ARTICLE
I
The Church in the Diocese of Bethlehem, being a constituent part of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the United States of America, accedes to, recognizes, and adopts the Constitution and
Canons of that Church, and acknowledges its authority accordingly.
ARTICLE II
There shall be a stated Convention of the Church in this Diocese every year, convening on such day
and at such place as the preceding Convention may have appointed; and if no appointment shall
have been made, then the Bishop and the Standing Committee shall appoint the day and the place.
The Bishop and the Standing Committee shall have the power to change the place and time of
Convention.
ARTICLE III
The Bishop may call Special Conventions when he shall judge it conducive to the good of the
Church; and he shall do so when requested by a vote of three-fourths of the Standing Committee. If
the Episcopate be vacant, the Standing Committee shall have power to call a Special Convention;
such call to be made by a circular letter to all the Clergy and Parishes, and issued not less than thirty
days previous to the day appointed for the Convention, stating the special business for which the
Convention is called.
ARTICLE IV
Every Convention shall be opened with Prayers, as directed by the
Bishop, and at every Convention there shall be a celebration of the Holy Communion.
ARTICLE V
Section 1. The Convention shall be composed of Clergy and Lay Deputies.
Section 2. Every member of the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese and actually engaged
in Church work with the previous written sanction of the Ecclesiastical Authority shall be entitled to
a seat and a vote in the Convention. Provided, that no member of the Clergy once entitled to a seat
and a vote shall be deprived of them by reason of retirement, disability, sickness, or by fulfilling
duties in an approved institution of learning, or as an officer or employee of the Executive Council
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, or of the National Council of Churches, or by serving as a
chaplain in the armed services or in the Veteran's Administration.
Section 3. The Lay members shall consist of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Chancellor of the
Diocese, if they be lay members; and of one Lay Deputy from each Parish and Organized Mission in
union with the Convention, with one additional Lay Deputy for each two hundred lay members or
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fraction thereof over one hundred in such Parish or Organized Mission as reported in the annual
Parochial Report for the year ending December 31st preceding; the Laity in all cases, like the Clergy,
voting as individuals; but no Parish or Organized Mission shall be entitled to representation in the
Convention which: (a) for the space of two years shall not have employed member of the Clergy as
its Parish Minister or applied to the Bishop for the services of a Missionary; or, (b) shall have failed
to pay the assessment laid upon it by the authorities of the Diocese on or before the first day of the
annual Convention; or, (c) failed to provide an audit as required under the Canons.
Furthermore, with respect to any Parish or Organized Mission which shall have failed to pay the
assessment laid upon it as herein before mentioned, in furtherance of Title I, Canon 7, Section 4 of
the Constitution and Canons for the Government of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United
States of America (Rev. 1991), the Bishop may, in his discretion, suspend the jurisdiction of the
vestry of the delinquent Parish or the Executive Committee of the delinquent Organized Mission
until such time as said delinquency is satisfactorily resolved.
But any such Parish shall again be entitled to representation, if on its own application, accompanied
by a report of its condition satisfactory on the points herein named, the Convention shall agree
thereto, and this right shall take effect immediately upon the Convention so agreeing.
The term "lay member," as used in this Article V, and in Article VIII below, shall in every case mean
baptized lay members of the Church in good standing.
ARTICLE VI
The Bishop shall preside in the Convention, but in case of absence or vacancy in the Episcopate, the
Convention shall elect a President from among the Clergy.
ARTICLE VII
A Secretary, a Treasurer, a Chancellor, a Registrar, and a Historiographer shall be chosen at each
annual Convention and shall remain in office until their successors be appointed and whose duties
shall be defined by Canon.
ARTICLE VIII
There shall be a Standing Committee consisting of five clergy and five lay members, who when there
is no Bishop, or when he is incapable of acting, shall perform such duties not peculiar to the
Episcopate as are in the Constitution and Canons assigned to the Bishop. A member of the Standing
Committee may be elected for a second consecutive term of five years but then shall not be eligible
for further re-election as a member of the Committee before the annual Convention next following
completion of that member's second consecutive term. At each annual Convention, one member of
clergy and one lay member shall be elected for a term of five years.
The Standing Committee shall have the authority to fill all vacancies that may occur during the
recess of the Convention, in their own body, and also such other offices as are held by election at
the annual Convention. If the unexpired term is two years or less, the person so appointed shall fill
the unexpired term. If the unexpired term is more than two years, then the Standing Committee
shall appoint a person to serve until the next Convention, at which time the Convention shall fill the
office.
In addition to the powers already vested in them, they shall also have authority to transact such
executive business as may be brought before them during the recess of the Convention.
It shall be the duty of the Standing Committee to see that a report on the State of the Church in the
Diocese of Bethlehem is on hand and kept up-to-date as part of the planning data of the Diocese.
ARTICLE IX
The Clergy and Lay Deputies in Convention shall deliberate in one body, and shall vote as such,
except when it is required otherwise by five members. In such a case the Convention shall vote as
two distinct Orders, and a majority of the votes of each Order taken separately shall be necessary to
give validity to a measure. In all elections a vote by orders shall not be required except as provided in
this Article.
Twenty members of the Clergy together with Lay Deputies from Twenty Parishes and Organized
Missions, duly assembled in Convention, shall be a quorum, and on every question the votes of a
majority of those present, or (when a vote by Orders is required) the votes of a majority of those
present of the two Orders respectively shall decide.
In all elections, except the election of a Bishop, Convention shall vote as one body through the use
of a marked ballot, voting machine or other mechanical or electronic devices. The mode of election
shall be as provided by Canon. Any amendment to the elections Canon can only become effective at
the Convention next succeeding the Convention in which the Canon is amended.
ARTICLE X
Section 1. To entitle a Parish or Congregation to admission into union with the Protestant
Episcopal Church in this Diocese, it shall be required that the Vestry submit to the Convention their
original Charter, or an authenticated copy thereof, if the Parish is already incorporated, or their
proposed Articles of Incorporation if said Parish has not yet been incorporated; and it shall appear
therein that such Parish accedes to the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese; and it shall appear
further that the said Charter or said proposed Articles have been submitted to the Bishop and
Standing Committee at least thirty days before the meeting of the Convention, and by them
respectively approved; or if the approbation of either the Bishop or Standing Committee, or both, is
withheld, he or they shall report to the Convention with the Charter or said proposed Articles, the
reason of his or their disapprobation. But no deputation from any Parish shall be entitled to vote in
the same Convention at which the Parish shall be admitted as a member unless such Parish was in
union with the Convention as an Organized Mission. Promptly the Parish, if already incorporated,
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shall file any required Articles of Amendment, and, if not yet incorporated, shall file said proposed
Articles of Incorporation in the appropriate Court. Similar procedure shall be followed with respect
to any amendment of Charter.
