standing Committee is the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, it shall request the Bishop of another Diocese to perform the duties of the Bishop under this Canon.

c. Bishop to mediateWithin sixty days of receipt of the written notice, the Bishop Diocesan or the Bishop exercising authority under this canon may initiate further mediation and reconciliation processes between Rector and Vestry in every way which the Bishop deems proper. The Bishop may appoint a committee of at least one Presbyter and one Lay Person, none of whom may be members of or related to the Parish involved, to interview the Rector and Vestry and report to the Bishop on the cooperation and responsiveness of the parties involved in the processes required by the Bishop. A copy of this report shall be available to the Vestry and Rector.

d. Procedures for settling differencesIf the differences between the parties are not resolved after completion of mediation or other reconciliation efforts or actions prescribed by the Bishop, the Bishop shall proceed as follows:

e. Noncompliance with judgmentIn the event of the failure or refusal of either party to comply with the terms of the judgment, the Bishop may impose such penalties as may be set forth in the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese; and in default of any provisions for such penalties therein, the Bishop may act as follows:

f. For cause, the Bishop may extend the time periods specified in this Canon, provided that all be done to expedite these proceedings. All parties shall be notified in writing of the length of any extension.

g. Nondiscoverable and inadmissible statementsStatements made during the course of proceedings under this Canon are not discoverable nor admissible in any proceedings under Title IV provided that this does not require the exclusion of evidence in any proceeding under the Canons which is otherwise discoverable and admissible.

h. Diocesan Canons applySections 14 or 15 of this Canon shall not apply in any Diocese whose Canons are otherwise consistent with Canon III.9.

a. a background check, according to criteria established by the Bishop and Standing Committee, and

b. Examinations and evaluationsmedical and psychological evaluation by professionals approved by the Bishop, using forms prepared for the purpose by the Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention and if desired or necessary, psychiatric referral. All such background checks and evaluations shall be conducted specifically for the ordination or reception under this Canon and not for any other process or purpose.

c. Evidence of trainingevidence of training regarding

d. Diocesan recordsReports of all investigations and examinations shall be kept permanently on file by the Bishop and remain a part of the permanent diocesan record.

e. MentorsPrior to reception or ordination each clergy person shall be assigned a mentor Priest by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. The mentor and clergy person shall meet regularly to provide the clergy person an opportunity for guidance, information, and a sustained dialogue about ministry in The Episcopal Church.

a.

b. DeaconsA Member of the Clergy who is a Deacon shall not be ordered Priest until having resided within the jurisdiction of this Church at least one year and all the requirements for ordination to the Priesthood as required by Canon III.8 have been satisfied.

c. MentorsFollowing reception each clergy person shall be assigned a mentor Priest by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. The mentor and clergy person shall meet regularly to provide the clergy person an opportunity for guidance, information, and a sustained dialogue about ministry in The Episcopal Church.

a. Procedures for making applicationWhen a Priest or Deacon ordained in a Church by a Bishop in the Historic Succession but not in full communion with this Church, the regularity of whose ordination is approved by the Presiding Bishop as permitted by Canon I.16.3, desires to be received as a Member of the Clergy in this Church, the person shall apply in writing to a Bishop, attaching the following:

b. The provisions of Canon III.8.5.a shall be applicable.

c. Evidence of proficiencyIf the person has exercised a ministry in the previous Church with good repute and success and if the person furnishes evidence of satisfactory theological training in the previous Church, then the applicant shall be examined by the Commission and show proficiency in the following subjects:

d. The Commission may, with the consent of the Bishop, and with notice to the applicant, examine the latter in any other subject required by Canon III.6.5.f and g or III.8.5.g and h.

e. Candidate to receive endorsementsPrior to being examined pursuant to Sec. 3.c of this Canon, the applicant shall have received certificates from the Bishop and from the Standing Committee that the applicant is acceptable as a Member of the Clergy of this Church, subject to the successful completion of the examination.

f. Declaration of conformityBefore the person may be ordained or received into Holy Orders in this Church, the Bishop shall require a promise in writing to submit in all things, to the Discipline of this Church without recourse to any other ecclesiastical jurisdiction or foreign civil jurisdiction, and shall further require the person to subscribe and make in the presence of the Bishop and two or more Presbyters the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

g. Reception, confirmation, or ordinationThereafter the Bishop, being satisfied of the person’s theological qualifications and successful completion of the examination specified in Sec. 3.c of this Canon and soundness in the faith, shall:

h. Special prefaces authorizedIn the case of an ordination under this Canon, the Bishop shall, at the time of such ordination, read this preface to the Service:

The Ecclesiastical Authority of this Diocese is satisfied that A.B. accepts the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church and now desires to be ordained a Deacon (or ordained a Priest) in this Church. We are about to confer upon A.B. the grace and authority of Holy Orders as this Church has received them and requires them for the exercise of the ministry of a Deacon (or a Priest).

The certificates of ordination in such cases shall contain the words:

Acknowledging the ministry which A.B. has already received and hereby adding to that commission the grace and authority of Holy Orders as understood and required by this Church for the exercise of the ministry of a Deacon (or a Priest).

i. Conditional ordinationIn the case of a conditional ordination pursuant to this Canon, the Bishop shall at the time of such ordination, read this preface to the service:

The Ecclesiastical Authority of this Diocese has been satisfied that A.B., who has been ordained by a Bishop whose authority has not been recognized by this Church, accepts the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church, and now desires conditional ordination. By this service of ordination, we propose to establish that A.B. is qualified to exercise the ministry of a Deacon (or a Priest).

j. LimitationsNo one shall be ordained or received as a Deacon or Priest until age twenty-four.

k. A Deacon received under this Canon, desiring to be ordained to the Priesthood must satisfy all the requirements for ordination as set forth in Canon III.8.

l. No one shall be received or ordained under this Canon less than twelve months from the date of having become a confirmed communicant of this Church.

m. MentorsFollowing reception or ordination each clergy person shall be assigned a mentor Priest by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. The mentor and clergy person shall meet regularly to provide guidance, information, and a sustained dialogue about ministry in The Episcopal Church.

a. If a person ordained or licensed by other than a Bishop in historic succession to minister in a Church not in full communion with this Church desires to be ordained, the person shall follow the procedures and requirements set forth in Canon III.6 if the person desires to be ordained to the diaconate or Canon III.8 if the person desires to be ordained to the priesthood.

b. The Commission shall examine the applicant and report to the Bishop with respect to:

c. Exceptions to canonical requirementsThe minimum period of Candidacy need not apply, if the Bishop and the Standing Committee at the recommendation of the Commission judge the Candidate to be ready for ordination to the Diaconate earlier than twelve months; the applicant shall be examined by the Commission and show proficiency in the following subjects:

d. Special prefaces authorized If all the requirements of this Canon have been fulfilled, the Bishop may ordain the Candidate a Deacon under Canon III.6 or III.8, but may do so no sooner than twelve months after the Candidate became a confirmed communicant of this Church. If ordained a deacon under Canon III.8 no sooner than six months thereafter, the Candidate may be ordained a Priest at the Bishop’s discretion.

a. Bishops of Anglican Communion may be receivedA Bishop in good standing of a member church or Province of the Anglican Communion, or of a national or local church with Extra-Provincial status in the Anglican Communion, who seeks to serve in this Church as an Assistant Bishop as provided in Canon III.12.5.b.3, or as a Bishop with provisional charge of a Diocese as provided in Canon III.13.1, may be received into The Episcopal Church pursuant to the requirements set out in this Section.

