ACA CANONS III - MINISTRY

TITLE III - THE MINISTRY

Section 24.1

(a) Every person desiring to be admitted a Candidate for Holy Orders is, in the first instance, to consult his immediate Pastor, or, if he have none, some Presbyter to whom he is personally known, setting before him the grounds of his desire for admission to the Ministry, together with such circumstances as may bear on his qualification, or tend to affect his course of preparation.

(b) If, as the result of a thorough inquiry into the physical, mental, moral, and spiritual qualifications of the applicant, he is counseled by the aforesaid Presbyter to persevere in his intentions, he shall make his desire known personally, if possible, or in writing, to the Bishop in whose jurisdiction he has been canonically resident for the three months preceding. But with the written consent of the said Bishop, and on the recommendation of at least one Presbyter of the said jurisdiction who is acquainted with the applicant, the latter may at once apply to some other Bishop. He shall give to the Bishop the name of his Pastor, or, if he have none, of some other Presbyter in good standing, to whom he is personally known, from whom the Bishop may ascertain, either by personal conference, or by direct report in writing, his qualification, as stated above, for the work of the Ministry.

Before the admission of a Postulant the Bishop shall whenever possible confer in person with the applicant, and shall require the applicant to submit to a thorough examination by a physician appointed by the Bishop. This examination shall cover the man's mental and nervous as well as his physical condition. The form of medical report prepared by the Standing Joint Commission on Education for Holy Orders shall be used for this purpose. The Bishop may require from the applicant's Rector and Vestry a certificate in the following words, viz:

To the Right Reverend A.B., Bishop of ___________

We, whose name are hereunder written, testify to our belief (based on personal knowledge or on evidence satisfactory to us) that A.B. is sober, honest, and godly, and that he is a communicant of this Church in good standing. We do furthermore declare that, in our opinion, he possesses such qualifications as fit him to be admitted a Postulant for Holy Orders.
(Signed)

Whenever such a recommendation is required a copy shall be filed with the Standing Committee of the Diocese or Council of Advice of the Missionary District.

A record of the medical report shall be kept on file by the Bishop and shall be submitted to the Standing Committee, or Council of Advice, when application is made by the Postulant to be recommended for admission as a Candidate.

(1) His full name and age.

(2) The length of time he has been resident in the Diocese or Missionary District.

(3) When, and by whom, he was baptized.

(4) When, and by whom, he was confirmed.

(5) When, and where, he was admitted to Holy Communion.

(6) Whether he has ever before applied for admission as a Postulant or as a Candidate for Holy Orders.

(7) On what grounds he is moved to seek the Sacred Ministry.

Section 24.2

(a) The Bishop, in a book to be kept for that purpose, shall enter the name of each applicant, with the fact of his approval or disapproval of the application, and the date of such entry. If he approve of the application, he shall inform the applicant of the fact, and of the date of his admission as Postulant.

(b) The Bishop may at any time remove a name from the list of Postulants, if he is convinced, after investigation, that there exists a valid reason why the Postulant should not, within a reasonable time, be admitted as a Candidate for Holy Orders. Without further reason, the Bishop may remove the name of a Postulant who fails to be admitted as a Candidate within four years from the date of his reception as a Postulant. Whenever a name is removed from the list of Postulants, notice of such action and its date shall be given promptly to the former Postulant.

(c) Every Postulant for Holy Orders shall report himself to the Ecclesiastical Authority personally or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, giving account of his manner of life and progress in his studies; and if he fails to make such reports to the satisfaction of the Ecclesiastical Authority, his name may be stricken from the list of Postulants.

Section 24.3

(a) No Bishop shall accept as a Postulant any person who has been refused admission as a Postulant or as a Candidate for Holy Orders in any other Diocese or Missionary District, or who, having been admitted, has afterwards ceased to be a Postulant or a Candidate, until he shall have produced a certificate from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District in which he has been refused admission, or in which he has been a Postulant or a Candidate, declaring the cause of refusal or of cessation.

(b) Should the Bishop accept such applicant as a Postulant, he shall send the said certificate, or a copy thereof, to the Standing Committee of the Diocese, to be considered by them if the said Postulant should apply to be recommended for admission as a Candidate.

Section 24.4
A Standing Committee, acting as Ecclesiastical Authority of a Diocese, shall be competent to receive and act upon applications under this Canon from persons desiring to be received as Postulants.

Section 24.5

(a) The Postulant, before entering upon his course of theological studies, must lay before the Bishop and the Board of Examining Chaplains satisfactory evidence that he is a graduate of some college or university, together with a full statement of the work done by him in such college or university. If this work includes sufficient instruction in the subject specified in Clause (b) of this Section and is otherwise deemed adequate and satisfactory, no further examination shall be required; but if not, the Postulant must satisfy the Board of Examining Chaplains that he possesses the intellectual ability to enter with advantage upon a course of study preparatory to Holy Orders.

(b) If the Postulant be not a graduate as aforesaid, he shall be required to pass an examination in the following subjects:

(1) English or the language (including grammar and composition) and

(2) Literature of the country in which he expects to exercise his ministry;

(3) Latin, or a reading knowledge of an ancient or modern language other than his own;

(4) History, Ancient and modern;

(5) Mathematics, or one of the Natural Sciences;

(6) Philosophy;

(7) Psychology, or one of the Social Sciences.

(c) If the Postulant have attained the age of thirty‑two years, and have shown such proficiency in business or professional life as gives promise of usefulness in the Ministry, the Bishop, on recommendation of the Board of Examining Chaplains, may, at his discretion, dispense him from examination in all but the following subjects:

(1) English or the language (including grammar and composition) and

(2) Literature of the country in which he expects to exercise his ministry;

(3) History, ancient and modern;

(4) One of the following subjects:

(a) Mathematics,

(b) A Natural or Social Science,

(d) Psychology.

(d) If the native language of the Postulant be other than English, and he is to exercise his Ministry among people of his own language in the United States, the Bishop, on recommendation of the Board of Examining Chaplains, may, at his discretion, dispense him from all examinations except those specified in the Clause immediately preceding this Clause. But if the Postulant is to exercise his Ministry among people of his language in an overseas jurisdiction, the Bishop may, at his discretion, dispense him from all such examinations; Provided, only, that he shall satisfy the Bishop and the Board of Examining Chaplains that he possesses good mental ability and sufficient education to enable him to pursue a course of study preparatory to the work of the Ministry.