Section 2. To entitle an Organized Mission to admission into union with the Protestant
Episcopal Church In this Diocese, it shall be required that the Executive Committee submit to the
Convention their original Articles of Association and application for organization, or a copy thereof,
duly authenticated; and it shall appear therein that such Organized Mission accedes to the
Constitution and Canons of this Diocese; and it shall appear further, that the said Articles and
application have been submitted to the Bishop and Standing Committee at least thirty days before
the meeting of the Convention, and by them respectively approved, but no deputation from any
Organized Mission shall be entitled to vote in the Convention at which it shall be admitted as a
member. Similar procedure shall be followed with respect to any amendment to the Articles of
Association of an Organized Mission.
ARTICLE XI
When a Bishop is to be elected, the election shall be at the regular Annual Convention or at a Special
Convention duly called for that purpose. No person shall be declared elected unless he shall receive
a majority of the votes cast in each Order voting separately at the same ballot; provided, that two-
thirds of all the Clergy entitled to votes be present and two-thirds of all the Parishes entitled to votes
be represented; otherwise a vote of two-thirds shall be necessary.
ARTICLE XII
This Constitution or any part thereof may be altered in the following manner only: The proposed
alteration or amendment shall be submitted in writing to the Annual Convention, and if approved
by a majority of each Order, shall lie over to the next Annual Convention, and if then approved
by a majority of each Order, the Constitution shall stand altered or amended as proposed.
CANONS
OF THE DIOCESE OF BETHLEHEM
CANON
I
Clergy Entitled to Seats
Within one week before the meeting of every Convention of this Diocese, the Bishop shall deliver
to the Secretary a list of all the clergy canonically resident in the Diocese, entitled to seats in the
Convention, with the names of their respective cures, parishes, stations, or places of residence. This
list shall determine the right of any member of the Clergy to a seat, subject, however, to correction
by the Convention in accordance with the Constitution and Canons.
CANON II
Lay Delegates
Each Parish and each Organized Mission may elect one Lay Delegate and one additional Lay
Delegate for each two hundred lay members or fraction thereof over one hundred in such Parish or
Organized Mission as reported in the annual Parochial Report for the year ending December 31
preceding, to represent said Parish and Organized Mission in Convention; and may also elect
Alternates, equal in number to the Delegates to which the Parish or Organized Mission is entitled, to
take the place of the regular Delegates in case of absence. At least one lay delegate shall be a
member of the Vestry or Executive Committee from delegations that have two or more lay
delegates. The Lay Delegation shall report to the Vestry or Executive Committee the actions of each
Convention and discuss how those actions will be implemented in the parish or Mission.
Each Parish or Organized Mission may elect its Lay Delegates at its annual congregational meeting, a
special congregational meeting or by its Vestry or Executive Committee pursuant to its By-Laws.
The term "lay member" as used in this Canon II and subsequent canons of these canons shall in
every case mean baptized lay member of the Church in good standing.
The appointment of Lay Delegates to the Convention shall be certified in writing by the Secretary or
Clerk of the Vestry or Executive Committee of the proper Parish or Organized Mission; and the
certificate shall state that the Delegates therein named was chosen from the number of those who
have been, for not less than six months before the election, lay members in the Parish or Organized
Mission to be represented. The certificate shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the Convention not
later than four months prior to Convention. If during the year, and prior to Convention, there shall
be any change in elected Lay Delegates, prompt notification shall be given.
In addition to the foregoing Lay Delegates, four (4) youth “lay members” shall be elected at large by
the youth assembled at the annual Bishop’s Day or other such youth event specified by the Bishop,
who shall serve at the Diocesan Convention next ensuing and until their successors qualify.
The Bishop or the Missioner for Youth Ministries shall certify said elections in writing to the
Secretary of the Convention within thirty (30) days thereafter.
CANON III
The Call of the
Convention
Not less than forty-five days notice of each meeting of the Convention shall be given by the
Secretary to every member of the Clergy of the Diocese, and to every Parish in union with the
Church in this Diocese.
CANON IV
The Business of
the Convention
First Day: Every Convention shall be opened with prayers as directed by the Bishop. After the
Convention shall be called to order, the Secretary shall call the names of the Officers of the Diocese,
and the Clerical and Lay Deputies claiming seats in the Convention. By the unanimous consent of
the Convention, this roll call may be omitted both here and as elsewhere ordered, the attendance
being determined by personal registration with the Secretary. The Bishop's Address shall be in order
at any time during the Convention.
1. Election of a Secretary, who may appoint an Assistant Secretary.
2. Appointment by the President of Regular Committees as follows:
Each committee shall consist of four to eight persons; clergy canonically resident in the diocesan
and lay members in good standing in this diocese; who shall continue in office until their successors
are appointed. Appointments may be from one to three years with provision for annual rotation of a
portion of the committee membership.
I. Claims of Clergy and Lay Deputies to Seats.
II. Charters and Admission of New Parishes and Missions.
III. Constitution and Canons.
IV. Unfinished Business.
V. Resolutions.
VI. Nominations.
3. Reference of business to committees.
4. Nominations to offices to be filled by the Convention.
5. Resolutions respecting only reference or facilitating business.
6. Elections shall be by a majority vote of the valid votes cast for each office. A majority of the valid
votes cast for each office shall be computed by dividing the total number of votes cast by twice the
number of offices or positions to be filled and adding one (1) vote. Each delegate shall have one
vote on each ballot for each office or position to be filled.
If, upon the first ballot there is no majority cast for one or more of the offices to be filled, or if there
is a tie existing among the candidates receiving a majority, a second ballot will be cast. The nominees
on such ballot shall be the candidates receiving the highest number of votes on the preceding ballot,
not to exceed twice the number of offices to be filled; except in the case of a tie vote in the last
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place, in which event the candidates receiving the tie vote shall also be candidates on the succeeding
ballot. Similarly ballots shall be cast until all the offices shall be filled.
When elections are for different terms of office, the nominee first elected shall be the one elected
for the longest term; or if two or more are elected on the same ballot, the candidate receiving the
highest number of votes shall be the one or ones elected. In the event of a tie, in such instances the
determination shall be made by the drawing of lots.
Second and Succeeding Days
1. Reports of Regular Committees.
2. Reports of Special Committees.
3. Report of Elections.
4. Report of the Standing Committee.
5. Reports of the Treasurers of the various Funds.
6. Proposed alteration of the Constitution and Canons.
7. Unfinished Business.
8. Miscellaneous Business.
CANON V
The Regular Committees
The regular Committees named in Canon IV, Section 2, may be appointed by the President at any
time between meetings of the Convention. Their duties and responsibilities shall be as follows:
Section 1. The Committee on Claims of Clergy and Lay Deputies to Seats in the Convention
shall receive from the Secretary any reports of disputed or uncertain claims to seats in the
Convention. The Committee shall meet promptly and consider the matters laid before it, and
recommend to the Convention such action, as it deems proper.
Section 2. The Committee on Charters and the Admission of New Parishes and Missions shall
receive from the Secretary all documents pertaining to the adoption of or changes in the Charters of
Parishes, or the Articles of Association of Missions. Its manner of procedure is described in Article
X of the Constitution. But any deputation from any Parish or Mission, duly authorized by action of
the Vestry or Council of Advice for this purpose shall be entitled to be heard by this Committee if it
so requests, provided that its presence at the Convention is made known to the Committee by the
end of the first Business Session of the Convention.