b. A Bishop in good standing of a member church or Province of the Anglican Communion, or of a national or local church with Extra-Provincial status in the Anglican Communion, which church or Province is seeking admission into union with The Episcopal Church, may be received into The Episcopal Church pursuant to the requirements set out in this Section, provided that if the Bishop’s selection to serve the church or Province was by a process other than election by a Convention, Synod, or other governing body, the Bishop shall provide evidence that the Convention, Synod, or other governing body has affirmed that selection;

c. Evidence requiredA Bishop seeking to be received into The Episcopal Church shall provide to the Presiding Bishop the following:

d. Consent requiredUpon receipt of the items set out in subsection .c of this Canon to the satisfaction of the Presiding Bishop, the Presiding Bishop, without delay, shall notify every Bishop of this Church exercising jurisdiction and every Standing Committee of this Church of the Presiding Bishop’s receipt of those items, and request from each a statement of consent, or withholding of consent, to the reception of the Bishop into The Episcopal Church. Each Bishop with jurisdiction and each Standing Committee shall within 90 days of the sending of the notification respond to the Presiding Bishop or the Presiding Bishop’s designee indicating their consent or their withholding of consent.

Evidence of the consent of each Standing Committee shall be a testimonial in the following words, or in similar words approved by the Presiding Bishop, signed by a majority of all the members of the Committee:

We, being a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee of ____________, and having been duly convened, firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Right Reverend N.N. ought not to be received into The Episcopal Church to serve as a Bishop therein, and therefore consent to the reception of the Right Reverend N.N. to serve as [Assistant Bishop/Bishop with provisional charge/Bishop Diocesan] in the Diocese of ____________. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this ______ day of ____________ in the year of our Lord ______.

(Signed) ___________________________________

e. If a majority of the Bishops with jurisdiction and of the Standing Committees consents to the reception, the Bishop shall make the written declaration required by Article VIII of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church in the presence of the Presiding Bishop and two episcopal witnesses, at which point the Presiding Bishop shall certify that the Bishop is received into The Episcopal Church; provided that, in the case of a Bishop seeking to be received into this Church under subsection .b of this Canon, such certification shall not issue until the Executive Council has issued the approval set out on Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution.

a. Discernment and election rules Discernment of vocation to be a Bishop Diocesan, Coadjutor, or Suffragan occurs through a process of election in accordance with the Constitutions and Canons of this Church and the electing Diocese and any special rules adopted by the Convention of that Diocese. Unless otherwise provided in the electing Diocese’s Constitution or Canons, the Standing Committee shall have oversight of, and responsibility for, any search, nomination, transition, and election processes. The Diocese shall establish a nominating process either by Canon or by the adoption of rules and procedures for the election of the Bishop at a regular or special meeting of the Convention of the Diocese with sufficient time preceding the election of the Bishop.

b. Other provisions for electionIn lieu of electing a Bishop, the Convention of a Diocese may request that an election be made on its behalf by the House of Bishops of the Province of which the Diocese is a part, subject to confirmation by the Provincial Synod, or it may request that an election be made on its behalf by the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church.

c. Notification of electionThe Secretary of the body electing a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Coadjutor, or Bishop Suffragan, shall inform the Presiding Bishop promptly of the name of the person elected. It shall be the duty of the Bishop-elect to notify the Presiding Bishop of acceptance or declination of the election, at the same time as the Bishop-elect notifies the electing Diocese.

d. No Diocese shall elect a Bishop within thirty days before a meeting of the General Convention.

a. The Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop has been elected shall by its President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, immediately send to the Presiding Bishop and to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses a certificate of the election by the Secretary of Convention of the Diocese, bearing a statement of receipt of:

Testimonial of election We, whose names are hereunder written, fully sensible of how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ.

(Date)     ___________________________________

(Signed) ___________________________________

Consent processThe Presiding Bishop, without delay, shall notify every Bishop of this Church exercising jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop’s receipt of the certificates mentioned in this Section and request a statement of consent or withholding of consent. Each Standing Committee, in not more than one hundred and twenty days after the sending by the electing body of the certificate of the election, shall respond by sending the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected either the testimonial of consent in the form set out in paragraph b. of this Section or written notice of its refusal to give consent. If a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses consents to the ordination of the Bishop-elect, the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected shall then forward the evidence of the consent, with the other necessary certificates required in this Section (documents described in Sec. 3.a.2 of this Canon), to the Presiding Bishop. If the Presiding Bishop receives sufficient statements to indicate a majority of those Bishops consent to the ordination, the Presiding Bishop shall, without delay, notify the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected and the Bishop-elect of the consent.

b. Testimonials of Standing CommitteesEvidence of the consent of each Standing Committee shall be a testimonial in the following words, signed by a majority of all the members of the Committee:

We, being a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee of ____________, and having been duly convened, fully sensible how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Order. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this ______ day of ____________ in the year of our Lord ______.

(Signed) ___________________________________

c. 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, any of which may be delivered by facsimile or other electronic transmission, each of which shall be deemed an original.

a. Within ten days after the election of a Bishop Diocesan, a Bishop Coadjutor, or a Bishop Suffragan by a Diocesan Convention, delegates constituting no less than ten percent of the number of delegates casting votes on the final ballot may file with the Secretary of the Convention written objections to the election process, setting forth in detail all alleged irregularities. Within ten days after receipt thereof, the Secretary of the Convention shall forward copies of the same to the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor and Standing Committee of the Diocese, and to the Presiding Bishop, who shall request the Court of Review to investigate the complaint. Report of the Court of ReviewThe Court of Review may invite response by the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor, the Standing Committee and any other persons within the Diocese for which the Bishop was elected. Within 45 days after receipt of the request, the Court of Review shall send a written report of its findings to the Presiding Bishop, a copy of which report the Presiding Bishop, within fifteen days, shall cause to be sent to the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor, the Standing Committee and the Secretary of the Convention of the electing Diocese. The Secretary shall send a copy of the report to each of the delegates who filed objection to the election process.

b. The report of the Court of Review shall be sent to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses, with the Certificate of the Secretary of the electing Convention relating to consent to ordain. Likewise, the Presiding Bishop shall include the report in the communication to the Bishops exercising jurisdiction. The 120 day period for Standing Committees and Bishops to consent to the election begins with these communications.

a. Bishops Coadjutor

b. Bishops Suffragan

c. Missionary Bishop

a. Bishop to visit congregationsA Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Coadjutor, Bishop Suffragan, or Assistant Bishop of the Diocese shall visit the Congregations within the Diocese at least once in three years. Interim visits may be delegated to another Bishop of this Church.

a. A Religious Order of this Church is a society of Christians (in communion with the See of Canterbury) who voluntarily commit themselves for life, or a term of years: to holding their possessions in common or in trust; to a celibate life in community; and obedience to their Rule and Constitution.

b. Official recognitionTo be officially recognized, a Religious Order must have at least six professed members, and must be approved by the Standing Committee on Religious Communities of the House of Bishops and be registered with the Committee.