(e) Should a Postulant who has been examined in any of the above subjects afterwards apply for admission as Postulant in any other Diocese or Missionary District, he shall lay before the Bishop of such Diocese or District a certificate from the Bishop who admitted him as Postulant, stating what examinations he has taken and the result of each. And if he has failed to pass in any subject, he shall not be admitted to examination in that subject until at least six months after such failure.

(f) The Board of Examining Chaplains may, at their discretion, accept, in lieu of examination, satisfactory evidence that the Postulant has fulfilled the requirements in any one or more of the subjects specified in this Canon.

Section 24.6
The Board of Examining Chaplains shall report to the Bishop in writing whether these examinations have been satisfactorily sustained, and the Bishop shall transmit this report to the Standing Committee or Council of Advice.

CANON 25 - Of Candidates for Holy Orders

Section 25.1
A Postulant, having been duly received, may apply to the Standing Committee of the Diocese or the Council of Advice of the Missionary District, in which he is a Postulant, for recommendation to the Bishop to be admitted a Candidate for Holy Orders, and shall submit the following papers, viz:

(1) An application signed by himself.

(2) The Bishop's certificate of his admission as a Postulant.

(3) A certificate from the Theological Seminary where he is studying, or from the clergyman under whose direction he is pursuing his studies, showing his scholastic record and personal qualifications for the Ministry of this Church as revealed by one year's work.

(4) A certificate in the following words:

To the Standing Committee of (Place) (Date),

We, whose names are hereunder written, testify to our belief (based on personal knowledge or on evidence satisfactory to us) that A.B. is sober, honest, and godly, and that he is a communicant of this Church in good standing. We do furthermore declare that, in our opinion, he possesses such qualifications as fit him to be admitted a Candidate for Holy Orders.

(Signed)

This certificate must be signed by the Minister of the Parish to which the Postulant belongs and by a majority of the whole Vestry, and must be attested by the Minister, or by the Clerk or Secretary of the Vestry, as follows, viz:

I hereby certify that the foregoing certificate was signed at a meeting of the Vestry of ____ Parish, duly convened at _____ on the _____ day of _____, and that the names attached are those of all (or a majority of all) the members of the Vestry.

(Signed) The Minister of ___________ ( or Clerk or Secretary of the Vestry).

Section 25.2
But should the Parish be without a Minister, it shall suffice that in his place the certificate from the Vestry be signed by some Presbyter of the Diocese or Missionary District in good standing to whom the Postulant is personally known, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause.

Section 25.3

(a) Should there be no organized Parish at the place of residence of the Postulant, or should it be impracticable, through circumstances not affecting his moral or religious character, to obtain the signatures of the Minister and Vestry, or of the Vestry, it may suffice if the certificate be signed by at least:

(1) One Presbyter of the Diocese or Missionary District in good standing to whom the Postulant is personally known; and,

(2) Four Laymen, communicants of this Church in good standing, to whom the Postulant is personally known.

(b) In such case, the reasons for departing from the regular form must be given in the attesting clause, which shall be signed by the same, or some other Presbyter of this Church in good standing, and shall be in the following words, viz:

I hereby certify that the Laymen whose names are attached to the foregoing certificate are communicants of this Church in good standing, and that this form of certificate was used for no reasons affecting the moral or religious character of the candidate, but because (here give the reasons for departing from the regular form.)

(Signed), Presbyter of the Diocese, or Missionary District, of ________

Section 25.4
The Standing Committee, on receipt of the report of the Board of Examining Chaplains required in Canon 24 Section 6, and of the certificate or certificates as above prescribed, and after investigation of any sufficient objection on grounds either physical, moral, or spiritual, to the admission of the applicant, may, at a meeting duly convened (a majority of all the members consenting), recommend the Postulant for admission to Candidateship, by a testimonial bearing the signatures of a majority of all the members of the Committee, and addressed to the Bishop, in the following words, viz:

To the Right Reverend _____, Bishop of ______

We, being a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee of ____, and having been duly convened at _____, do testify that from personal knowledge or from certificates laid before us we are well assured that A.B. is sober, honest, and godly; and that he is a communicant of this Church in good standing; and we do furthermore declare that, in our opinion, he possesses qualifications which fit him to be admitted a Candidate for Holy Orders.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, this _____ day of ____ in the year of our Lord ____

(Signed)

This testimonial shall be presented to the Bishop without delay.

Section 25.5
When the aforesaid requirements have been complied with, the Bishop may admit the Postulant as a Candidate for Holy Orders. He shall thereupon record his name, with the date of his admission, in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall inform the Candidate and the Secretary of the Standing Committee of the fact and date of such admission.

CANON 26 - Of General Provisions Concerning Candidates for Holy Orders.

Section 26.1

(a) The superintendence of all Candidates for Holy Orders, both as to their daily life and as to the direction of their theological studies, pertains to the Bishop of the Diocese or Missionary District to which they belong. The Bishop may at his discretion ask one or more of the Board of Examining Chaplains to assist him in this superintendence.

(b) Every Candidate shall pursue his studies diligently under proper direction; he shall not indulge in vain or trifling conduct or in amusements unfavorable to godly and studious habits and to that good report which becomes a person preparing for the Holy Ministry.

(c) When the Standing Committee of a Diocese is the Ecclesiastical Authority thereof, the Clerical members of the Committee shall, through the President, discharge the duties assigned in this Section to the Bishop.

Section 26.2

(a) A Candidate must remain in canonical connection with the Diocese or Missionary District in which he has been admitted, until his ordination, except as hereinafter otherwise provided.

(b) For reasons satisfactory to the Ecclesiastical Authority, Letters Dimissory may be granted to a Candidate on his own request to any other Diocese or Missionary District.

(c) Convenience of attending any Theological or other Seminary shall not be a sufficient reason for change of canonical residence.

Section 26.3

(a) Every Candidate for Holy Orders shall report himself to the Ecclesiastical Authority, personally or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, giving account of his manner of life and progress in his studies; and if he fail to make such report to the satisfaction of the Ecclesiastical Authority, his name may be stricken from the list of Candidates.

(b) If a Candidate for Holy Orders shall fail to present himself for examination within three years from the date of his admission as a candidate, his name may, after due notice, be stricken from the list of Candidates at the discretion of the Bishop.

(c) If a Candidate for Holy Orders shall have passed his canonical examinations, but is refused, on other grounds, recommendation for ordination, the Bishop, with the consent of the Standing Committee or Council of Advice, may remove his name from the list of Candidates.

