Sec. 1.

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. There 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. 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. In 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. Where 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. The 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. It 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. The 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. At 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. At 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.

Sec. 2.

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. The 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. The 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. The 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. The 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. The 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. Every Commission shall elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary.

h. The 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. A 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. Every 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. The Report of every Commission presented at the General Convention shall:

l. Every 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. Every 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:

Sec. 3.

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. The 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. Any 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.

Sec. 4.

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.

Sec. 5.

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. It 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. The 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. 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. It 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. In 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.

Sec. 6.

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. It 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. It 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. The Recorder shall prepare and present to each session of the General Convention a list of all Priests and Deacons ordained, received, transferred out, released and removed, returned, suspended, deposed, or restored; of all Bishops ordained, received, released and removed, returned, suspended, deposed, or restored; and of all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons 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. The necessary expenses incurred under this Section by the Recorder shall be paid by the Treasurer of the General Convention.

f. In 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.

Sec. 7.

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. In 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.

Sec. 8.

a. The General Convention shall adopt, at each regular meeting, a budget for The Episcopal Church, including for the contingent expenses of the General Convention, the stipend of the Presiding Bishop together with the necessary expenses of that office, the necessary expenses of the President of the House of Deputies including the staff and Advisory Council required to assist in the performance of the duties and matters related to the President’s office, and the applicable Church Pension Fund assessments. To defray the expense of this budget, an assessment shall be levied upon the Dioceses of the Church in accordance with a formula which the General Convention shall adopt as part of The Episcopal Church budget. It shall be the duty of each Diocesan Convention to pay its assessment to the Treasurer of the General Convention according to the schedule established by the Executive Council.

b. The Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice (the “Coalition”), created by the 80th General Convention, shall be funded in part with an annual draw on one-tenth of the Church’s unrestricted trusts and endowment funds as determined in the most recent audited financial statements at a percentage rate equal to the draw percentage applied to fund the Church’s budget as described in subsection 8.a of this Canon. The estimated funding amount for the Coalition shall be described in The Episcopal Church budget for informational purposes only. The funding for the Coalition shall be provided by the Treasurer after the Executive Council declares the annual draw rate. The Coalition shall report to every regular meeting of the General Convention, providing audited financial statements and reports on its ministry and participation in God’s mission.

Sec. 9.

The Treasurer of the General Convention shall have authority to borrow, in behalf and in the name of the Executive Council, such a sum as may be judged by the Treasurer to be necessary to help pay the expenses of The Episcopal Church budget adopted under Canon I.1.8.a, with the approval of the Executive Council.

Sec. 10.

The Treasurer shall give a bond conditioned on the faithful performance of assigned duties. The amount thereof and the terms on which the same shall be given shall be subject to the approval of the Presiding Bishop, the expense of such bond to be paid by the General Convention.

Sec. 11.

The Treasurer may appoint, subject to the approval of the Presiding Bishop, an Assistant Treasurer, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Treasurer and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall give bond conditioned on the faithful performance of assigned duties. The amount thereof and the terms on which the same shall be given shall be subject to the approval of the Presiding Bishop, the expense of such bond to be paid by the General Convention.

Sec. 12.

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. The 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.

Sec. 13.

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. From 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. From 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. 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. Within 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.

Sec. 1.

a. 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. 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. The 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. The 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. A 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. A 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. 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. In 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.

Sec. 2.

a. The term of office of the Presiding Bishop, when elected under the first paragraph of Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution, will begin on the 91st day after the adjournment of the Convention at which the Presiding Bishop is elected and will end on the 91st day after the adjournment of the third successive regular meeting of the General Convention. But if the Presiding Bishop attains the age of seventy-two years before completing that term, the Presiding Bishop must resign the office to the regular meeting of the General Convention which occurs nearest before the date of attaining such age, with the resignation taking effect when a successor assumes office. At that Convention a successor will be elected, and will assume office on the 91st day after the adjournment of that General Convention. If the regular meeting of the General Convention at which the Presiding Bishop’s successor is expected to be elected is postponed beyond the date originally set in accordance with Canon I.1.13.c, and if as a result of that postponement the Presiding Bishop attains the age of seventy-two years before a successor can be elected and assume office, then the Presiding Bishop may serve until the successor assumes office, regardless of having attained the age of seventy-two years, but no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the next meeting of the General Convention.

b. When the House of Bishops elects a Presiding Bishop under the second paragraph of Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution to fill a vacancy, the Presiding Bishop so elected will take office immediately.

Sec. 3.

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.

Sec. 4.

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

b. 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 Presiding 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.

Sec. 5.

The Presiding Bishop may appoint, as Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, 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 Presiding Bishop may desire, as counselor in matters relating to the office and the discharge of the responsibilities of that office.

Sec. 6.

The stipends of the Presiding Bishop and such personal assistants as may be necessary during the Presiding Bishop’s term of office for the effective performance of the duties, and the necessary expenses of that office, shall be fixed by the General Convention and shall be provided for in the budget to be submitted by the Executive Council, as provided in Canon I.4.6.

Sec. 7.

In the event of the disability of the Presiding Bishop, the Bishop who, according to the Rules of the House of Bishops, becomes its Presiding Officer, shall be substituted for the Presiding Bishop for all the purposes of these Canons, except the Canons entitled, “Of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society,” and “Of the Executive Council.”

Sec. 8.

Upon the acceptance of the Presiding Bishop’s resignation for reasons of disability prior to the expiration of the term of office, the Presiding Bishop may be granted, in addition to whatever allowance may be received from The Church Pension Fund, a disability allowance to be paid by the Treasurer of the General Convention in an amount to be fixed by the Executive Council, and ratified at the next regular meeting of the General Convention.

The Constitution of the said Society, which was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, as from time to time amended, is hereby amended and established so as to read as follows: Constitution of The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America as established in 1821, and since amended at various times.

ARTICLE I This organization shall be called The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and shall be considered as comprehending all persons who are members of the Church.

ARTICLE II The Executive Council, as constituted by Canon, shall be its Board of Directors, and shall adopt By-laws for its government not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons.

ARTICLE III The officers of the Society shall be a President, Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the Canons or By-laws. The Presiding Bishop of the Church shall be the President of the Society; one Vice President shall be the person who is the President of the House of Deputies; and one Vice President shall be the person who is the Chief Operating Officer; the Treasurer shall be the person who is the Chief Financial Officer of the Executive Council; and the Secretary shall be the person who is the Secretary of the Executive Council, and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned by the By-laws. The other officers of the Society shall be such as are provided for by the By-laws of the Society. The tenure of office, compensation, powers, and duties of the officers of the Society shall be such as are prescribed by the Canons and by the By-laws of the Society not inconsistent therewith.

ARTICLE IV This Constitution of the Society may be altered or amended at any time by the General Convention of the Church.

Sec. 1.

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. 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. 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. The 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. Of 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. Except 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. Should 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.

Sec. 2.

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. The 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. The 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.

Sec. 3.

Upon joint nomination of the Chair and the Vice-Chair, the Executive Council shall elect an Audit Committee of the Council and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. The Committee shall be composed of six members: one member who, at the time of appointment, is a member of the Executive Council committee with primary responsibility for financial matters; and the remaining five from members of the Church-at-large having experience in general business and financial practices. The members shall serve a term beginning on January 1 following the regular meeting of the General Convention at which elected or immediately following their appointment, whichever comes later, and continuing through December 31 following the adjournment of the next regular meeting of the General Convention or until a successor is appointed, and may serve two consecutive terms, after which a full interval between regular meetings of the General Convention must elapse before being eligible for reelection. Annually the Audit Committee shall elect a Chair of the Committee from among its members. The Audit Committee shall regularly review the financial statements relating to all funds under the management or control of the Council and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and shall report thereon at least annually to the Council.

Upon recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Executive Council shall employ on behalf of the Council and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society an independent Certified Public Accountant firm to audit annually all accounts under the management or control of the Council and Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. After receipt of the annual audit, the Audit Committee shall recommend to the Council and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society what action to take as to any matters identified in the annual audit and accompanying management letter. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee shall be set out in an Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee shall review, at least annually, the Committee’s Charter and recommend any changes to the Executive Council for approval.

Sec. 4.

Following the adjournment of a General Convention, and subject to budgeted funds available for the purpose, the Chair and the Vice-Chair, having reviewed the resolutions adopted by the General Convention that provide for any study or further action, shall thereupon recommend to the Executive Council, the creation of such study committees and task forces as may be necessary to complete that work. Any Executive Council resolution creating a task force or study committee shall specify the size and composition, the clear and express duties assigned, the time for completion of the work assigned, to whom the body’s report is to be made, and the amount and source of the funding for the body. The members of each such body shall be jointly appointed by the Chair and Vice-Chair, and the composition of such committees and task forces shall reflect the diverse voices of the Church and a balance of the Church’s orders consistent with the historic polity of the Church. Those committees and task forces so appointed shall expire at the close of the next General Convention following, unless reappointed by the Chair and Vice-Chair and reauthorized by the Executive Council.

Sec. 5.

a. The 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. 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. 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.

Sec. 6.

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. 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. Following 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. Upon 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. Full payment of the diocesan assessment shall be required of all Dioceses, effective January 1, 2019.

f. Council 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. The 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. In 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. Each 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:

k. Nothing in this Canon shall alter in any way the Church’s obligation to fund the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice as described in Canon I.1.8.b other than the Executive Council’s determination of the annual draw from unrestricted trusts and endowment funds.

Sec. 7.

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.

Sec. 8.

The Council, as soon as practicable after the close of each fiscal year, shall cause to be prepared and publish a full report of the work of the Executive Council, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and the General Convention Office to the Church. Such report shall contain an itemized statement of all receipts and disbursements and a statement of all trust funds and other property of The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and of all other trust funds and property in its possession or under its oversight responsibility. The report shall include a detailed schedule of the salaries paid to all officers and principal employees of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and the Executive Council.

Sec. 9.

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.

Sec. 1.

There shall be an Archives of The Episcopal Church, the purpose of which shall be to preserve by safekeeping, to arrange and to make available the records of the General Convention, Executive Council, and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and other important records and memorabilia of the life and work of the Church, and to carry out a program of records management, so as to further the historical dimension of the mission of the Church.

Sec. 2.

For purposes of this Canon, records are defined as all fixed evidential information regardless of method, media, format or characteristics of the recording process, which have been created, received or gathered by the Church, its officers, agents or employees in pursuance of the legal, business and administrative function and the programmatic mission of the Church. Records include all original materials used to capture information, notwithstanding the place or conditions of creation, or the formality or informality of the characteristics of the record. The records and archives of the Church are not limited by the medium in which they are kept and include such formats as paper records, electronic records, printed records and publications, photo-reproduced images, and machine-readable tapes, film and disks.

Sec. 3.

The Archives of The Episcopal Church shall be managed by the Archivist.

Sec. 4.

After consultation with the Archives Advisory Committee, the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies in their respective roles as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Executive Council, shall jointly nominate and the Executive Council shall appoint the Archivist who shall serve at the pleasure of, and report and be accountable to the Chair of the Executive Council. If a vacancy should occur in that office, a successor shall be appointed in like manner.

Sec. 5.

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

Sec. 6.

The expenses of the Archives of The Episcopal Church shall be included in the budget for The Episcopal Church.

Sec. 1.

A report of every Parish and other Congregation of this Church shall be prepared annually for the year ending December 31 preceding, in the form authorized by the Executive Council and approved by the Committee on the State of the Church, and shall be filed not later than March 1 with the Bishop of the Diocese, or, where there is no Bishop, with the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese. The Bishop or the ecclesiastical authority, as the case may be, shall keep a copy and submit the report to the Executive Council not later than May 1. In every Parish and other Congregation the preparation and filing of this report shall be the joint duty of the Rector or Member of the Clergy in charge thereof and the lay leadership; and before the filing thereof the report shall be approved by the Vestry or bishop’s committee or mission council. This report shall include the following information:

Sec. 2.

Every Bishop, Presbyter, or Deacon whose report is not included in a parochial report shall also report on the exercise of such office, and if there has been none, the causes or reasons which have prevented the same.

Sec. 3.

These reports, or such parts of them as the Bishop may deem proper, shall be entered in the Journal of the convention.

Sec. 4.

Likewise, a report of every Diocese shall be prepared annually for the year ending December 31st preceding, in the form authorized by the Executive Council and approved by the Committee on the State of the Church, and shall be filed, not later than September 1, with the Executive Council. It shall include information concerning implementation by the Diocese of resolutions of the previous General Convention which have been specifically identified by the Secretary of General Convention under Joint Rule II.2.e as calling for Diocesan action.

Sec. 5.

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. 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.

Sec. 1.

In every Province, Diocese, Parish, Mission and Institution connected with this Church, the following standard business methods shall be observed:

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

d. Treasurers 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 account shall be so kept as to provide the basis for satisfactory accounting.

f. All 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. All 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. All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured.

i. The 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. The fiscal year shall begin January 1.

Sec. 2.

The several Dioceses shall give effect to the foregoing standard business methods by the enactment of Canons appropriate thereto, which Canons shall invariably providefor a Finance Committee, a Department of Finance of the Diocese, or other appropriate diocesan body with such authority.

Sec. 3.

No Vestry, Trustee, or other Body, authorized by Civil or Canon law to hold, manage, or administer real property for any Parish, Mission, Congregation, or Institution, shall encumber or alienate the same or any part thereof without the written consent of the Bishop and Standing Committee of the Diocese of which the Parish, Mission, Congregation, or Institution is a part, except under such regulations as may be prescribed by Canon of the Diocese.

Sec. 4.

All real and personal property held by or for the benefit of any Parish, Mission or Congregation is held in trust for this Church and the Diocese thereof in which such Parish, Mission or Congregation is located. The existence of this trust, however, shall in no way limit the power and authority of the Parish, Mission or Congregation otherwise existing over such property so long as the particular Parish, Mission or Congregation remains a part of, and subject to, this Church and its Constitution and Canons.

Sec. 5.

The several Dioceses may, at their election, further confirm the trust declared under the foregoing Section 4 by appropriate action, but no such action shall be necessary for the existence and validity of the trust.

Sec. 1.

The Church Pension Fund, a corporation created by Chapter 97 of the Laws of 1914 of the State of New York as subsequently amended, is hereby authorized to establish and administer the clergy pension system, including life, accident and health benefits, of this Church, substantially in accordance with the principles adopted by the General Convention of 1913 and approved thereafter by the several Dioceses, with the view to providing pensions and related benefits for the Clergy who reach normal age of retirement, for the Clergy disabled by age or infirmity, and for the surviving spouses and minor children of deceased Clergy. The Church Pension Fund is also authorized to establish and administer the lay employee pension system and denominational health plan of the Church, substantially in accordance with the principles adopted by the General Convention of 2009 in Resolution 2009-A177, with the view to providing pensions, health care and related benefits for the eligible Clergy and eligible lay employees of this Church, as well as their eligible beneficiaries and dependents.

Sec. 2.

The General Convention at each regular meeting shall elect, on the nomination of a Joint Committee thereof, twelve persons to serve as Trustees of The Church Pension Fund and shall also fill such vacancies as may exist on the Board of Trustees. Except for a Trustee filling a vacancy, the term of service of a Trustee shall begin at the adjournment of the regular meeting of the General Convention at which the Trustee was elected and expire upon the adjournment of the second regular meeting of the General Convention following. Any person who has been elected as a Trustee by General Convention for twelve or more consecutive years shall not be eligible for reelection until the next regular meeting of the General Convention following the one in which that person was not eligible for reelection to the Board of Trustees. Any vacancy which occurs at a time when the General Convention is not in session may be filled by the Board of Trustees by appointment, ad interim, of a Trustee who shall serve until the next session of the General Convention thereafter shall have elected a Trustee to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term pertaining to such vacancy.

Sec. 3.

For the purpose of administering the pension system, The Church Pension Fund shall be entitled to receive and to use all net royalties from publications authorized by the General Convention, and to levy upon and to collect from all Parishes, Missions, and other ecclesiastical organizations or bodies subject to the authority of this Church, and any other societies, organizations, or bodies in the Church which under the regulations of The Church Pension Fund shall elect to come into the pension system, assessments based upon the salaries and other compensation paid to Clergy by such Parishes, Missions, and other ecclesiastical organizations or bodies for services rendered currently or in the past, prior to their becoming beneficiaries of the Fund. For the purpose of administering the lay employee pension system and denominational health plan, The Church Pension Fund shall be entitled to collect from all Parishes, Missions, and other ecclesiastical organizations or bodies subject to the authority of this Church, and any other societies, organizations, or bodies in the Church which under the regulations of The Church Pension Fund shall elect to come into the lay employee pension system, assessments and/or contributions based upon the salaries and other compensation paid to eligible lay employees by such Parishes, Missions, and other ecclesiastical organizations or bodies, determine the eligibility of all Clergy and lay employees to participate in the denominational health plan through a formal benefits enrollment process, and The Church Pension Fund shall be entitled to levy upon and collect contributions for health care and related benefits under the denominational health plan from all Parishes, Missions, and other ecclesiastical organizations or bodies subject to the authority of this Church with respect to their Clergy and lay employees.

Sec. 4.

The pension system shall be so administered that no pension shall be allotted before there shall be in the hands of The Church Pension Fund sufficient funds to meet such pension, except as directed by the General Convention in 1967.

Sec. 5.

To every Member of the Clergy who shall have been ordained in this Church or received into this Church from another Church, and who shall have remained in service in the office and work of the Ministry in this Church for a period of at least twenty-five years, and in respect of whom the conditions of this Canon shall have been fulfilled in the payment of assessments on such reasonable basis as The Church Pension Fund may establish under its Rules of Administration, The Church Pension Fund shall provide a minimum retiring allowance the amount of which shall be determined by the Trustees of the Fund, and shall also provide surviving spouses’ and minor children’s allowances related thereto. In the case of a Member of the Clergy in whose behalf assessments shall not have been fully paid for a period of at least twenty-five years, The Church Pension Fund shall be empowered to recompute the aforesaid minimum retiring allowance and the other allowances related thereto at a rate or rates consistent with the proper actuarial practice. The Trustees of The Church Pension Fund are hereby empowered to establish such Rules and Regulations as will fulfill the intention of this Canon and are consistent with sound actuarial practice. Subject to the provisions of this Canon, the general principle shall be observed that there shall be an actuarial relation between the several benefits; provided, however, that the Board of Trustees shall have power to establish such maximum of annuities greater than two thousand dollars as shall be in the best interest of the Church, within the limits of sound actuarial practice.

Sec. 6.

An Initial Reserve Fund, derived from voluntary gifts, shall be administered by The Church Pension Fund so as to assure to clergy ordained prior to March 1, 1917, and their families, such addition to the support to which they may become entitled on the basis of assessments authorized by this Canon as may bring their several allowances up to the scale herein established.

Sec. 7.

The action of the Trustees of the General Clergy Relief Fund, in accepting the provisions of Chapter 239 of the Laws of 1915 of the State of New York authorizing a merger with The Church Pension Fund, upon terms agreed upon between said two Funds, is hereby approved. Any corporation, society, or other organization, which hitherto has administered clergy relief funds, may to such extent as may be compatible with its corporate powers and its existing obligations, and in so far as may be sanctioned in the case of diocesan societies by the respective Dioceses, merge with The Church Pension Fund, or if merger be impracticable, may establish by agreement with The Church Pension Fund the closest practicable system of co-operation with that fund. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to the prejudice of existing corporations or societies whose funds are derived from payments made by members thereof.

Sec. 8.

Women ordained to the Diaconate prior to January 1, 1971, who are not employed in active service on January 1, 1977, shall continue to have the benefit of their present provisions for pension protection at the expense of their employers, through the Pension Plan for Deaconesses provided by the Church Life Insurance Corporation, or through some other pension plan providing equivalent or better guarantees of a dependable retirement income, approved by proper authority. Women ordained to the Diaconate prior to January 1, 1971, and who are employed in active service on or after January 1, 1977, shall be entitled to the same provisions for pension protection as other Deacons based on prospective service on or after January 1, 1977. Women ordained to the Diaconate on or after January 1, 1971, shall be entitled to the same pension protection as other Deacons.

Sec. 9.

The General Convention reserves the power to alter or amend this Canon, but no such alteration or amendment shall be made until after the same shall have been communicated to the Trustees of The Church Pension Fund and such Trustees shall have had ample opportunity to be heard with respect thereto.

Sec. 1.

Subject to the proviso in Article VII of the Constitution, the Dioceses of this Church shall be and are hereby united into Provinces as follows:

The First Province shall consist of the Dioceses within the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

The Second Province shall consist of the Dioceses within the States of New York and New Jersey, the Dioceses of Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.

The Third Province shall consist of the Dioceses within the States of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

The Fourth Province shall consist of the Dioceses within the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana, except for the portion thereof consisting of the Diocese of Western Louisiana.

The Fifth Province shall consist of the Diocese of Missouri, and of the Dioceses within the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The Sixth Province shall consist of the Dioceses within the States of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.

The Seventh Province shall consist of the Dioceses of Western Louisiana and of West Missouri, and of the Dioceses within the States of Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

The Eighth Province shall consist of the Dioceses within the States of Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii, the Diocese of Taiwan and the Area Mission of Navajoland.

The Ninth Province shall consist of the Dioceses of this Church in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, and Venezuela.

Sec. 2.. The primary purposes of the Provinces are to facilitate interdiocesan collaboration to achieve Diocesan and Episcopal Church goals, and to enable more effective communications and regional advocacy of significant programmatic efforts.

Sec. 3.

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. 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.

Sec. 4.

For the purpose of the Province the Synodical rights and privileges of the several Dioceses within the Province shall be such as from time to time shall be determined by the Synod of the Province.

Sec. 5.

There shall be in each Province a Synod consisting of a House of Bishops and a House of Deputies, which Houses shall sit and deliberate either separately or together. The Synod shall meet on a regular basis as determined by each Province for the purpose of organizing and carrying out the responsibilities of the Province as provided in the Canons.