Section 3. The Committee on Constitution and Canons shall receive from the Secretary all
proposed changes in the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese, and shall consider the same. It
shall report said changes to the Convention with approval, with disapproval, with amendments, or
without comment. In every case it shall take care that the material in its report shall be in proper
canonical form. It may approve or disapprove the form or substance of a resolution, or either of
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them, according to its own judgement. The report of this Committee in both form and substance
shall take precedence over the original resolution submitted to it.
Section 4. The Committee on Resolutions shall receive from the Secretary resolutions not
referred by the President of the Convention to any other Committee. Such resolutions must always
be presented in writing at least 60 days before the meeting of the Convention unless a majority
consent is given by the Convention to a later presentation. The Committee shall consider them as to
form, substance, and language, and shall report its recommendations to the Convention.
Section 5. The Committee on Unfinished Business shall receive from the Secretary a report of
all business initiated in previous Convention, which is to come before the current Convention.
Whenever it shall appear that matters which the Convention is bound to consider may be
inadvertently omitted, it shall notify the President and the Secretary. It may always make
recommendations for the furtherance of the business of the Convention.
Section 6. Not later than four months before each annual Convention the Nominating
Committee shall notify all clergy canonically resident in the Diocese, and the Secretary or Clerk of
every Parish and Organized Mission, of the offices to be filled by election at the Convention and
request that names and addresses of candidates for such offices be nominated to the Committee.
Each name shall be accompanied by a brief biography and a statement that the individual so
nominated to the Committee has consented, and is willing to serve if elected. Not later than two
months before the date set for Convention the Nominating Committee shall prepare a list of
nominees who are in the consideration of the Committee well qualified for such offices. In
determining nominees for Diocesan Council, the committee shall nominate persons who represent
diverse geographical areas of the Diocese, taking into consideration the existing membership of
Diocesan Council.
The list of nominees presented by the Committee to the Convention shall include the names of the
Parishes or Organized Missions to which the respective nominees belong, and the number of terms,
if any, during which each of them has held the office for which nominated. The Committee shall not
later than 45 days in advance of the date set for Convention send a copy of the list of nominees to
all clergy canonically resident in the Diocese and to the Secretary or Clerk of every Parish and
Organized Mission.
Nominations from the floor of the Convention shall be accepted, provided that the person
nominated has given prior approval and has agreed to serve if elected and provided further that a
biography of the person of not less than twenty-five words nor more than one hundred is available
at the time of nomination for distribution to each clerical and lay deputy to the Convention.
CANON VI
On Non-Parochial
Clergy
Section 1. A member of the clergy canonically resident in this diocese who desires to exercise a
full-time ministry in a non-parochial capacity, or who desires to take secular employment without
relinquishing the ministry, shall make that desire known to the Bishop or the Ecclesiastical Authority
of the Diocese. The Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, after satisfying
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himself and them that the applicant will have appropriate opportunities for the exercise of such
ministry, may give his approval, on the following conditions:
(a). The Minister shall report annually, in writing, his or her occasional services; or if there have been
none, the causes or reasons which have prevented the same.
(b). The Minister shall, on his or her own initiative, appear in person before the Bishop semi-
annually, in Easter-tide and in the season of Advent, at such times and places as may be mutually
agreed upon.
Section 2. Any non-parochial minister, who for a period of two years does not comply with the
above provisions, may be removed by the Bishop from the roll of clergy canonically resident in the
Diocese and transferred to the Special List of the Secretary of the House of Bishops.
Section 3. Any non-parochial Minister removing from the Diocese to another jurisdiction, shall,
before requesting Letters Dimissory, secure a statement in writing from the Bishop of such
jurisdiction that he is willing to accept such Letters. If the said Bishop is unwilling to receive such a
Minister as a member of the clergy of his Diocese, the said Minister shall so notify the Bishop of the
Diocese of his or her canonical residence. It shall be competent for the said Bishop of the Diocese
of canonical residence either to retain the Minister on the diocesan roll of clergy, or to transfer such
minister to the Special List of the Secretary of the House of Bishops. If the Bishop chooses to retain
canonical supervision of a Minister geographically removed from the Diocese, the provisions of
Section 1 above may be modified as the circumstances may require.
CANON VII
Reports of the
Standing Committee
It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Standing Committee to prepare a report of its proceedings
from year to year, and present the same to the Convention at its annual meeting.
CANON VIII
Parish Vestries
Section 1. The Vestry in every parish shall cooperate with the rector in promoting the spiritual
welfare of the parish and shall aid the rector in the initiation, conduct and development of the
program of the Church both within and without the parish.
Section 2.
(a). The Vestry shall accept responsibility for the mission of the Church in the
community, the diocese, the nation and the world; and shall be a means by which the General
Church and the Diocese communicate with the parish.
(b). Each year before the second Friday in November the Vestry shall determine the parish's
proportionate share in the financial support of the program of the General Church and the Diocese
for the ensuing year, and shall inform the Bishop and Diocesan Council of the exact amount of this
obligation.
Section 3.
(a). The Vestry shall represent the parish in its relations with the rector.
(1). The Vestry shall serve as a Council of Advice for the rector upon request, or whenever In the
judgement of both Wardens there are matters that should be brought to the attention of the rector.
Section 4.
(a). When a parish becomes vacant, the Senior Warden shall notify the fact to the
Bishop. The Vestry shall then make provision for the maintenance of divine services in the parish
during the vacancy.
(b). It shall be the duty of a Vestry to elect a rector when there is a vacancy. But no election of a
rector shall be had until the name of the priest whom it is proposed to elect has been made known,
in writing, to the Bishop and the Bishop has acted thereon. The Bishop may approve, or disapprove,
the election of the candidate proposed by the Vestry and shall within thirty days of the date of
receipt by him of notice of the candidate's name advise the Vestry in writing of such approval or
disapproval. If he shall disapprove the candidate, he shall state in writing the reasons for his
disapproval, and in the same communication advise the Vestry of its right to appeal from such
disapproval to the Standing Committee, as hereinafter provided. Failure of the Bishop either to
approve or disapprove the candidate within such thirty-day period shall constitute approval of the
candidate by him.
(c). In the event of disapproval by the Bishop of election of any priest proposed to be elected rector,
the Vestry may, within ten days of receipt of notice of such disapproval, by vote of a majority of its
entire membership appeal the matter to the Standing Committee. The notice of such appeal shall be
in writing, addressed to the President of the Standing Committee, shall be signed by a majority of
the entire Vestry, shall state the reasons why the Vestry believes the election of the priest proposed
by them ought to proceed despite such disapproval, and shall address severally each of the reasons
stated by the Bishop as grounds for his disapproval.
(d). The Standing Committee shall, within ten days of receipt of a notice of such appeal, meet to
consider whether the Bishop's action of disapproval ought to be sustained by it or overruled. Due
notice of such meeting and of its purpose shall be given to the Vestry and to the Bishop, and the
Bishop and representatives of the Vestry shall be given opportunity to appear and be heard by the
Committee, but shall not be permitted to attend during any period of the Committee's deliberations.