Section 26.4
A Candidate for Holy Orders, in any Diocese or Missionary District of this Church, or of any Church in communion with this Church, whose name shall have been stricken from the list of Candidates, or whose application for ordination shall have been rejected, shall not be ordained without re‑admission to Candidateship, said Candidateship to continue for not less than one whole year; Provided, that in no such case shall the whole term of Candidateship be less than two years.

Section 26.5
A Candidate for Holy Orders shall not be a Delegate to the General Synod.

CANON 27 - Of the Normal Standard of Learning

and Examination of Candidates for Holy Orders

Section 27.1

(a) Before ordination to the Diaconate, the Candidate must pass examinations before the Board of Examining Chaplains in the following subjects required for Deacon's and Priest's Orders:

(1) Holy Scripture: The Old and New Testaments in English, their contents and historical background; a reading knowledge of the New Testament in Greek, together with special knowledge of one Synoptic Gospel and the Gospel according to Saint John, and of three Epistles, one of which shall be Romans or First Corinthians;

(2) Church History: From the beginning to the present time; together with:

a. Special Knowledge of a period or topic elected by the Candidate with the approval of the Examining Chaplains;

b. The history, extent, and methods of Christian Missions;

c. Ecclesiastical Polity;

(3) Theology: Historical, philosophical, and systematic;

(4) Christian Ethics and Moral Theology;

(5) Liturgics: The Principles and History of Christian Worship; the Contents of the Book of Common Prayer;

(6) Practical Theology:

a. The use of the Book of Common Prayer, the Administration of the Sacraments, and the Conduct of Public Worship;

b. Homiletics: Principles of Sermon Composition and Delivery. In connection with the examination in this subject the Candidate shall present three sermons, composed by himself, on texts of Holy Scripture appointed by the Bishop;

c. Pastoral Care;

d. Parish Organization and Administration, including the keeping of records;

e. Principles and methods of Christian Education in the Parish;

f. Canon Law, including the Constitution and Canons of the General Synod and of the Diocese or District to which the Candidate belongs;

g. The use of the voice in reading and speaking.

(b) If a Candidate desires a dispensation from examination in the Greek of the New Testament, he shall make application to the Bishop in writing, stating his reasons for the request. The Bishop may, upon recommendation of the Board of examining Chaplains, at his discretion, grant the same. A Candidate so dispensed shall be examined in the special exegetical knowledge in English of one Synoptic Gospel and the Gospel according to Saint John, and of three Epistles, one of which shall be Romans or First Corinthians.

(c) If the Candidate has been a Minister or Licentiate in some other body of Christians, he shall also be examined, in writing, on those points of Doctrine, Discipline, Polity, and Worship, in which the communion from which he has come differs from this Church. This portion of the examination shall be conducted, in part at least, by written questions and answers; the replies shall be kept on file for at least three years.

Section 27.2

(a) In special cases, under urgent circumstances, with the approval of the Standing Committee and the Board of Examining Chaplains, a Candidate may be admitted to the Diaconate after passing examinations in the following subjects:

(1) Holy Scripture: The Bible in English, its contents and historical background;

(2) Church History: a general outline;

(3) Doctrine: The Church's teaching as set forth in the Creeds and the Offices of Instruction;

(4) Liturgics: The Contents and Use of the Book of Common Prayer;

(5) Practical Theology:

a. The Office and Work of a Deacon,

b. The Conduct of Public Worship,

c. Principles of Sermon Composition and Delivery,

d. Principles and Methods of Christian Education in the Parish,

e. The Missionary Work of the Church,

f. Constitution and Canons of the General Synod, and of the Diocese or District to which the Candidate belongs,

g. The use of the voice in reading and speaking.

(b) Before his advancement to the Priesthood such a Candidate shall be examined in all the subjects prescribed in Section 1(a) of this Canon.

Section 27.3

(a) Examinations at any theological or other literary institution shall not supersede any canonical examination, nor shall any certificate of graduation or diploma be sufficient ground for dispensing with any part of the canonical examinations, except as provided in this Canon.

(b) It shall be the privilege of the Priest who is to present a Candidate for ordination to be present at his examinations; but no other person save the Bishop shall be permitted to be present without the consent of the Board of Examining Chaplains.

(c) The Candidate shall be examined by the Bishop in the presence of two Priests both before his ordination to the Diaconate and before his ordination to the Priesthood. The Bishop may conduct one or both of the examination by taking some part in the regular examinations held by the Examining Chaplains.

CANON 28 - Of Education for Holy Orders

Section 28.1

(a) There shall be a Standing Joint Commission of the General Synod on Education for Holy Orders appointed at each triennial session, consisting of three persons. One is to be a Bishop, another is to be a Priest, who is an Examining Chaplain, and the third is to be a member of the House of Laity. Each of these individuals shall be appointed to the said Commission by the Primate.

(b) Of these three individuals appointed to the said Commission, one is to be appointed as the General Coordinator. A part of the responsibilities of the General Coordinator is to assist individuals who desire a religious education to obtain the same. The General Coordinator is to make available, to anyone who seeks his assistance, information as to where a religious education may be obtained.

Section 28.2
The duties of the Joint Commission shall be, viz:

(a) To study the needs and trends of education for Holy Orders in the Church, within the jurisdiction of this Church, and to make recommendations to the Executive Council and the General Synod with respect thereto.

(b) To determine whether any institution of learning, within the jurisdiction of this Church, shall be recognized as a Theological Seminary of this Church in accordance with standards approved by the General Synod.

(c) To advise and assist the Seminaries and other institutions of the Church for the training of men for Holy Orders within the jurisdiction of this Church.

(d) To promote continuing co‑operation between and among the Theological Seminaries of this Church.

(e) To develop programs and courses of study for the training of men for Holy Orders within the jurisdiction of this church, and to make certain that the best individual available shall be used to teach the courses to individuals training for Holy Orders within the jurisdiction of this Church.

(f) To make use of all the technological advances available to make certain that all of the men training for Holy Orders within the jurisdiction of this Church shall be exposed to the best available person for teaching of the courses.

(g) To compile and present to each triennial session of the General Synod a complete statistical report of the work of the several Theological Seminaries of the Church and, as far as possible, of other institutions for the training of men for Holy Orders.

(h) To devise the form of medical reports required under Canons for the examination of the mental, nervous, and physical condition of Postulants, Candidates, and Ordinands to Holy Orders, and the form of reports pertaining to Deaconesses, provided, that the tests and examinations included in such reports shall be relevant to the Canonical qualification of such persons, and not inconsistent with the Faith of this Church.