Sec. 6.

Every Bishop Diocesan of this Church, having jurisdiction within the Province, every Bishop Coadjutor, Bishop Suffragan, and Assistant Bishop, and every Bishop whose episcopal work has been within the Province, but who by reason of advanced age or bodily infirmity has resigned, shall have a seat and vote in the House of Bishops of the Province.

Sec. 7.

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.

Sec. 8.

Each Diocese and Area Mission within the Province shall be entitled to representation in the Provincial House of Deputies by Presbyters or Deacons canonically resident in the Diocese or Area Mission, and Lay Persons, confirmed adult communicants of this Church in good standing but not necessarily domiciled in the Diocese or Area Mission, in such number as the Provincial Synod, by Ordinance, may provide. Each Diocese and Area Mission shall determine the manner in which its Deputies shall be elected.

Sec. 9.

The Provincial Synod shall have power: (a) to enact Ordinances for its own regulation and government; (b) to perform such duties as many be committed to it by the General Convention; (c) to deal with all matters within the Province; provided, however, that no Provincial Synod shall have power to regulate or control the internal policy or affairs of any constituent Diocese; and provided, further, that all actions and proceedings of the Synod shall be subject to and in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution and the Canons for the government of this Church; (d) to adopt a budget for the maintenance of any Provincial work undertaken by the Synod, such budget to be raised in such manner as the Synod may determine; (e) to create by Ordinance a provincial Council with power to administer and carry on such work as may be committed to it by the General Convention, or by the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Council, or by the Synod of the Province.

Sec. 10.

Within sixty days after each session of the General Convention, the Presidents of the two Houses thereof shall refer to the Provincial Synods, or any of them, such subjects as the General Convention may direct, or as they may deem advisable, for consideration thereof by the Synods, and it shall be the duty of such Synods to consider the subject or subjects so referred to them at the first meeting of the Synod held after the adjournment of the General Convention, and to report their action and judgment in the matter to the Secretary of the General Convention at least six months before the date of the meeting of the next General Convention.

Sec. 11.

Each Provincial Synod shall keep minutes, journals or other records of its meetings, and shall transmit one copy of the records to the Secretary of the House of Deputies, and one copy to The Archives of The Episcopal Church. The Synod shall also transmit copies of any unpublished inactive records to the Archives.

Sec. 12.

The President of each Province shall annually submit to the Executive Council a written report on the ministries, programs and other work of the Province, including a description of how funds appropriated by the General Convention have been used, and shall report on their work to the Executive Council, on the date and in the form specified by the Executive Council.

Sec. 1.

Whenever a new Diocese is proposed to be formed within the limits of any Diocese, or by the junction of two or more Dioceses, or parts of two or more Dioceses, the Ecclesiastical Authorities and the Standing Committees of the Dioceses involved in the proposed new diocese shall submit for approval to the Conventions of each Diocese involved a joint agreement of union setting forth their agreements, including the manner of determining the Bishop Diocesan and other Bishops (if any), the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the new Diocese, and such other matters as may be necessary or proper. Upon approval by the Conventions of each of the involved Dioceses, the joint agreement of union shall be submitted for ratification by the General Convention no less than ninety days prior to the first legislative day of the next meeting of the General Convention.

Sec. 2.

Promptly after ratification by the General Convention, the Ecclesiastical Authority of the new Diocese, as set forth in the joint agreement of union, shall call the first Convention of the new Diocese, for the purpose of enabling it to organize, and shall fix the time and place of holding the same, such place being within the territorial limits of the new Diocese.

Sec. 3.

Whenever one Diocese is about to be divided into two Dioceses, the Convention of such Diocese shall declare which portion or portions thereof are to be in the new Diocese, and shall make the same known to the General Convention before the ratification of such division.

Sec. 4.

Whenever a new Diocese shall have organized in first Convention in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and Canons in such case made and provided, and in the manner prescribed in the previous Sections of this Canon, and shall have chosen a name and acceded to the Constitution of the General Convention in accordance with Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution, and shall have laid before the Executive Council certified copies of the Constitution adopted at its first Convention, and the proceedings preparatory to the formation of the proposed new Diocese, such new Diocese shall thereupon be admitted into union with the General Convention.

Sec. 5.

In the event of the erection of an Area Mission into a Diocese of this Church, as provided in Article V, Section 1 of the Constitution, the Convocation of the Area Mission shall be entitled to elect Deputies to the succeeding General Convention, and also to elect a Bishop. The jurisdiction previously assigned to the Bishop in the Area Mission shall be terminated upon the admission of the new Diocese.

Sec. 6.

When a Diocese and one or more other Dioceses that were formed either by division therefrom or by erection into a Diocese or a Missionary Diocese formed by division therefrom, shall desire to be reunited into one Diocese, the proposed reunion must be initiated by the approval of the Conventions of the involved Dioceses of a joint agreement of union setting forth their agreements, including the manner of determining the Bishop Diocesan and other Bishops (if any), provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the new Diocese, and such other matters as may be necessary or proper. If the agreement of the Dioceses is made and the consents of their Conventions are given more than three months before the next meeting of the General Convention, the fact of the agreement and consents shall be certified by the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Secretary of the Convention of each involved Diocese to all the Bishops of the Church having jurisdiction and to the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses; and when the consents of a majority of such Bishops and of a majority of the Standing Committees to the proposed reunion shall have been received, the facts shall be similarly certified to the Secretary of the House of Deputies of the General Convention, and thereupon the reunion shall be considered complete. But if the agreement is made and the consents given within three months of the next meeting of the General Convention, the facts shall be certified instead to the Secretary of the House of Deputies, who shall lay them before the two Houses; and the reunion shall be deemed to be complete when it shall have been approved by a majority vote in the House of Bishops, and in the House of Deputies.

Sec. 7.

When the union of two or more Dioceses or portions of Dioceses or the reunion of the two or more Dioceses shall have been completed, the facts shall be certified to the Presiding Bishop and to the Secretary of the House of Deputies. Thereupon the Presiding Bishop shall notify the Secretary of the House of Bishops of any alteration in the status or style of the Bishop or Bishops concerned, and the Secretary of the House of Deputies shall strike the name of any Diocese that will cease to exist or is being renamed from the roll of Dioceses in union with the General Convention and, if appropriate, amend the name of the newly united Diocese on the roll of Dioceses in union with the General Convention.

Sec. 1.

Area Missions established in accordance with Article VI, Sec. 1 and Missionary Dioceses organized in accordance with Article VI, Sec. 3 shall constitute jurisdictions for which this Church as a whole assumes a special responsibility.

Sec. 2.

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. 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. 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. (An 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. An 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. In 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.

Sec. 3.

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, adopted 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. 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. 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. The 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. The 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. At 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 another 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. At 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.

Sec. 4.

Notice shall be sent to all Archbishops and Metropolitans, and all Presiding Bishops, of Churches in full communion with this Church, of the establishment of any Area Mission, or of the organization or change of status of any Missionary Diocese outside the United States; and of the consecration, or assignment, of a Missionary Bishop therefor.

It is hereby declared as the judgment of this Church that no two Bishops of Churches in full communion with each other should exercise jurisdiction in the same place; except as may be defined by a concordat adopted jointly by the competent authority of each of the said Churches, after consultation with the appropriate inter-Anglican body.

Sec. 1.

In every Diocese the Standing Committee shall elect from their own body a President and a Secretary. They may meet in conformity with their own rules from time to time, and shall keep a record of their proceedings; and they may be summoned to a special meeting whenever the President may deem it necessary. They may be summoned on the requisition of the Bishop, whenever the Bishop shall desire their advice; and they may meet of their own accord and agreeably to their own rules when they may be disposed to advise the Bishop.

Sec. 2.

In all cases in which a Canon of the General Convention directs a duty to be performed, or a power to be exercised, by a Standing Committee, or by the Clerical members thereof, or by any other body consisting of several members, a majority of said members, the whole having been duly cited to meet, shall be a quorum; and a majority of the quorum so convened shall be competent to act, unless the contrary is expressly required by the Canon.

Sec. 3.

Any document required to be signed by members of the Standing Committee or by the Clerical members thereof, or by any other body consisting of several members may be signed in counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original. Testimonials required for ordination and required to be given by a Standing Committee under any of these Canons must be signed by a majority of the whole Committee and may be signed electronically and signed in counterparts.

Sec. 1.

Every Congregation of this Church shall belong to the Church in the Diocese in which its place of worship is situated; a Member of the Clergy serving a Cure having Congregations in more than one jurisdiction shall have such rights, including vote, in the Convention of the jurisdiction in which the Member of the Clergy has canonical residence as may be provided in the Canons of that diocese and may be granted seat and voice in the jurisdiction(s) in which the Member of the Clergy does not have canonical residence.

Sec. 2.

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. 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.

Sec. 3.

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

Sec. 1.

In every Parish of this Church the number, mode of selection, and term of office of Wardens and Members of the Vestry, with the qualifications of voters, shall be such as the State or Diocesan law may permit or require, and the Wardens and Members of the Vestry selected under such law shall hold office until their successors are selected and have qualified.

Sec. 2.

Except as provided by the law of the State or of the Diocese, the Vestry shall be agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its Clergy.

Sec. 3.

Unless it conflicts with the law as aforesaid, the Rector, or such other member of the Vestry designated by the Rector, shall preside in all the meetings of the Vestry.

Sec. 1.

It shall be lawful, under the conditions hereinafter stated, to organize a Congregation in any foreign land and not within the jurisdiction of any Missionary Bishop of this Church nor within any Diocese, Province, or Regional Church of the Anglican Communion.

Sec. 2.

The Bishop in charge of such Congregations, and the Council of Advice hereinafter provided for, may authorize any Presbyter of this Church to officiate temporarily at any place to be named by them within any such foreign land, upon being satisfied that it is expedient to establish at such place a Congregation of this Church.

Sec. 3.

Such Presbyter, after having publicly officiated at such place on four consecutive Sundays, may give notice, in the time of Divine Service, that a meeting of the persons of full age and attending the services, will be held, at a time and place to be named by the Presbyter in charge, to organize the Congregation. The said meeting may proceed to effect an organization subject to the approval of the said Bishop and Council of Advice and in conformity to such regulations as the said Council of Advice may provide.

Sec. 4.

Before being taken under the direction of the General Convention of this Church, such Congregation shall be required, in its Constitution, or Plan, or Articles of Organization, to recognize and accede to the Constitution, Canons, Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church, and to agree to submit to and obey such directions as may be, from time to time, received from the Bishop in charge and Council of Advice.

Sec. 5.

The desire of such Congregation to be taken under the direction of the General Convention shall be duly certified by the Member of the Clergy, one Warden, and two Vestry members or Trustees of said Congregation, duly elected.

Sec. 6.

Such certificate, and the Constitution, Plan, or Articles of Organization, shall be submitted to the General Convention, if it be in session, or to the Presiding Bishop at any other time; and in case the same are found satisfactory, the Secretary of the House of Deputies of the General Convention, under written instruction from the Presiding Bishop, shall thereupon place the name of the Congregation on the list of Congregations in foreign lands under the direction of the General Convention; and a certificate of the said official action shall be forwarded to and filed by the Registrar of this Church. Such Congregations are placed under the government and jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop.

Sec. 7.

The Presiding Bishop may, from time to time, by written commission under the episcopal signature and seal, assign to a Bishop or Bishops of this Church, or of a Church in full communion with this Church, the care of, and responsibility for, one or more of such Congregations and the Clergy officiating therein, for such period of time as the Presiding Bishop may deem expedient; provided that, should such term expire in a year during which a General Convention is to be held, prior to said Convention, the commission may be extended until the adjournment of the Convention.

Sec. 8.

Nothing in this Canon is to be construed as preventing the election of a Bishop to have charge of such Congregations under the provision of Canon III.12.1-4.

Sec. 9.

To aid the Presiding Bishop or the Bishop in charge of these foreign Churches in administering the affairs of the same, and in settling such questions as may, by means of their peculiar situation, arise, a Council of Advice, consisting of four Clergy and four Lay Persons, shall be constituted as follows, and shall act as a Council of Advice to the Bishop in charge of the foreign Churches. They shall be chosen to serve for two years and until their successors are elected and have accepted election, by a Convocation duly convened, of all the Clergy of the foreign Churches or Chapels, and of two Lay representatives of each Church or Chapel, chosen by its Vestry or Committee. The Council of Advice shall be convened on the requisition of the Bishop whenever the Bishop may desire their advice, and they may meet of their own accord and agreeably to their own rules when they may wish to advise the Bishop. When a meeting is not practicable, the Bishop may ascertain their mind by letter.

It shall be lawful for the Presiding Bishop at any time to authorize by writing under the episcopal hand and seal the Council of Advice to act as the Ecclesiastical Authority.

Sec. 10.

In the case a Member of the Clergy in charge of a Congregation or otherwise authorized to serve the Church in a foreign land shall be accused of any offense under the Canons of this Church:

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; 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.

Sec. 11.

If there be a Congregation within the limits of any city in a foreign land, no new Congregation shall be established in that city, except with the consent of the Bishop in charge and the Council of Advice.

Sec. 12.

In case of a difference between the Member of the Clergy and a Congregation in a foreign land, the Bishop in charge shall duly examine the same, and the said Bishop shall, with the Council of Advice, have full power to settle and adjust such difference upon principles recognized in the Canons of the General Convention.

Sec. 13.

No Member of the Clergy shall be allowed to take charge of a Congregation in a foreign land, organized under this Canon, until nominated by the Vestry thereof, or, if there be no Vestry, by the Council of Advice, and approved by the Bishop in charge; and once having accepted such appointment, the Member of the Clergy shall be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop.

Sec. 1.

Whenever a Congregation of Christian people, holding the Christian faith as set forth in the Catholic creeds and recognizing the Scriptures as containing all things necessary to salvation, but using a rite other than that set forth by this Church, shall desire affiliation with this Church, while retaining the use of its own rite, such congregation shall, with the consent of the Bishop in whose Diocese it is situate, make application through the Bishop to the Presiding Bishop for status.

Sec. 2.

Any person who has not received episcopal ordination, and desires to serve such a Congregation as a Member of the Clergy, shall conform to the provisions of Canon III.10.4.

Sec. 3.

A Member of the Clergy of such Congregation who shall have been ordained by a Bishop not in full communion with this Church, but the regularity of whose ordination is approved by the Presiding Bishop, shall be admitted in the appropriate Order under the provision of Canon III.10.3.

Sec. 4.

Clergy and delegates of such Congregations may have seats but no vote in the Diocesan Convention unless by formal action of such Convention they are so admitted.

Sec. 5.

The oversight of Congregations so admitted shall rest with the Bishop of the Diocese unless the Bishop delegates this authority to another Bishop who may be commissioned by the Presiding Bishop to have oversight of such Congregations.

Sec. 1.

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

c. 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. This may be a requirement for specific leadership roles as defined by the Constitution and Canons of this Church and its constituent bodies.

d. Any 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.

Sec. 2.

a. All Members of this Church who have received Holy Communion in this Church at least three times during the previous year are to be considered Communicants of this Church.

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

c. In cases of pastoral sensitivity, with the approval of the Bishop, these requirements may be waived for good cause.

Sec. 3.

All Members of this Church who for the previous year have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God, are to be considered Communicants in Good Standing.

Sec. 4.

a. A Member of this Church shall procure a Letter of Transfer to transfer their membership from the congregation in which their membership is recorded to another Congregation. This Letter of Transfer shall indicate that the person is recorded as a Member of this Church and whether or not such a Member:

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

b. The Member of the Clergy in charge or Warden of the congregation to which such membership is surrendered shall record in the parish register the information contained on the presented Letter of Transfer, and then notify the Member of the Clergy in charge or Warden of the congregation which issued the Letter of Transfer that the person has been duly recorded as a Member of the new congregation.

c. If a Member of this Church, not having such Letter of Transfer, desires to become a Member of a new congregation, that person shall be directed by the Member of the Clergy in charge of the said congregation to procure a Letter of Transfer from the former congregation, although on failure to produce such Letter of Transfer 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.

Sec. 5.

No one shall be denied rights, status or access to an equal place in the life, worship, governance, or employment of this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital or family status (including pregnancy or child care plans), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by Canons.

Sec. 6.

A person to whom the Sacraments of the Church shall have been refused, or who has been repelled from the Holy Communion under the rubrics, or who has been informed of an intention to refuse or repel him or her from the Holy Communion under the rubrics, may appeal to the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority. A Priest who refuses or repels a person from the Holy Communion, or who communicates to a person an intent to repel that person from the Holy Communion shall inform that person, in writing, within fourteen days thereof of (i) the reasons therefor and (ii) his or her right to appeal to the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority. No Member of the Clergy of this Church shall be required to admit to the Sacraments a person so refused or repelled without the written direction of the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority. The Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority may in certain circumstances see fit to require the person to be admitted or restored because of the insufficiency of the cause assigned by the member of the Clergy. If it shall appear to the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority that there is sufficient cause to justify refusal of the Holy Communion, however, appropriate steps shall be taken to institute such inquiry as may be directed by the Canons of the Diocese; and should no such Canon exist, the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority shall proceed according to such principles of law and equity as will ensure an impartial investigation and judgment, which judgment shall be made in writing within sixty days of the appeal and which shall also specify the steps required for readmission to Holy Communion.

Sec. 7.

No unbaptized person shall be eligible to receive Holy Communion in this Church.

Sec. 8.

Any person accepting any office in this Church shall well and faithfully perform the duties of that office in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of this Church and of the Diocese in which the office is being exercised.

Sec. 1.

Every Member of the Clergy of this Church shall conform to the laws of the State governing the creation of the civil status of marriage, and also these canons concerning the solemnization of marriage. Members of the Clergy may solemnize a marriage using any of the liturgical forms authorized by this Church.

Sec. 2.

The couple shall notify the Member of the Clergy of their intent to marry at least thirty days prior to the solemnization; provided that if one of the parties is a member of the Congregation of the Member of the Clergy, or both parties can furnish satisfactory evidence of the need for shortening the time, this requirement can be waived for weighty cause; in which case the Member of the Clergy shall immediately report this action in writing to the Bishop.

Sec. 3.

Prior to the solemnization, the Member of the Clergy shall determine:

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.

Sec. 4.

Prior to the solemnization, the parties shall sign the following Declaration of Intention:

We understand the teaching of the church that God’s purpose for our marriage is for our mutual joy, for the help and comfort we will give to each other in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God’s will, for the gift and heritage of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of God. We also understand that our marriage is to be unconditional, mutual, exclusive, faithful, and lifelong; and we engage to make the utmost effort to accept these gifts and fulfill these duties, with the help of God and the support of our community.

Sec. 5.

At least two witnesses shall be present at the solemnization, and together with the Member of the Clergy and the parties, sign the record of the solemnization in the proper register; which record shall include the date and place of the solemnization, the names of the witnesses, the parties and their parents, the age of the parties, Church status, and residence(s).

Sec. 6.

A bishop or priest may pronounce a blessing upon a civil marriage using any of the liturgical forms authorized by this Church.

Sec. 7.

It shall be within the discretion of any Member of the Clergy of this Church to decline to solemnize or bless any marriage.

Sec. 1.

When marital unity is imperiled by dissension, it shall be the duty, if possible, of either or both parties, before taking legal action, to lay the matter before a Member of the Clergy; it shall be the duty of such Member of the Clergy to act first to protect and promote the physical and emotional safety of those involved and only then, if it be possible, to labor that the parties may be reconciled.

Sec. 2.

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. 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.

Sec. 3.

No Member of the Clergy of this Church shall solemnize the marriage of any person who has been the husband or wife of any other person then living, nor shall any member of this Church enter into a marriage when either of the contracting parties has been the husband or the wife of any other person then living, except as hereinafter provided:

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.

e. Bishops exercising ecclesiastical authority, or where appropriate ecclesiastical supervision, who hold a theological position that does not embrace marriage for same sex couples, will in the case of remarriage after divorce, invite another bishop of this Church to oversee the consent process and to receive any report of such Marriages, as provided in subsection c.

Sec. 4.

All provisions of Canon I.18 shall, in all cases, apply.

Sec. 1.

The Episcopal Church, a member of the Anglican Communion, has a relationship of full communion with (i) those Churches that are also members of the Anglican Communion by action of the Anglican Consultative Council and (ii) those Churches in the historic succession with whom it entered into covenant agreements prior to 1980 and thereafter with those Churches in historic succession with whom it has entered into covenant agreements adopted by the General Convention:

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.

e. The Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern (ELKB) (via the acceptance of Sharing the Gifts of Communion [Augsburg Agreement] of 2022).

Sec. 2.

The Episcopal Church has a relationship of full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America under the terms of and as defined by “Called to Common Mission”, which was adopted by the 73rd General Convention of The Episcopal Church as Resolution 2000-A040.

Sec. 3.

The Episcopal Church has a relationship of full communion with the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America under the terms of and as defined by the "Finding Our Delight in the Lord: A Proposal for Full Communion Between The Episcopal Church; the Moravian Church-Northern Province; and the Moravian Church-Southern Province", which was adopted by the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church as Resolution 2009-A073.

Sec. 4.

The Episcopal Church has a relationship of full communion with the Church of Sweden under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between The Episcopal Church and the Church of Sweden (based upon the understandings set forth in the Report on the Grounds for Future Relations between the Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church), which was accepted by the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church as Resolution 2022-A137.

All persons within this Church shall celebrate and keep the Lord’s Day, commonly called Sunday, by regular participation in the public worship of the Church, by hearing the Word of God read and taught, and by other acts of devotion and works of charity, using all godly and sober conversation.

Sec. 1.