c. Bishop Visitor or ProtectorEach Order shall have a Bishop Visitor or Protector, who need not be the Bishop of the Diocese in which the Order is established. If, however, the Bishop Visitor or Protector is not the Bishop of the Diocese in which the Mother House of the Order is situated, the Bishop Visitor or Protector shall not accept election without the consent of the Bishop of that Diocese. The Bishop Visitor or Protector shall be the guardian of the Constitution of the Order, and shall serve as an arbiter in matters which the Order or its members cannot resolve through its normal processes.

d. DispensationsAny person under vows in a Religious Order, having exhausted the normal processes of the Order, may petition the Bishop Visitor or Protector for dispensation from those vows. In the event the petitioner is not satisfied with the ruling of the Bishop Visitor or Protector on such petition, the person may file a petition with the Presiding Bishop, who shall appoint a Board of three Bishops to review the petition and the decision thereon, and to make recommendation to the Presiding Bishop, who shall have the highest dispensing power for Religious Orders, and whose ruling on the petition shall be final.

e. Permission to establish a houseA Religious Order may establish a house in a Diocese only with the permission of the Bishop of the Diocese. This permission once granted shall not be withdrawn by the Bishop or any succeeding Bishop.

f. Legal ownership of propertyThe Constitution of every Religious Order shall make provision for the legal ownership and administration of the temporal possessions of the Order, and in the event of dissolution of the Order, or should it otherwise cease to exist, shall provide for the disposition of its assets according to the laws governing non-profit (religious) organizations in the State wherein the Order is incorporated.

g. Not regarded as a Parish or InstitutionIt is recognized that a Religious Order is not a Parish, Mission, Congregation or Institution of the Diocese within the meaning of Canon I.7.3, and its provisions shall not apply to Religious Orders.

a. A Christian Community of this Church under this Canon is a society of Christians (in communion with the See of Canterbury) who voluntarily commit themselves for life, or a term of years, in obedience to their Rule and Constitution.

b. Official recognitionTo be officially recognized such a Christian Community must have at least six full members in accordance with their Rule and Constitution, and must be approved by the Standing Committee on Religious Communities of the House of Bishops and be registered with the Committee.

c. Bishop Visitor or ProtectorEach such Christian Community of this Church shall have a Bishop Visitor or Protector, who need not be the Bishop of the Diocese in which the community is established. If, however, the Bishop Visitor or Protector is not the Bishop of the Diocese in which the Mother House of the Community is situated, the Bishop Visitor or Protector shall not accept election without the consent of the Bishop of that Diocese. The Bishop Visitor or Protector shall be the guardian of the Constitution of the Community, and shall serve as an arbiter in matters which the Community or its members cannot resolve through its normal processes.

d. DispensationsAny person under full commitment in such a Christian Community, having exhausted the normal processes of the Community, may petition the Bishop Visitor or Protector for dispensation from that full commitment. In the event the petitioner is not satisfied with the ruling of the Bishop Visitor or Protector on such petition, the person may file a petition with the Presiding Bishop of the Church, who shall appoint a Board of three Bishops to review the petition and the decision thereon, and to make recommendation to the Presiding Bishop, who shall have the highest dispensing power for Christian Communities, and whose ruling on the petition shall be final.

e. Permission to establish a houseEach such Christian Community may establish a house in a Diocese only with the permission of the Bishop of the Diocese. This permission once granted shall not be withdrawn by the Bishop or any succeeding Bishop.

f. Provision for legal ownership of propertyThe Constitution of each Christian Community shall make provision for the legal ownership and administration of the temporal possessions of the Community, and in the event of dissolution of the Community, or should it otherwise cease to exist, shall provide for the disposition of its assets according to the laws governing non-profit (religious) organizations in the State wherein the Community is incorporated.

g. Not regarded as a Parish or InstitutionIt is recognized that a Christian Community is not a Parish, Mission, Congregation or Institution of the Diocese within the meaning of Canon I.7.3, and its provisions shall not apply to such Christian Communities.

a. The General Board of Examining Chaplains, with professional assistance, shall prepare at least annually a General Ordination Examination covering the subject matter set forth in Canon III.8.5.g, and shall conduct, administer, and evaluate it in respect to those Candidates for Holy Orders who have been identified to the Board by their several Bishops.

b. Whenever a Candidate has not demonstrated proficiency in any one or more of the canonical areas covered by the General Ordination Examination, the General Board of Examining Chaplains shall recommend to the Commission on Ministry, and through the Commission to the Board of Examining Chaplains, if one exists, of the Diocese to which the Candidate belongs, how the proficiencies might be attained.

a. There shall be a Board for Transition Ministry of the General Convention consisting of twelve members, four of whom shall be Bishops, four of whom shall be Presbyters or Deacons, and four of whom shall be Lay Persons.

b. AppointmentThe Bishops shall be appointed by the Presiding Bishop. The Priests or Deacons and Lay Members shall be appointed by the President of the House of Deputies. All appointments to the Board shall be subject to the confirmation of the General Convention.

c. TermsThe Members shall serve terms beginning with the adjournment of the meeting of the General Convention at which their appointments are confirmed, and ending with the adjournment of the second regular meeting thereafter. The members shall not serve successive terms.

d. At each regular meeting of the General Convention one-half of the membership shall be appointed to serve full terms.

e. VacanciesVacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Presiding Bishop or by the President of the House of Deputies, as appropriate. Such appointments shall be for the remaining unexpired portion of the members’ terms, and, if a regular meeting of the General Convention intervenes, appointments for terms extending beyond such meetings shall be subject to confirmation of the General Convention. Members appointed to fill the vacancies shall not thereby be disqualified from appointment to full terms thereafter.

a. To oversee the Office for Transition Ministry.

b. To provide support for the training of bishops and diocesan personnel in the transition ministry processes.

c. To study the transition ministry needs and trends in The Episcopal Church and in other Christian bodies.

d. To issue and distribute such reports and information concerning transition ministry as it deems helpful to the Church.

e. To cooperate with the Centers for Mission and the other Boards, Commissions, and Agencies which are concerned with transition ministry, and particularly with the Executive Council.

f. To report on its work and the work of the Office for Transition Ministry at each regular meeting of the General Convention.

g. To report to the Executive Council annually as a part of its accountability to the Council for the funding which the Office for Transition Ministry receives.

h. To work in cooperation with the Church Center Staff.

i. To fulfill other responsibilities assigned to it by the General Convention.

a. knowingly violating or attempting to violate, directly or through the acts of another person, the Constitution or Canons of the Church or of any Diocese;

b. failing without good cause to cooperate with any investigation or proceeding conducted under authority of this Title;

c. intentionally and maliciously bringing a false accusation or knowingly providing false testimony or false evidence in any investigation or proceeding under this Title; or

d. intentionally misrepresenting or omitting any material fact in applying for admission to Postulancy, for admission to Candidacy, for ordination as a Deacon or Priest, for reception from another Church as a Deacon or Priest, or for nomination or appointment as a Bishop.

e. discharging, demoting, or otherwise retaliating against any person because the person has opposed any practices forbidden under this Title or because the person has reported information concerning an Offense, testified, or assisted in any proceeding under this Title.