(e). The Standing Committee may sustain or may overrule the disapproval of the Bishop. If it shall
vote to sustain such disapproval notice of its suspension shall be given to the Vestry in writing
within ten days of the date of the meeting at which such vote was taken in that event the election of
the priest proposed by the Vestry to be elected as rector shall not proceed. If the Standing
Committee shall vote to overrule such disapproval, or shall fail to give the notice provided for in the
preceding sentence of this subparagraph (e) within the prescribed ten days, the election of such
priest may proceed despite the disapproval of the Bishop.
(f). Written notice of the election of a rector signed by the Wardens shall be sent to the Bishop. If
the Bishop be satisfied that the person so chosen is a duly qualified minister of the Church and has
been duly elected in accordance with the provisions of this Canon VIII and has accepted election,
the notice shall be sent to the Secretary of the Diocese who shall record it. Such record shall be
sufficient evidence of the relation between the rector and the parish.
Section 5. The Vestry shall encourage fit persons, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to
enter the ministry of the Church. The Vestry shall share with the Bishop and the Rector in the
training and guidance of postulants and candidates of the parish in accordance with the Canons of
the Church.
Section 6.
(a). The Vestry shall be the agents and legal representatives of the parish in all
matters concerning its corporate property, subject to the Canons of the Church and the appropriate
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(b). The Vestry shall supervise the care and maintenance of the buildings, furnishings and other
properties of the parish, providing adequate insurance thereon.
(c). The Vestry shall be responsible for the proper care of the finances of the parish, including any
trust funds, subject to the Canons of the Church and the appropriate laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
(d). Each Vestry meeting shall be open to members of the congregation, except with respect to
confidential personnel, legal or pastoral matters.
Section 7. When the jurisdiction of the Vestry of a delinquent Parish or the Executive
Committee of a delinquent Organized Mission is suspended pursuant to Article 5, Section 3, of the
Constitution of the Diocese of Bethlehem for failure to pay its assessment, during the time of
suspension the duties of the Vestry or Executive Committee shall be conducted by such persons as
the Bishop shall designate. If the suspension continues for two years, the Bishop, with the consent
of the Standing Committee, may recommend to the Convention that the Parish or Organized
Mission be no longer subject to this Church and its Constitution and Canons and its union with the
Church and the Diocese shall be dissolved. Upon approval by a two-thirds vote by the Convention,
the union with the Parish or Organized Mission shall be dissolved, and the Diocese shall take title to
all real and personal property of the Parish or Organized Mission and its subsidiaries and shall be the
beneficiary of all trusts, estates, and endowments created for the benefit of the Parish or Organized
Mission. The Bishop may, with the consent of the Standing Committee, reestablish the
congregation as an Organized Mission, and appoint a Vicar and Executive Committee, which shall
conduct the affairs of the Organized Mission in accordance with the Constitutions and Canons of
this Church and Diocese.
CANON IX
The Secretary
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to take minutes of the proceedings of all Conventions, to
preserve the Journals and Records, to attest the public acts of the body, and faithfully to deliver into
the hands of the successor all books and papers relative to the concerns of the Diocese, which may
be in his or her possession. The Secretary shall cause one copy of every printed Journal to be
certified, which shall be deposited as the official record of such Convention, and shall be preserved
as such.
CANON X
The Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be the treasurer and finance officer of the Diocese, the Diocesan Council, and
the Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese of Bethlehem, and shall perform such duties as are usually
and customarily incumbent on such offices. He or she shall keep such accounts, as may be required,
which shall be audited annually, and make such periodic reports as may be deemed necessary. The
Treasurer shall be required to give such security as may from time to time be required and
prescribed.
CANON XI
The Chancellor
The Chancellor shall be the legal adviser and chief law officer of the Bishop, the Diocese, the
Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee, The Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese of
Bethlehem, and all special committees appointed by the Convention, whenever they may require
legal advice in questions affecting the interest of the Diocese.
CANON XII
The Registrar
and The Historiographer
Section 1. The Registrar shall keep in some suitable accessible place of deposit, subject to the
direction of the Convention, a record of the consecrations of all the Bishops of this Diocese, and of
the ordinations of all priests and deacons of this Diocese, in a suitable book, and the Registrar's
certificate thereof shall be competent evidence of the fact of such consecrations and ordinations.
Section 2. The Historiographer shall be the custodian of all Journals of other dioceses and
jurisdictions and of all files, papers, reports and documents that shall become the property of the
Diocese and shall keep the same in some suitable, accessible place of deposit subject to the direction
of the Convention.
CANON XIII
The Funds of
the Diocese
Section 1. The Episcopal Endowment Fund. The Episcopal Endowment Fund shall consist of
all monies and securities, which are held by the Incorporated Trustees in trusts with directions to
credit the income therefrom on the Diocesan Assessments of certain designated Parishes and
Missions for whose benefits the respective trusts are established.
Section 2. The Episcopal Diocesan Fund. The Episcopal Diocesan Fund shall consist of all
other monies and securities which are not included in the Episcopal Endowment Fund but which
are held by the Incorporated Trustees, in trust or otherwise, to use the principal or income
therefrom to pay the expenses of the Episcopate, the Diocesan Convention, and such other
purposes as are provided in the Canons.
CANON XIV
Business Methods
in Church Affairs
Section 1. In every parish, mission, congregation or institution connected with the Diocese of
Bethlehem, the following standard business methods shall be observed.
(a). Trust and permanent funds and all securities of whatsoever kind shall be deposited with a
Federal or State Bank or an institution approved by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation
(SIPC). Either a deed of trust or an agency agreement, providing for at least two signatures on any
order of withdrawal of such funds or securities is required.
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.
(b). Records shall be made and kept of all trust and permanent funds showing at least the following:
(1). Source and date
(2). Terms governing the use of principle and income.
(3). To whom and how often reports of conditions are to be made.
(4). How the funds are invested.
(c). 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.
(d). Books of account, including a double-entry general ledger and a balance sheet with assets and
liabilities, shall be so kept as to provide the basis for satisfactory accounting.
(e). All accounts shall be audited annually by a Certified or Independent Public Accountant, or by
such an accounting agency as shall be permitted by the Department of Finance of the Diocesan
Council. 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 year. In the event that an audit is not
provided within thirty (30) days after notice from the Treasurer of the Diocese, the Diocese retains
the authority to obtain an audit of the parish, mission or congregation by an independent certified
accountant of its choosing, and the cost thereof shall be added to the next assessment of the parish,
mission or congregation.
(f). All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured.
(g). The 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.
Section 2. No indebtedness shall be incurred by a Parish, Mission or Congregation without the
approval of both the Bishop and Standing Committee, except:
(a). Indebtedness for permanent improvements, replacements or additions to real estate or
equipment, where the amount of such indebtedness, plus indebtedness of every kind already
existing, shall not exceed 150% of the average annual receipts of such Parish, Mission, or
congregation during the past three years.