The Lessons prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer shall be read from the translation of the Holy Scriptures commonly known as the King James or Authorized Version (which is the historic Bible of this Church) together with the Marginal Readings authorized for use by the General Convention of 1901; or from one of the three translations known as Revised Versions, including the English Revision of 1881, the American Revision of 1901, and the Revised Standard Version of 1952; from the Jerusalem Bible of 1966; from the New English Bible with the Apocrypha of 1970; or from The 1976 Good News Bible (Today’s English Version); or from The New American Bible (1970); or from The Revised Standard Version, an Ecumenical Edition, commonly known as the “R.S.V. Common Bible” (1973); or from The New International Version (1978); or from The New Jerusalem Bible (1987); or from the Revised English Bible (1989); or from the New Revised Standard Version (1989, 2022); or from the Contemporary English Version (1995); or from the Contemporary English Version Global (2005); or from the Common English Bible (2011); or from The Revised New Jerusalem Bible (2019); or from translations, authorized by the diocesan bishop, of those approved versions published in any other language; or from other versions of the Bible, including those in languages other than English, which shall be authorized by diocesan bishops for specific use in congregations or ministries within their dioceses.

Sec. 2.

All translations proposed for inclusion in Canon II.2.1 must conform to the Criteria for Recommending New Biblical Translations for Use in Public Worship adopted by General Convention.

Sec. 3.

All translations proposed for inclusion in Canon II.2.1 must first be referred to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music for review according to the Criteria for Recommending New Biblical Translations for Use in Public Worship.

Sec. 1.

The copy of the Book of Common Prayer accepted by the General Convention of this Church, in the year of our Lord 1979, and authenticated by the signatures of the Presiding Officers and Secretaries of the two Houses of the General Convention, is hereby declared to be the Standard Book of Common Prayer of this Church.

Sec. 2.

All copies of the Book of Common Prayer to be hereafter made and published shall conform to this Standard, and shall agree therewith in paging, and, as far as it is possible, in all other matters of typographical arrangement, except that the Rubrics may be printed either in red or black, and that page numbers shall be set against the several headings in the Table of Contents. The requirement of uniformity in paging shall apply to the entire book but shall not extend to editions smaller than those known as 32mo, or to editions noted for music.

Sec. 3.

In case any typographical inaccuracy shall be found in the Standard Book of Common Prayer, its correction may be ordered by a joint Resolution of any General Convention, and notice of such corrections shall be communicated by the Custodian to the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese of this Church, and to actual publishers of the Book of Common Prayer.

Sec. 4.

Folio copies of the Standard Book of Common Prayer, duly authenticated, as in the case of the Standard Book, shall be sent to the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese in trust for the use thereof, and for reference and appeal in questions as to the authorized formularies of this Church.

Sec. 5.

No copy, translation, or edition of the Book of Common Prayer, or a part or parts thereof, shall be made, printed, published, or used as of authority in this Church, unless it contains the authorization of the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer, certifying that the Custodian or some person appointed by the Custodian has compared the said copy, translation, or edition with the said Standard, or a certified copy thereof, and that it conforms thereto. The Custodian, or some person appointed by the Custodian, may exercise due discretion in reference to translations of the entire Standard Book or parts thereof, into other languages so that such translations reflect the idiomatic style and cultural context of those languages. And no copy, translation, or edition of the Book of Common Prayer, or a part or parts thereof, shall be made, printed, published, or used as of authority in this Church, or certified as aforesaid, which contains or is bound up with any alterations or additions thereto, or with any other matter, except the Holy Scriptures or the authorized Hymnal of this Church, or with material set forth in the Book of Occasional Services and The Proper for the Lesser Feasts and Fasts, as those books are authorized from time to time by the General Convention.

Sec. 6.

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. A trial use period in accordance with Article X, Section 3 of the Constitution must precede the first reading for any alteration or addition to the Book of Common Prayer under Article X, Section 2, except for changes to the Lectionary and Tables and Rubrics and the Psalter as provided for by Article X, Section 4.a.

c. During the trial use period, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music will review the proposed alteration or revision using principles adopted by the General Convention of this Church and include its assessments and recommendations in a report to the General Convention.

d. The Calendar of the Church, with principal and lesser observances, is part of the Book of Common Prayer and may be revised by following the process for trial use provided for revision of the Book of Common Prayer by the Constitution and Canons of this Church.

e. It shall be the duty of the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer:

f. During 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.

g. 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.

Sec. 7.

The appointment of the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer shall be made by nomination of the House of Bishops and confirmed by the House of Deputies at a meeting of the General Convention. The Custodian shall hold office until the second General Convention following the General Convention at which the Custodian was nominated and confirmed. A vacancy occurring in the office of Custodian when General Convention is not meeting may be filled until the next General Convention by appointment by the Presiding Bishop upon the confirmation of the Executive Council.

Sec. 8.

It shall be the duty of the Ecclesiastical Authority of any Diocese in which any unauthorized edition of the Book of Common Prayer, or any part or parts thereof, shall be published or circulated, to give public notice that the said edition is not of authority in this Church.

Sec. 1.

Article X of the Constitution defines the Book of Common Prayer and a process of trial use as a step towards inclusion in the Book of Common Prayer. In addition to the Book of Common Prayer and texts authorized for trial use as defined by this church's Constitution and Canons, Supplemental and Alternative Liturgical Resources may be set forth by the authority of this Church.

Sec. 2. Authorization and Use of Supplemental and Alternative Liturgical Resources

Sec. 3. Other Books of Common Prayer

Sec. 4. Use of Other Eucharistic Prayers and Liturgies not authorized by The Episcopal Church

A Eucharistic Prayer prepared according to An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer, 1979 pp.400-405) may be authorized for seasonal use on Sunday provided that it has been submitted to and received advance approval in writing from the bishop with ecclesiastical authority.

Sec. 5. Alternate Psalter

An Alternate Psalter may be authorized by resolution at the General Convention for study and occasional use in The Episcopal Church with the approval of the bishop with ecclesiastical authority.

In any Congregation, worshipping in other than the English language, which shall have placed itself under the oversight of a Bishop of this Church, it shall be lawful to use a form of service in such language; provided that such form of service shall have previously been approved by the Bishop of the Diocese, until such time as an authorized edition of the Book of Common Prayer in such language shall be set forth by the authority of the General Convention; and provided further, that no Bishop shall license any such form of service until first satisfied that the same is in accordance with the Doctrine and Worship of this Church; nor in any case shall such form of service be used for the ordination or consecration of Bishops, Priests, or Deacons.

It shall be the duty of every Member of the Clergy to see that music is used as an offering for the glory of God and as a help to the people in their worship in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer and as authorized by the rubrics or by the General Convention of this Church. To this end the Member of the Clergy shall have final authority in the administration of matters pertaining to music. In fulfilling this responsibility the Member of the Clergy shall seek assistance from persons skilled in music. Together they shall see that music is appropriate to the context in which it is used.

Sec. 1.

No Church or Chapel shall be consecrated until the Bishop shall have been sufficiently satisfied that the building and the ground on which it is erected are secured for ownership and use by a Parish, Mission, Congregation, or Institution affiliated with this Church and subject to its Constitution and Canons.

Sec. 2.

It shall not be lawful for any Vestry, Trustees, or other body authorized by laws of any State or Territory to hold property for any Diocese, Parish or Congregation, to encumber or alienate any dedicated and consecrated Church or Chapel, or any Church or Chapel which has been used solely for Divine Service, belonging to the Parish or Congregation which they represent, without the previous consent of the Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

Sec. 3.

No dedicated and consecrated Church or Chapel shall be removed, taken down, or otherwise disposed of for any worldly or common use, without the previous consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

Sec. 4.

Any dedicated and consecrated Church or Chapel shall be subject to the trust declared with respect to real and personal property held by any Parish, Mission, or Congregation as set forth in Canon I.7.4.

Sec. 1.

Each Diocese shall make provision for the affirmation and development of the ministry of all baptized persons, including:

a. Assistance in understanding that all baptized persons are called to minister in Christ’s name, to identify their gifts with the help of the Church and to serve Christ’s mission at all times and in all places.

b. Assistance in understanding that all baptized persons are called to sustain their ministries through commitment to life-long Christian formation.

Sec. 2.

No person shall be denied access to the discernment process or to any process for the employment, licensing, calling, or deployment for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, immigration status, national origin, sex, marital or family status (including pregnancy and child care plans), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to employment, licensing, ordination, call, deployment, or election is hereby established.

Sec. 3.

No person shall be denied access to the discernment process or to any process for the employment, licensing, calling, or deployment for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of their conscientiously-held theological belief that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman, or that marriage is a covenant between two people. No right to employment, licensing, ordination, call, deployment, or election is hereby established. In dioceses where the bishop exercising ecclesiastical authority (or, where applicable, ecclesiastical supervision) is unable, for reasons of conscientiously-held theological belief, to ordain a person who holds one of the above-named theological beliefs, the bishop exercising ecclesiastical authority (or ecclesiastical supervision) shall invite another bishop of this Church to provide access to the discernment process for ordination.

Sec. 4.

No priest or deacon shall be denied licensure or canonical residence in any diocese of this Church because of their conscientiously-held theological belief that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman, or that marriage is a covenant between two persons. No right to canonical residence or licensing is hereby established.

Sec. 5.

The provisions of these Canons for the admission of Candidates for the ordination to the three Orders: Bishops, Priests and Deacons shall be equally applicable to all persons in the process.

Sec. 1.

In each Diocese there shall be a Commission on Ministry ("Commission") consisting of Priests, Deacons, if any, and Lay Persons. The Canons of each Diocese shall provide for the number of members, terms of office, and manner of selection to the Commission. Any Diocese may agree in writing with one or more other Dioceses to share a Commission on Ministry.

Sec. 2.

The Commission shall advise and assist the Bishop:

a. In the implementation of Title III of these Canons.

b. In the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons.

c. In the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefor.

Sec. 3.

The Commission may adopt rules for its work, subject to the approval of the Bishop; provided that they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of this Church and of the Diocese.

Sec. 4.

The Commission may establish committees consisting of members and other persons to report to the Commission or to act on its behalf.

Sec. 5.

The Bishop and Commission shall ensure that the members of the Commission and its committees receive ongoing education and training for their work.

Sec. 1.

The Bishop and Commission shall provide encouragement, training, and necessary resources to assist each congregation in developing an ongoing process of community discernment appropriate to the cultural background, age, and life experiences of all persons seeking direction in their call to ministry.

Sec. 2.

The Bishop, in consultation with the Commission, may utilize college and university campus ministry centers and other communities of faith as additional communities where discernment takes place. In cases where these discernment communities are located in another jurisdiction, the Bishop will consult with the Bishop where the discernment community is located.

Sec. 3.

The Bishop and Commission shall actively solicit from congregations, schools and other youth organizations, college and university campus ministry centers, seminaries, and other communities of faith names of persons whose demonstrated qualities of Christian commitment and potential for leadership and vision mark them as desirable candidates for positions of leadership in the Church.

Sec. 4.

The Bishop, Commission, and the discernment community shall assist persons engaged in a process of ministry discernment to determine appropriate avenues for the expression and support of their ministries, either lay or ordained.

Sec. 1.

a. A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed by the Ecclesiastical Authority to serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, 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. 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.

Sec. 2.

a. The Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith may request the Ecclesiastical Authority with jurisdiction to license persons within that congregation or other community of faith to exercise such ministries. The license shall be issued for a period of time to be determined under Canon III.4.1.a and may be renewed. The license may be revoked by the Ecclesiastical Authority upon request of or upon notice to the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

b. In renewing the license, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall consider the performance of the ministry by the person licensed, continuing education in the licensed area, and the endorsement of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith in which the person is serving.

c. A person licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another congregation or other community of faith in the same or another Diocese only at the invitation of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight, and with the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority in whose jurisdiction the service will occur.

Sec. 3.

A Pastoral Leader is a lay person authorized to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances, as defined by the Bishop.

Sec. 4.

A Worship Leader is a lay person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Sec. 5.

A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Sec. 6.

A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Sec. 7.

A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Sec. 8.

A Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Sec. 9.

An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An Evangelist assists with the community’s ministry of evangelism in partnership with the Presbyter or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation, or as directed by the Bishop.

Sec. 1.

a. The canonical authority assigned to the Bishop Diocesan by this Title may be exercised by a Bishop Coadjutor, when so empowered under Canon III.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.

Sec. 2.

No Nominee, Postulant, or Candidate for ordination shall sign any of the certificates required by this Title.

a. 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.

b. Whenever the letter of support of a Vestry is required, the letter must be signed and dated by at least two-thirds of all of the members of the Vestry, at a meeting duly convened, and by the Rector or Priest-in-Charge of the Parish, and attested by the Clerk of the Vestry. Should there be no Rector or Priest-in-Charge, the letter shall be signed by a Priest of the Diocese acquainted with the nominee and the Parish, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause.

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. If 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.

Sec. 3.

An application for any dispensation permitted by this Title from any of the requirements for ordination must first be made to the Bishop, and if approved, referred to the Standing Committee for its advice and consent.

Sec. 1. Selection

The Bishop, in consultation with the Commission, shall establish procedures to identify and to select persons with evident gifts and fitness for ordination to the Diaconate.

Sec. 2. Nomination

A confirmed adult communicant in good standing, may be nominated for ordination to the diaconate by the person’s congregation or other community of faith.

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. The Nominee, if in agreement with the nomination, shall accept the nomination in writing and shall provide the following to the Bishop:

Sec. 3. Postulancy

Postulancy is the time between nomination and candidacy and may initiate the formal preparation for ordination. Postulancy involves continued exploration of and decision about the Postulant’s call to the Diaconate.

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

b. If 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. No 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. The 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. Each 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. Any Postulant may be removed as a Postulant at the sole discretion of the Bishop. The Bishop shall give written notice of the removal to the 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.

Sec. 4. Candidacy

Candidacy is a time of education and formation, in preparation for ordination to the Diaconate, established by a formal commitment by the Candidate, the Bishop, the Commission, the Standing Committee and the congregation or other community of faith.

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. Upon 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. A Candidate must remain in canonical relationship with the Diocese in which admission has been granted until ordination to the Diaconate under this Canon, except, 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. 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.

Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination

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 Diaconate in accordance with this Canon to ensure that pastoral guidance is provided throughout the period of preparation.

b. The 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. Formation 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. Before ordination each Candidate shall be prepared in and demonstrate basic competence in five general areas:

g. Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding

h. Each 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. During Candidacy each Candidate’s progress shall be evaluated from time to time, and there shall be a written report of the evaluation by those authorized by the Commission to be in charge of the evaluation program. Upon certification by those in charge of the Candidate’s program of preparation that the Candidate has successfully completed preparation and is ready for ordination, a final written assessment of readiness for ordination to the Diaconate shall be prepared as determined by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission. This report shall include a recommendation from the Commission regarding the readiness of the Candidate for ordination. Records shall be kept of all evaluations, assessments, and the recommendation, and shall be made available to the Standing Committee.

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

Sec. 6. Ordination to the Diaconate

a. A person may be ordained Deacon:

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

c.

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 in conformity with Canon I.12.3.

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. The 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.

Sec. 1.

Deacons serve directly under the authority of and are accountable to the Bishop, or in the absence of the Bishop, the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese.

Sec. 2.

Deacons canonically resident in each Diocese constitute a Community of Deacons, which shall meet from time to time. The Bishop may appoint one or more of such Deacons as Archdeacon(s) to assist the Bishop in the formation, deployment, supervision, and support of the Deacons or those in preparation to be Deacons, and in the implementation of this Canon.

Sec. 3.

The Bishop may establish a Council on Deacons to oversee, study, and promote the Diaconate.

Sec. 4.

The Bishop, after consultation with the Deacon and the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight, may assign a Deacon to one or more congregations, other communities of faith or non-parochial ministries. Deacons assigned to a congregation or other community of faith act under the authority of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight in all matters concerning the congregation.

a. 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. The 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.

Sec. 5.

The Bishop and Commission shall require and provide for the continuing education of Deacons and keep a record of such education.

Sec. 6.

a. A Deacon may not serve as Deacon for more than two months in any Diocese other than the Diocese in which the Deacon is canonically resident unless the Bishop of the other Diocese shall have granted a license to the Deacon to serve in that Diocese.

b.

Sec. 7. Transfer to Churches in Full Communion with this Church

a. A Deacon desiring to become canonically resident within a Diocese or equivalent jurisdiction of a Church in Full Communion (as identified in Canon I.20) or a Church in Communion with this Church (as identified by Canon III.10.2.a.3) 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 Deacon 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 or Church in Communion with this Church accepts the testimonial, the canonical residence of the Deacon transferred shall date from such acceptance, and notice of acceptance shall be promptly forwarded by the Deacon 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 Deacon 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 Deacon’s departure from The Episcopal Church.

d. This provision shall not be used for Deacons who seek to enter Churches Not in Communion with this 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.7.9 shall be followed.

Sec. 8.

On reaching the age of seventy-two years, a Deacon shall resign from all positions of active service in this Church, and the resignation shall be accepted. The Bishop may, with the consent of the Deacon, assign a resigned Deacon to any congregation, other community of faith or ministry in another setting, for a term not to exceed twelve months, and this term may be renewed.

Sec. 9. Release and Removal from the Ordained Ministry of this Church

If any Deacon of The Episcopal Church shall express, in writing, to the Bishop of the Diocese in which such Deacon is canonically resident, an intention to be released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church and from the obligations attendant thereto, including those promises made at Ordination in the Declaration required by Article VIII of the Constitution of the General Convention, it shall be the duty of the Bishop to record the matter. The Bishop, being satisfied that the person so declaring is acting voluntarily and for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and is neither the subject of information concerning an Offense that has been referred to an Intake Officer nor a Respondent in a pending disciplinary matter as defined in Title IV of these Canons, shall lay the matter before the Standing Committee, and with the advice and consent of a majority of the Standing Committee the Bishop may pronounce that the person is released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church and from the obligations attendant thereto, and is deprived of the right to exercise in The Episcopal Church the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordination. The Bishop shall also declare in pronouncing and recording such action that it was for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and shall, at the person’s request, give a certificate to this effect to the person so released and removed from the ordained Ministry.

Sec. 10.

If a Deacon submitting the writing described in Section 8 of this Canon be the subject of information concerning an Offense that has been referred to an Intake Officer or a Respondent in a pending disciplinary matter as defined in Title IV of these Canons, the Ecclesiastical Authority to whom such writing is submitted shall not consider or act upon the written request unless and until the disciplinary matter shall have been resolved by a dismissal, Accord, or Order and the time for appeal or rescission of such has expired.

Sec. 11.

In the case of the release and removal of a Deacon from the ordained Ministry of this Church as provided in this Canon, a declaration of release and removal shall be pronounced by the Bishop in the presence of two or more Members of the Clergy, and shall be entered in the official records of the Diocese in which the Deacon being released and removed is canonically resident. The Bishop who pronounces the declaration of release and removal as provided in this Canon shall give notice thereof in writing to every Member of the Clergy, each Vestry, the Secretary of the Convention and the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the Deacon was canonically resident; and to all Bishops of this Church, the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese of this Church, the Presiding Bishop, the Recorder of Ordinations, the Secretary of the House of Bishops, the Secretary of the House of Deputies, The Church Pension Fund, and the Board for Transition Ministry.

Sec. 12. Return to the Ordained Ministry of this Church after Release and Removal.

a. When a Deacon who has been released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church under Canon III.7.9 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.7.12 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.7.11.

Sec. 1. Selection

The Bishop, in consultation with the Commission, shall establish procedures to identify and select persons with evident gifts and fitness for ordination to the Priesthood.

Sec. 2. Nomination

A confirmed adult communicant in good standing may be nominated for ordination to the Priesthood by the person’s congregation or other community of faith.

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. The Nominee, if agreeing, shall accept the nomination in writing, and shall provide the following to the Bishop:

Sec. 3. Postulancy

Postulancy is the time between nomination and candidacy and may initiate the formal preparation for ordination. Postulancy involves continued exploration of and decision about the Postulant’s call to the Priesthood.

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

b. If the Bishop approves proceeding, the Commission, or a committee of the Commission, shall meet with the Nominee to review the application and prepare an evaluation of the Nominee’s qualifications to pursue a program of preparation for ordination to the Priesthood. The Commission shall present its evaluation and recommendations to the Bishop.

c. No Bishop shall consider accepting as a Postulant any person who has been refused admission as a Candidate for ordination to the Priesthood in any other Diocese, or who, having been admitted, has afterwards ceased to be a Candidate, until receipt of a letter from the Bishop of the Diocese refusing admission, or in which the person has been a Candidate, declaring the cause of refusal or of cessation.

d. The Bishop may admit the Nominee as a Postulant for ordination to the Priesthood. The Bishop shall record the Postulant’s name and date of admission in a Register kept for that purpose. The Bishop shall inform the Postulant, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the Postulant’s congregation or other community of faith, the Commission, the Standing Committee, and the Dean of the seminary the Postulant may be attending or proposes to attend, or the director of Postulant’s program of preparation, of the fact and date of such admission.

e. Each 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. Any Postulant may be removed as a Postulant at the sole discretion of the Bishop. The Bishop shall give written notice of the removal to the 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.

Sec. 4. Candidacy

Candidacy is a time of education and formation in preparation for ordination to the Priesthood, established by a formal commitment by the Candidate, the Bishop, the Commission, the Standing Committee, and the congregation or other community of faith.

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

b. Upon 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. A Candidate must remain in canonical relationship with the Diocese in which admission has been granted until ordination to the Diaconate under this Canon, except, 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. 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 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.

Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination

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. If 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. Formation 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. Subject areas for study during this program of preparation shall include:

h. Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding:

i. Each 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. The 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. Within 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.

Sec. 6. Ordination to the Diaconate for those called to the Priesthood

a. A Candidate must first be ordained Deacon before being ordained Priest.

b. To be ordained Deacon under this Canon, a person must be at least twenty-four years of age.

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

d. On the receipt of such certificates, the Standing Committee, a majority of all the members consenting, shall certify that the canonical requirements for ordination to the Diaconate under this Canon have been met and there is no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, 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 in conformity with Canon I.12.3.