a. Confidencesrespect and preserve confidences of others except that pastoral, legal or moral obligations of ministry may require disclosure of those confidences other than Privileged Communications;

b. Rubricsconform to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer;

c. Vowsabide by the promises and vows made when ordained;

d. Accords or Ordersabide by the requirements of any applicable Accord or Order, or any applicable Pastoral Direction, restriction on ministry, or placement on Administrative Leave issued under Canon IV.7;

e. Propertysafeguard the property and funds of the Church and Community;

f. Reporting Offensesreport to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense as defined in Canon IV.2 meeting the standards of Canon IV.3.3, except for matters disclosed to the Member of Clergy as confessor within the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent;

g. Faithful exercise of Ministryexercise his or her ministry in accordance with applicable provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the Church and of the Diocese, ecclesiastical licensure or commission and Community rule or bylaws;

h. Restraint in conductrefrain from:

a. In the event of any Board member’s death, resignation or declination to serve, or disability rendering the member unable to act, the president shall declare a vacancy on the Board.

b. Notices of resignation or declination to serve shall be communicated in writing to the president.

c. EligibilityNo person serving in a Diocese as Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Advisor, Conciliator, Church Attorney, Intake Officer or Investigator may serve on the Disciplinary Board of that Diocese, and no member of a Disciplinary Board may be selected to serve in one of those positions in the same Diocese. A member of the Standing Committee of a Diocese may serve on the Disciplinary Board if the Canons of the Diocese so provide. If any Priest elected to the Board is elected a Bishop, or any lay member is ordained prior to the commencement of a proceeding under this Title, that person shall immediately cease to be a member of the Board. If a proceeding has been commenced, that person may continue to serve on the Board for all proceedings in that matter through final disposition. A lay person ceasing to be a member under this subsection by reason of ordination may be appointed to fill a vacancy in the clergy members of the Board.

d. Each Diocese shall provide by Canon for the filling of vacancies on the Board. In the event there be no such canonical provision by the Diocese, any vacancy occurring on the Board shall be filled by appointment of the Bishop Diocesan and the appointee shall be of the same order as the Board member being replaced.

e. Proceedings of the Panels of the Disciplinary Board shall be conducted within the rules provided in this Title. The Board may adopt, alter or rescind supplemental rules of procedure not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of the Church.

f. EvidenceThe rules of evidence for proceedings are as provided in Canon IV.13.10.

g. ClerkThe Disciplinary Board shall appoint a clerk who may be a member of the Board, who shall be custodian of all records and files of the Disciplinary Board and who shall provide administrative services as needed for the functioning of the Board. The clerk, or an assistant clerk who may be appointed at the discretion of the Board, may be any person otherwise qualified who has no conflict of interest in the matter before the Board and who is not barred from serving on the Disciplinary Board under the provisions of IV.5.3.c or serving on the staff of persons so barred.

h. RecordsThe Disciplinary Board shall keep a record of all proceedings before its Hearing Panels in a format that can be reduced to a transcript if necessary. The record of each proceeding shall be certified by the president of the Panel. If the record cannot be certified by the president by reason of the president’s death, disability or absence, the record shall be certified by another member of the Panel selected by a majority of the remaining members of the Panel.

i. Sharing resources Any Diocese may agree in writing with one or more other Dioceses to develop and share resources necessary to implement this Title, including members of Disciplinary Boards, Church Attorneys, Intake Officers, Advisors, Investigators, Conciliators and administrative and financial support for proceedings under this Title.

j. Church Attorneys, Intake Officers, Advisors, Investigators and Conciliators need not reside in or be members of the Diocese proceeding under this Title. Members of Disciplinary Boards shall be members of the Diocese in which they serve unless such Diocese has entered into an agreement for the sharing of resources as provided in Canon IV.5.3.i.

a. MembersThe Court of Review consists of: i. Three Bishops; six Members of the Clergy, who must include at least two Priests and at least two Deacons; and six lay persons; and ii. one Bishop, one Priest or Deacon, and one lay person to serve as alternates as provided in this Section.

b. The Joint Standing Committee on Nominations will nominate a slate of Clergy and lay persons for election to the Court of Review, in accordance with the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations’ canonical charge and procedures and guided by the skill sets needed for effective service on the Court of Review. The Joint Standing Committee on Nomination may but need not nominate more persons than there are vacancies. The Clergy and lay nominees for the Court of Review may but need not be Deputies to General Convention. The Joint Standing Committee on Nominations must create a description of the skills, gifts, and experience requisite for service on the Court of Review, after consultation with the Court, including the value of cultural and geographic diversity on the Court and the value of including historically underrepresented voices in the governance of the Church.

c. The Bishop members and Bishop alternate members on the Court of Review will be nominated by the Presiding Bishop after consultation with the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations, and then elected by the House of Bishops at a regular meeting of the General Convention.

d. The Clergy and lay members and alternates on the Court of Review will be elected by the House of Deputies at a regular meeting of the General Convention.

e. PresidentThe Court of Review must select a President from among its members. The President must be a Priest, Deacon, or lay person.

f. Terms of officeThe persons appointed to the Court of Review will continue to serve until their respective successors have been elected, except in case of death, resignation, or declination to serve. Members of the Court of Review who are currently appointed to a Panel will continue to serve until the Panel has completed its work.

g. PanelsWhenever a matter is referred to the Court of Review, the President must appoint a Panel for that case consisting of one Bishop, two Members of the Clergy, and two lay persons. No Bishop or Clergy member of the Court of Review may serve in any matter originating from the Diocese in which such Bishop or Clergy member is canonically resident or is then currently licensed to serve, and no lay member may serve in a matter originating from the Diocese of the lay member’s primary residence or a Diocese in which the lay member is then currently active. In such event, the President shall appoint another member of the Court from the same Order to serve; if no other member is available to serve, the President must appoint an alternate of the same Order to serve.

h. AlternatesIf any member of the Court of Review is excused under Canon IV.5.3.c, or, upon objection made by either party to the appeal, is found by the other members of the Court of Review to be disqualified, an alternate shall serve.

i. VacanciesIn the event of any Court of Review member’s death, resignation, or declination to serve, or disability rendering the member unable to act, and in the further event that no other member of the Court is available to serve, the President of the Court of Review must declare a vacancy on the Court of Review. Notices of resignation or declination to serve must be communicated in writing to the President of the Court of Review

j. Vacancies on the Court of Review must be filled by the President of the House of Deputies for lay and Clergy members and by the Presiding Bishop for Bishop members.

k. ClerkThe Court of Review must appoint a clerk who may be a member of the Court, who will be custodian of all records and files of the Court of Review, and who will provide administrative services as needed for the functioning of the Court.

l. AppealsThe rules of procedure for appeals to the Court of Review are as provided in Canon IV.15, but the Court of Review may adopt, alter, or rescind supplemental rules of procedure not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of the Church.

m. For good cause shown, the Court of Review may extend any deadline in this Title pertaining to the Court of Review except the time to file a notice of appeal.

a. The notice shall describe the nature and purpose of the proceeding, contain a copy of the written statement prepared by the Church Attorney, disclose the names of all persons to whom the notice is sent, advise the Respondent that a written response to the notice must be filed by the Respondent with the Hearing Panel within thirty days of the mailing date of the notice and advise the Respondent of the provisions of Canon IV.19.6.

b. A copy of the notice shall be sent to the Complainant and to the Complainant’s Advisor.

c. Respondent’s responseUnless additional time is approved for good cause by the Hearing Panel, the Respondent shall within 30 days of the mailing date of the notice file with the Hearing Panel and deliver to the Church Attorney a written response signed by the Respondent.

a. The documents covered by this Section are all documents filed with or issued by the Hearing Panel or by any party or person including but not limited to motions, briefs, affidavits, opinions, objections, decisions, notices, challenges, and Orders.