(b). Indebtedness for current expenses where the amount of such indebtedness, plus all
indebtedness heretofore incurred for current expenses and still existing, shall not exceed 20% of the
total current receipts of such Parish, Mission, or congregation during the preceding fiscal year; and
the payment of all such indebtedness shall be provided for in the budget of the next ensuing fiscal
year with reasonable expectation of its payment out of the receipts of next two years.
Provided that in computing receipts under paragraphs (a) and (1) hereof, amounts from or for
endowments or from or by bequests, except income therefrom not specially designated, and receipts
for expenditures other than parochial shall not be included; and provided further that under any
circumstances under which approval is required, it shall be granted only when the payment of all
indebtedness shall be provided for in a plan of amortization or other method of payment to be
submitted to and approved by the same authority.
This Canon shall not apply to the refinancing of existing loans.
Section 3. A report of every parish and other congregation of the Church shall be prepared
annually for the year ending December 31st preceding, upon the blank form adopted by the General
Convention, and shall be sent no later than February 1st to the Bishop of the Diocese, or where
there is no Bishop, to the Secretary of the Diocese. In every parish the preparation and delivery of
this report shall be the joint duty of the Rector and Vestry, and in every other congregation, the duty
of the Minister-In-Charge thereof. This report shall include the following information:
(a). The number of baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials during the year, the total number
of baptized persons and communicants at the time of the report; and for all purposes the number of
members of the Church shall be deemed to be the number of baptized persons;
(b). A summary of all receipts and expenditures from whatever source derived and for whatever
purpose used; and
(c). A statement of the property held by the Parish, whether real or personal, with an appraisal of its
value, together with a statement of the indebtedness of the Parish, if any, and of the amount of
insurance carried.
Section 4. Real property held or administered by the Diocese of Bethlehem or by Institutions,
Parishes or Congregations connected with it, shall be offered for sale, sold, or leased only on a non-
discriminatory basis with respect to race, color, creed, or national origin, pursuant to the applicable
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and of the United States of America.
Section 5.
(a). Each parish, mission or congregation shall hold an annual meeting, at which a report of its
finances shall be given, including reports of all assets and liabilities and all income and expenditures
of each parish, mission or congregation, including any subsidiary or related organization or entity,
including (but not limited to) all trusts, endowments or other accounts.
(b). A financial report shall be given at each regular meeting of the Vestry or Executive Committee,
which shall include current income and expenditures. Following approval, the report shall be made
available to members of the congregation by publicly posting or otherwise.
CANON XV
The Diocesan
Council
Section 1. Purpose of the Diocesan Council
(a). The Diocesan Council shall be the executive agency of the Convention of the Diocese in the
interim of meetings of the Convention, and shall be responsible to the Convention.
(b). The Diocesan Council shall administer and advance the work of the Church in this Diocese,
subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese.
(c). As the executive agency of the Convention of the Diocese, the Diocesan Council may
inaugurate, revise and enact policies that are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of
the Diocese.
Section 2. Membership of the Diocesan Council
(a). The Bishop of the Diocese shall be, ex-officio, president of the Diocesan Council.
(b). The Bishop Coadjutor and the Bishop Suffragan, if there be such, and the Treasurer, shall be,
ex-officio members of the Diocesan Council.
(c). The Convention shall elect six persons, three clerical and three lay, to the Diocesan Council
annually to serve for a term of three years. No one so elected shall be eligible for re-election after
having served two consecutive terms until after the expiration of one year.
(d). The Bishop shall appoint a member of the Diocesan Council from among the Episcopal
Churchwomen of the Diocese for a term of two years.
Section 3. The Duties of the Diocesan Council
(a). The Diocesan Council shall annually prepare and submit to the Convention for its consideration
and approval a statement of diocesan strategy, together with programs and services to implement
this strategy, including provision for those expenses formerly within the jurisdiction of the
Committee for the Episcopate, setting these programs and services in an order of priority and
including criteria and standards for evaluating same.
(b). The Diocesan Council shall prepare and submit annually to the Convention for its consideration
and approval, subject to sub-section herein, a proposed operating budget for all programs and
services included in the proposed strategy, and the assessments and acceptances of the parishes and
missions necessary to effect said strategy.
(c). At the first meeting of the Diocesan Council in each fiscal year, the aforementioned proposed
operating budget shall be finalized and approved, in accordance with the strategy and priorities
adopted by the Convention, which operating budget shall not be greater than the financial resources
available for these purposes.
When unforeseen circumstances prevent Diocesan Council from convening in person, the budget
may be finalized and approved via telephone conference call, mail ballot of the members or any
other method chosen by Diocesan Council in accordance with its bylaws promulgated under
subsection (f).
(d). Upon approval of the proposed operating budget by the Convention, notice shall be sent to the
Rector or Vicar and Treasurer of each Parish and Mission of the assessment due and payable by the
respective Parish or Mission, which shall be payable in monthly installments to the Treasurer of the
Diocese commencing January of the fiscal year to which said budget is applicable.
Notice of the right of appeal from the amount of the assessment shall be printed in the notices sent
to the Parishes and Missions. All requests for reduction or for exoneration shall be submitted to
Diocesan Council, who shall act upon same in a timely fashion. At least one month before the close
of the diocesan fiscal year and one month before any Special Convention, Diocesan Council shall
notify all Parishes and Missions which may have failed to meet their assessments in full, stating the
amount still due, and shall add to the notice the clause in Article V of the Constitution, which bars
representation in the Convention for certain financial delinquency.
(e). At the opening of each annual Convention, Diocesan Council shall present a written report
stating in detail the fiscal condition of the Diocese, and a list of the Parishes and Missions which
may have failed to pay their assessments, stating the amount still due from each.
(f). Diocesan Council shall have the power to devise and enact such bylaws for its own governance,
as it deems suitable, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese.
Section 4. Programs, Services, Evaluation and Reports
(a). The Diocesan Council shall have the power to initiate and appoint such program units, service
groups, committees and other agencies as are necessary to fulfill the diocesan strategy and policies.
(b). The Diocesan Council shall have continuing responsibility of evaluating the effectiveness of all
programs, services and personnel.
(c). Program units, service groups, committees, agencies and personnel shall report regularly to the
Diocesan Council in such ways as the Diocesan Council shall determine.
(d). The Diocesan Council shall annually report in full to the Convention.
CANON XVI Diocesan Staff
Section 1. An Archdeacon, who shall be called the Archdeacon of Bethlehem, may be
appointed by the Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Diocesan Council, which appointment
shall be confirmed by ballot at a regular meeting of the Council. The Archdeacon shall be in priest's
orders and shall hold office until the tenure thereof be terminated, by the vote of the Bishop and the
Diocesan Council, by resignation, or otherwise and during tenure in that office shall receive a stated
salary and expenses, to be paid by the Treasurer of the Diocese. The Archdeacon shall be ex-officio
a member of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese.
Section 2.
(a). The Bishop may, with the advice and consent of the Diocesan Council create
other diocesan staff positions. In each instance the Bishop shall provide the Diocesan Council with
a full description of the proposed position and the functions to be performed by it.