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. The 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.

Sec. 7. Ordination to the Priesthood

a. A person may be ordained Priest:

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

c. On the receipt of such certificates, the Standing Committee, a majority of all the members consenting, shall certify that the canonical requirements for ordination to the Priesthood have been met and there is no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, 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 in conformity with Canon I.12.3.

To the Right Reverend ____________, Bishop of ____________ We, the Standing Committee of ____________, having been duly convened at ____________, do testify that A.B., desiring to be ordained to the Priesthood, has presented to us the certificates as required by the Canons indicating A.B.’s preparedness for ordination to the Priesthood have been met; and we certify that all canonical requirements for ordination to the Priesthood have been met, and we find no sufficient objection to ordination. Therefore, we recommend A.B. for ordination. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this ______ day of ____________, in the year of our Lord ______.

(Signed) ___________________________________

d. The testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on medical, psychological, moral, or spiritual grounds, the Bishop may ordain the Deacon to the Priesthood; and at the time of ordination the Deacon shall subscribe publicly and make, in the presence of the Bishop, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

e. No Deacon shall be ordained to the Priesthood until having been appointed to serve in a Parochial Cure within the jurisdiction of this Church, or as a Missionary under the Ecclesiastical Authority of a Diocese, or as an officer of a Missionary Society recognized by the General Convention, or as a Chaplain of the Armed Services of the United States, or as a Chaplain in a recognized hospital or other welfare institution, or as a Chaplain or instructor in a school, college, or other seminary, or with other opportunity for the exercise of the office of Priest within the Church judged appropriate by the Bishop.

f. A person ordained to the Diaconate under Canon III.6 who 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.

Sec. 1.

The Bishop and Commission shall require and provide for the continuing education of Priests and keep a record of such education.

Sec. 2.

Mentoring for Newly Ordained Priests Each newly ordained Priest, whether employed or not, shall be assigned a mentor Priest by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. The mentor and new Priest shall meet regularly for at least a year to provide guidance, information, and a sustained dialogue about priestly ministry.

Sec. 3. The Appointment of Priests

a. Rectors.

b. Priests-in-Charge.

After consultation with the Vestry, the Bishop may appoint a Priest to serve as Priest-in-Charge of any congregation in which there is no Rector. In such congregations, the Priest-in-Charge shall exercise the duties of Rector outlined in Canon III.9.6 subject to the authority of the Bishop.

c. Assistants.

A Priest serving as an assistant in a Parish, by whatever title designated, shall be selected by the Rector, and when required by the Canons of the Diocese, subject to the approval of the Vestry, and shall serve under the authority and direction of the Rector. Before the selection of an assistant the name of the Priest proposed for selection shall be made known to the Bishop and a time, not exceeding sixty days, given for the Bishop to communicate with the Rector and Vestry on the proposed selection. 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,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.

Sec. 4. Letters Dimissory

a. A Priest desiring to become canonically resident within a Diocese shall present to the Ecclesiastical Authority a testimonial from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese of current canonical residence, which testimonial shall be given by the Ecclesiastical Authority to the applicant, and a duplicate thereof may be sent to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese to which transfer is proposed. The testimonial shall be accompanied by a statement of the record of payments to The Church Pension Fund by or on behalf of the Priest concerned and 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. Such a testimonial shall be called Letters Dimissory. If the Ecclesiastical Authority accepts the Letters Dimissory, the canonical residence of the Priest transferred shall date from such acceptance, and prompt notice of acceptance shall be given to the applicant and to the Ecclesiastical Authority issuing the Letters Dimissory.

c. Letters Dimissory not presented within six months of their date of receipt by the applicant shall become void.

d. If a Priest has been called to a Cure in a congregation in another Diocese, the Priest shall present Letters Dimissory. The Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese shall accept Letters Dimissory within three months of their receipt unless the Bishop or Standing Committee has received credible information concerning the character or behavior of the Priest concerned which would form grounds for canonical inquiry and 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. A Priest shall not be in charge of any congregation in the Diocese to which the person moves until obtaining from the Ecclesiastical Authority of that Diocese a certificate in the following form:

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

(Date)     ___________________________________

(Signed) ___________________________________

f. No person who has been refused ordination or reception as a Candidate in any Diocese, and is thereafter ordained in another Diocese, shall be transferred to the Diocese in which such refusal has occurred without the consent of its Ecclesiastical Authority.

Sec. 5. Transfer to Churches in Full Communion with This Church

a. A 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. This 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.

Sec. 6. Rectors and Priests-in-Charge and Their Duties

a.

b.

c.

Sec. 7. Licenses

a. No Priest shall preach, minister the Sacraments, or hold any public service, within the limits of any Diocese other than the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident for more than two months without a license from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Priest desires to so officiate. No Priest shall be denied such a license on account of the Priest’s race, color, ethnic origin, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age, except as otherwise provided in these Canons. Upon expiration or withdrawal of a license, a priest shall cease immediately to officiate.

b. No Priest shall preach, read prayers in public worship, or perform any similar function, in a congregation without the consent of the Rector or Priest-in-Charge of that congregation, except as follows:

c. No Rector or Priest-in-Charge of any congregation of this Church, or if there be none, no Wardens, Members of the Vestry, or Trustees of any congregation, shall permit any person to officiate in the congregation without sufficient evidence that such person is duly licensed and ordained and in good standing in this Church; provided, nothing in these Canons shall prevent:

d. If 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. Any 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.

Sec. 8. Resignation

On reaching the age of seventy-two years, a Priest shall resign from all positions in this Church, and the resignation shall be accepted. Thereafter, the Priest may accept any position in this Church, including, with the permission of the Ecclesiastical Authority, the position or positions from which resignation pursuant to this Section has occurred; provided,

a. tenure in the position shall be for a 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.

Sec. 9. Release and Removal from the Ordained Ministry of this Church

If any Priest of The Episcopal Church shall express, in writing, to the Bishop of the Diocese in which such Priest is canonically resident, an intention to be released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church and from the obligations attendant thereto, including those promises made at Ordination in the Declaration required by Article VIII of the Constitution of the General Convention, it shall be the duty of the Bishop to record the matter. The Bishop, being satisfied that the person so declaring is acting voluntarily and for causes, which do not affect the person’s moral character, and is neither the subject of information concerning an Offense that has been referred to an Intake Officer nor a Respondent in a pending disciplinary matter as defined in Title IV of these Canons, shall lay the matter before the Standing Committee, and with the advice and consent of a majority of the Standing Committee the Bishop may pronounce that the person is released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church and from the obligations attendant thereto, and is deprived of the right to exercise in The Episcopal Church the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordination. The Bishop shall also declare in pronouncing and recording such action that it was for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and shall, at the person’s request, give a certificate to this effect to the person so removed and released from the ordained Ministry.

Sec. 10.

A Priest who could under this Canon be released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church, and who desires to enter into other than ecclesiastical employment, may express in writing to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident a desire to be released and removed from the obligations of the office and a desire to be released and removed from the exercise of the office of Priest. Upon receipt of such writing, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall proceed in the same manner as prescribed in Section 8 of this Canon.

Sec. 11.

If a Priest submitting the writing described in Section 8 or 9 of this Canon be the subject of information concerning an Offense that has been referred to an Intake Officer or a Respondent in a pending disciplinary matter as defined in Title IV of these Canons, the Ecclesiastical Authority to whom such writing is submitted shall not consider or act upon the written request unless and the disciplinary matter shall have been resolved by a dismissal, Accord, or Order and the time for appeal or rescission of such has expired.

Sec. 12.

In the case of the release and removal of a Priest from the ordained Ministry of this Church as provided in this Canon, a declaration of release and removal shall be pronounced by the Bishop in the presence of two or more Priests, and shall be entered in the official records of the Diocese in which the Priest being released and removed is canonically resident. The Bishop who pronounces the declaration of release and removal as provided in this Canon shall give notice thereof in writing to every Member of the Clergy, each Vestry, the Secretary of the Convention and the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the Priest was canonically resident; and to all Bishops of this Church, the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese of this Church, the Presiding Bishop, the Recorder of Ordinations, the Secretary of the House of Bishops, the Secretary of the House of Deputies, the Church Pension Fund, and the Board for Transition Ministry.

Sec. 13. Return to the Ordained Ministry of this Church after Release and Removal.

a. When 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.

Sec. 14. Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Pastoral Relation

When the pastoral relationship in a parish between a Rector and the Vestry or Congregation is imperiled by disagreement or dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by a majority vote of the Vestry or the Rector, either party may petition the Ecclesiastical Authority, in writing, to intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement. The written petition shall include sufficient information to inform the Ecclesiastical Authority and the parties involved of the nature, causes, and specifics of the disagreements or dissension imperiling the pastoral relationship. The Ecclesiastical Authority shall initiate such proceedings as are deemed appropriate under the circumstances for that purpose by the Ecclesiastical Authority, which may include the appointment of a consultant or licensed mediator. The parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Ecclesiastical Authority, shall labor in good faith that the parties may be reconciled. Whenever the Standing Committee is the Ecclesiastical Authority, it shall request the Bishop of a neighboring Diocese to perform the duties of the Ecclesiastical Authority under this Canon.

Sec. 15. Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation

a. Except 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. If 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. Within 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. If 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. In 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. Statements 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. Sections 14 or 15 of this Canon shall not apply in any Diocese whose Canons are otherwise consistent with Canon III.9.

Sec. 1.

Prior to reception or ordination of a priest or deacon, the following must be provided:

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

b. medical 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 training regarding

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

e. Prior 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.

Sec. 2. Clergy Ordained by Bishops of Churches in Communion with This Church

a.

b. A 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. Following 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.

Sec. 3. Clergy Ordained by Bishops in Churches in the Historic Succession but Not in Full Communion with This Church

a. When 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. If 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. Prior 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. Before 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. Thereafter 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. In 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. In 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. No 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. Following 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.

Sec. 4. Clergy Ordained in Churches Not in the Historic Succession

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. The 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. 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.

Sec. 5. Reception into this Church of a Bishop of a Church or Province in the Anglican Communion.

a. 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, 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. A Bishop seeking to be received into The Episcopal Church shall provide to the Presiding Bishop the following:

d. Upon 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. The Standing Committee’s Testimonial shall conform to Canon I.12.3

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.

Sec. 1.

a. 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. In 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. The 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.

Sec. 2.

A Bishop Diocesan, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, may call for a special meeting of the Convention of the Diocese, to be held no earlier than six months prior to the effective date of the Bishop Diocesan’s resignation, to elect a successor; provided that if the Convention is to meet in regular session meanwhile, it may hold the election during the regular session. The proceedings incident to preparation for the ordination of the successor shall be as provided in this Canon; but the Presiding Bishop shall not take order for the ordination to be on any date prior to that upon which the resignation is to become effective.

Sec. 3.

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:

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) ___________________________________

The 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. Evidence 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, in conformity with Canon I.12.3:

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) ___________________________________

Sec. 4.

In case a majority of all the Standing Committees of the Dioceses do not consent to the ordination of the Bishop-elect within one hundred and twenty days from the date of the notification of the election by the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop was elected, or in case a majority of all the Bishops exercising jurisdiction do not consent within one hundred and twenty days from the date of notification to them by the Presiding Bishop of the election, the Presiding Bishop shall declare the election null and void and shall give notice to the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop was elected and to the Bishop-elect. The Convention of the Diocese may then proceed to a new election.

Sec. 5.

Upon receipt of the consents and assurance of the acceptance of the election by the Bishop-elect, the Presiding Bishop shall take order for the ordination of the Bishop-elect either by the Presiding Bishop or the President of the House of Bishops of the Province of which the Diocese for which the Bishop was elected is part, and two other Bishops of this Church, or by any three Bishops to whom the Presiding Bishop may communicate the testimonials.

Sec. 6.

In all particulars the service at the ordination of a Bishop shall be under the direction of the Bishop presiding at the ordination.

Sec. 7.

No person shall be ordained Bishop unless the person shall at the time, and in the presence of the ordaining Bishops and congregation, subscribe to and make the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

Sec. 8.

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. At its sole discretion, the Court may use an investigator of its choosing. The 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. The Court may provide for a pastoral response to any affected parties, as it deems appropriate. Within 60 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.

Sec. 9. Other Bishops

a. Bishops Coadjutor

b. Bishops Suffragan

c. Missionary Bishop

Sec. 1. Formation

Following election or reception and continuing for three years following ordination or reception, new Bishops and Bishops received into this Church shall pursue the process of formation authorized by the House of Bishops. This process of formation shall provide a mentor for each newly ordained and received Bishop.

Sec. 2. Continuing Education

The House of Bishops shall require and provide for the continuing education of Bishops and shall keep a record of such education.

Sec. 3. Duties

a. In dioceses where the bishop exercising ecclesiastical authority (or, where applicable, ecclesiastical supervision) holds a theological position that does not embrace marriage for same-sex couples, and there is a desire to use such rites by same-sex couples in a congregation or other community of faith, the bishop exercising ecclesiastical authority (or ecclesiastical supervision) will invite another bishop of this Church to provide pastoral support to the couple, the Member of the Clergy involved and the congregation or other community of faith.

b. A 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.

Sec. 4. Residency

a. Each Bishop serving in a Diocese shall maintain a residence in that Diocese, except with the consent of the Standing Committee of that Diocese.

b. The Bishop Diocesan shall not be absent from the Diocese for a period of more than three consecutive months without the consent of the Convention or the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

c. A Bishop Diocesan, whenever leaving the Diocese for six consecutive months or more, shall authorize in writing, under hand and seal, the Bishop Coadjutor, the Bishop Suffragan if the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese so provide, or, should there be none, the Standing Committee of the Diocese, to act as the Ecclesiastical Authority thereof during the absence. The Bishop Coadjutor, or the Bishop Suffragan if the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese so provide, or, should there be none, the Standing Committee may at any time serve as the Ecclesiastical Authority upon the written request of the Bishop and continue to act as such until the request is revoked by the Bishop Diocesan in writing.

d. A vacancy in the episcopate shall be deemed to exist on the occurrence of any of the following:

Sec. 5. Assistant Bishops

a. When a Diocese, in the opinion of its Bishop Diocesan, requires additional episcopal services, the Bishop Diocesan may, with the consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, ask the Convention of the Diocese to approve the creation of the position of Assistant Bishop and to authorize the Bishop Diocesan to appoint a Bishop for the position. If the Convention approves the creation of the position, the Bishop Diocesan may proceed to appoint a Bishop meeting the qualifications set forth in a Letter of Agreement approved by the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

b. An Assistant Bishop may be appointed from among the following:

c. Before an Assistant Bishop so appointed begins service in this position, the Bishop Diocesan making the appointment shall give certified evidence of the appointment to the Secretary of the House of Bishops and shall transmit notice of the appointment to the Presiding Bishop and to the Ecclesiastical Authority of every Diocese.

d. An Assistant Bishop shall serve at the discretion, and under the control and direction of, the Bishop Diocesan.

e. No person may serve as an Assistant Bishop of a Diocese beyond the termination of the jurisdiction of the appointing Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese or after attaining the age of seventy-two years, unless the Standing Committee and eventually, the succeeding Bishop Diocesan decide otherwise, and under the terms of a new Letter of Agreement renewable every twelve months.

Sec. 6. Missionary Bishops

a. Any Bishop or Bishops elected and consecrated as a Missionary Bishop shall be entitled to a seat, voice and vote in the House of Bishops, and shall be eligible for election to the office of Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan in any organized Diocese within the United States; provided that such Bishop shall not be so eligible within five years from the date of consecration, except to the office of Bishop of Diocese formed in whole or in part out of such Missionary Diocese.

b. In the case of the permanent impairment of the Bishop of a Missionary Diocese, where the said Bishop shall not have submitted a resignation of jurisdiction, the Presiding Bishop shall, upon certification of the said permanent impairment by at least three reputable physicians, declare the jurisdiction vacant.

c. When the Bishop of a Missionary Diocese is unable, by reason of age or other permanent cause of impairment, fully to discharge the duties of office, a Bishop Coadjutor may be elected by the said Diocese, subject to the provisions of Canon III.11.9.a.

Sec. 7. Transfer to Churches in Full Communion with this Church

a. A Bishop desiring to become canonically resident within another member church, Province or equivalent jurisdiction of a Church in Full Communion (as identified in Canon I.20) or Church in Communion with this Church (as identified by Canon III.10.2.a.3) shall request a testimonial from the Presiding Bishop, which testimonial, with the advice and consent of a majority of the members of the Advisory Council to the Presiding Bishop, shall be given by the Presiding Bishop to the applicant, and a duplicate thereof may be sent to the Presiding Bishop or Primate of the member church, Province 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 member church, Province, 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 Bishop 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 Presiding Bishop or Primate of the member church, Province or equivalent jurisdiction of the Church in Full Communion or Church in Communion with this Church accepts the testimonial, the canonical residence of the Bishop transferred shall date from such acceptance, and notice of acceptance shall be promptly forwarded by the Presiding Bishop or Primate to the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. 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 Bishop in good standing.

(Date) ___________________________

(Signed) _________________________

c. Upon receipt of said acceptance, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church shall notify the Church Pension Fund and the Recorder of Ordinations of the Bishop’s departure from The Episcopal Church.

d. This provision shall not be used for Bishops who seek to enter Churches Not in Communion with this Church or for those who seek transfer to another member Church or Province of the Anglican Communion while remaining geographically within the boundaries of The Episcopal Church. In such cases the provisions of Canon III.12.8 shall be followed.

Sec. 8. Release and Removal from the Ordained Ministry of this Church

a. If any Bishop of The Episcopal Church shall express, in writing, to the Presiding Bishop, an intention to be released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church and from the obligations attendant thereto, including those promises made at Ordination in the Declaration required by Article VIII of the Constitution of the General Convention, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Bishop to record the matter. The Presiding Bishop, being satisfied that the person so declaring is acting voluntarily and for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and is neither the subject of information concerning an Offense that has been referred to an Intake Officer nor a Respondent in a pending disciplinary matter as defined in Title IV of these Canons, shall lay the matter before the Advisory Council to the Presiding Bishop, and with the advice and consent of a majority of the members of the Advisory Council, the Presiding Bishop may pronounce that person is released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church and from the obligations attendant thereto, and is deprived of the right to exercise in The Episcopal Church the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordinations. The Presiding Bishop shall also declare in pronouncing and recording such action that it was for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and shall, at the person’s request, give a certificate to this effect to the person so released and removed from the ordained Ministry.

b. If a Bishop submitting the writing described in Section 8.a of this Canon be the subject of information concerning an Offense that has been referred to an Intake Officer or a Respondent in a pending disciplinary matter as defined in Title IV of these Canons, the Presiding Bishop shall not consider or act upon the written request unless and until the disciplinary matter shall have been resolved by a dismissal, Accord, or Order and the time for appeal or rescission of such has expired.

c. In the case of the release and removal of a Bishop from the ordained Ministry of the Church as provided in this Canon, a declaration of release and removal shall be pronounced by the Presiding Bishop in the presence of two or more Bishops, and shall be entered in the official records of the House of Bishops and of the Diocese in which the Bishop being removed and released is canonically resident. The Presiding Bishop shall give notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Convention and the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the Bishop was canonically resident, to all Bishops of this Church, the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese of this Church, the Recorder, the Secretary of the House of Bishops, the Secretary of the General Convention, The Archives of The Episcopal Church, The Church Pension Fund, and the Board for Transition Ministry.

Sec. 9. Return to the Ordained Ministry of this Church after Release and Removal

a. When a Bishop who has been released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church under Canon III.12.8 desires to return to that Ministry, the person shall apply in writing to the Presiding Bishop, attaching the following:

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

c. Before the Bishop may be permitted to return to the ordained Ministry of this Church, the Presiding Bishop shall require the Bishop 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 Presiding Bishop and two or more Bishops of this Church.

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

e. Notice of the Bishop’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.12.8.c.

f. The provisions of this Canon III.12.9 shall not be applicable to any Bishop who has been removed, released, or deposed from their ministry as the result of any proceeding of Title IV of these Canons.