Section 25.3
To be recognized as a Theological Seminary of this Church an institution of learning shall comply with the following standards, viz:

(a) Its primary purpose shall be the education of men for Holy Orders.

(b) It shall throughout each normal academic year offer courses of study in the subjects prescribed in these Canons for the learning and examination of Candidates for Holy Orders.

(c) Its faculty shall include at least four full‑time professors duly qualified, according to generally accepted academic standard, to teach such courses.

(d) Its student body shall number not less than twenty men pursuing a three year course normally leading to a baccalaureate or master's degree in theology, or divinity, of who at least fifty percent shall hold an A.B. degree or its equivalent; except that, for seminaries outside the continental United States, the Joint Commission shall have the authority to establish such other standards as may be appropriate.

(e) Its organization, financial resources, equipment, and facilities shall be such as reasonably to assure its stability and permanence and its separate identity as an institution for Theological Education.

Section 25.4
It shall be the duty of each Theological Seminary of this Church and of each other institution for the training of men for Holy Orders to present annually to the Joint Commission statistical reports on forms prepared and provided by the Commission.

CANON 29 - Of a Board of Examining Chaplains

Section 29.1
In every Diocese or Missionary District there shall be a Board of Examining Chaplains, consisting of at least two learned Presbyters, canonically resident within the said Diocese or Missionary District. Examining Chaplains shall be nominated by the Bishop at the Annual Synod or Council, the nomination being confirmed by the vote of the Synod or Council. Their term of office shall be fixed by Diocesan Canons. Should vacancies occur in the Board when the Synod or Council is not in session, the Bishop shall similarly nominate to the Standing Committee or Council of Advice, upon whose confirmation the person or persons so designated shall be added to the Board and shall serve until the next meeting of the Synod or Council.

Section 29.2
The Board of Examining Chaplains may adopt rules for its work, subject to the approval of the Bishop, provided the same are not inconsistent with the Canons of the General Synod. These rules may include the appointment of committees of the Board to act on its behalf.

Section 29.3
It shall be the duty of the Board of Examining Chaplains, under the guidance and oversight of the Bishop, to conduct the examinations of Postulants and Candidates prescribed by these Canons. These examinations shall be, in part at least, in writing. The Examining Chaplains, when so requested by the Bishop, shall give oversight to Postulants, Candidates, and Deacons, and shall advise them in regard to their studies and preparation.

Section 29.4
The Board of Examining Chaplains shall promptly report, in writing, to the Bishop the results of all examinations held by them, whether satisfactory or unsatisfactory, making separate reports upon each of the appointed subjects, and upon each person examined. The Bishop shall transmit these reports to the Standing Committee or Council of Advice, who shall in no case recommend a Postulant for admission as Candidate for Holy Orders, or recommend a Candidate for Ordination to the Diaconate or to the Priesthood, until they have received a report from the Board of Examining Chaplains that he has successfully passed the required examinations. The report of the Board shall be made in the following form, viz:

To the Right Reverend _____, Bishop of _____ (or the Clerical Members of the Standing Committee of _____ as the case may be).

Place ________ Date ________,

We, having been assigned as Examiners of A.B., hereby testify that we have examined the said A.B. upon the subjects prescribed in Canon 27. Sensible of our responsibility, we give our judgment as follows: (Here specify the proficiency of A.B. in each of the subjects appointed, as made apparent by the examinations).

(Signed)

Section 29.5
The Board shall make an annual report concerning its work to the Synod or Council.

Section 29.6
The Bishop, with the consent of the Board of Examining Chaplains, may ask the Examining Chaplains of another Diocese or Missionary District to conduct the examination of a Postulant or Candidate on their behalf.

CANON 30 - Of Examination for Admission to Holy Orders in Special Cases

Section 30.1
In special cases the requirements of the Normal Standard of Learning may be modified as hereinafter provided. But in every case before a Deacon shall be ordered Priest, he shall be examined, by the Bishop and two Presbyters, in the office and work of a Priest, and as to his ability to serve the Church in that Order of the Ministry.

Section 30.2
A Deacon who prepared for ordination under the provisions of Canon 24, Section 5(d), and who has served two years in the Diaconate with good repute and success, may be admitted to the Priesthood without further examination by the Board of Examining Chaplains; Provided, that if he is to minister within the United States of America, he pass a special examination in the history and government thereof. But he shall not be granted Letters Dimissory from one Diocese or District to another without the request, in writing, of the Bishop of the Diocese or District to which he wishes to go, unless he shall have passed the full examinations prescribed in Canon 27, Section 1.

Section 30.3
In all cases of the ordination under this Canon of men with modified requirements of learning, a record of the modifications shall be kept by the Bishop, and the standing of every Minister thus ordained shall be reported to the Recorder with the other matters required in Canon 1, Section 4(b).

CANON 31 - Of General Provisions Respecting Ordination

Section 31.1
In accordance with ancient Canons, ordinations shall be held on the Sundays following the Ember Weeks, except that the Bishop may, if he deem proper, for urgent reasons, appoint special ordinations at other times.

Section 31.2
No appointment for the ordination of any Candidate shall be made until the Bishop has had due notice that all the canonical requirements have been complied with.

Section 31.3

(a) For the purpose of this and other Canons of Ordination, the authority assigned to the Bishop of the Diocese may be exercised by a Bishop Coadjutor, when so empowered under Canon 36, Section 2(a), or by a Suffragan Bishop when requested by the Bishop of a Diocese, or by a Missionary Bishop, or any other Bishop of this Church canonically in charge of a Diocese or Missionary District, or of congregations in foreign parts.

(b) The Council of Advice in a Missionary District shall, for the purposes of this and other Canons of Ordination, have the same powers as the Standing Committee of a Diocese.

(c) In case of a vacancy in the episcopate in a Diocese or Missionary District, the Ecclesiastical Authority may authorize and request the Primate, or another Bishop, to take order for an ordination.

Section 31.4

(a) No certificate or testimonial, the form of which is supplied by Canon, shall be valid, unless it be in the words prescribed; the omission of the date therefrom shall render such certificate or testimonial liable to rejection.

(b) No Postulant or Candidate for Holy Orders shall sign any of the certificates prescribed in the Canons of Ordination.

(c) Whenever the testimonial of the Standing Committee is required, such testimonial must be signed at a meeting duly convened, and, in the absence of express provision to the contrary, by a majority of the whole Committee.

(d) Whenever the certificate of a Vestry is required, such certificate must be signed by a majority of the whole Vestry, at a meeting duly convened, and the fact must be attested by the Secretary of the said Vestry or by the Minister.