(b). Wherever a diocesan staff position shall be so created or be vacant, the Bishop shall have the
power of appointment to that position.
CANON XVII
Commission
on Ministry
Section 1. Membership.
(a). The Bishop shall ex-officio be a member of the Commission on Ministry. The Bishop Coadjutor
and the Bishop Suffragan, if there be such, shall ex-officio be members of the Commission on
Ministry.
(b). The Convention shall elect twelve (12) persons, six clerical and six lay, to the Commission on
Ministry; one third in each order to be elected annually to serve for a term of three years. No one so
elected shall be eligible for re-election after having served two consecutive terms until after the
expiration of one year.
(c). The Bishop may annually appoint not more than two additional members for a term of three
years, except for the initial appointments wherein the Bishop may appoint two persons for one year
terms, two persons for two year terms and two persons for three year terms. Such appointments
shall be confirmed by the Convention or by the Diocesan Council. Such appointments need not be
of communicants of the Church.
Section 2. The duties of the Commission on Ministry shall be those prescribed in the Canons
of the Episcopal Church; and such other duties relating to the ministry of this diocese as shall be
assigned by the Bishop.
Section 3. The Commission on Ministry shall have the power to devise and enact by-laws for its
own governance, not inconsistent with the Constitution and Canons of the diocese.
Section 4. The Commission on Ministry shall annually report in full to the Convention of the
diocese.
CANON XVIII
Organized
Missions
Section 1. The power to establish an Organized Mission in any town or district is hereby vested
in the Bishop of the Diocese. An Organized Mission is, for the purpose of this Canon, an incipient
organization over which a Missionary may at any time be placed by the authority of the Bishop. But
an Organized Mission shall not be established in any town or district until an application shall have
been made by not less than ten adult persons, declaring their attachment to the Protestant Episcopal
Church, and their purpose to sustain the services of said Church; they shall furthermore pledge the
payment of a specified sum for the maintenance of the Vicar whom the Bishop shall appoint.
Section 2. All property of an Organized Mission shall be vested in The Incorporated Trustees
of the Diocese, who shall hold the same for the benefit of said Mission, until such time as it shall be
duly organized as a Parish, when the said property may be transferred to the Parish Corporation;
provided that when a property is vested in a parent Parish it shall retain the same until the Mission
be organized as a Parish and as such be admitted into union with the Convention.
Section 3. There shall be annually elected in every Organized Mission not less than four nor
more than ten adult members who, with the Vicar, shall constitute the Executive Committee of the
Mission, and whose duty it shall be to promote the temporal and spiritual interests of the Mission.
The date of the election, the qualifications of an elector and the terms of office of the members of
the Executive Committee shall be fixed by the By-laws of the Mission.
Section 4. The Vicar shall appoint from the Executive Committee a Warden, and the Executive
Committee shall elect a Secretary and Treasurer. The Treasurer need not be a member of the
Executive Committee.
Section 5. The Lay Deputies from the Organized Mission shall be chosen from among the
members thereof in the manner provided in Canon II.
CANON XIX
Committee on
Personnel
Section 1. There shall be a Committee on Personnel consisting of nine members, one third of
the members to be appointed by the Bishop annually at the Convention to serve for a term of three
years.
A member of the Committee on Personnel may be reappointed for a second consecutive term of
three years, but then shall be ineligible for further appointment until at least one year has elapsed.
Section 2. The Committee on Personnel shall regularly review the administration of personnel
policies established by the Convention, and shall report to the Convention annually. The Committee
on Personnel may make recommendations to the Convention concerning personnel policies. In the
interim of meetings of the Convention, the Personnel Committee shall report to the Bishop and to
the Diocesan Council through the Commission on Ministry.
Section 3. Each clerical position in the Diocese shall be assigned by the responsible employing
agency a position grade, in accordance with the grading system established by Convention, which
shall carry a salary not less than the minimum salary determined by Convention for that grade.
This provision does not apply to positions filled by deacons, diocesan interns, lay readers or non-
stipendiary clergy.
Section 4. A call to a priest in the event of a vacancy in a clerical position shall be made in the
form of a written Letter of Agreement, which shall state:
(a). The position grade.
(b). The step and actual cash salary offered.
(c). Provision for housing, either in a rectory or through a housing allowance, and full
statement of any other benefits in connection with the same, such as utilities, moving
expenses, etc.
(d). The automobile allowance.
(e). Acceptance of the national assessment of the Church Pension Fund and for Major
Medical and group life insurance.
(f). Length of annual vacation.
(g). Provision for continuing education and study, stating time to be allowed annually and
any parish contribution to cost.
Section 5. After acceptance by the priest and the employing group, the Letter of Agreement
may be revised by mutual agreement.
Section 6. If the personnel policies set forth in this Canon as established by Convention result
in conditions which seem unjust to the concerned parties or to the Bishop, the employing group, the
priest or the Bishop may appeal to the Standing Committee for judgments in the matter. The
decision of the Standing Committee shall be binding and not subject to further appeal.
CANON XX
The Church Pension
Fund
Section 1. The Bishop of the Diocese shall appoint annually a Committee on the Church
Pension Fund to consist of three members of the Clergy and three Lay members.
Section 2. The duties of said Committee shall be:
(a). To inform the clergy and the laity of the Diocese of the pension fund created by General
Convention and committed by it to the Trustees of the Church Pension Fund, in order that the
clergy may be assured of pension protection in old age, or in the event of total and permanent
disability, and for their surviving spouses and minor children in the event of death.
(b). To receive reports from the Church Pension Fund on the status of the pension assessments
payable to said Fund under its rules and as required by the Canons, by this Diocese, the parishes,
missions and of the ecclesiastical organizations.
(c). To make an annual report to the Convention on matters relating to the Church Pension Fund.
(d). To cooperate with the Church Pension Fund in doing all things advisable or necessary to secure
the fullest pension protection under the Fund for the clergy of the Diocese.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of this Diocese and of the Parishes, Missions and other
ecclesiastical organizations therein, each through its treasurer or proper official, to inform the
Church Pension Fund of all salaries and other compensation paid to members of the clergy; and of
any changes in such salaries and other compensation, as they occur: and to pay promptly to the
Church Pension Fund the pension assessments required thereon under the Canon of the General
Convention.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of every member of the clergy canonically resident in this Diocese
to inform the Church Pension Fund promptly of such facts as dates of birth, of ordination or
reception, of marriage, births of children, deaths, and changes in cures or salaries, as may be
necessary for its proper administration and to cooperate with the Church Pension Fund iother ways as may be necessary in order that the Fund may discharge its obligations.
CANON XXI
Deputies to
General Convention
At every annual meeting of the Convention held in the calendar year preceding a meeting of the
General Convention, four clergy and four lay communicants shall be elected by ballot as deputies
and four of each order shall be elected as alternates of this Diocese to the General Convention of
the Episcopal Church. On the election of the four deputies in each order, the next four candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected as alternates in the order of their
votes.