Sec. 10. The Resignation or Incapacity of Bishops

a. Each Bishop, upon attaining the age of seventy-two years, shall resign as required by Article II, Sec. 9 of the Constitution. The resignation shall be sent to the Presiding Bishop, who shall immediately communicate it to every Bishop of this Church exercising jurisdiction and shall declare the resignation accepted, effective at a designated date not later than three months from the date the resignation was tendered.

b. The Presiding Bishop shall communicate to the resigning Bishop the acceptance of the resignation effective as of the date fixed. In the case of a Bishop Diocesan or Bishop Coadjutor, the Presiding Bishop shall certify the resignation to the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned, and in the case of other Bishops, to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese concerned. The Presiding Bishop shall also order the Secretary of the House of Bishops to record the resignation, effective as of the date fixed, to be incorporated in the Journal of the House.

c. In the case of the release and removal of a Bishop from the ordained Ministry of this Church as provided in this Canon, a declaration of removal and release shall be pronounced by the Presiding Bishop in the presence of two or more Bishops, and shall be entered in the official records of the House of Bishops and of the Diocese in which the Bishop being removed and released is canonically resident. The Presiding Bishop shall give notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Convention and the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the Bishop was canonically resident, to all Bishops of the Church, the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese of this Church, the Recorder, the Secretary of the House of Bishops, the Secretary of the General Convention, The Church Pension Fund, and the Board for Transition Ministry.

d. Any Bishop who desires to resign shall send the resignation with the reasons therefore in writing to the Presiding Bishop at least thirty days before the date set for a meeting of the House of Bishops. The Presiding Bishop shall notify without delay every Bishop of this Church, and the Standing Committee of the Diocese of the Bishop desiring to resign, in order that the Standing Committee may be heard on behalf of the Diocese, either in person or by correspondence, upon the subject. The House during its session shall accept or refuse the resignation by a majority of those present.

e. If a resignation has been tendered more than three months before a meeting of the House of Bishops, the Presiding Bishop shall communicate it, together with any statement from the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned, to every Bishop of this Church. If a majority of the Bishops consents to the resignation, the Presiding Bishop, without delay, shall notify the resigning Bishop and the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned of the acceptance of the resignation, effective as of the date fixed. The Presiding Bishop shall also order the Secretary of the House of Bishops to record the resignation, effective as of the date fixed, to be incorporated in the Journal of the House.

f. At each meeting of the General Convention, the Presiding Bishop shall communicate to the House of Deputies, when in session, a list of the resignations which have been accepted since the preceding meeting of the General Convention.

g. A resigned Bishop shall be subject in all matters to the Constitution and Canons of this Church and to the authority of the General Convention.

h. A resigned Bishop may only perform any episcopal act at the request of or with the permission of the Bishop Diocesan within that Bishop’s Diocese. A resigned Bishop may, by vote of the Convention of any Diocese and with the consent of the Bishop of that Diocese, be given an honorary seat in the Convention, with voice but without vote, or be given an honorary seat in the Cathedral of any Diocese, by and subject to the authority competent to grant such seat. The resigned Bishop shall report all official acts to the Bishop Diocesan and to the Diocese in which the acts are performed. These provisions shall also be applicable to a resigned Bishop of another Church in full communion with this Church, subject to the approval of competent authority within the other Church, where such approval may be required.

i. A resigned Bishop may, at the discretion of the Bishop of the Diocese in which the resigned Bishop resides, and upon presentation of Letters Dimissory from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the resigned Bishop has had canonical residence most recently, be enrolled among the Clergy of the new Diocese, and become subject to its Constitution and Canons including being given a seat and vote in the Diocesan Convention, in accordance with its canonical provisions for qualification of clergy members.

j. When a resigned Bishop accepts a pastoral charge or other ministerial post within a Diocese, the Bishop Diocesan shall process the Letters Dimissory, and the resigned Bishop shall be enrolled among the Clergy of the Diocese and be given seat and vote in the Diocesan Convention in accordance with the canonical provisions of the Diocese for qualification of clergy members, and subject to the provisions of paragraph o. of this section.

k. A resigned Bishop may, with the approval of the Bishop of the Diocese in which the resigned Bishop resides, accept a pastoral charge in that Diocese, and, subject to the Diocese’s canonical provisions for the filling of vacancies, may accept election as the Rector of a Parish therein.

l. A resigned Bishop may accept an appointment by a Bishop Diocesan to any position created under the authority of the Diocesan Convention, including that of Assisting Bishop, and may, at the same time, occupy a pastoral charge; provided, however, that a resigned Bishop over the age of seventy-two may accept the appointment only for a term not to exceed twelve months, and this term may be renewed.

m. Assisting Bishops are those bishops whose primary roles are teaching, preaching or providing sacramental rites at the invitation of the Ecclesiastical Authority of the diocese where the Assisting Bishop has been invited to participate for particular times and places.

n. Enrollment among the Clergy of, or acceptance of any position within, a Diocese shall not deprive a resigned Bishop of the seat and vote in the House of Bishops to which the Bishop may be entitled under Article I, Sec. 2 of the Constitution.

o. The provisions of this section shall be applicable to a resigned Bishop who continues to reside within the limits of the resigned Bishop’s former Diocese, except that the resigned Bishop shall not have the right to vote in the Diocesan Convention, unless the Canons of the Diocese specifically so provide.

Sec. 11. Impairment

When any of (i) a Bishop of a Diocese, including a Bishop Diocesan, a Bishop Coadjutor or a Bishop Suffragan of that Diocese, (ii) a two-thirds majority of all of the members of the Standing Committee of a Diocese, (iii) a two-thirds majority of a Diocese’s Convention, or (iv) at least five Bishops conclude that a Bishop of the aforementioned Diocese is seriously impaired, either physically, psychologically, or emotionally, and that the impairment is causing substantial harm, or presents a significant risk of causing substantial harm, to the Bishop in question, his or her family, the Diocese, the Church, or any other person or community, the person or body reaching that conclusion may petition the Presiding Bishop, in writing, to intervene and assist in the matter. The written petition shall include sufficient information to inform the Presiding Bishop and the parties involved of the specifics of the purported impairment. The Presiding Bishop shall initiate such efforts as are appropriate under the circumstances to attempt to ascertain the nature and severity of any impairment and to address any such impairment, which efforts may include, but are not limited to, the appointment of medical and other professionals, consultants or mediators, as well as the issuance of Pastoral Directions.

Sec. 12. Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Pastoral Relation between a Bishop and Diocese

When the pastoral relationship between a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan and the Diocese is imperiled by disagreement or dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by a Bishop of that Diocese or a two-thirds majority vote of all of the members of the Standing Committee or a two-thirds majority vote of all the members of the Diocesan Convention, any party may petition the Presiding Bishop, in writing, to intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement or dissension. The written petition shall include sufficient information to inform the Presiding Bishop and the parties involved of the nature, causes, and specifics of the disagreements or dissension imperiling the pastoral relationship. The Presiding Bishop shall initiate such proceedings as are deemed appropriate under the circumstances to attempt to reconcile the parties, which may include the appointment of a consultant or licensed mediator, and shall include appropriate pastoral care for all affected parties and individuals. The parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Presiding Bishop, shall labor in good faith toward that reconciliation. If such proceedings lead to reconciliation, said reconciliation shall contain definitions of responsibility and accountability for the Bishop and the Diocese. In the event reconciliation has not been achieved within nine months from the date of the Presiding Bishop’s initial receipt of communication from the Diocese, the parties to the disagreement shall meet and decide whether or not to continue attempting to reconcile under this Section or to end proceedings under this Section. If the parties do not agree, proceedings under this Section shall end. The parties shall notify the Presiding Bishop of their decision in writing. If the parties agree to continue attempting to reconcile, either party may end the further proceedings at any time by written notification to the Presiding Bishop and the other party.

Sec. 13. Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Collegial Relation between Bishops in the Same Diocese

When the collegial relationship between a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Coadjutor, or Bishop Suffragan is imperiled by disagreement or dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by a Bishop of that Diocese or a two-thirds majority vote of all of the members of the Standing Committee or a two-thirds majority vote of the Diocesan Convention, any party may petition the Presiding Bishop, in writing, to intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement or dissension. The written petition shall include sufficient information to inform the Presiding Bishop and the parties involved of the nature, causes, and specifics of the disagreements or dissension imperiling the collegial relationship. The Presiding Bishop shall initiate such proceedings as are deemed appropriate under the circumstances to attempt to reconcile the parties, which may include the appointment of a consultant or licensed mediator. The parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Presiding Bishop, shall labor in good faith toward that reconciliation. If such proceedings lead to reconciliation, said reconciliation shall contain definitions of responsibility and accountability for the Bishops and the Diocese.

Sec. 14. Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation between a Bishop and Diocese

a. If for any urgent reason a Bishop or two-thirds majority of all the members of the Standing Committee or a two-thirds majority vote of Diocesan Convention, based on a vote in a duly-called meeting, desires a dissolution of the pastoral relationship, and the parties cannot agree, any party may give notice in writing to the Presiding Bishop with a copy available to the Bishop and also to the Standing Committee if the decision comes from the Diocesan Convention. Such notice shall include sufficient information to inform the Presiding Bishop 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, a separate report from the mediator or consultant will be submitted to the Presiding Bishop with copies available to the Bishop and Standing Committee.

b. Within thirty days of receipt of the written notice, the Presiding Bishop may initiate further mediation and reconciliation processes between the Bishop and Standing Committee in every way which the Presiding Bishop deems proper.

c. If the differences between the parties are not resolved after completion of mediation or other reconciliation efforts or actions prescribed by the Presiding Bishop, the matter shall proceed as follows:

Sec. 1.

A Diocese without a Bishop may, by an act of its Convention, and in consultation with the Presiding Bishop, be placed under the provisional charge and authority of a Bishop of another Diocese, or of a resigned Bishop, or of a Bishop who has been received into this Church under Canon III.10.5, who shall by that act be authorized to exercise all the duties and offices of the Bishop of the Diocese until a Bishop is elected and ordained for that Diocese or until the act of the Convention is revoked.

Sec. 2.

Any Bishop may, on the invitation of the Convention or of the Standing Committee of any Diocese where there is no Bishop, visit and exercise episcopal offices in that Diocese or any part of it. This invitation may include a letter of agreement, shall be for a stated period and may be revoked at any time.

Sec. 3.

A Diocese, while under the provisional charge of a Bishop, shall not invite any other Bishop to visit and exercise episcopal acts or authority without the consent of the Bishop in charge.

Sec. 1.

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. To 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. The Standing Committee on Religious Communities will keep the official list of recognized Religious Orders.

c. Each 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. Any 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. A 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. The 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. It 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.

Sec. 2.

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. To 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. The Standing Committee on Religious Communities will keep the official list of recognized Christian Communities.

c. Each 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. Any 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. Each 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. The 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. It 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.

Sec. 3.

Any Bishop receiving vows of an individual not a member of a Religious Order or other Christian Community, using the form for “Setting Apart for a Special Vocation” in the Book of Occasional Services , or a similar rite, shall record the following information with the Standing Committee on Religious Communities of the House of Bishops: the name of the person making vows; the date of the service; the nature and contents of the vows made, whether temporary or permanent; and any other pastoral considerations as shall be deemed necessary.

Sec. 1.

There shall be a General Board of Examining Chaplains, consisting of four Bishops, six Priests with pastoral cures or in specialized ministries, six members of accredited Seminary faculties or of other educational institutions, and six Lay Persons. The members of the Board shall be elected by the House of Bishops and confirmed by the House of Deputies, one-half of the members in each of the foregoing categories being elected and confirmed at each regular meeting of the General Convention for a term of two Convention periods. They shall take office at the adjournment of the meeting of the General Convention at which their elections are confirmed, and shall serve until the adjournment of the second regular meeting thereafter. No member shall serve more than 12 years consecutively. Additionally, the Presiding Bishop, in consultation with the Chair of the Board, may appoint up to four other members for a term. The House of Bishops, at any special meeting that may be held prior to the next meeting of the General Convention, shall fill for the unexpired portion of the term any vacancy that may have arisen in the interim. The Board shall elect its own Chair and Secretary, and shall have the power to constitute committees necessary for the carrying on of its work.

Sec. 2.

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.

Sec. 3.

The General Board of Examining Chaplains may prepare, in each Convention period, guidelines based upon the subjects contained in Canon III.8.5.g, which guidelines shall be available to all persons concerned.

Sec. 4.

The General Board of Examining Chaplains shall promptly report, in writing, to the Candidate, to the Candidate’s Bishop and to the Dean of the Seminary the Candidate is attending, the results of all examinations held by them, together with the examinations themselves, whether satisfactory or unsatisfactory, making separate reports upon each person examined. The Bishop shall transmit these reports to the Standing Committee and to the Commission. Notwithstanding the results of the examinations, in no case shall the Standing Committee recommend a Candidate for Ordination under Canon III.8 until the Standing Committee has received from the Commission on Ministry a certificate to the effect that the Candidate has demonstrated a proficiency in all subjects required by Canon III.8.5.g and h.

The report of the Board shall be made in the following form:

To ____________ (Candidate), the Right Reverend ____________, Bishop of ____________ (or in the absence of the Bishop the Standing Committee of) ____________: (Place) ____________ (Date) ____________ To the Dean of (Place) ____________ (Date) ____________ We, having been assigned as examiners of A.B., hereby testify that we have examined A.B. upon the subject matter prescribed in Canon III.8. Sensible of our responsibility, we give our judgment as follows: (Here specify the proficiency of A.B. in the subject matter appointed, or any deficiency therein, as made apparent by the examination.

(Signed) ___________________________________

Sec. 5.

The General Board of Examining Chaplains shall make a report concerning its work to each regular meeting of the General Convention, and in years between meetings of the General Convention shall make a report to the House of Bishops.

Sec. 1.

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. The 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. The 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. Vacancies 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.

Sec. 2.

The duties of the Board shall be:

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.

By virtue of Baptism, all members of the Church are called to holiness of life and accountability to one another. The Church and each Diocese shall support their members in their life in Christ and seek to resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected. This Title applies to Members of the Clergy, who have by their vows at ordination accepted additional responsibilities and accountabilities for doctrine, discipline, worship and obedience.

Except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this Title the following terms and phrases shall have the following meanings:

Accord shall mean a written resolution, which is negotiated and agreed among the parties resulting from an agreement for discipline under Canon IV.9, conciliation under Canon IV.10 or a Conference Panel proceeding under Canon IV.12. All Accords shall meet the requirements of Canon IV.14.

Administrative Leave shall mean a restriction on ministry in which the exercise of the Respondent’s ministry is suspended in its entirety during the period of the Administrative Leave and may include suspension from any ecclesiastical and related secular office.

Advisor shall mean a person familiar with the provisions and objectives of this Title who is designated to support, assist, consult with, advise and, where expressly so authorized under this Title, speak for a Complainant or Respondent in any matter of discipline under this Title, as provided in Canon IV.19.10.

Church Attorney shall mean one or more attorneys selected pursuant to Diocesan Canons to represent the Church in proceedings as provided in this Title. The Diocesan Canons may provide a process for the removal of a Church Attorney for cause. A Church Attorney shall perform all functions on behalf of the Church necessary to advance proceedings under this Title. In representing the Church, a Church Attorney may consult with the president of the Disciplinary Board at any time after the matter has been referred out of the Reference Panel, and, when the prosecution of the case may impact the mission, life, or ministry of the Church, with the Bishop Diocesan.

Clear and Convincing shall mean proof sufficient to convince ordinarily prudent people that there is a high probability that what is claimed actually happened. More than a preponderance of the evidence is required but not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Community shall mean that part of the Church in which a Member of the Clergy performs his or her ministry, such as a Diocese, Parish, Mission, school, seminary, hospital, camp or any similar institution.

Complainant shall mean (a) any person or persons from whom the Intake Officer receives information concerning an alleged Offense and who, upon consent of that person(s), is designated a Complainant by the Intake Officer or (b) any Injured Person designated by the Bishop Diocesan who, in the Bishop Diocesan’s discretion, should be afforded the status of a Complainant, provided, however, that any Injured Person so designated may decline such designation.

Conciliator shall mean a person appointed to seek the resolution of a matter under Canon IV.10.

Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy shall mean any disorder or neglect that prejudices the reputation, good order and discipline of the Church, or any conduct of a nature to bring material discredit upon the Church or the Holy Orders conferred by the Church.

Conference Panel shall mean a panel of one or more members of the Disciplinary Board selected by the president of the board, unless some other manner of selection is provided by Diocesan Canon, to serve as the body before which an informal conference is held as provided in Canon IV.12, provided, however, that no such member of the Conference Panel may serve as a member of the Hearing Panel in the same case. The president of the Disciplinary Board shall be ineligible to serve on the Conference Panel. If the Conference Panel consists of more than one member, it shall include both clergy and lay members.

Court of Review shall mean a court organized and existing as provided in Canon IV.5.4 to serve as the body which performs the duties prescribed in Canon IV.15.

Disciplinary Board shall mean the body provided for in Canon IV.5.1.

Discipline of the Church shall be found in the Constitution, the Canons and the Rubrics and the Ordinal of the Book of Common Prayer.

Doctrine shall mean the basic and essential teachings of the Church and is to be found in the Canon of Holy Scripture as understood in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds and in the sacramental rites, the Ordinal and Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer.

Hearing Panel shall mean a panel of three or more members of the Disciplinary Board and shall include both clergy and lay members selected by the president of the Board, unless some other manner of selection is provided by Diocesan Canon, to serve as the body before which a hearing is held as provided in Canon IV.13, provided, however, that no such member of the Hearing Panel may serve as a member of the Conference Panel in the same case. The president of the Disciplinary Board shall be ineligible to serve on the Hearing Panel.

Injured Person shall mean a person, group or Community who has been, is or may be affected by an Offense.

Intake Officer means one or more persons designated by the Bishop Diocesan after consultation with the Disciplinary Board, unless otherwise selected pursuant to diocesan canons, to whom information regarding Offenses is reported. The following individuals may not serve as an Intake Officer: (a) any Bishop; (b) any member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese where the matter is pending. Every Diocese must have at least one Intake Officer who has no direct employment or compensation relationship with the Diocese where the matter is pending.

Investigator shall mean a person having (a) sufficient knowledge, skill, experience and training to conduct investigations under this Title and (b) familiarity with the provisions and objectives of this Title.

Member of the Clergy shall mean Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Church.

Offense shall mean any act or omission for which a Member of the Clergy may be held accountable under Canons IV.3 or IV.4.

Order shall mean a written decision of a Conference Panel or a Hearing Panel which is issued with or without the Respondent’s consent. All Orders shall meet the requirements of Canon IV.14.

Pastoral Direction shall mean a written direction given by a Bishop to a Member of the Clergy which meets the requirements of Canon IV.7.

Pastoral Relationship shall mean any relationship between a Member of the Clergy and any person to whom the Member of the Clergy provides or has provided counseling, pastoral care, spiritual direction or spiritual guidance, or from whom such Member of the Clergy has received information within the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent.

Pastoral Response means a response offered by the Bishop Diocesan that embodies respect, care, and concern for affected persons and Communities. The response must be designed so as to promote healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected. A pastoral response may conclude a matter under this Title in lieu of or in conjunction with disciplinary action. A pastoral response may also conclude a matter under this Title through a Restorative Covenant.

Privileged Communication shall mean any communication or disclosure made in confidence and with an expectation of privacy (a) within the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent; (b) between a client and the client’s attorney; (c) between a Respondent and an Advisor or a Complainant and an Advisor; (d) between persons in a relationship in which communications are protected by secular law or Diocesan Canons; or (e) between and among a Conciliator and participants in a conciliation under Canon IV.10.

Reference Panel shall mean a panel composed of the Intake Officer, the Bishop Diocesan and the president of the Disciplinary Board to serve as the body which performs the duties prescribed in Canons IV.6 and IV.11.

Respondent shall mean any Member of the Clergy (a) who is the subject of a matter referred for conciliation or to the Conference Panel or to the Hearing Panel; (b) whose ministry has been restricted; (c) who has been placed on Administrative Leave; (d) who is the subject of an investigation and is asked by an investigator or by the Bishop Diocesan to provide information or to make a statement; (e) who agreed with the Bishop Diocesan regarding terms of discipline pursuant to Canon IV.9; or (f) any Member of the Clergy who requests a review pursuant to Canon IV.19.31.

Restorative Covenant means an agreement between one or more Complainant(s) and/or Injured Person(s) and a subject Member of the Clergy that results from a facilitated conversation patterned after Canon IV.10.1, 2, and 4, that resolves the issues in a matter pending under this Title, and to which the Reference Panel has consented.

Sentence shall mean the pronouncement of discipline of a Member of the Clergy pursuant to an Accord or Order in the form of (a) admonition, in which the conduct of such Member of the Clergy is publicly and formally censured or reprimanded, or (b) suspension, in which such Member of the Clergy is required to refrain temporarily from the exercise of the gifts of ministry conferred by ordination, or (c) deposition, in which such Member of the Clergy is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority of God’s word and sacraments conferred at ordination.

Sexual Abuse shall mean any Sexual Behavior at the request of, acquiesced to or by a person eighteen years of age or older and a person under eighteen years of age, in high school or legally incompetent.

Sexual Behavior shall mean any physical contact, bodily movement, speech, communication or other activity sexual in nature or that is intended to arouse or gratify erotic interest or sexual desires.

Sexual Misconduct Sexual Misconduct shall mean (a) Sexual Abuse, (b) Sexual Behavior engaged in by the Member of the Clergy with a person for whom the Sexual Behavior is unwelcome or who does not consent to the Sexual Behavior, or by force, intimidation, coercion or manipulation, or (c) Sexual Behavior at the request of, acquiesced to or by a Member of the Clergy with an employee, volunteer, student or counselee of that Member of the Clergy or in the same congregation as the Member of the Clergy, or a person with whom the Member of the Clergy has a Pastoral Relationship.

Sec. 1.

A Member of the Clergy shall be subject to proceedings under this Title for:

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.

Sec. 2.

A Member of the Clergy shall be accountable for any breach of the Standards of Conduct set forth in Canon IV.4.

Sec. 3.

In order for any conduct or condition to be the subject of the provisions of this Title, the Offense complained of must violate applicable provisions of Canon IV.3 or IV.4 and must be material and substantial or of clear and weighty importance to the ministry of the Church.

Sec. 1.

In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall:

a. respect 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. conform to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer;

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

d. abide by the requirements of any applicable Accord or Order; any applicable Pastoral Direction, restriction on ministry, or placement on Administrative Leave issued under Canon IV.7; or Restorative Covenant entered into under Canon IV.8.6;

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

f. report 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. exercise 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. refrain from:

Sec. 1.

Each Diocese shall, by Canon, create a court to be known as the Disciplinary Board as described in this Canon. Each such Board shall consist of not fewer than seven persons to be selected as determined by Diocesan Canon. The membership of each Board shall include lay persons and Priests or Deacons, and the majority of the Board members shall be Priests or Deacons, but by no more than one. Within sixty days following each Diocesan convention, the Board shall convene to elect a president for the following year, unless another method for selection of the president is provided by Diocesan Canon.

Sec. 2.

The provisions of Canon IV.19 shall apply to all Disciplinary Boards.

Sec. 3.

The following rules shall govern the operations of all Disciplinary Boards:

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. No 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. The rules of evidence for proceedings are as provided in Canon IV.13.10.

g. The 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. The 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. 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.

Sec. 4.