Section 31.5
Whenever a dispensation from any of the requirements of the Canons of Ordination is permitted, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, the application must be first to the Bishop, and, if he approve it, be by him referred to the Committee.

Section 31.6
If, in the case of any applicant for admission as a Candidate for Holy Orders, or for ordination, a majority of the Standing Committee refuse to recommend, or shall fail to act within three months, although the required certificates have been laid before the Committee, it shall be the duty of the Committee, without delay, to give to the Bishop the reasons, in writing, for such refusal or failure to act.

Section 31.7

(a) No Bishop of this Church shall ordain any person to officiate in any Congregation beyond the limits of the United States until the testimonials and certificates required by the Canons of Ordination shall have been supplied, except as provided for as follows:

(b) Any Missionary Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction in foreign lands, or any Bishop to whom the charge of Congregations in foreign lands shall have been assigned by the Primate, may ordain as Deacons or Presbyters, to officiate within the limits of his charge, any persons of the age required by the Canons of this Church, who shall exhibit to him the testimonials required by Canons 32 and 33, signed by not less than two Presbyters of this Church, who may be subject to his charge, and other satisfactory evidence of moral character from natives of the country not in Holy Orders; Provided, nevertheless, that if there be only one Presbyter of this Church subject to his charge, and capable of acting at the time, the signature of a Presbyter in good standing under the jurisdiction of any Bishop in communion with this Church may be admitted to supply the deficiency.

CANON 32 - Of Ordination to the Diaconate

Section 32.1
No one shall be ordered Deacon until he shall be twenty‑one years of age.

Section 32.2
No one shall be ordered Deacon within eighteen months from his admission as Candidate for Holy Orders, unless, under special circumstances, the Bishop, with the advice and consent of a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee or Council of Advice, shall shorten the time of his Candidacy; and in no case shall the time be shortened to less than six months.

Section 32.3
Before the ordination of a Deacon the Bishop shall require the applicant to submit to a thorough examination by a physician appointed by the Bishop. This examination shall cover the man's mental and nervous as well as his physical condition. The form of medical report prepared by the Standing Joint Commission on Education for Holy Orders shall be used for this purpose. This report shall be kept on file by the Bishop and shall be submitted to the Standing Committee or Council of Advice when application is made by the Candidate to be ordained Deacon.

Section 32.4
No one shall be ordered Deacon unless he be first recommended to the Bishop by the Standing Committee of the Diocese, or Council of Advice of the Missionary District, to which he belongs.

Section 32.5
In order to be recommended for ordination the Candidate must lay before the Standing Committee:

(a) An application therefor in writing, signed by himself, which shall state the date of his birth.

(b) A certificate from the Bishop by whom he was admitted a Candidate, declaring the date of his admission; but when such certificate cannot be had, other evidence satisfactory to the Committee shall suffice.

To the Standing Committee of _________ (Place), (Date),

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with A.B., and that I believe him to be well qualified to minister in the Office of Deacon, to the glory of God and the edification of His Church.

(Signed)

(d) A certificate from the Minister and Vestry of the Parish of which he is a member, in the following words, viz:

To the Standing Committee of ________ (Place), (Date),

We do certify that, after due inquiry, we are well assured and believe that A.B., for the space of three years last past, hath lived a sober, honest, and godly life, and that he is loyal to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church, and does not hold anything contrary thereto. And, moreover, we think him a person worthy to be admitted to the Sacred Order of Deacons.

(Signed)

This certificate must be attested by the Minister of the Parish, or by the Clerk or Secretary of the Vestry, as follows, viz:

I hereby certify that A.B., is a member of _____ Parish in _____ and a communicant of the same; that the foregoing certificate was signed at a meeting of the Vestry duly convened at _____ on the ____ day of _____ and that the names attached are those of all (or a majority of all) the members of the Vestry.

(Signed) The Minister of _____ or Clerk or Secretary of Vestry.

(e) A certificate from the theological seminary where he has been studying, or from the clergyman under whose direction he has been pursuing his studies, showing his scholastic record in the subjects required by the canons, and giving a judgment as to his personal qualifications for the Ministry of this Church.

Section 32.6
Should the Parish be without a Minister, it shall suffice that in his place the certificate required in paragraph (d) above be signed by some Presbyter of the Diocese or Missionary District in good standing, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause.

Section 32.7

(a) Should there be no organized Parish at the place of residence of the Candidate, or should it be impracticable, through circumstances not affecting his moral or religious character, to obtain the signatures of the Minister and Vestry, or of the Vestry, it may suffice if the Certificate be signed by at least One Presbyter of the Diocese or Missionary District in good standing, and six Laymen, communicants of this Church in good standing; or should the Candidate within the space of three years last past have been a Minister or Licentiate in some other body of Christians, by three Presbyters of this Church as to the period during which he has been a Candidate, and by six adult male members in good standing of the denomination from which the Candidate came, as to the period, within the space of three years last past, before he became a Candidate.

(b) In each case, the reasons for departing from the regular form must be given in the attesting clause, which shall be signed by the same, or some other Presbyter of this Church in good standing, and shall be in the following words, viz;

I hereby certify that the Laymen whose names are attached to the foregoing certificate are communicants of this Church in good standing, and that this form of certificate was used for no reasons affecting the moral or religious character of the Candidate, but because (here give the reasons for departing from the regular form).

(Signed) Presbyter of the Diocese, or Missionary District of ______

Section 32.8
The Standing Committee, on the receipt of the certificates prescribed above and the report of the Board of Examining Chaplains prescribed in Canon 29, Section 4, and having reason to believe that all other canonical requirements have been complied with, and having no reason to suppose the existence of any sufficient obstacle, physical, mental, moral, or spiritual, may, at a meeting duly convened, a majority of all the members of the Committee consenting, recommend the Candidate for ordination by a testimonial addressed to the Bishop in the following words, viz:

We, being a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee of _____, and having been duly convened at _____, do testify that A.B., desiring to be ordered Deacon, hath laid before us satisfactory certificates that for the space of three years last past he hath lived a sober, honest, and godly life, and that he is loyal to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church and does not hold anything contrary thereto. And we hereby recommend him for ordination to the Diaconate.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this ____ day of ___ in the year of our Lord ____.

(Signed)

The testimonial shall be signed by all consenting to its adoption.