b. Notwithstanding the above, the Hearing Panel, at its discretion and for good cause to protect any Injured Person or allegedly Injured Person, may require the redaction of documents provided for in Sec. 3.a, after consultation with the Church Attorney, the Respondent’s counsel, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Complainant’s Advisor or Complainant’s counsel, if any, and, where appropriate, the Bishop Diocesan.

a. Within sixty days after the filing and delivery of the response by the Respondent, the Church Attorney and the Respondent’s counsel shall each provide to the other a mandatory disclosure of all evidence known to them that would tend to prove or disprove the allegations against the Respondent, including but not limited to (1) the name and, if known, the address and telephone number of each individual likely to have direct knowledge of information which may be used to support the allegations against the Respondent or the defenses thereto, together with a detailed summary of the expected testimony of the person, if called to testify; and (2) a copy of, or a description by category and location of, all documents and tangible things that may be used to support the allegations against the Respondent or the defenses thereto, except as such disclosure would involve Privileged Communications. The parties must supplement mandatory disclosures made under this section as additional information becomes known. Documents and tangible items identified in the mandatory disclosures that are in the possession of a party shall be produced upon request, and copies of all documents provided to the requesting party. The Hearing Panel may, upon request of a party or Injured Person, enter an order limiting production of documents or tangible items of a sensitive nature.

b. If any party withholds from disclosure any relevant document on the ground of privilege, the party must provide a log containing the date of the communication, a list of all persons party to the communication, and a short description of the nature of the communication. The scope of the privilege shall be determined by the Hearing Panel, pursuant to Canon IV.19.27.

c. Within fifteen days after the delivery of the mandatory disclosures, the president of the Hearing Panel shall convene a scheduling conference with the Church Attorney and Respondent’s counsel. During the scheduling conference, after the Church Attorney and Respondent’s counsel have been heard, the president of the Hearing Panel shall issue a Scheduling Order to provide for (1) a calendar for discovery, including depositions and written interrogatories, as provided in this section; (2) filing deadlines and hearing dates for preliminary motions and for dispositive motions; and (3) the date of hearing before the Hearing Panel.

d. The Scheduling Order shall provide the Church Attorney and Respondent’s counsel authorization to take up to two depositions and propound up to twenty written interrogatories regarding each Complainant.

e. No other discovery shall be allowed at any point during the pendency of a matter under this Title except with permission of the Hearing Panel upon a showing of good cause.

f. Notwithstanding any provision of this section, the Hearing Panel shall take reasonable steps to assure that the discovery process will not unduly burden any person from whom information is sought or unduly adversely affect any pastoral response being offered to any such person. The Hearing Panel may impose, after reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard, reasonable sanctions on any party for failure to comply with any discovery order pursuant to the provisions of Canon IV.13.9.

a. The president shall regulate the course of the hearing so as to promote full disclosure of relevant facts.

b. The president:

c. Nothing in this section shall preclude the exercise of discretion by the president in taking measures appropriate to preserve the integrity of the hearing.

a. The Hearing Panel shall have the authority, upon reasonable notice, to impose sanctions on the Respondent, the Respondent’s counsel, or the Church Attorney, for conduct that the Hearing Panel deems to be disruptive, dilatory, or otherwise contrary to the integrity of the proceedings. If the conduct in question is that of the Respondent’s counsel, notice shall be given to the following: the Respondent, Respondent’s counsel, and Respondent’s Advisor. If the conduct in question is that of the Church Attorney, notice shall be given to each of the Church Attorney, the Bishop Diocesan, and the person or Diocesan body with authority to remove or replace the Church Attorney. If the conduct is that of the Respondent, notice shall be given to each of the Church Attorney, the Bishop Diocesan, Respondent’s counsel, Respondent’s Advisor, and Respondent.

b. Any sanction must be proportionate to the underlying misconduct. Sanctions that may be imposed pursuant to Canon IV.13.11.a include, but are not limited to:

c. Appeal of sanctionWithin 10 days of the imposition of sanctions under this section, the sanctioned party may appeal the sanction to the Disciplinary Board (excluding the members of the Hearing Panel). The standard of review for such appeal shall be de novo. The president of the Disciplinary Board shall establish a hearing date and convene the Disciplinary Board members, within 20 days, either personally or telephonically, to consider the appeal. The Disciplinary Board shall issue its ruling within three days of conclusion of the hearing. The ruling of the Disciplinary Board cannot be the subject of an interlocutory appeal.

d. The requirements of Sec. 3 of this Canon shall apply to the Disciplinary Board as if it were a Hearing Panel for the purpose of an appeal of sanctions under this Section.

e. If an Accord is reached that ends the proceedings before the Disciplinary Board issues an Order under this Section, the Bishop Diocesan shall make the Notice of Accord available to the Church and Church media as provided in Sec. 3 as well as to the Disciplinary Board and the Hearing Panel.

a. On the date when an Accord becomes effective and irrevocable, a copy of the Accord must be served on the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor, the Complainant’s counsel, if any, the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Respondent’s counsel, if any, the Church Attorney, the president of the Disciplinary Board, and the Bishop Diocesan. If the Accord was reached before the Conciliator, the Conciliator must serve the Accord on the persons specified above; if the Accord was reached before the Conference Panel, the president of the Conference Panel must serve the Accord on the persons specified above; and if the Accord was reached between the Bishop Diocesan and the Respondent under Canon IV.9, the Bishop Diocesan must serve the Accord on the persons specified above as well as the president of the panel to which the matter is assigned.

b. For an Accord pertaining to a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Suffragan serving under Article II.5, or Bishop serving under Canon III.13, the Presiding Bishop must also serve a copy of the Accord on the Standing Committee of the Bishop’s Diocese. For an Accord pertaining to any other Bishop, the Presiding Bishop must also serve a copy of the Accord on the Bishop Diocesan and the Standing Committee of the Bishop’s Diocese.

c. In his or her discretion and for good cause to protect any Injured Person or allegedly Injured Person, the person required by this Section to serve a copy of the Accord may redact information about the Injured Person, including the Injured Person’s identity, but provisions required by Section 1 and Section 9 of this Canon may not be redacted.

a. Except for an Order from a Conference Panel to which the Respondent or Church Attorney has timely filed a notice of objection, the Bishop Diocesan shall have twenty days from the date of the issuance of the Order in which to advise in writing the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor, the Church Attorney, and the president of the Conference Panel or Hearing Panel (whichever Panel issued the Order) whether the Bishop Diocesan will pronounce the Sentence or accept the other terms of the Order as recommended. The Bishop Diocesan shall advise that he or she will (a) pronounce the Sentence as recommended or (b) pronounce a lesser Sentence than that recommended and/or (c) reduce the burden on the Respondent of any of the other terms of the Order.

b. The Bishop Diocesan shall pronounce Sentence not sooner than twenty days following the issuance of the Order and not later than forty days following the issuance of the Order. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, no Sentence shall be pronounced while an appeal of the matter is pending. However, the Bishop Diocesan may, while an appeal is pending, place restrictions upon the exercise of the Respondent’s ministry, or place the Respondent on Administrative Leave, or continue any such restriction or Administrative Leave as was in effect at the time of the issuance of the Order. The Bishop Diocesan’s pronouncement of a lesser Sentence than that recommended or other modification shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of the Order.