There shall be a court known as the Court of Review, with jurisdiction to receive and determine appeals from Hearing Panels of Dioceses as provided in Canon IV.15 and to determine venue issues as provided in Canon IV.19.5.c.

a. The 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. Except for a member filling a vacancy, the term of office of a member of the Court of Review begins at the adjournment of the regular meeting of the General Convention at which the member was elected and expires on the adjournment of the second regular meeting of the General Convention following.

f. Members of the Court of Review will serve staggered terms of office such that the terms of half of the members expire at each regular meeting of the General Convention. The Joint Standing Committee on Nominations must make its nominations in a manner that supports this staggering of terms.

g. Any member who has served 12 or more consecutive years will be ineligible for reelection to the Court of Review until the next regular meeting of the General Convention following the one at which the member was ineligible for reelection to the Court of Review. A person’s service as an alternate will not count against these term limitations.

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

i. The 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.

j. 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.

k. If 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.

l. In 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

m. 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 within sixty days of the President of the Court of Review’s declaration of a vacancy on the Court.

n. The 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.

o. The 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.

p. 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.

Sec. 1.

Each Diocese shall provide for and publicize methods and means of reporting information concerning Offenses.

Sec. 2.

Information concerning Offenses may be submitted to the Intake Officer in any manner and in any form.

Sec. 3.

Any person other than the Intake Officer who receives information regarding an Offense shall promptly forward the information to the Intake Officer. A Bishop Diocesan shall forward information to the Intake Officer whenever the Bishop Diocesan believes that the information may indicate conduct constituting one or more Offenses.

Sec. 4.

Upon receipt of such information, the Intake Officer may undertake such initial inquiry as they deem necessary to make a determination outlined in Canons IV.6.5 and IV.6.7, and shall incorporate the information into a written intake report, including as much specificity as possible. Within 45 days after receiving information concerning an Offense, the Intake Officer must provide copies of the intake report to the other members of the Reference Panel and to the Church Attorney. The 45 days may be extended with consent of the Reference Panel.

Sec. 5.

If the Intake Officer determines that the information, if true, would not constitute an Offense, the Intake Officer shall inform the Bishop Diocesan of an intention to dismiss the matter. If the Bishop Diocesan does not object, the Intake Officer shall dismiss the matter. The Intake Officer shall provide written notice to the Complainant, the subject Member of the Clergy, and the Bishop Diocesan of the decision of dismissal, the reasons therefor, and the Complainant’s right to appeal the decision within thirty days of the date of the notice and shall send a copy of that notice and the written intake report to the president of the Disciplinary Board. If the Complainant wishes to appeal the dismissal, the Bishop shall appoint an Advisor for the Complainant within 15 days of the date of the notice of dismissal. The Advisor shall assist the Complainant in preparing and signing a written statement of the acts complained of, which statement shall be sent by the Advisor to the president of the Disciplinary Board, along with a statement that the Complainant appeals the dismissal. The intake report and any related information, in the case of a dismissal, shall be retained by the Intake Officer and may be considered in connection with any additional information that may come to the Intake Officer thereafter concerning the subject Member of the Clergy.

Sec. 6.

In the event of an appeal of a dismissal, the president of the Disciplinary Board shall, within thirty days of the receipt of the appeal, review the intake report and either affirm or overrule the dismissal. The president shall promptly notify the Complainant and the Complainant’s Advisor, the subject Member of the Clergy and the subject Member’s Advisor, if any, the Intake Officer, and the Bishop Diocesan of the decision. If the decision is to overrule the dismissal, the president shall refer the intake report to the Reference Panel within 15 days.

Sec. 7.

If the Intake Officer determines that the information, if true, would constitute an Offense, the Intake Officer shall promptly forward the intake report to the Reference Panel. The president shall promptly select from the Disciplinary Board, a Conference Panel and a Hearing Panel, and shall designate a president of each Panel. At the same time as forwarding the intake report to the Reference Panel, the Intake Officer shall send a notice to the subject Member of the Clergy informing him or her of the nature of the alleged Offense(s), the identity of any persons who have been designated as Complainants, and describing the next procedural steps that the Member of the Clergy can anticipate. The notice shall also remind the Member of the Clergy of his or her duty under Canon IV.3.1.b to cooperate in the subsequent proceedings. The Intake Officer shall at the same time provide a copy of the notice to the Complainant and to any other person from whom the Intake Officer has received information concerning the alleged Offense.

Sec. 8.

The Reference Panel must meet within 45 days after receiving the intake report and must determine how to refer the report. Referral options are (a) to conclude the matter with an appropriate pastoral response pursuant to Canon IV.8; (b) Conciliation pursuant to Canon IV.10; (c) investigation pursuant to Canon IV.11; (d) to the Conference Panel pursuant to Canon IV.12; or (e) referral for possible agreement with the Bishop Diocesan regarding terms of discipline pursuant to Canon IV.9. Referral decisions shall require the approval of a majority of the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel shall establish a schedule for each approved option and the President of the Disciplinary Board shall be responsible for monitoring each such schedule.

Sec. 9.

Absent extraordinary circumstances, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, all matters reported to an Intake Officer shall reach final, non-appellate, resolution within 15 months of the initial Intake Report date. The President of the Disciplinary Board, following consultation with the relevant panels, may, in their sole discretion, reasonably adjust any time periods specified in this Title related to matters before panels, for the purpose of ensuring timely progress.

Sec. 10.

The Reference Panel must monitor the progress of each referral on a monthly basis to ensure that the matter is progressing in a timely fashion. The Intake Officer will report at least monthly to the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Respondent’s Counsel, if any, the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor and the Complainant’s Counsel, if any, on the progress in the matter. Should the Intake Officer not report at least monthly, the Respondent or the Complainant may petition in writing the President of the Disciplinary Board who must provide a report in writing not later than 15 days from the date of the petition to provide the reports.

Sec. 11.

Until such time as the matter is referred to a Hearing Panel, if the Reference Panel determines that the matter has reached an impasse or is not progressing in a timely fashion, it may re-refer the matter.

Sec. 12.

If the determination of the Reference Panel is to conclude the matter with an appropriate pastoral response, the Panel shall notify the Complainant and the subject Member of the Clergy of the determination and the basis for the determination. If the referral is to conciliation, the provisions of Canon IV.10 shall apply. If the referral is to investigation, the provisions of Canon IV.11 shall apply. If the referral is to the Bishop Diocesan for possible Agreement and an Agreement is not reached within 90 days of the referral, the Reference Panel will re-refer the matter, in accordance with Canon IV.6.11.

Sec. 13.

All communications and deliberations during the intake and referral stages (including the identities of any Complainants, Injured Persons, or other persons who report information concerning an Offense) shall be confidential except as the Bishop Diocesan deems to be pastorally appropriate or as required by law.

Sec. 1.

At any time the Bishop Diocesan may issue a Pastoral Direction to a Member of the Clergy, canonically resident, actually resident, or licensed in the Diocese.

Sec. 2.

A Pastoral Direction must (a) be made in writing; (b) set forth clearly the reasons for the Pastoral Direction; (c) set forth clearly what is required of the Member of the Clergy; (d) be issued in the Bishop Diocesan’s capacity as the pastor, teacher and overseer of the Member of the Clergy; (e) be neither capricious nor arbitrary in nature nor in any way contrary to the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention or the Diocese; and (f) be directed to some matter which concerns the Doctrine, Discipline or Worship of the Church or the manner of life and behavior of the Member of the Clergy concerned; and (g) be promptly served upon the Member of the Clergy.

Sec. 3.

If at any time the Bishop Diocesan determines that a Member of the Clergy may have committed any Offense, or that the good order, welfare or safety of the Church or any person or Community may be threatened by that member of the Clergy, the Bishop Diocesan may, without prior notice or hearing, (a) place restrictions upon the exercise of the ministry of such Member of the Clergy or (b) place such Member of the Clergy on Administrative Leave.

Sec. 4.

Any restriction on ministry imposed pursuant to Canon IV.7.3.a or placement on Administrative Leave pursuant to Canon IV.7.3.b must (a) be made in writing; (b) set forth clearly the reasons for which it is issued; (c) set forth clearly the limitations and conditions imposed and the duration thereof; (d) set forth clearly changes, if any, in the terms of compensation and the duration thereof; (e) be neither capricious nor arbitrary in nature nor in any way contrary to the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention or the Diocese; (f) be promptly served upon the Member of the Clergy; and (g) advise the Member of the Clergy of his or her right to be heard in the matter as provided in this Canon. A copy of such writing shall be promptly provided to the Church Attorney.

Sec. 5.

The duration of restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave may be for a stated period or to continue until the occurrence of a specified event or the satisfaction of a specified condition.

Sec. 6.

Pastoral Directions, restrictions on ministry and Administrative Leaves (a) may be issued and imposed in any chronological order; (b) may be issued and imposed concurrently; and (c) may be modified at any time by the issuing Bishop or that Bishop’s successor, provided that the Pastoral Direction, restriction on ministry or Administrative leave, as modified, meets the requirements of this Canon.

Sec. 7.

Any Pastoral Direction, restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave under this Canon shall be effective upon service of the writing setting it forth on the subject Member of the Clergy as provided in Canon IV.19.20.

Sec. 8.

If imposition of restriction on ministry or placement on Administrative Leave occurs prior to the receipt of information by the Intake Officer, as provided in Canon IV.6, then the Bishop may forward a copy of the writing setting forth the restriction or Administrative Leave to the Intake Officer, who shall receive such information as a report of an Offense and proceed as provided in Canon IV.6.

Sec. 9.

The Bishop Diocesan may disclose such information concerning any Pastoral Direction, restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave as the Bishop Diocesan deems pastorally appropriate or as necessary to seek or obtain Diocesan authority for resolution of the matter or any part thereof.

Sec. 10.

Every imposition of restriction on ministry or placement on Administrative Leave shall be subject to review upon the request of the Member of the Clergy at any time in the duration thereof. A request for review must be in writing and addressed to the president of the Disciplinary Board and the Church Attorney, with a copy to the Bishop Diocesan. A Member of the Clergy who requests review shall become a Respondent under this Title. Reviews shall be conducted within fifteen days of the delivery of the request for review to the president of the Disciplinary Board, unless extended by consent of the Respondent. If a restriction on ministry or placement on Administrative Leave has been reviewed once, a second request for review may be made only if there has been a substantial change of circumstances from the time of the first request or if there has been a modification of the restriction on ministry or placement on Administrative Leave.

Sec. 11.

If a request for review of restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave is made prior to referral to the Conference Panel, then the review shall be conducted by the Conference Panel. If a request for review of restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave is made subsequent to referral to the Conference Panel but prior to referral to the Hearing Panel, the review shall be conducted by the Conference Panel. If a request for review of restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave is made subsequent to referral to the Hearing Panel, the review shall be conducted by the Hearing Panel. The question before a Panel reviewing a restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave is whether, at the time of the review and based upon information then available to the Panel, the restrictions on ministry or Administrative Leave and the terms and conditions thereof are warranted. The review may be conducted either personally or telephonically. The Intake Officer, the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Respondent’s counsel, if any, the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor and the Church Attorney shall each be afforded the opportunity to be present, either personally or telephonically, at the review, and any such person present shall be heard by the Panel if such person desires to be heard. The Panel may hear from other persons at the Panel’s discretion.

Sec. 12.

After conducting the review and hearing from the persons designated in Canon IV.7.11 who desire to be heard, the Panel shall confer privately and make a determination to (a) dissolve the restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave; (b) affirm the restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave and the terms and conditions thereof; or (c) affirm the restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave, but with modification of the terms and conditions thereof. The Panel’s determination shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the Respondent, the Church Attorney, the Bishop Diocesan and the Intake Officer, and shall be binding in the same manner as provided in Canon IV.7.7. In the event of the dissolution of the restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave, the Bishop Diocesan may give notice thereof to such persons and Communities having notice of the restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave as the Bishop Diocesan deems appropriate.

Sec. 13.

Any Accord or Order resulting from Canons IV.9, IV.10, IV.12 or IV.13, unless otherwise specified, shall supersede any restriction on ministry or Administrative Leave then in effect.

Sec. 1.

The Bishop Diocesan shall provide for appropriate pastoral response whenever any report is made to the Intake Officer. Such pastoral response shall embody respect, care, and concern for affected persons and Communities. The response shall be designed so as to promote healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected. If the report involves an allegation of Sexual Misconduct, the Bishop Diocesan shall provide for a professional pastoral care assessment in order to provide an appropriate pastoral response. The pastoral response will include all affected persons and communities. The pastoral care response will be based on the professional pastoral care assessment.

Sec. 2.

In each pastoral response the Bishop Diocesan shall consider offering pastoral care to all those who may be affected by an alleged Offense. Pastoral care shall be considered for the Complainant, the Complainant’s family, the Respondent, the Respondent’s family, Injured Persons, Injured Persons’ families, any affected Community, witnesses, and the Disciplinary Board.

Sec. 3.

In every case, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Title to the contrary, the Bishop Diocesan may disclose such information concerning any alleged Offense or concerning any Accord or Order as the Bishop Diocesan deems pastorally appropriate.

Sec. 4.

The Bishop Diocesan shall give consideration to the respective privacy interests and pastoral needs of all affected persons.

Sec. 5.

The Bishop Diocesan may designate one or more persons to be responsible for the implementation of the pastoral response. Such person must not be the Intake Officer. The duties of such person may include coordination of pastoral care and coordination of communications between the Bishop Diocesan and Advisors.

Sec. 6.

The Bishop Diocesan may seek a facilitated conversation patterned after Canon IV.10.1, 2, and 4 between one or more Complainants and/or Injured Persons and a subject Member of the Clergy that results in a Restorative Covenant as defined in Canon IV.2. Within a reasonable time after commencement of a facilitated conversation, the Conciliator shall report the results of the conversation to the Reference Panel, which shall refer the matter under Canon IV.6.8 as appropriate. If the conversation results in a Restorative Covenant that, in the Reference Panel’s judgment, resolves all of the issues in a pending matter, the matter is concluded.

Sec. 1.

At any time before an Order becomes effective, the Respondent or any Member of the Clergy who has not yet become a Respondent but who is alleged to have committed an Offense may propose terms of discipline to the Bishop Diocesan, or the Bishop Diocesan may propose terms of discipline to the Respondent or such Member of the Clergy. Before reaching agreement, the Bishop Diocesan shall consult with the Injured Persons, if any, the president of the Disciplinary Board and the Church Attorney with respect to the proposed terms of discipline. If the Respondent or such Member of the Clergy and the Bishop Diocesan reach agreement regarding terms of discipline, such terms shall be set forth in a proposed Accord. A Member of the Clergy becomes a Respondent by reaching agreement with the Bishop Diocesan regarding terms of discipline.

Sec. 2.

An Accord under this Canon may be entered into if (a) the Respondent is aware of the discipline to be imposed and the effect thereof; (b) the Respondent has had adequate opportunity to consult and seek advice from, or has in fact consulted and received advice from, counsel of the Respondent’s choosing; and (c) the Accord adequately considers and, where possible, provides for healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among the Complainant, Respondent, affected Community and other persons and is otherwise an appropriate resolution of the matter.

Sec. 3.

An Accord under this Canon may be withdrawn by the Priest or Deacon within three days of execution thereof by the Priest or Deacon and if not withdrawn shall be effective and irrevocable thereafter.

Sec. 4.

Accords under this Section shall be subject to all the provisions of Canon IV.14 regarding Accords, not inconsistent with this Section.

Sec. 1.

Conciliation shall seek a resolution which promotes healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among the Complainant, Respondent, affected Community, other persons and the Church.

Sec. 2.

Where a matter is referred for conciliation, the Bishop Diocesan shall appoint a Conciliator to assist the Complainant, Respondent, other affected persons and the Church in reconciling. The Bishop Diocesan or a representative appointed by the Bishop Diocesan may participate in the conciliation.

Sec. 3.

If the conciliation is successful in reaching agreement among the parties on a suitable resolution of all issues, an Accord will be prepared as provided in Canon IV.14. If conciliation cannot be achieved within a reasonable time, the Conciliator will report such to the Bishop Diocesan, and the matter will be referred back to the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel shall consider the report to determine whether to: (a) conclude the matter with an appropriate pastoral response pursuant to Canon IV.8; (b) refer the matter to the Bishop Diocesan for consideration of proceedings pursuant to Canon IV.9; (c) investigate the matter pursuant to Canon IV.11; or (d) refer the matter directly to the Hearing Panel pursuant to Canon IV.13. The determination shall be approved by a majority vote of the Reference Panel.

Sec. 4.

A Conciliator shall be a person skilled in dispute resolution techniques and without conflict of interest in the matter. All communications between the Complainant and the Conciliator, the Respondent and the Conciliator and other participants in the conciliation and the Conciliator shall be confidential except as the Conciliator may have the permission of the respective person to disclose the information to the other participants in the conciliation in order to promote efforts towards conciliation.

Sec. 1.

In each Diocese there shall be one or more Investigators. An Investigator is appointed by and acts under the direction of the Reference Panel until a referral is made pursuant to Canon IV.11.3; after such referral, an Investigator may be appointed by and shall be overseen by and report to the Church Attorney.

Sec. 2.

The Reference Panel or the Church Attorney may request the Investigator to investigate all facts pertinent to the factual claims of the intake report. The Investigator shall use appropriate investigative means, with due consideration to pastoral sensitivities, and shall complete the investigation as expeditiously as possible.

Sec. 3.

An Investigator engaged by the Reference Panel shall present the findings of the investigation in writing to the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel may meet with the Investigator and shall consider the report to determine whether to: (a) conclude the matter with an appropriate pastoral responses pursuant to Canon IV.8; (b) refer the matter to the Bishop Diocesan for consideration of proceedings under Canon IV.9; (c) refer the matter to conciliation pursuant to Canon IV.10; (d) require further investigation; or (e) refer the matter to the Conference Panel pursuant to Canon IV.12, or to the Hearing Panel pursuant to Canon IV.13. The determination shall be approved by a majority vote of the Reference Panel.

Sec. 4.

If the Reference Panel’s determination is to refer for further investigation, the Investigator shall make such further investigation as the Reference Panel directs and shall submit a supplemental report of findings to the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel shall then reconvene and proceed as provided in Canon IV.11.3.

Sec. 5.

An Investigator engaged by the Church Attorney shall be overseen by the Church Attorney and shall present the findings of the investigation to the Church Attorney in a format(s) required by the Church Attorney. In connection with such investigations, the Church Attorney and, at the discretion of the Church Attorney, the Investigator shall have access to the personnel, books and records of the Diocese and its constituent parts.

Sec. 6.

All investigations shall be confidential until such time as information obtained may be utilized by the Church Attorney, the Bishop Diocesan or the Panels. All persons, prior to being interviewed by the Investigator, shall be advised of the confidential nature of the investigation and when such information may be shared during the course of the proceedings.

Sec. 1.

Upon referral of a matter to a Conference Panel, the president of the Disciplinary Board shall forward to the Church Attorney the intake report, all of the Investigator’s reports and any other writings or other file materials created or collected by the Disciplinary Board or any panel thereof during the intake, investigative or referral process. After reviewing this material, the Church Attorney shall determine whether to proceed with the matter or decline to advance proceedings in the matter.

If proceeding with the matter, the Church Attorney shall prepare a written statement, describing each alleged Offense separately, with reasonable particularity sufficient to apprise the Respondent of the acts, omissions or conditions which are the subject of the proceedings. The Church Attorney shall then forward the materials received from the president of the Disciplinary Board, together with the written statement, to the Conference Panel.

If declining to advance proceedings in the matter, the Church Attorney shall refer the matter back to the Reference Panel in a written decision stating the reasons therefor. This document and any related conversation between the Church Attorney and the Reference Panel shall remain confidential between the Church Attorney and the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel shall then consider the options for action set out in Canon IV.6.8 and Canon IV.11.3.

Sec. 2.

The Conference Panel shall review the materials provided to determine who, in addition to those listed in Canon IV.12.3, should be directed to participate in the proceeding before the Conference Panel in order to promote the purposes of this Title. Such may include, for example, the Investigator, family members, representatives of the affected Community, or other affected persons.

Sec. 3.

The Conference Panel shall issue a notice to the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Respondent’s Counsel, if any, the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor, the Complainant’s Counsel, if any, the Investigator and such other persons, if any, as the Conference Panel in its discretion may determine. The notice shall describe the nature and purpose of the proceeding, shall contain a copy of the written statement prepared by the Church Attorney, shall disclose the names of all persons to whom the notice is sent, and shall establish a date, time and place for conference at which the Respondent is to appear before the Conference Panel, which date shall be not less than twenty days after service of the notice upon the Respondent. The Conference Panel shall endeavor to set the conference at a date and location reasonably convenient for the persons entitled to attend.

Sec. 4.

The Respondent shall attend the conference and may be accompanied by an Advisor or counsel, if any, or both.

Sec. 5.

The Church Attorney shall attend the conference, shall represent the Church and shall be heard by the Conference Panel.

Sec. 6.

The Complainant may attend the conference but may not be required to do so. The Complainant’s Advisor may attend the conference regardless of whether the Complainant attends.

Sec. 7.

The proceedings of the Conference Panel shall be informal and conversational. The Conference Panel shall describe the alleged Offense to the Respondent. The Conference Panel shall hear from the Complainant or the Complainant’s Advisor or both, if either or both are present, and from the Respondent and the Respondent’s Advisor or counsel, if any, or both. At its discretion, the Conference Panel may hear from the Investigator or any other persons present, and may direct the Investigator to conduct additional investigation and suspend its proceedings to allow such investigation to be completed. At its discretion, the Conference Panel may confer with any participants outside the presence of the other participants.

Sec. 8.

No witnesses shall be called to testify at the proceedings before the Conference Panel. No record of the proceedings of the Conference Panel shall be made. The conference shall be closed to all except the members of the Conference Panel and invited participants. Proceedings before the Conference Panel shall be confidential except as may be provided in an Order or Accord or as provided elsewhere in this Title. No statements made by any participant in such proceeding may be used as evidence before the Hearing Panel.

Sec. 9.