Section 32.9
The testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on grounds physical, mental, moral, doctrinal, or spiritual, the Bishop may take order for the ordination; and at the same time of the ordination he shall require the Candidate to subscribe and make, in his presence, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

Section 32.10

(a) A man of devout character and proved fitness, desirous to serve in the capacity of Deacon without relinquishing his secular occupation and with no intention of seeking advancement to the Priesthood, may be accepted as a Postulant and admitted as a Candidate upon the following conditions:

(1) He shall not be less than thirty‑two years of age.

(2) He shall be accepted as a Postulant as provided in Canon 24.

(3) Fulfillment of the requirements of Clause (c) of Section 5 of Canon 24 shall suffice as educational qualification for admission to Candidateship.

(b) A Candidate so admitted may be ordained to the Diaconate at any time after six months from his admission as a Candidate, upon the following conditions:

(1) He shall have passed examinations in the subjects set forth in Canon 27, Section 2 (a); but the Bishop may at his discretion dispense him from examination in subjects (c), (d), and (e) of Practical Theology.

(2) He shall be recommended for ordination to the Diaconate by the Standing Committee or Council of Advice, as required by Section 5 of this Canon, except as to term of Candidateship.

(c) A Deacon ordained under the provisions of this Section may execute all the functions pertaining to the office of Deacons, subject to the general provisions of Canon 45. He may be assigned by the Ecclesiastical Authority as lMinister in charge of a Congregation which is unable to receive the services of a resident Priest. At the request of, or with the consent of, the Rector and Vestry he may be assigned as an assistant Minister in one or more Parishes. He shall not be dispensed as in Section 10 (b)(1) above. He may not be transferred to another jurisdiction except upon the express request in writing of the Ecclesiastical Authority thereof.

(d) Any Deacon ordained in accordance with this Section who may afterward desire to be advanced to the Priesthood shall be required to pass all examinations required of other Candidates for the Priesthood and to comply with all other canonical requirements precedent to such ordination.

CANON 33 - Of Ordination to the Priesthood

Section 33.1
No one shall be ordered Priest until he be twenty‑four years of age.

Section 33.2
No one shall be ordered Priest until he has been a Deacon one full year, unless it shall seem good to the Bishop, for reasonable causes, with the advice and consent of a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee, to shorten the time; nor within two years from his admission as a Candidate for Holy Orders, unless the Bishop, for urgent reasons fully stated, with the advice and consent of a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee, shall shorten the time. And in no case shall he be ordered Priest within less than one year from his admission as a Candidate for Holy Orders, nor until he has been a Deacon for at least six months. But a Deacon who has been ordained under the provisions of Canon 30, Section 2, shall not be ordered Priest until he has been a Deacon for at least two years, unless in the meantime he shall have fulfilled the requirements of Canon 27, Section 1.

Section 33.3
No Deacon shall be ordered Priest unless he be first recommended to the Bishop by the Standing Committee of the Diocese, or by the Council of Advice of the Missionary District, to which he belongs.

Section 33.4
In order to be recommended for ordination by the Standing Committee, the Deacon must lay before the Committee:

(a) An application therefor in writing signed by himself, which shall state the date of his birth.

(b) A certificate from the Bishop declaring that the term of his Candidateship and the time of his service in the Diaconate have been completed; but when such certificate cannot be had, other evidence, satisfactory to the Committee, may suffice.

To the Standing Committee of (Place), Date,

We do certify that, after due inquiry, we are well assured and believe that the Reverend A.B., Deacon, since the day of in the year being the date of his ordination to the Diaconate (or for the space of three years last past), hath lived a sober, honest, and godly life, and hath not written, taught, or held anything contrary to the Doctrine, Discipline, or Worship of this Church. And, moreover, we think him a person worthy to be admitted to the Sacred Order of Priests.

(Signed)

This certificate must be attested by the Minister of the Parish, or by the Clerk or Secretary of the Vestry, as follows, viz:

I hereby certify that the Reverend A.B., is a resident of ____ Parish in _____ ; that the foregoing certificate was signed at a meeting of the Vestry duly convened at ___ on the ___ day of ___, and the names attached are those of all (or a majority of all) the members of the Vestry.

(Signed) The Minister of ___ or Clerk or Secretary of Vestry.

Section 33.5
But should the Parish be without a Minister, it shall suffice that in his place the certificate be signed by some Presbyter of the Diocese or Missionary District in good standing, the reason for the substitution being stated in the attesting clause.

Section 33.6

(1) One Presbyter of the Diocese or Missionary District, in good standing; and,

(2) Six Laymen, communicants of this Church, in good standing.

I hereby certify that the Laymen who names are attached to the foregoing certificate are communicants of this Church in good standing, and that this form of certificate was used for no reasons affecting the moral or religious character of the Candidate, but because (here give the reasons for departing from the regular form).

(Signed) Presbyter of the Diocese (or Missionary District) of ________

Section 33.7
The Standing Committee, on the receipt of the certificates prescribed above and the report of the Board of Examining Chaplains prescribed in Canon 29, Section 4, and having reason to believe that all other canonical requirements have been complied with, and having no reason to suppose the existence of any sufficient obstacle, physical, mental, moral, or spiritual, may, at a meeting duly convened, a majority of all the members of the Committee consenting, recommend the Deacon for ordination by a testimonial addressed to the Bishop in the following words, viz:

To the Right Reverend _____, Bishop of ________

We, being a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee of ___ and having been duly convened at ___, do testify that the Reverend A.B., Deacon, desiring to be ordered Priest, hath laid before us satisfactory certificates that since the ___ day of ___ in the year ___, being the date of his ordination to the Diaconate (or for the space of three years last past), he hath lived a sober, honest, and godly life, and hath not written, taught, or held anything contrary to the Doctrine, Discipline, or Worship of this Church; and we hereby recommend him for ordination to the Priesthood.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this ___ day of ___ in the year of our Lord _____.

(Signed)

This testimonial shall be signed by all consenting to its adoption.

Section 33.8
The testimonial having been presented to the Bishop, and there being no sufficient objection on grounds physical, mental, moral, doctrinal, or spiritual, the Bishop may take order for the ordination; and at the time of the ordination he shall require the Deacon to subscribe and make, in his presence, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

Section 33.9
No Deacon shall be ordered Priest until he shall have been appointed to serve in some Parochial Cure within the jurisdiction of this Church, or as a Missionary under the Ecclesiastical Authority of some Diocese or Missionary District, or as an officer of some Missionary Society recognized by the General Synod, or as a Chaplain of the Army or Navy of the United States, or as a Chaplain in some recognized hospital or other welfare institution, or as a Chaplain or instructor in some college or other seminary of learning, with opportunity for the exercise of his Ministry judged sufficient by the Bishop.