In case any of those elected deputies shall decline such election or will be unable to attend, such
individual shall forthwith inform the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese and the said
Ecclesiastical Authority shall thereupon appoint one of the alternates in the order of their election; if
none of the alternates elected shall accept such appointment, the Ecclesiastical Authority may
appoint a deputy of the same order as the deputy who resigned. The Diocesan Council shall make a
reasonable allowance for the expenses of the deputies of the General Convention, to be paid out of the Episcopal Diocesan Fund.
CANON
XXII
The Incorporated Trustees
Section 1. There shall be a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation known and designated as The
Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese of Bethlehem.
Section 2. The members of said The Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese of Bethlehem and
its Board of Trustees shall be the Bishop, for the time, of' the Diocese of Bethlehem, who shall be
ex-officio chief executive officer thereof, the Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, the Chancellor of
the Diocese, the Treasurer of the Diocese, and nine lay persons of the Diocese of whom three shall
be elected Trustees by the Diocesan Convention each year for a term of three years, and three
members of the clergy of the Diocese of whom one shall be elected Trustee by the Diocesan
Convention each year for a term of three years.
Section 3. The powers and duties of the said corporation shall be: to by and sell, either in its
own name or as trustee, real estate, securities and other investments, to receive, hold, administer,
and properly dispose of all property, real and personal, which may be given, granted, conveyed,
devised, bequeathed, or transferred to it, including but not limited to the Episcopal Endowment
Fund and the Episcopal Diocesan Fund, either in its own name or in trust, for any religious,
charitable or educational use of purpose connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church in said
Diocese or any portion thereof, or for the aid, benefit, or advancement of any parish, congregation,
or religious, charitable or educational association of Episcopalians in said Diocese.
Section 4. The said Board of Trustees shall have power to make such statutes, by-laws, rules
and ordinances as may from time to time be deemed necessary or expedient for the government of
said corporation; provided, always, that the said by-laws, rules and ordinances, or any of them be not
repugnant to the constitution and laws of the United States, to the constitution and laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church
in the United States of America, and to the constitution and canons of the Diocese of Bethlehem.
CANON XXIII
Failure to
Perform Duties
If any officer of the Diocese shall in the judgment of the Bishop fail to perform the duties or
function of the office to which elected for a period of three (3) consecutive calendar months, or if
any elected member of any committee or other body of the Diocese shall be absent from three or
more consecutive meetings of that committee or other body without reasonable excuse then the
Standing Committee may, on the application of the Bishop or of the committee or body in question,
declare, by a two-thirds vote of the entire committee, that his or her office is vacant.
CANON XXIV
The Cathedral
Section 1. The Church of the Nativity in the City of Bethlehem is the Cathedral Church of the
Bishop and the Diocesan Church of the Diocese of Bethlehem for the use of the clergy and laity of
the Diocese, and it is also a House of Prayer for all people who may resort thereto for worship. The
Cathedral is the official seat of the Bishop, and the center of Diocesan worship and work. It shall set
an example of constant and well-ordered worship, of effective preaching, of missionary zeal, of
religious education and Christian Social Service.
Section 2. The Rector of the Cathedral, when duly elected by the Parish and installed as such,
shall be the Dean thereof.
Section 3. The title of the property of the Cathedral shall be held by the Rector, Church
Wardens and Vestry thereof who shall, subject to these and the Canons of the National Church,
administer said property, supervise and direct the activities of the Cathedral Church and exercise all
the duties and functions entrusted to a parish church by those Canons.
Section 4. Assistant ministers on the staff of the Cathedral may, at the discretion of the Dean
and with the consent of the Bishop, be designated as Canons of the Cathedral.
Section 5. The Cathedral shall be at the Bishop's disposal for special services, whereof due
notice shall be given to the Dean. He shall take such part in religious services as is mutually agreed
upon by the Bishop and the Dean, shall have the use of the pulpit of the Cathedral on giving due
notice to the Dean and shall always have the privilege to celebrate the Holy Communion and to
preach in the Cathedral on Easter Day and on Christmas in each year.
Section 6.
(1). There shall be in the Diocese a Cathedral Chapter, which shall consist of:
(a). The Dean and Canons of the Cathedral.
(b). As many priests of the Diocese as there are Districts of the Diocese, one from each District, and
a equal number of lay persons, one from each District to be appointed by the representative District
Council, severally, each for a term of three years.
In the event any District fails to appoint either clerical or laypersons to the Chapter, such may be
appointed by the Bishop upon recommendation of the Chapter.
(c). The Senior and Junior Wardens of the Vestry of the Cathedral.
(d). Two lay persons who shall be appointed, annually, at the time of Convention, by the Bishop
with the approval of the Diocesan Council.
(2). The Chapter shall be responsible to the Bishop and to the Diocesan Council for development of
that portion of the Cathedral Program which relates to the corporate life of the Diocese and shall be
authorized to receive and administer funds allocated to it by the Diocesan Council, or otherwise
inuring to it, solely in the development of the Cathedral program for Diocesan functions; the
Chapter shall not have the right, except with the prior approval of Convention, to engage in any
general appeal for funds. The Chapter may adopt its own by-laws not inconsistent with these
Canons and elect a Secretary from among its members.
(3). The Dean shall be Head of the Chapter and shall preside at its meetings, except that if the
Bishop shall be in attendance he shall preside during deliberations of the Chapter but shall not have
any vote. Each member of the Chapter shall have equal vote without regard to orders.
(4). The Bishop or Bishops of Bethlehem shall be given due notice of all meetings of the Chapter
and shall be entitled to attend and be heard in the deliberations of such meetings, and the Bishop of
Bethlehem shall have the right to convene the Chapter in meeting at his call when it appears to him
that it is necessary or advisable so to do.
(5). It shall be the responsibility of the Chapter to report, once in each calendar year at least one
calendar month before the date set for the date of Convention in that year, to the Bishop and the
Diocesan Council on its activities and proceedings during the year since Bishop may make call for that report and set the date for it.
CANON XXV
Ecumenical Congregations
Section 1.
(a). When a priest of this Church is, by the direction, or with the consent, of the
Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, engaged in an ecumenical ministry within the jurisdiction of
the said Ecclesiastical Authority, the Congregation served by such a Priest may be admitted to a
special membership in the Convention of the Diocese, with seat, voice, and vote.
(b). Such membership shall not imply that the said Congregation is in communion with this Church.
(c). Such membership must be approved by formal action of the Diocesan Convention and have the
consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
Section 2. An ecumenical congregation which is located within the jurisdiction of an
Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese and which is not in communion with this Church, and is
without the Ministry of a Priest of this Church, upon application to the said Ecclesiastical Authority,
may be admitted to special membership in the Convention of the Diocese, with seat, voice, and
vote, provided that such membership is approved by formal action of the Diocesan Convention and
has the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
CANON XXVI
Ecclesiastical
Discipline
Section 1. There shall be an Ecclesiastical Court for the trial of any priest or deacon, which
shall be comprised of seven (7) persons, four (4) of whom shall be priests or deacons, and three of
whom shall be lay persons, which Court shall have jurisdiction to conduct trials in accordance with
Title IV, Canon 4 of the Episcopal Church, or any successive canon which governs ecclesiastical
discipline.