An Accord may be entered into at a proceeding before the Conference Panel. If an Accord is not entered into, the Conference Panel shall confer privately to reach a determination of the matter, which may include (a) dismissal of the matter; (b) referral for conciliation; (c) referral to the Hearing Panel; or (d) issuance of an Order.

Sec. 10.

If the determination is to dismiss the matter, the Conference Panel shall issue an Order which shall include the reasons for dismissal and which may contain findings exonerating the Respondent. A copy of the Order shall be provided to the Bishop Diocesan, the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor and the Church Attorney.

Sec. 11.

If the resolution is the entry of an Accord or the issuance of an Order other than an Order of dismissal, the provisions of Canon IV.14 shall apply.

Sec. 12.

The Respondent or the Church Attorney may object to an Order issued by the Conference Panel by giving written notice of the objection to the president of the Conference Panel within fifteen days following the date on which the Order is issued. Upon receipt of the notice of objection, the president of the Conference Panel shall notify and provide copies of the notice of objection to the Bishop, president of the Disciplinary Board and the non-objecting party. The president of the Disciplinary Board shall promptly notify members of the Hearing Panel and refer the matter to the Hearing Panel.

Sec. 1.

When the Reference Panel decides pursuant to Canon IV.11.3 to refer a matter to the Hearing Panel, the President of the Disciplinary Board shall within three days of the decision notify the Disciplinary Board and the Church Attorney. When the Conference Panel decides to refer a matter to the Hearing Panel, the president of the Conference Panel shall within three days of that decision notify the president of the Disciplinary Board and the Church Attorney.

Sec. 2.

Within 10 days of receipt of a referral from the Conference Panel, or 30 days when from the Reference Panel, to the Hearing Panel for proceedings, the Church Attorney shall determine whether to proceed with the matter or decline to advance proceedings in the matter.

Sec. 3.

As soon as possible, the Hearing Panel shall make documents available to members of the Church and the Church media as set forth in this Section. The documents shall be disseminated in such a way as to make them broadly known to members of the Church and the Church media. For a matter in which a Priest or Deacon is the Respondent, dissemination shall include, at a minimum, posting to the diocesan website. For a matter in which a Bishop is the Respondent, dissemination shall include, at a minimum, posting the documents on the websites of The Episcopal Church and of the General Convention.

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.

Sec. 4.

If at any time after a matter has been referred to a Hearing Panel an Accord is reached that ends the proceedings before the Hearing Panel issues an Order, 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 Hearing Panel.

Sec. 5.

The Church Attorney and the Respondent shall each be afforded reasonable time and opportunity to discover evidence in preparation for the hearing as follows:

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.

Sec. 6.

In all proceedings before the Hearing Panel, the Church Attorney shall appear on behalf of the Diocese, which shall then be considered the party on one side and the Respondent the party on the other.

Sec. 7.

All pre-hearing motions and challenges shall be filed with the Hearing Panel within the time limits prescribed in the Scheduling Order. All responses shall be filed by the non-moving party within 15 days of receipt of the motion or challenge. Upon receipt of a motion or challenge, the Hearing Panel will promptly set the matter for hearing. The hearing may be conducted by conference call. After consideration of the argument of the parties, the Hearing Panel shall render a decision within three days of the hearing. The decision shall be final as to all procedural matters. Decisions on evidentiary matters are preliminary and may be reconsidered by the Hearing Panel during the course of the hearing if warranted by the evidence. The decision shall be provided to the parties and placed on the record of proceedings.

Sec. 8.

All proceedings before the Hearing Panel except its private deliberations shall be open to the Respondent and to each Complainant, to any Injured Person, and to persons from the public. Each Complainant shall be entitled to be present throughout and observe the Hearing and each may be accompanied at the proceedings by another person of his or her own choosing in addition to his or her Advisor. Notwithstanding the above, the Hearing Panel, at its discretion and for good cause, including to protect the privacy of any person, may close any part of the proceedings to any person or group of persons, after consultation with the Church Attorney, the Respondent’s counsel and, where appropriate, the Bishop Diocesan; provided, however, that no proceedings before the Hearing Panel, except its private deliberations, shall be closed to the Respondent, Respondent’s Advisor, Respondent’s Counsel, the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor, Complainant’s Counsel or the Church Attorney. A record of the hearing shall be made by such means as to enable the creation of a verbatim written transcript of the hearing.

Sec. 9.

At least 15 days before the hearing, the Church Attorney and Respondent’s counsel shall each provide to the other and to the Hearing Panel final pre-hearing disclosures including (1) the name, address, and telephone number of each witness expected to be called to testify at the hearing; (2) identification of each document or other tangible object expected to be used as an exhibit in the hearing; and (3) requests, if any, to have all or portions of the hearing closed to the public.

Sec. 10.

In all proceedings of the Hearing Panel the testimony of witnesses shall be taken orally and personally or by such other means as provided by order of the Hearing Panel. All testimony shall be given under oath or solemn affirmation and be subject to cross-examination. The Hearing Panel shall determine the credibility, reliability and weight to be given to all testimony and other evidence. The proceedings shall be conducted as follows:

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.

Sec. 11.

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. Within 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.

Sec. 12.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Panel shall confer privately to reach a determination of the matter by (a) dismissal of the matter or (b) issuance of an Order.

Sec. 13.

If the determination is to dismiss the matter, the Hearing Panel shall issue an Order which shall include the reasons for dismissal and which may contain findings exonerating the Respondent. A copy of the Order shall be provided to the Bishop Diocesan, the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor, and the Church Attorney, and a record copy of the Order shall be kept by transmitting a copy to The Archives of The Episcopal Church. A copy of the Order shall also be made available to the Church and the Church media in the same manner with which documents were initially made available to the Church and the Church media as set forth in Canon IV.13.3.

Sec. 14.

If the resolution is the issuance of an Order other than an Order of dismissal, the provisions of Canon IV.14 shall apply.

Sec. 1.

An Accord may (a) provide any terms which promote healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among the Complainant, Respondent, affected Community and other persons; (b) place restrictions on the Respondent’s exercise of ministry; (c) place the Respondent on probation; (d) recommend to the Bishop Diocesan that the Respondent be admonished, suspended or deposed from ministry; (e) limit the involvement, attendance or participation of the Respondent in the Community; or (f) any combination of the foregoing. An Accord may be conditioned on the Bishop Diocesan imposing any recommended admonition, suspension, deposition or conditions for restoration to ministry. An Accord providing for suspension from ministry shall specify on what terms or conditions and at what time the suspension shall cease. Any Accord providing for limitation upon the involvement, attendance or participation of the Respondent in the Community shall also provide conditions for restoration.

Sec. 2.

If an Accord results from a Conciliation, the Accord shall be signed by the Complainant, the Respondent and the Conciliator, provided that the Conciliator shall sign last.

Sec. 3.

If an Accord results from proceedings before a Conference Panel, the Complainant and the Complainant’s Advisor shall have first been afforded an opportunity to be heard by the Panel regarding the proposed terms of the Accord. The Accord shall be signed by the Respondent, the Church Attorney and the president of the Panel, provided that the president shall sign last.

Sec. 4.

In the case of any Accord that has become effective:

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.

Sec. 5.

The Bishop Diocesan shall have twenty days from the date on which the Accord is entered in which to advise in writing the Respondent, the Respondent’s Advisor, the Respondent’s counsel, if any, the Complainant, the Complainant’s Advisor, the Church Attorney and the Conciliator or the president of the Conference Panel whether the Bishop Diocesan will pronounce the Sentence or accept the other terms of the Accord 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 Accord. If a Sentence of Admonition, Suspension or Deposition is imposed, the Bishop Diocesan shall pronounce Sentence not sooner than twenty days following the date on which the Accord is entered and not later than forty days following such date. 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 Accord. In the case of an Accord under Canon IV.9, the Bishop Diocesan shall pronounce Sentence not sooner than the day after the date the Accord becomes effective and irrevocable.

Sec. 6.

An Order issued by a Conference Panel or Hearing Panel may (a) provide any terms which promote healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among the Complainant, Respondent, affected Community and other persons; (b) place restrictions on the Respondent’s exercise of ministry; (c) recommend to the Bishop Diocesan that the Respondent be admonished, suspended or deposed from ministry; (d) limit the involvement, attendance or participation of the Respondent in the Community; or (e) any combination of the foregoing. An Order providing for suspension from Ministry shall specify on what terms or conditions and at what time the suspension shall cease. Any Order providing for limitation upon the involvement, attendance or participation of the Respondent in the Community shall also provide conditions for restoration.

Sec. 7.

Prior to the issuance of an Order by a Conference Panel or a Hearing Panel, the issuing Panel shall afford the Bishop Diocesan, the Respondent and the Complainant each with an opportunity to be heard on the proposed terms of the Order.

Sec. 8.

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.

Sec. 9.

An Accord or Order shall include, in addition to such terms and provisions as are consistent with Canons IV.14.1 and IV.14.6, (a) the name of the Respondent; (b) a reference to the Canon(s), section(s) and subsection(s) specifying the Offense; and (c) general information regarding the Offense sufficient to afford protection from proceedings which are barred under Canon IV.19.13.

Sec. 10.

An Accord under Canon IV.9 shall be effective as provided in Canon IV.9.3. An Accord under Canon IV.10 or IV.12 shall be effective thirty days following the date on which the Accord is signed by the Conciliator or the president of the Panel. An Order is effective thirty days following the date on which the Order is issued.

Sec. 11.

If the Order is issued by a Conference Panel, the Respondent or the Church Attorney may object to the Order as provided in Canon IV.12.12 and the matter shall be referred to a Hearing Panel for hearing as provided in Canon IV.13.

Sec. 12.

If there has been no objection by the Respondent or the Church Attorney to the Order(s), notice of Accords and Orders which have become effective shall be given without delay as follows:

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.

Sec. 13.

In every case, notwithstanding any other provision of this Title to the contrary, the Bishop Diocesan may disclose such information concerning any Offense or allegations thereof or concerning any Accord or Order as the Bishop Diocesan deems appropriate.

Sec. 14.

No Accord or civil settlement agreement may prevent or restrict the disclosure of factual information related to any alleged Offense under this Title. Notwithstanding this Section, an Accord or civil settlement agreement may preclude the disclosure of the identity of an alleged Injured Person, or of an amount paid to settle a claim or obtain a release of civil liability.

Sec. 1.

If proceedings before the Hearing Panel are unreasonably delayed or suspended, and are not resumed within sixty days following a written request for resumption of proceedings from the Church Attorney or the Respondent, the Church Attorney or the Respondent may file a written request with the Court of Review for an order directing the Hearing Panel to resume the proceedings. Upon receipt of the request, the President of the Court of Review shall appoint a panel consisting of one bishop, one priest or deacon and one lay person from among the members of the Court of Review. The appointments shall be made within fifteen days of receipt of the request. No person appointed shall be from the Diocese in which the Hearing Panel is sitting. The Court of Review shall consider the request as follows:

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. The 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.

Sec. 2.

Within forty days after the Hearing Panel issues an Order, the Respondent or the Church Attorney may appeal to the Court of Review by serving written notice of the appeal upon the Bishop Diocesan with copies of the notice to the president of the Hearing Panel and the president of the Court of Review. The notice of appeal must be signed by the Respondent’s counsel or the Church Attorney, must include a copy of the Order from which the appeal is taken, and must state the grounds of the appeal.

Sec. 3.

Any Order from a Hearing Panel finding that the Respondent did not commit an Offense involving a question of the Doctrine, Faith, or Worship of the Church may be appealed by the Bishop Diocesan upon the written request of at least two Bishops Diocesan of other Dioceses within the Province who are not members of the Court of Review. Such an appeal may be taken only on the question of the Church’s Doctrine, Faith, or Worship, and may not seek to reverse the finding of the Hearing Panel that the Respondent did not commit an Offense. The Bishop Diocesan may take an appeal under this section by serving a notice of appeal upon the Respondent, the Church Attorney, the President of the Hearing Panel, and the President of the Court of Review within forty days after the Hearing Panel issues the Order.

Sec. 4.

An appeal shall be heard on the record of the Hearing Panel. The record on appeal may be corrected, if defective, but no new evidence shall be taken by the Court of Review.

Sec. 5.

The standards for and conditions of appeal to the Court of Review shall be as follows:

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 that substantially prejudiced the Respondent. 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:

Sec. 6.

It shall be the duty of the Hearing Panel to produce the record on appeal, consisting of a transcript of the proceedings before the Hearing Panel together with documentary and tangible evidence received by the Hearing Panel. The record shall be printed or otherwise reproduced as authorized by the President of the Court of Review. Within thirty days after receiving the record on appeal from the Hearing Panel, the party appealing shall serve two copies of the record on appeal, the notice of appeal and the appealing party’s brief, if any, upon the opposite party and shall deliver five copies to the President of the Court of Review. Within thirty days after receiving a copy of the record on appeal, the party opposing the appeal shall serve the brief in opposition, if any, upon the appealing party, with five copies to the President of the Court of Review. Any reply brief of the appealing party shall be served likewise within fifteen days following service of the brief in opposition.

Sec. 7.

All members and alternates of the Court of Review serving for an appeal shall be present for any oral proceedings of the appeal.

Sec. 8.

The Court of Review shall keep a record of all proceedings. The Court of Review shall appoint a reporter who shall provide for the recording of the proceedings and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Court of Review.

Sec. 9.

At the hearing of the appeal, the Court of Review shall afford the Respondent and the Church Attorney the opportunity to be heard. The Court of Review may regulate the number of counsel to be heard.

Sec. 10.

No Order or determination of a Hearing Panel shall be overturned solely for technical or harmless error.

Sec. 11.

If, after a notice of appeal has been filed, the appealing party fails to pursue the appeal as provided in this Canon, the Court of Review may dismiss the appeal.

Sec. 12.

As soon as possible, the Court of Review shall make documents available to members of the Church and the Church media as set forth in this Section. The documents shall be disseminated in such a way as to make them broadly known to members of the Church and the Church media. For a matter in which a Priest or Deacon is the Respondent, dissemination shall include, at a minimum, posting the documents on the diocesan website of the diocese that conducted the Hearing Panel proceeding. For a matter in which a Bishop is the Respondent, dissemination shall include, at a minimum, posting the documents on the websites of The Episcopal Church and of the General Convention.

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.

Sec. 13.

If at any time after a matter has been appealed to a Court of Review or is before a Court of Review pursuant to Sec. 1, an Accord is reached that ends the proceedings before the Court of Review issues an Order or issues its decision, the Bishop Diocesan shall make the Notice of Accord available to the Church and Church media as provided in Sec. 12 as well as to the Court of Review and the Hearing Panel from which the appeal was taken or about whom a request was filed pursuant to Sec. 1.

Sec. 14.

Following a hearing of the appeal and private deliberation, the Court of Review may (a) dismiss the appeal; (b) reverse or affirm in whole or in part the Order of the Hearing Panel; or (c) grant a new hearing before the Hearing Panel.

Sec. 15.

The concurrence of a majority of the Court of Review shall be required to decide an appeal. The Court of Review shall issue its decision in writing, signed by the members concurring therein, stating its decision and the reasons for the decision. The decision shall be attached to the record. If there is not a concurrence by a majority of the Court of Review, the Order of the Hearing Panel shall stand as affirmed except for any part of the Order for which there is concurrence.

Sec. 16.

Upon determination of the appeal, the President of the Court of Review shall give notice of the determination in writing to the appealing party, the party in opposition and to the Bishop Diocesan and Church Attorney. The appeal record shall be certified by the clerk of the Court of Review and the president, and shall be delivered to the Bishop Diocesan along with a copy of the record on appeal from the Hearing Panel.

Sec. 1.

If the Disciplinary Board for Bishops receives information suggesting that a Bishop may have abandoned The Episcopal Church (i) by an open renunciation of the Doctrine, Discipline or Worship of the Church; or (ii) by formal admission into any religious body not in full communion with this Church; or (iii) by exercising Episcopal acts in and for a religious body other than the Church or another church in full communion with the Church, so as to extend to such body Holy Orders as the Church holds them, or to administer on behalf of such religious body Confirmation without the express consent and commission of the proper authority in the Church, the Board shall promptly notify the Presiding Bishop and the Bishop in question that it is considering the matter. Upon receipt of such notification, the Presiding Bishop may, with the advice and consent of the Advisory Council to the Presiding Bishop, place restrictions on the ministry of the Bishop in question for the period while the matter is under consideration by the Board. If, after consideration of the matter, the Board concludes, by a majority vote of all of its members, that the Bishop in question has abandoned The Episcopal Church, the Board shall certify the fact to the Presiding Bishop and with the certificate send a statement of the acts or declarations which show such abandonment, which certificate and statement shall be recorded by the Presiding Bishop. The Presiding Bishop shall then place a restriction on the exercise of ministry of said Bishop until such time as the House of Bishops shall investigate the matter and act thereon. During the period of such restriction, the Bishop shall not perform any Episcopal, ministerial or canonical acts.

Sec. 2.

The Presiding Bishop, or the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops, shall forthwith give notice to the Bishop of the certification and restriction on ministry. Unless the restricted Bishop, within sixty days, makes declaration by a verified written statement to the Presiding Bishop, that the facts alleged in the certificate are false or utilizes the provisions of Canon III.12.8, the Bishop will be liable to Deposition or Release and Removal. If the Presiding Bishop is reasonably satisfied that the statement constitutes (i) a good faith retraction of the declarations or acts relied upon in the certification to the Presiding Bishop or (ii) a good faith denial that the Bishop made the declarations or committed the acts relied upon in the certificate, the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops, shall terminate the restriction. Otherwise, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Bishop to present the matter to the House of Bishops at the next regular or special meeting of the House. The House may, by a majority of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote, (1) consent to the deposition of the subject Bishop, in which case the Presiding Bishop shall depose the Bishop from the ordained ministry of The Episcopal Church, and pronounce and record in the presence of two or more Bishops that the Bishop has been so deposed, or (2) consent to the release and removal of the subject Bishop from the ordained ministry of The Episcopal Church, in which case the Presiding Bishop shall declare such release and removal in the presence of two or more Bishops.

Sec. 3.

If it is reported to the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which a Priest or Deacon is canonically resident that the Priest or Deacon, without using the provisions of Canon III.7.9-11 or III.9.8-11, may have abandoned The Episcopal Church, the Standing Committee shall promptly notify the Bishop Diocesan and the Priest or Deacon in question that it is considering the matter. Upon receipt of such notification, the Bishop Diocesan may, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, place restrictions on the ministry of the Priest or Deacon in question for the period while the matter is under consideration by the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee shall ascertain and consider the facts, and if it shall determine by a vote of three-fourths of all the members that the Priest or Deacon has abandoned The Episcopal Church by an open renunciation of the Doctrine, Discipline or Worship of the Church, or by the formal admission into any religious body not in full communion with the Church, or in any other way, it shall be the duty of the Standing Committee of the Diocese to transmit in writing to the Bishop Diocesan its determination, together with a statement setting out in a reasonable detail the acts or declarations relied upon in making its determination. If the Bishop Diocesan affirms the determination, the Bishop Diocesan shall place a restriction on the exercise of ministry by that Priest or Deacon for sixty days and shall send to the Priest or Deacon a copy of the determination and statement, together with a notice that the Priest or Deacon has the rights specified in Section 4 of this Canon and at the end of the sixty day period the Bishop Diocesan will consider deposing the Priest or Deacon in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.

Sec. 4.

Prior to the expiration of the sixty-day period of restriction, the Priest or Deacon may utilize the provisions of Canon III.7.9-11 or III.9.8-11, as applicable. If within such sixty day period the Priest or Deacon shall transmit to the Bishop Diocesan a statement in writing signed by the Priest or Deacon, which the Bishop Diocesan is reasonably satisfied constitutes a good faith retraction of such declarations or acts relied upon in the determination or good faith denial that the Priest or Deacon committed the acts or made the declarations relied upon in the determination, the Bishop Diocesan shall withdraw the notice and the restriction on ministry shall expire. If, however, within the sixty day period, the Bishop Diocesan does not declare the release and removal of the Priest or Deacon in accordance with Canon III.7.9-11 or III.9.8-11, as applicable, or the Priest or Deacon does not make retraction or denial as provided above, then it shall be the duty of the Bishop Diocesan either (i) to depose of the Priest or Deacon, or (ii) if the Bishop Diocesan is satisfied that no previous irregularity or misconduct is involved, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, to pronounce and record in the presence of two or more Priests that the Priest or Deacon is released and removed from the ordained Ministry of this Church and from the obligations attendant thereto, and (for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character) is deprived of the right to exercise in The Episcopal Church the gifts and spiritual authority conferred in Ordination.

Sec. 5.

For the purposes of Section 3 and 4 of this Canon, if there is no Bishop Diocesan, the Standing Committee shall submit the matter to the Bishop Diocesan of an adjacent Diocese, who shall have the authority of a Bishop Diocesan in the matter.

Sec. 1.

Except as otherwise provided in this Canon, the provisions of this Title shall apply to all matters in which a Member of the Clergy who is subject to proceedings is a Bishop.

Sec. 2.

In all matters in which the Member of the Clergy who is subject to proceedings is a Bishop, the following terms used in Canons IV.5 through IV.16 and Canons IV.18 and IV.19 shall have the following respective meanings:

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 Reference Panel or Church Attorney.

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

Sec. 3.

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. The Disciplinary Board for Bishops consists of ten Bishops elected by the House of Bishops at a regular meeting of the General Convention, and six other Clergy (including at least one Deacon) and six 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. A vacancy among the member Bishops must be filled by the Presiding Bishop with the advice 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 of the lay, Priest, and Deacon members of the Executive Council. All vacancies must be filled within sixty days of the vacancy arising.

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.

Sec. 4.

Within sixty days following each General Convention, the Board must convene to elect a president for the following interval between regular meetings of the General Convention. The president must be a Bishop. If there is no president, the Bishop who is senior by consecration must perform the duties of the president.