CANON 34 - Of Ministers Ordained in Churches Not in Communion with this Church

Section 34.1

(a) When a Minister ordained in a Church not in communion with this Church desires to be a Deacon or Priest in this Church, he shall apply to a Bishop, attaching to his written application the following:

(1) Evidence that he has been duly baptized with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

(2) His letters of Ordination and satisfactory evidence that they and his other credentials are valid and authentic;

(3) Satisfactory evidence of his moral and godly character; and that he is free from any vows or other engagements inconsistent with the exercise of Ministry in this Church;

(4) Transcripts of his academic and theological studies;

(5) A certificate from at least two Presbyters of this Church stating that, from personal examination, or from satisfactory evidence laid before them, they believe that his desire to leave the Communion to which he has belonged has not arisen from any circumstance unfavorable to his moral or religious character, or on account of which it may not be expedient to admit him to the exercise of the Ministry of this Church;

(6) A certificate in the form provided in Canon 32, Section 5 (c) and (d), from the Minister and Vestry of a Parish of this Church; and

(7) A statement of the reasons which have moved him to seek to enter the Ministry of this Church.

(b) With regard to the fulfillment of requirements as to pre‑theological education the provisions of Canon 24, Section 5 and Section 6 shall be applicable. The applicant shall also submit to the examinations required in Canon 32, Section 3, the result of such examination to be filed and submitted as therein required.

Section 34.2

(a) If such Minister furnish evidence of a satisfactory theological training in his previous Communion, and have exercised his ministry therein with good repute and success for at least five years, he shall be examined by the Board of Examining Chaplains in the following subjects:

(1) Church History: the History of the Church of England and this Church;

(2) Doctrine: the Church's teaching as set forth in the Creeds and the Offices of Instruction;

(3) Liturgics: the Principles and History of Christian Worship; the Contents and Use of the Book of Common Prayer;

(4) Practical Theology:

a. The Office and Work of a Deacon and of a Priest

b. The Conduct of Public Worship,

c. The Constitution and Canons of General Synod, and the Diocese in which he is canonically resident,

d. The use of the voice in reading and speaking.

(5) The points of Doctrine, Discipline, Polity, and worship in which the Communion from which he has come differs from this Church. This portion of the examination shall be conducted, in part at least, by written questions and answers, and the replies kept on file for at least three years.

The Board of Examining Chaplains may, with the consent of the Bishop, and with due notice to the applicant, examine the latter in any other subject required by Canon 27, Section 1.

(b) But if such Minister cannot furnish evidence of a satisfactory theological training in his previous Communion, or if he has not exercised his Ministry therein with good repute and success for at least five years, he shall conform to the requirements of Canon 27, Section 1.

Section 34.3

(a) Prior to being examined as heretofore provided, the applicant shall have received certificates from the Bishop and from the Standing Committee, or Council of Advice, that he is acceptable as a Minister of this Church, subject to the successful completion of said examinations; but he shall not be ordained or received until, after the provision of said certificates, at least six calendar months shall have elapsed, during which period he shall undertake such studies, in a theological seminary or otherwise, as shall be directed by the Bishop with the advice of the Board of Examining Chaplains.

(b) The Bishop, in a book to be kept for that purpose, shall enter the name of each applicant, with the fact of his approval or disapproval of the application, and the date of such entry. If he approve of the application, he shall inform the applicant of the fact, and the date of his acceptance.

Section 34.4
Before such Minister shall be ordained or received into the Ministry of this Church, the Bishop shall require him to promise in writing to submit himself in all things to the Discipline of this Church without recourse to any other ecclesiastical jurisdiction or foreign civil jurisdiction; and shall further require him to subscribe and make in his presence, and in the presence of two or more Presbyters, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

Section 34.5

(a) Thereafter the Bishop, being satisfied of such Minister's theological attainments and soundness in faith, may:

(1) Receive him into the Diocese or Missionary District in his own order, if he has already been ordained by a Bishop in the historic succession; or

(2) Confirm him and make him a Deacon and, no sooner than four months thereafter, ordain him as Priest if he has not received such ordination; or

(3) Make him a Deacon and, no sooner than four months thereafter, ordain him a Priest conditionally (having baptized and confirmed him conditionally if necessary) if he has been ordained by a Bishop whose authority to convey such orders has not been recognized by this Church.

(b) In the case of an ordination pursuant to Section 5(a)(2) of this Canon, the Bishop may, at the time of such ordination, read this preface to the service:

A.B., who is already a minister of Christ, now desires to be made a Deacon (or ordained a Priest) in this Church. He has satisfied the Ecclesiastical Authority of this Diocese (or Missionary District) that he accepts the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church. We are about to confer upon his the grace and authority of Holy Orders as this Church has received them and requires them for the exercise of the Ministry therein.

The letters of ordination in such cases may contain the words:

�Acknowledging the ministry which he 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.�

(c) In the case of a conditional ordination pursuant to Section 5(a)(3) of this Canon, the Bishop shall, at the time of such ordination, read this preface to the service:

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

Section 34.6
No one shall be ordered Deacon or received as such until he be 21 years of age.

Section 34.7
Any other provision in other Canons inconsistent with this Canon are inapplicable.

Section 34.8
The Bishop may, pending the reception of a Priest or Deacon under this Canon, license him to officiate in his Order temporarily, provided that the Standing Committee shall consent to such license, and provided, that the Bishop and they shall certify that the Minister has been certainly validly ordained, but in the case of a Minister whose Orders are uncertain or who has not received episcopal ordination, the Bishop may, during the pendency of the Minister's application, license him as a Lay Reader or as a Preacher, or both.

CANON 35 - Of Ministers Ordained in Foreign Countries by

Bishops in Communion with this Church.

Section 35.1

(a) A Minister declaring himself to have been ordained beyond the limits of the United States by a foreign Bishop in Communion with this Church, or by a Bishop consecrated for a foreign country by Bishops of this Church under Article III of the Constitution, shall, before he be permitted to officiate in any Parish or Congregation of this Church, exhibit to the Minister, or, if there be no Minister, to the Vestry thereof, a certificate of recent date, signed by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District, that his letters of Holy Orders and other credentials are valid and authentic, and given by a Bishop in communion with this Church, and also that he has exhibited to the said Ecclesiastical Authority satisfactory evidence of his moral and godly character, and of his theological acquirements.