Section 2
(a). The Ecclesiastical Trial Court shall be elected by Diocesan Convention. At the
first election, two (2) priests or deacons and two (2) lay persons shall be elected for a term of four
(4) years, and two (2) priests or deacons and one (1) lay person shall be elected for a term of two (2)
years. At each succeeding election, members of the Court shall be elected for a term of four (4)
years. No person so elected shall be eligible for reelection after having served two (2) consecutive
terms until after the expiration of one (1) year. All members shall serve until their successors are
elected and qualified; provided, however, there shall be no change in the composition of a Court as
to a proceeding pending before it while that proceeding is unresolved except for just cause as
determined by the Court.
(b). A Church Attorney shall be appointed annually by the Standing Committee. The Church
Attorney shall fulfill the duties enumerated by Title IV, Canon 15 of the national church. The
Church Attorney may appoint one or more assistant Church Attorneys.
(c). Within two (2) months of each diocesan convention, the members of the Ecclesiastical. Trial
Court shall elect a Presiding Judge.
Section 3. The Ecclesiastical Trial Court shall be a court. of record, whose proceedings shall be stenographically recorded and conducted in conformity with Title IV of the Canons of the
Episcopal Church.
Section 4
(a). Vacancies on the court occasioned by death, disability, resignation, or
declination to serve shall be filled by the remaining members of the Court from the same order as
the person who vacates the seat. The person appointed to such vacancy shall serve until the next
diocesan convention, at which a person shall be elected from the same order to fill the unexpired
term of the vacant seat.
(b). A temporary vacancy due to the recusal or disqualification for cause of any judge shall be filled
for that particular case by the remaining members of the court from the same order as the person
who vacates the seat.
Section 5. It is the intent of this Canon that all provisions be read in conjunction with and subject
to Title IV of the Canons of the Episcopal Church.
CANON XXVII
Amendments
to the Canon Law
All proposals, other than proposals originating with the Committee on Constitution and Canons, to
amend the Constitution or the Canons of the Diocese shall be referred without debate to the
Committee on Constitution and Canons for consideration and report. No existing Canon shall be
changed, and no new Canon shall be enacted on the day on which the change or the enactment may
be proposed.
CANON XXVIII
Parishes under Review
Section I Policy
It is the policy of the Diocese that all Parishes should be ‘Sustainable’. A Parish (including yoked
parishes or a cluster of parishes) which is ‘Sustainable’ is defined as a Parish or parish ministry
initiative that exhibits these characteristics–
1. It is mission-focused and able to come into alignment with Diocesan strategic
priorities.
2. It is outward-looking and seeks to make an impact on its surrounding community.
3. It has clergy (full or part-time) and active lay leadership with the skills to manage the
programs and property of the parish ministry to meet its own sense of mission.
4. It has the energy and resources to meet the challenges of the community it serves and
to provide for the future well-being of parish life.
5. It relies mainly on the freewill offering of its members and its own resources for its
core financial support.
6. It does not endanger its future well-being by depleting its capital assets.
Section 2
A Parish may be declared to be a Parish Under Review when one or more of the following
conditions exist, as determined by the Bishop with the consent of the Standing Committee:
1. The Vestry or Rector of a Parish request the Bishop to declare it to be an Parish Under
Review;
2. The Parish has violated the Constitution or Canons of the Diocese or the National
Church, including for employing a member of the clergy under ecclesiastical censure or
process, permitting a church edifice to be used for purposes incompatible with its
consecration, or engaging in any persistent course inconsistent with the doctrine,
discipline, or worship of the Church;
3. The Parish has refused or neglected to elect a Vestry, or failed to provide representation
at any Annual Convention of this Diocese, or refused or neglected to pay its Diocesan
Assessment;
4. The Parish has failed to call a Rector after a reasonable period of time and without
having made reasonable efforts;
5. The Parish has failed to comply with the provisions of the Canons of this Diocese
pertaining to Business Methods in Church Affairs or the Church Pension Fund;
6. The Parish has repeatedly invaded the principal portion of endowment funds for regular
operating expenses, evidenced substantial financial instability, or otherwise is not‘Sustainable’.
Section 3
The Bishop shall appoint a Committee of three (3) persons who are not members of the Parish to
investigate and seek to ameliorate the conditions, and to report to the Bishop. The Committee, with
the Parish, may enlist the advice and assistance of Diocesan resources, including but not limited to
the Standing Committee, Incorporated Trustees, Evangelism Committee, Stewardship Committee,
Diocesan Council, Congregational Development Committee, and others. The Bishop shall have the
right to have the books and records of the congregation audited.
Section 4
When a Parish is under Review, it shall be the obligation of all parties to labor to restore the Parish
to a greater degree of health, setting forth problems to be addressed in an open, honest manner, and
working toward the resolution of such problems in a climate or respect and charity, and for the
greater good of the Church’s witness to its Lord.
CANON XXIX
Parishes at Risk
Section 1
If the conditions set forth in Section 2, CANON XXVIII (‘Parishes Under Review’)
shall persist for more than one year, or if conditions warrant immediate action, the Bishop, with the
consent of the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council, may declare the Parish to be a Parish
at risk, and may require the application of one or more of the following measures to restore health
to the Parish:
1. Appointment, by the Bishop, of five (5) or more adult communicants of the Parish to
govern the affairs of the Parish as the Vestry, replacing the current Vestry,
notwithstanding any other provisions for such governance or the election of a Vestry in
the Canons of this Diocese;
2. Designation of the Rector as Vicar;
3. Conveyance of title of all property to the Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese, who
shall hold the same while these conditions exist;
4. Such other measures which the Bishop, with the concurrence of the Standing
Committee, determines to be appropriate.
Section 2 Restoration to Canonical Status
1. At least yearly, the Bishop (together with such other persons or Committees as the
Bishop may designate) and the Vestry will evaluate the progress toward correcting the
conditions that led to the Parish being declared at risk.
2. When the conditions which have led to the decision to declare a Parish at risk have been
substantially ameliorated, the Parish or the Bishop may petition for restoration of the
Parish to regular canonical status.
3. The Standing Committee and the Bishop shall together decide to approve the
restoration of the Parish to regular canonical status.
CANON XXX
Closing of a Parish
Section 1
1. A Parish may voluntarily determine to close, if such action is:
a. approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Vestry;
b. approved by a two-thirds (2/3) of the Members at a special or regular meeting;
c. approved by the Rector, if one is in place; and
d. approved by the Bishop.
Upon closing, title to all property thereof shall vest in the Incorporated Trustees of the
Diocese.
2. Other than as set forth in Paragraph (1.) above, no Parish shall be closed except upon
the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members of any Convention of the
Diocese.
3. Such vote shall be upon a special report of the Diocesan Council, which shall consider
the issues and evidence of conditions warranting a declaration of dissolution. Such
report shall contain a statement of the issues and evidence of conditions placed before
the Committee.
4. Upon the affirmative vote of the Convention, such Parish shall be closed, and title to all
property thereof shall vest in the Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese.
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