Sec. 5.

The Conference Panel shall consist of two Bishops, one Priest or Deacon and one lay person. The Hearing Panel shall consist of two Bishops, one Priest or Deacon and one lay person, except that the Hearing Panel for the Offense specified in Canon IV.4.1.h.2 pertaining to Doctrine Offenses shall consist of five Bishops only.

Sec. 6.

Where the Respondent is a Bishop, an Accord or Order may provide for the suspension or deposition of the Respondent. In such event, the Sentence of suspension or deposition shall be pronounced by the president of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops. The president shall have no discretion to decline to pronounce the Sentence or to pronounce a lesser Sentence. Where an Accord provides for the suspension or deposition of a Respondent who is a Bishop, the president shall pronounce Sentence within thirty days after the date on which the Conciliator or the president signs the Accord. Where an Order provides for the suspension or deposition of a Respondent who is a Bishop, the president shall pronounce Sentence not sooner than forty days following the issuance of the Order and not later than sixty 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 president 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. Unless otherwise expressly provided in writing in the restriction on ministry or Sentence of suspension, a Bishop under a restriction on ministry or Sentence of suspension shall not exercise any authority of his or her office and the Standing Committee will serve as the Ecclesiastical Authority. A Sentence of suspension of a Bishop lasting longer than six months shall terminate the pastoral relation between the Bishop and the Diocese unless (i) the Standing Committee by two-thirds vote requests of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops within thirty days that the relation continue and (ii) the Disciplinary Board for Bishops approves such request, except in the case of a Sentence of suspension for a Bishop Provisional serving as provided by Canon III.13 which shall result in the termination of the agreement with the Diocese. If the pastoral relation has not been terminated, religious services and sacramental ministrations shall be provided for that Diocese as though a vacancy exists. This Section shall not prohibit the application of Canon III.12.12.

Sec. 7.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Title to the contrary, no proceeding shall be brought under this Title against a Bishop in which the Offense alleged is violation of Canon IV.4.1.h.2 for holding and teaching, or having held and taught, publicly or privately, and advisedly, any Doctrine contrary to that held by the Church unless a statement of disassociation shall have first been issued by the House of Bishops as provided in Canon IV.17.7.a and thereafter the consent of one-third of the Bishops qualified to vote in the House of Bishops has been received to initiate proceedings under this Title as provided in Canon IV.17.7.b.

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. Not 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.

Sec. 8.

The Court of Review for Bishops is hereby established as a court of the Church to have jurisdiction over appeals from Hearing Panels of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops.

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. The Presiding Bishop must fill any vacancies on the Court of Review for Bishops within sixty days of the vacancy arising.

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

d. The 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.

Sec. 9.

An Accord between the Presiding Bishop and a Bishop resulting from an agreement for discipline pursuant to Canon IV.9 shall be (a) subject to the right of withdrawal provided in Canon IV.9.3 and (b) submitted by the Presiding Bishop to the Disciplinary Board for Bishops for approval promptly after it is signed by the Presiding Bishop and the respondent. Unless withdrawn under Canon IV.9.3, it shall be effective upon approval of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops and not subject to appeal.

Sec. 1.

Any Member of the Clergy who is the subject of an Order which has become effective may apply to the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese from which the Order issued, or the Presiding Bishop in the case of a Bishop, for modification or remission of the Order. If the Bishop is satisfied that sufficient reasons exist for granting the modification or remission sought, in whole or in part, the procedures provided in this Canon for modification or remission shall apply.

Sec. 2.

In the case of an Order pertaining to a Priest or Deacon, any provision of any Order other than a provision recommending deposition of the Priest or Deacon may be modified or remitted by the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese from which the Order issued with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the members of the Disciplinary Board.

Sec. 3.

In the case of a deposition of a Priest or Deacon pursuant to an Order, such deposition may be remitted and terminated by the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese from which the Order issued only upon the following conditions: (a) the remission shall be done with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the members of the Disciplinary Board of the Diocese from which the Order issued; (b) the proposed remission, with the reasons therefor, shall be submitted to the judgment of five of the Bishops Diocesan whose Dioceses are nearest to the Diocese from which the Order issued, and the Bishop Diocesan shall receive in writing from at least four of those Bishops their approval of the remission and their consent thereto; (c) if the person deposed maintains legal residence or canonical residence in a Diocese other than the Diocese from which the Order issued, the proposed remission, with the reasons therefor, shall be submitted to the judgment of the Bishop(s) Diocesan of the Diocese(s) of legal and canonical residence and such Bishop(s) shall give his or her (or their) written approval of the remission and consent thereto; and (d) before such remission, the Bishop Diocesan shall require the person deposed, who desires to be restored to the ordained ministry, to subscribe to the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

Sec. 4.

In the case of an Order pertaining to a Bishop, any provision of the Order may be modified or remitted by the president of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops with the advice and consent of a majority of the members of the Board and the Bishops who are then serving on the Court of Review.

Sec. 5.

In the case of any Order deposing a Member of the Clergy for abandoning the Church, no application for remission shall be received by the Bishop Diocesan until the deposed person has lived in lay communion with the Church for not less than one year next preceding application for the remission.

Sec. 6.

No Order may be modified or remitted unless the Member of the Clergy, the Church Attorney and each Complainant have been afforded sufficient opportunity to be heard by the Disciplinary Board, or the Disciplinary Board together with the Bishops who are then serving on the Court of Review, as the case may be, as to why the proposed modification or remission should or should not be permitted.

Sec. 1.

Proceedings under this Title are neither civil nor criminal but ecclesiastical in nature. These proceedings represent the responsibility of the Church to determine who shall serve as Members of the Clergy of the Church, reflecting the polity and order of this hierarchical church. Members of the Clergy have voluntarily sought and accepted positions in the Church and have thereby given their consent to subject themselves to the Discipline of the Church. They may not claim in proceedings under this Title constitutional guarantees otherwise associated with secular court proceedings.

Sec. 2.

No member of the Church, whether lay or ordained, may seek to have the Constitution and Canons of the Church interpreted by a secular court, or resort to a secular court to address a dispute arising under the Constitution and Canons, or for any purpose of delay, hindrance, review or otherwise affecting any proceeding under this Title.

Sec. 3.

No secular court shall have authority to review, annul, reverse, restrain or otherwise delay any proceeding under this Title. No action shall be brought in any secular court to enforce the terms or provisions of any Accord or Order unless otherwise expressly provided therein.

Sec. 4.

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.

Sec. 5.

Jurisdiction and venue for proceedings under this Title shall be as follows:

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:

Sec. 6.

In any proceeding under this Title in which the Respondent fails to appear before the Conference Panel as required by Canon IV.12.4, or to appear before the Hearing Panel as required by Canon IV.13.2.a.1, or to file in a timely manner with the Hearing Panel the written response required by Canon IV.13.2.a.3, such Panel may, in its discretion, proceed in the absence of the Respondent. In proceedings under this section, such panels may consider the materials described in Canon IV.12.1, and any other types of evidence whose use is permitted in proceedings conducted before such Panels. The failure of a Respondent to appear, or to fail to file a written response, as described in this Section shall not, in itself, provide the basis for a finding that any Offense has been committed, other than any Offense specifically arising from such failure to appear, or failure to file.

Sec. 7.

Unless otherwise expressly provided in writing in the restriction on ministry or Sentence of suspension, a Member of the Clergy under a restriction on Ministry or Sentence of suspension shall not exercise any authority of his or her office over the real or personal property or temporal affairs of the Church except such matters as may not be exercised by a person other than the holder of the office, and may exercise authority in those matters only with the advice and consent of the Vestry or Bishops Committee, in the case of congregational property or affairs, or the Standing Committee, in the case of Diocesan property or affairs. The Sentence of suspension of a Rector shall terminate the pastoral relation between the Rector and the Vestry or Congregation unless (i) the Vestry by two-thirds vote requests of the Ecclesiastical Authority within thirty days that the relation continue and (ii) the Ecclesiastical Authority approves such request. If the pastoral relation has not been terminated, religious services and sacramental ministrations shall be provided for that Parish as though a vacancy exists in the office of the Rector. This Section shall not prohibit the application of Canon III.9.13.

Sec. 8.

In computing any period of time for proceedings described in this Title, the day of the act or event from which the designated time period begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the time period shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in that jurisdiction, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in that jurisdiction. Whenever a party has the right or is required to do an act within a prescribed period after the service of notice or other paper, if the service is by mail, five days shall be added to the prescribed period. Whenever it is provided in this Title that an act be done promptly or without delay, such act shall be done as quickly as is reasonably possible under the circumstances.

Sec. 9.

In all cases in this Title where an action is performed or power exercised by a canonical body consisting of several members, including Reference Panels, Conference Panels, Hearing Panels and Courts of Review, and the full membership has been notified to convene, a majority of the members of the body shall be a quorum; and a majority of the members present when a quorum exists shall be competent to act.

Sec. 10.

Each Diocese shall make provision for Advisors to be available to Respondents and Complainants as provided in this Canon for the purposes of support, assistance, consultation and advice regarding the process provided in this Title and the rights, responsibilities, consequences and alternatives pertaining thereto.

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.

Sec. 11.

No person subject to the authority of the Church may attempt to coerce or improperly influence, directly or indirectly, the actions of any body performing functions under this Title, or any member of such body or any other person involved in such proceedings.

Sec. 12.

In all proceedings under this Title whenever a Respondent or a Complainant is required or permitted to appear or to participate or to be heard or to be present, they each shall have the right to be accompanied by and to be represented by counsel of their choice. Whenever any notice or other document is provided to or served upon a Respondent or a Complainant under this Title, such shall also simultaneously be provided to or served upon their respective counsel, if Respondent or Complainant, as the case may be, has notified the Bishop of the identity and contact information for such counsel. Nothing in this Title shall be construed as requiring any Respondent to be represented by counsel. Anything in this Title required or permitted to be done by the Respondent’s counsel may be done by the Respondent personally.

Sec. 13.

Proceedings under this Title, other than pastoral responses, shall be barred to the extent that the specific Offense has been the subject of any prior proceeding under this Title against the same Member of the Clergy which resulted in an Order or Accord. Additionally, in the case of a Member of the Clergy who has been the subject of proceedings under any predecessor to this Title, proceedings under this Title, other than pastoral responses, shall be barred to the extent that the specific Offense was previously included in a presentment against the Member of the Clergy or was expressly set forth in the Member of the Clergy’s waiver and voluntary submission to discipline upon which a Sentence has been pronounced or in the report of a conciliator.

Sec. 14.

Impartiality of officials and bodies described in this Title shall be addressed as follows:

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.

Sec. 15.

In addition to any challenge permitted under Canon IV.19.14, the integrity of the Disciplinary Board shall be preserved by a system of challenge as to the membership of any Panel of the Board appointed for a proceeding. Each Diocese shall provide by Canon for a system of challenge. If the Canons of the Diocese make no provision for challenging a member of the Board, any member of a Panel appointed for a proceeding may be challenged by the Church Attorney or the Respondent on grounds of conflict of interest or undue bias. The remaining members of the Board shall determine whether the challenge is relevant and factually supported and shall determine whether the challenged member shall be excused from that proceeding. If the member is excused, another member of the Board shall be appointed to the Panel to fill the vacancy created by the challenge, maintaining the appropriate balance of lay and ordained members.

Sec. 16.

There shall be a presumption that the Respondent did not commit the Offense. The standard of proof required for a Hearing Panel to find an Offense by a Respondent shall be that of clear and convincing evidence.

Sec. 17.

In all matters under this Title, it shall be the burden of the Church through the Church Attorney to establish an Offense by any Respondent.

Sec. 18.

Except as otherwise provided in this Title, or except for good cause shown as determined by the Hearing Panel, it shall be the duty of all members of the Church to appear and testify or respond when duly served with a notice to do so from any Panel in any matter arising under this Title.

Sec. 19.

No Chancellor or Vice Chancellor of a Diocese shall serve as Church Attorney in that Diocese. No Chancellor or Vice Chancellor of any Province shall serve as Church Attorney in any Diocese of that Province or any provincial proceeding. Neither the Presiding Bishop’s Chancellor nor the Chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies shall serve as Church Attorney in any proceeding. The Church Attorney in any proceeding shall not be from the same law firm as any Chancellor or Vice Chancellor otherwise disqualified under this section.

Sec. 20.

Notices or other papers to be served according to procedures of this Title shall be deemed to have been duly served if a copy is delivered to the person to be served, is left with an adult resident of the abode of the person to be served, is mailed by certified mail to the person’s usual place of abode, or is sent by electronic means with receipt confirmed in writing. Notice by publication shall be made in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction of the person’s usual place of abode. Acceptance of service renders unnecessary any further process.

Sec. 21.

A reference in this Title to a Bishop Diocesan shall include a Bishop Coadjutor if specific jurisdiction for matters contemplated by this Title has been assigned to the Bishop Coadjutor pursuant to Canon III.11.9.a.2, and a Bishop Suffragan or Assistant Bishop if specific responsibilities for matters contemplated by this Title have been expressly assigned to the Bishop Suffragan or Assistant Bishop by the Bishop Diocesan.

Sec. 22.

A Disciplinary Board or Court of Review may in its discretion obtain legal counsel to give it or the president of the Board or one of its Panels opinions on any questions of law, procedure or evidence. Such legal counsel, if any, shall have no vote in any proceeding before the Disciplinary Board, one of its Panels, or Court of Review.

Sec. 23.

Except as expressly provided in this Title, applicable Diocesan Canon, or in any Accord or Order, all costs, expenses and fees, if any, shall be the obligation of the party, person or entity incurring them.

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.

Sec. 24.

If the Presiding Bishop is unavailable to act by virtue of absence, disability or other disqualification, actions to be performed by the Presiding Bishop in this Title shall be performed by that Bishop who would be the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops as provided by Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution in the event of the resignation, infirmity, disability or death of the Presiding Bishop.

Sec. 25.

If there is neither a Bishop Diocesan nor a Bishop Coadjutor nor a Bishop Suffragan nor an Assistant Bishop expressly assigned the administration of clergy discipline in a Diocese and not under a restriction on ministry or Sentence of suspension, the Diocese shall, by agreement pursuant to Canon III.13.2, arrange for a Bishop to perform the duties of the Bishop Diocesan under this Title before commencing or continuing with any proceedings under this Title. A Bishop performing the duties of the Bishop Diocesan under this Section has all the authority and powers of the Bishop Diocesan under this Title.

Sec. 26.

Wherever in this Title it is provided that any communication, deliberation, investigation or proceeding shall be confidential, no person having knowledge or possession of confidential information derived from any such communication, deliberation, investigation or proceeding shall disclose the same except as provided in this Title, in any Accord or Order, or as required by any applicable law.

Sec. 27.

Privileged Communication shall not be disclosed, nor shall any negative inference be drawn respecting the claim of the privilege, unless the privilege is waived by the person to whom the privilege belongs. Waiver of a privilege may occur by (a) voluntary disclosure; (b) failure to timely object to use of a Privileged Communication; or (c) placing the Privileged Communication at issue. Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, no waiver by a penitent of the privilege which attaches to communications or disclosures made within the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent shall work to require any confessor to divulge anything pertaining to any such communications or disclosures, the secrecy of the confession being morally absolute as provided in the Book of Common Prayer.

Sec. 28.

Noncompliance with any procedural requirements set forth in this Title shall not be grounds for the dismissal of any proceeding unless the non-compliance shall cause material and substantial injustice to be done or seriously prejudice the rights of a Respondent as determined by the Panel or Court before which the proceeding is pending on motion and hearing.

Sec. 29.

Solely for the purposes of the application of these Canons to persons who have received the pronouncement of the former Sentence of removal, the former Sentence of removal shall be deemed to have been a Sentence of deposition.

Sec. 30.

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. The 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”).

Sec. 31.

Any Member of the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese who deems himself or herself to be under imputation, by rumor or otherwise, of any Offense for which proceedings could be had under this Title, may on his or her own behalf request the Intake Officer to conduct an inquiry with regard to such imputation. Upon receipt of such request by a Member of the Clergy, it shall be the duty of the Intake Officer to undertake an initial inquiry pursuant to Canon IV.6 and to report the result to the Member of the Clergy.

Sec. 32.

No Member of the Clergy shall be accountable for any Offense if the act or omission constituting the Offense shall have occurred only prior to the effective date of this Title, unless such act or omission would have constituted an offense under the predecessor to this Title.

Sec. 1.

Capitalized terms used in this Canon and which are not otherwise defined in this Title shall have the meanings provided in the predecessor to this Title.

Sec. 2.

The effective date of this Title shall be July 1, 2011. Except as otherwise provided in this Canon, the predecessor to this Title shall stand repealed on the effective date of this Title.

Sec. 3.

Matters which are pending under the predecessor to this Title on the effective date of this Title shall proceed as follows:

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.

Sec. 1.

No new Canon shall be enacted, or existing Canon be amended or repealed, except by concurrent Resolution of the two Houses of the General Convention. Such Resolution may be introduced first in either House, and shall be referred in each House to the Committee on Constitution and Canons thereof, for consideration, report, and recommendation, before adoption by the House; provided that in either House the foregoing requirement of reference may be dispensed with by a three-fourths vote of the members present.

Sec. 2.

Whenever a Canon is amended, enacted, or repealed in different respects by two or more independent enactments at the same General Convention, including the enactment of an entire Title, the separate enactments shall be considered as one enactment containing all of the amendments or enactments, whether or not repealed, to the extent that the change made in separate amendments or enactments, are not in conflict with each other. The two members of the Committee on Constitution and Canons from each House of General Convention appointed pursuant to Canon V.1.6 shall make the determination whether or not there is a conflict and certify the text of the single enactment to the Secretary of the General Convention.

Sec. 3.

Whenever a Canon which repealed another Canon, or part thereof, shall itself be repealed, such previous Canon or part thereof shall not thereby be revived or reenacted, without express words to that effect.

Sec. 4.

If a Canon or Section of a Canon or Clause of a Section of a Canon is to be amended or added, the enactment shall be in substantially one of the following forms: "That Canon . .(Canon, Section or Clause designated as provided in Canon V.2.2) . . be hereby amended to read as follows: (here insert the new reading)"; or "That Canon . . (Canon or Section designated as provided in Canon V.2.2) . . be hereby amended by adding a Section (or Clause) reading as follows: (here insert the text of the new Section or Clause)." If amendments are to be made at one meeting of the General Convention to more than one-half of the Canons in a single Title of the Canons, the enactment may be in the following form: "That Title . . of the Canons be hereby amended to read as follows: (here insert the new reading of all Canons in the Title whether or not the individual Canon is amended)." In the event of insertion of a new Canon, or a new Section or Clause in a Canon, or of the repeal of an existing Canon, or of a Section or Clause, the numbering of the Canons, or of a division of a Canon, which follow shall be changed accordingly without the necessity of enacting an amendment or amendments to that effect.

Sec. 5.

There will be a Custodian of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, nominated by the Presiding Officers of the two Houses of the General Convention and confirmed by the Executive Council. A vacancy in the office shall be filled in the same way. The Custodian will hold office for a term beginning twelve months after the adjournment of the previous regular meeting of the General Convention and will remain in office until twelve months after the subsequent regular meeting of the General Convention, or until a successor is confirmed. The first Custodian of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church will be nominated by the Presiding Officers to be confirmed at the first Executive Council meeting following the adoption of this Canon. It will be the duty of the Custodian to certify that all digital and printed versions of the Constitution and Canons, including any amendment or amendments adopted at the most recent General Convention, conform to the Constitution and Canons as duly authorized by the General Convention.

Sec. 6.

At the close of each regular meeting of the General Convention, the Custodian of the Constitution and Canons, in consultation with the chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, the chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies, and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standing Commission on Governance, Structure, Constitution, and Canons, will (a) certify the changes, if any, made in the Canons, including a correction of the references made in any Canon to another, and to report the same, with the proper arrangement thereof, to the Secretary of the General Convention; (b) certify in like manner the changes, if any, made in the Constitution, or proposed to be made therein under the provisions of Article XII of the Constitution, and to report the same to the Secretary of the General Convention, who shall publish them in the Journal; and (c) certify in like manner the changes, if any, made to the Joint Rules of Order. The Custodian shall also have and exercise the power of renumbering of, and correction of references to, Articles, Sections and Clauses of the Constitution required by the adoption of amendments to the Constitution at a meeting of the General Convention in the same manner as provided with respect to the Canons and the Joint Rules of Order.

Sec. 7.

All Canons enacted by the General Convention, and all amendments and repeals of Canons, unless otherwise expressly ordered by act of the General Convention, shall take effect on the first day of January following the adjournment of the General Convention at which they were enacted or made.

Sec. 1.

Whenever the term “Diocese” is used without qualification in these Canons, it shall be understood to refer both to “Dioceses” and to “Missionary Dioceses,” as these terms are used in the Constitution, and also, whenever applicable, to the “Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.”

Sec. 2.

Whenever in these Canons a reference is made to a Canon or a Section of a Canon or a Clause of a Section of a Canon, the word “Canon” shall be set out, followed in order by the numerical or alphabetical designation of the Title, the Canon, the Section and the Clause, in each case separated by a period.

Sec. 1.

The membership of all committees, subcommittees, task forces, panels, or other bodies elected or appointed by any church-wide body or leader throughout The Episcopal Church including, but not limited to, the House of Deputies; the House of Bishops; the Executive Council; and Standing Commissions, Committees, Agencies, and Boards of The Episcopal Church; and their respective Presiding Officers and Chairs shall report their membership to the Office of General Convention, which shall publish the information within 30 days after election or appointment.

Sec. 2.

Except where the Constitution or Canons of the General Convention provide to the contrary, a quorum of any body of the General Convention consisting of several members, the whole having been duly cited to meet, shall be a majority of said members; and a majority of the quorum so convened shall be competent to act.

Sec. 1.

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. The 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.

Sec. 2.

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.