a. In the case of any Accord or Order pertaining to a Priest or Deacon, the Bishop Diocesan shall give notice of the Accord or Order to every Member of the Clergy in the Diocese, each Vestry in the Diocese, the Secretary of Convention, and the Standing Committee of the Diocese, which shall be added to the official records of the Diocese; to the Presiding Bishop, to all other Bishops of the Church, and where there is no Bishop, to the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese of the Church; to the President of the House of Deputies; to the Recorder of Ordinations; to the Archives; to the Secretary of the House of Bishops and the Secretary of the House of Deputies; and to the Office of Transition Ministry, which shall insert a copy of the notice of Accord or Order, on the Respondent’s OTM Portfolio.

b. In the case of any Accord or Order pertaining to a Bishop, the Presiding Bishop shall give notice of the Accord or Order to the Ecclesiastical Authority of every Diocese of the Church, to the Recorder of Ordinations, to the Secretary of the House of Bishops, to all Archbishops and Metropolitans, to all Presiding Bishops of Churches in full communion with this Church, and to the Office of Transition Ministry, which shall insert a copy of the notice of Order or Accord, on the Respondent’s OTM Portfolio.

c. All notices given pursuant to this Canon shall reference the Canon(s), section(s) and subsection(s) specifying the Offense which is the subject of the Accord or Order.

d. Similar notice shall be given whenever there is any modification or remission of any Order for which notice has previously been given pursuant to this Canon.

a. The person filing the request shall provide copies of the request to the presidents of the Hearing Panel and of the Disciplinary Board. The request shall include a statement of the status of the proceedings and the reason, if known, for the delay or suspension of proceedings, and a description of all actions taken by the person filing the request or by any other person to resolve any impediment to the proceedings or other cause for the delay.

b. Within fifteen days of receipt of the copy of the request, the president of the Hearing Panel shall file a response to the request with the Court of Review, with a copy to the Church Attorney, the Respondent and the president of the Board.

c. Court of ReviewThe appointed panel of the Court of Review shall convene, either personally, by video conference, or telephonically, to consider the request and the response, if any, from the Hearing Panel. The Court shall then either issue an order directing resumption of the proceedings or an order declining to direct resumption with an explanation of the reasons therefor. The order issued by the Court of Review shall be binding upon the Hearing Panel.

d. In the event a Hearing Panel, having been ordered to resume proceedings, either refuses to do so or is unable to do so, the Church Attorney or the Respondent may request that the Court of Review order the transfer of the proceedings to a Hearing Panel of another Diocese within the same Province, including an order to the Board of the originating Diocese to transmit the complete record of the proceedings to the successor Hearing Panel.

a. Where an Order is issued against a Respondent who fails to appear before the Hearing Panel or who otherwise fails to participate in proceedings before the Hearing Panel, such Order shall be upheld unless a review of the record on appeal shows the Hearing Panel made a clear error in issuing such Order. The Court of Review shall review the facts and record in the light most favorable to the Respondent.

b. In all other appeals, the Court of Review shall grant relief to the appealing party only if, on the basis of the record on appeal, it determines that the party seeking review has been substantially prejudiced by any of the following:

a. The documents covered by this Section are all documents filed with or issued by the Court of Review or by any party or person including but not limited to motions, briefs, affidavits, opinions, objections, decisions, notices, challenges, and Orders, including documents in a proceeding pursuant to Section 1 of this Canon.

b. The notice under Sec. 2 shall be made available no later than ten business days after the notice is received by the President of the Hearing Panel.

c. Notwithstanding the above, the Court of Review, at its discretion and for good cause to protect any Injured Person or allegedly Injured Person, may require the redaction of documents provided for in Sec. 12.a, after consultation with the Church Attorney, the Respondent’s counsel, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Complainant’s Advisor or Complainant’s counsel, if any, and, where appropriate, the Bishop Diocesan.

a. Disciplinary Board shall mean the Disciplinary Board for Bishops as provided in Canon IV.17.3.

b. Intake Officer shall mean a person appointed by the Presiding Bishop.

c. Bishop Diocesan shall mean the Presiding Bishop, unless the Member of the Clergy who is subject to proceedings is the Presiding Bishop, in which case Bishop shall mean the Bishop authorized by Canon IV.19.24.

d. Church Attorney shall mean a person appointed by the Disciplinary Board for Bishops to serve as the Church Attorney.

e. Investigator shall mean any person who is qualified to serve as an Investigator under this Title, selected by the Disciplinary Board for Bishops.

f. Court of Review shall mean the Court of Review for Bishops as provided in Canon IV.17.8.

a. The Disciplinary Board for Bishops is hereby established as a court of the Church to have original jurisdiction over matters of discipline of Bishops and to hear Bishops’ appeals from imposition of restriction on ministry or placement on Administrative Leave.

b. Board MembershipThe Disciplinary Board for Bishops consists of ten Bishops elected by the House of Bishops at a regular meeting of the General Convention, and four Priests or Deacons and four Lay Persons elected by the House of Deputies at a regular meeting of the General Convention. All Lay Persons elected or appointed to serve must be confirmed adult communicants in good standing.

c. Members of the Board will serve staggered terms, with the terms of one-half of the Bishops and one-half of the Lay Persons, Priests, and Deacons collectively expiring upon the adjournment of every regular meeting of the General Convention.

d. Unless elected or appointed to fill the remainder of an unexpired term, each member will serve from the adjournment of the General Convention at which the member was elected until the adjournment of the second regular meeting of the General Convention after election and until the member’s successor is elected and qualifies.

e. VacancyA vacancy among the member Bishops must be filled by the Presiding Bishop with the advice and consent of the Bishop members of the Executive Council. A vacancy among the other members must be filled by the President of the House of Deputies with the advice and consent of the lay, Priest, and Deacon members of the Executive Council.

f. Notwithstanding any expiration of a member’s term of office, there will be no change in the composition of any Conference Panel or Hearing Panel while a matter remains pending before the Panel; and a member of the Board sitting on such a Panel and whose term of office otherwise would expire will nevertheless continue in office until the matter is resolved and solely for that purpose.

a. Any ten Bishops Diocesan in the Church may file with the Presiding Bishop a written request, signed by such Bishops, that the House of Bishops issue a statement of disassociation. Such request shall include a statement of the Doctrine alleged to be contrary to that held by the Church, the name or names of the Bishop or Bishops alleged to have held and taught publicly or privately, and advisedly, such Doctrine, and a concise statement of the facts upon which the requestfor the statement of disassociation is based. Contemporaneously with the filing of the request, there shall be filed with the Presiding Bishop a proposed statement of disassociation and a brief in support thereof. The Presiding Bishop shall thereupon serve a copy of the request for a statement of disassociation upon each Bishop who is the subject thereof, together with the proposed statement of disassociation and a copy of the supporting brief. The Presiding Bishop shall fix a date for the filing of a response and brief in support thereof, which date shall be not less than ninety days from the date of service, and may extend the time for responding for not more than sixty additional days. Upon the filing of a response and supporting brief, if any, or upon the expiration of the time fixed for a response, if none be filed, the Presiding Bishop shall forthwith transmit copies of the request for a statement of disassociation, proposed statement of disassociation, response, and briefs to each member of the House of Bishops. The request for a statement of disassociation shall be considered by the House of Bishops at its first regularly scheduled meeting held at least one month after copies of the request for a statement of disassociation, proposed statement of disassociation, response, and briefs are transmitted to each member of the House of Bishops. The House of Bishops may amend the proposed statement of disassociation. If a statement of disassociation is not issued by the conclusion of the meeting, there shall be no further proceedings under this Title against any Bishop who is the subject thereof for holding and teaching the Doctrine alleged in the request for a statement of disassociation.

b. Offenses of Doctrine by a BishopNot later than ninety days following the issuance of a statement of disassociation by the House of Bishops as provided in Canon IV.17.7.a, any ten Bishops Diocesan may file with the Presiding Bishop a written request, signed by such Bishops, that the House of Bishops initiate proceedings under this Title against any Bishop who is the subject of such statement of disassociation for violation of Canon IV.4.1.h.2 with regard to the same Doctrine as was alleged in the request for the statement of disassociation. Such request for initiation of proceedings under this Title shall include an explanation why the issuance of the statement of disassociation was not a sufficient response to the matters alleged in the request for statement of disassociation and shall be accompanied by a brief in support of the request for initiation of proceedings. The Presiding Bishop shall fix a date for the filing of a response, which shall include an explanation why the issuance of the statement of disassociation was a sufficient response to the matters alleged in the request for statement of disassociation, and brief in support thereof, which date shall be not less than ninety days from the date of service, and may extend the time for responding for not more than sixty additional days. Upon the filing of a response and supporting brief, if any, or upon the expiration of the time fixed for a response, if none be filed, the Presiding Bishop shall forthwith transmit copies of the request for initiation of proceedings under this Title, response, and briefs to each member of the House of Bishops. No proceeding under this Title for violation of Canon IV.4.1.h.2 shall be initiated unless the written consent of one-third of the Bishops qualified to vote in the House of Bishops shall be received by the Presiding Bishop within sixty days of the date on which the copies of the request for initiation of proceedings under this Title, response, and briefs were sent to them. In case the Presiding Bishop does not receive the written consent of one-third of all the Bishops eligible to vote within sixty days of such date, the Presiding Bishop shall declare the matter dismissed and no further proceedings may be had thereon. If the Presiding Bishop receives the necessary written consents within sixty days as specified above, the Presiding Bishop shall forthwith notify the president of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops. The president shall promptly select from the Disciplinary Board for Bishops, by lot or by other random means, a Hearing Panel consisting of nine Bishops and shall designate a president of the Hearing Panel. The president of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops shall promptly forward to the president of the Hearing Panel and to the Church Attorney copies of the request for initiation of proceedings under this Title, response, and briefs, and the matter shall proceed under this Title as a matter which has been referred to a Hearing Panel.

a. The Court of Review for Bishops consists of nine members, all of whom must be Bishops. Three Bishops will be elected by the House of Bishops at any regularly scheduled meeting of the House of Bishops, to serve until the adjournment of the third succeeding regular meeting of General Convention and until their successors are elected and qualify; but there shall be no change in the composition of the Court with respect to a particular Respondent following any hearing in the matter and while it is pending unresolved before the Court.

b. VacanciesThe Presiding Bishop must fill any vacancies on the Court of Review for Bishops.

c. PresidentFrom among their number, the members of the Court of Review for Bishops must elect a president.

d. ExpensesThe reasonable and necessary expenses of the Court of Review for Bishops, including fees, costs, disbursements, and expenses of the members, clerks, reporters, and Church Attorneys, will be charged upon the General Convention and paid by the Treasurer of the General Convention upon Order of the president of the Court of Review. The Court of Review for Bishops has the authority to contract for and bind the General Convention to pay these expenses.

a. A Member of the Clergy shall not be subject to proceedings under this Title for acts committed more than ten years before the initiation of proceedings except:

b. The time limits of Subsection a above shall not apply with respect to persons whose acts include physical violence, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, if the acts occurred when the alleged Injured Person was under the age of twenty-one years; in any such case, proceedings under this Title may be initiated at any time.

c. The time limits of Subsection a above shall not apply with respect to persons whose acts include sexual misconduct, provided proceedings are initiated under this Title between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021.

d. Except as provided in Subsection .b above, the time limitations for initiation of proceedings in this Section shall be retroactive only to January 1, 1996.

e. No proceedings under this Title shall be initiated for acts which are alleged to violate Canon IV.3.1.a or to constitute a breach of Canon IV.4.1.b, .c, .e or .h.2 unless the acts were committed within or continued up to two years immediately preceding the time the proceedings are initiated.

f. For purposes of this Section 4, proceedings are initiated under this Title with respect to a particular Offense when specific allegations of the commission of that Offense are made to the Intake Officer.

a. A Member of the Clergy shall be subject to proceedings under this Title for the alleged commission of an Offense in the Diocese in which the Member of the Clergy is canonically resident or in any Diocese in which an Offense is alleged to have occurred.

b. Whenever a referral of a matter is to be made by an Intake Officer regarding a Member of the Clergy who is not canonically resident in the Intake Officer’s Diocese, the Bishop Diocesan of the Intake Officer’s Diocese shall promptly notify the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese where the Member of the Clergy is canonically resident that the Intake Officer’s Diocese intends to conduct proceedings under this Title regarding the matter. The Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of canonical residence shall have thirty days following the receipt of such notice within which to object to assumption of jurisdiction over the matter by the Intake Officer’s Diocese. Such objection shall be made in writing to the Bishop Diocesan of the Intake Officer’s Diocese. If the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of canonical residence fails to so object within the time provided, it shall be deemed that the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of canonical residence has agreed to assumption of jurisdiction over the matter by the Intake Officer’s Diocese.

c. If objection is made by the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of canonical residence as provided in Canon IV.19.5.b, the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of canonical residence and the Bishop Diocesan of the Intake Officer’s Diocese shall promptly agree as to which Diocese will assume jurisdiction over the matter and conduct proceedings. If the two Bishops cannot promptly agree, the disagreement will be resolved as follows:

a. The Bishop Diocesan shall make an Advisor available to the Respondent not later than the earliest of (1) reference for conciliation, to the Conference Panel or to the Hearing Panel, (2) the imposition of restriction on ministry or placement on Administrative Leave, (3) the Respondent or Bishop Diocesan proposing terms of discipline to the other under Canon IV.9, or (4) any interrogation or request for a statement or other information from the Respondent.

b. The Bishop Diocesan shall make an Advisor available to the Complainant not later than the earliest of (1) the forwarding of the intake report to the Reference Panel, (2) 15 days after the Complainant receiving word of a dismissal under Canon IV.6.5, (3) the Respondent or Bishop Diocesan proposing terms of discipline to the other under Canon IV.9, or (4) the Bishop’s designation of an Injured Person as a Complainant.

c. The following shall be disqualified from serving as an Advisor: the Bishop Diocesan, the Church Attorney, any member of the Disciplinary Board, the Intake Officer, any Investigator, any person who is likely to be a witness in any pertinent proceeding and the Chancellor or any Vice Chancellor of the Diocese.

d. No Respondent or Complainant shall be required to accept the services of any Advisor made available by the Bishop Diocesan. Any Respondent or Complainant may use the services of any Advisor of his or her choice after designating that person as Advisor in writing to the Intake Officer.

e. All communications between the Respondent and his or her Advisor or attorney and between the Complainant and his or her Advisor or attorney shall be privileged.

f. The reasonable costs and expenses of providing Advisors made available by the Bishop Diocesan shall be the obligation of the Diocese in which the matter of Discipline is proceeding unless otherwise provided in an Accord or Order. The reasonable costs and expenses of providing Advisors chosen by the Respondent or Complainant and not made available by the Bishop Diocesan shall be the obligation of such Respondent or Complainant unless otherwise provided in an Accord or Order.

g. In all proceedings under this Title at which the Respondent or the Complainant has the right to be present, their Advisors shall also have the right to be present.

a. Any Bishop Diocesan exercising authority under this Title shall disqualify herself or himself in any proceeding in which the Bishop’s impartiality may reasonably be questioned. The Bishop shall also disqualify himself or herself when the Bishop, the Bishop’s spouse, or a person within the third degree of relationship to either of them, or the spouse of such person, is the Respondent, Complainant or an Injured Person.

b. The Church Attorney or any member of any Panel provided for in this Title shall disqualify himself or herself in any proceeding in which such person’s impartiality may reasonably be questioned. The person shall also disqualify himself or herself when the person, the person’s spouse, any person within the third degree of relationship to either of them, or the spouse of such person, (1) is the Respondent, Complainant or an Injured Person, (2) is likely to be a witness in the proceeding, (3) has a personal bias or prejudice concerning the Respondent, Complainant or any Injured Person, (4) has personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding, (5) has a personal financial interest in the outcome of the proceeding or in the Respondent, Complainant, any Injured Person or any other interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome or (6) is a member of the same congregation or otherwise has a close personal or professional relationship with the Respondent, the Complainant, any Injured Person or any witness in the matter.

c. The Church Attorney or any member of any Panel provided for in this Title who has not disqualified himself or herself as provided in this section may be subject to challenge by the Church Attorney or the Respondent on grounds described in this section. The Complainant or the Complainant’s Advisor may inform the Church Attorney of any such grounds. The challenge shall be investigated by the remaining members of the Panel who shall determine whether the challenged person should be disqualified and replaced according to the procedures of this Title for filling vacancies.

d. No Bishop Diocesan or Panel shall accept from the Church Attorney or from the Respondent any waiver of any ground for disqualification enumerated in this section unless preceded by full disclosure of the basis for the disqualification, on the record.

a. The necessary costs, expenses and fees of the Investigator, the Church Attorney, the Conference Panel, the Hearing Panel and any pastoral response shall be the expense of the Diocese.

b. The necessary costs and expenses of the Court of Review shall be the expense of the General Convention.

c. The necessary costs and expenses of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops and the Court of Review for Bishops shall be the expense of the General Convention.

d. Nothing in this Title precludes the voluntary payment of a Respondent’s costs, expenses and fees by any other party or person, including a Diocese.

a. Records of proceedings shall be preserved as follows:

b. The Bishop Diocesan shall:

c. When printed records are submitted under this Canon, there shall be delivered to The Archives of The Episcopal Church an electronic copy or version of the records required to be preserved under this Section in such format as The Archives of The Episcopal Church may specify.

d. DatabaseThe Archives of The Episcopal Church (the “Administrator”) shall create, administer and maintain a limited access secure central database registry to track data pertinent to proceedings under this Title (the “Database”) for the purpose of providing data and statistical information to assist in the furtherance of policymaking, education, ministry, and other governance objectives of the Church (collectively the “Database Purposes”).

a. A Temporary Inhibition shall continue in accordance with its terms until it expires in accordance with Canon 1.2(f) of the predecessor to this Title. A Temporary Inhibition which is effective prior to the effective date of this Title and which expires by reason of the lapse of time as provided in Canon 1.2(f)(vi) of the predecessor to this Title may be extended and reviewed (1) as provided in the predecessor to this Title in the case of any matter proceeding in accordance with the predecessor to this Title as provided in this section or (2) in the case of any other matter, through the issuance of a restriction on ministry or the placement of the subject Member of the Clergy on Administrative Leave or both in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

b. A Charge against a Priest or Deacon which is pending on the effective date of this Title, and upon which the Diocesan Review Committee has neither issued a Presentment nor voted not to issue a Presentment, shall be referred to the Reference Panel and the matter shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

c. A Charge against a Bishop, which is pending on the effective date of this Title, and upon which the Review Committee has neither issued a Presentment nor voted not to issue a Presentment, shall be referred to the Reference Panel and the matter shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

d. A request for a statement of disassociation which is pending on the effective date of this Title shall proceed in accordance with Canon IV.17.7.a, and the matter shall thereafter further proceed, if at all, in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

e. A Presentment against a Bishop under Canon 3.21(c) of the predecessor to this Title which is pending on the effective date of this Title shall proceed in accordance with Canon IV.17.7, and the matter shall there after further proceed, if at all, inaccordance with the provisions of this Title.

f. A case in which a Presentment against any Member of the Clergy is issued prior to the effective date of this Title, and in which the Respondent’s answer or other response is not made or does not become due until after the effective date of this Title, shall be referred to the Conference Panel and the matter shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

g. A case which is pending before any Ecclesiastical Trial Court of any Diocese, and in which the Respondent’s answer or other response is made or becomes due prior to the effective date of this Title, and in which no Trial has been had, shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of the predecessor to this Title unless the Church Attorney, the Respondent and the president of the Disciplinary Board shall agree in writing that the case shall proceed under the provisions of this Title, in which event the matter shall be referred to the Hearing Panel and the matter shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

h. An appeal from any Judgment rendered by any Ecclesiastical Trial Court of any Diocese after the effective date of this Title shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

i. A case which is pending before any Court of Review of the Trial of a Priest or Deacon shall proceed in accordance with the predecessor to this Title unless the Church Attorney, the Respondent and the president of the Provincial Court of Review shall agree in writing that the case shall proceed under the provisions of this Title, in which event the matter shall be referred to the Provincial Court of Review and the matter, including any grant of a new hearing, shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title

j. A case which is pending before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop, and in which the Respondent’s answer or other response is made or becomes due prior to the effective date of this Title, and in which no Trial has been had, shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of the predecessor to this Title unless the Church Attorney, the Respondent and the president of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops shall agree in writing that the case shall proceed under the provisions of this Title, in which event the matter shall be referred to the Hearing Panel and the matter shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

k. A case which is pending before the Court of Review of the Trial of a Bishop shall proceed in accordance with the predecessor to this Title unless the Church Attorney, the Respondent and the president of the Court of Review for Bishops shall agree in writing that the case shall proceed under the provisions of this Title, in which event the matter shall be referred to the Court of Review for Bishops and the matter, including any grant of a new hearing, shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

a. Except where the Constitution or Canons of the General Convention provide to the contrary, the term of a member in any body of the General Convention consisting of several members shall become vacant as follows:

b. Vacancies due to change in statusThe term of any member specified to be filled by a Priest or Deacon shall become vacant upon that member’s ordination to the episcopacy.

c. The term of any Member of the Clergy specified to be filled by virtue of a provincial or diocesan canonical residence shall become vacant upon the change of canonical residence to another diocese or to a diocese in a different province, as the case may be.

d. The term of any Lay Person specified to be filled by virtue of a provincial or diocesan residence shall become vacant upon the change of residence to another diocese or to a diocese in a different province, as the case may be.

a. The position of a lay member becomes vacant upon loss of status as a communicant in good standing.

b. The position of any member specified to be filled by a Lay Person shall become vacant upon that member’s ordination.