(b) And before he shall be permitted to take charge of any Parish or Congregation, or be received into any Diocese or Missionary District of this Church as a Minister thereof, he shall produce to the Ecclesiastical Authority Letters Dimissory or equivalent credentials under the hand and seal of the Bishop with whose Diocese or Missionary District he has been last connected, which letters or credentials shall be delivered within six months from the date thereof. Before such Minister shall be so received, the Bishop shall require him to promise in writing to submit himself in all things to the Discipline of this Church, without recourse to any foreign jurisdiction, civil or ecclesiastical; and shall further require him to subscribe and make in his presence, and in the presence of two or more Presbyters, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution. He shall also be examined by the Bishop and at least one Presbyter as to his knowledge of the history of this Church, its worship and government. The said Ecclesiastical Authority, being satisfied of his theological acquirements, may then receive him into the Diocese or Missionary District as a Minister of this Church; Provided, that such Minister shall not be entitled to hold canonical charge of any Parish or Congregation, until he shall have resided one year in the United States subsequent to the acceptance of his credentials.

(c) A Minister declaring himself to have been ordained beyond the limits of the United States by a foreign Bishop in communion with this Church, or by a Bishop consecrated for a foreign country by Bishops of this Church, under Article III of the Constitution, shall not be accepted nor shall the Minister named therein be placed on the clergy list of this Church until such a Minister shall have submitted himself to, and satisfactorily passed, a thorough examination by a physician appointed by the Bishop. This examination shall cover the man's mental and nervous, as well as his physical condition. The form of medical report prepared by the Standing Joint Commission on Education for Holy Orders shall be used for this purpose.

Section 35.2
If such Minister be a Deacon, he shall not be ordered Priest until he shall have resided in the United States at least one year.

CANON 36 - Of the Ordination, Consecration, and Reception of Bishops.

Section 36.1

(a) Whenever the Church in any Diocese shall desire the ordination and consecration of a Bishop‑elect, if the election shall have taken place within three months before a meeting of the General Synod, and said election shall have been held with the consent of the Primate and the House of Bishops of this said Church, the Standing Committee of the said Diocese shall, by their President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, forward to the secretaries of the Houses of Clergy and Laity evidence of the election of the Bishop‑elect by the Synod of the Diocese, together with evidence of his having been duly ordered Deacon and Priest, and also a testimonial signed by a constitutional majority of such Synod, in the following words, viz:

We, whose names are hereunder written, 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 or affection, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that the Reverend A.B. is not, so far as we are informed, justly liable to evil report, either for error in religion or for viciousness of life; and that we know of no impediment on account of which he ought not to be ordained and consecrated to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe him to be of such sufficiency in good learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such virtuous and pure manners and godly conversation, that he is apt and meet to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of His Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ.

(Signed)

The Secretary of such Synod shall certify upon this testimonial that it has been signed by a constitutional majority thereof. There shall also be forwarded with the testimonial and other documents a certificate from two medical doctors, who shall be chosen by the Primate, that they have thoroughly examined the Bishop‑elect and have not discovered in his physical, mental, or nervous condition any reason why it would not be wise for him to undertake the work for which he has been chosen.

The Secretaries of the Houses of Clergy and Laity shall lay the said testimonials before the House, and if the House shall consent to the consecration of the Bishop‑elect, notice of said consent, certified by the President and Secretary of the said Houses, shall be sent to the House of Bishops, together with the testimonials aforesaid.

(b) If the House of Bishops consent to the consecration, the Primate shall, without delay, notify such consent to the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing and to the Bishop‑elect; and upon notice of the acceptance by the Bishop‑elect of his election, the Primate shall take order for the consecration of the said Bishop‑elect by himself and two other Bishops of this Church, or by any three Bishops of this Church to whom he may communicate the testimonials. When there is no Primate, the acting Primate, shall take order.

(c) If the election of a Bishop shall have taken place more than three months before the meeting of the General Synod, the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing shall, by their President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, immediately send certificate of the election to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses, together with copies of the necessary testimonials and other documents, including the medical certificate as required in Section 1(a) of this Canon; and if two-thirds of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses shall consent to the consecration of the Bishop‑elect, the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing shall then forward the evidence of said consent, with the other necessary testimonials, to the Primate, who shall immediately communicate the same to every Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction, and if two-thirds of such Bishops shall consent to the consecration, the Primate shall, without delay, notify such consent to Standing Committee of the Diocese electing and to the Bishop‑elect, and upon notice of his acceptance of the election, the Primate shall take order for the consecration of the said Bishop‑elect by himself and two other Bishops of this Church, or by any three Bishops of this Church to whom he may communicate the testimonials. When there is then no Primate, the acting Primate shall take order.

The evidence of the consent of the several Standing Committees shall be a testimonial in the following words, signed by a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses:

We, being a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee of ___, and having been duly convened at ___, 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 or affection, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that the Reverend A.B. is not, so far as we are informed, justly liable to evil report, either for error in religion or for viciousness of life; and that we know of no impediment on account of which he ought not to be ordained and consecrated to that Holy Office.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this ___ day of ___ in the year of our Lord ____.

(Signed)

If the Primate shall not have received the consent of two-thirds of the Bishops within three (3) months from the date of his notice to them, he shall then give notice of such failure to the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing.

(d) In case two-thirds of the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses shall not consent to the consecration of a Bishop‑elect within the period of six (6) months from the date of the notification of the election by the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing, or in case two-thirds of all the Bishops entitled to act in the premises shall not consent within the period of three months from the date of notification to them by the Primate of the election, the Primate shall declare the election null and void, and the Synod of the Diocese may then proceed to a new election.

(e) It shall be the duty of the Bishop‑elect to notify the Primate of his acceptance or declination of the election at the same time as he notifies the electing Diocese.

Section 36.2

(a) When a Bishop of a Diocese is unable, by reason of age, or other permanent cause of infirmity, or by reason of the extent of Diocesan work, fully to discharge the duties of his office, a Bishop Coadjutor may be elected by and for said Diocese, who shall have the right of succession; Provided, that before the election of a Bishop Coadjutor for the reason of extent of Diocesan work, the consent of the General Synod, or during the recess thereof, the consent of two-thirds of the Bishops having jurisdiction and of the several Standing Committees, must be had and obtained. Before any election of a Bishop Coadjutor, the Bishop of the Diocese shall read, or cause to be read, to the Synod thereof, his written consent to such election, and in such consent he shall state the duties which he thereby assigns to the Bishop Coadjutor, when duly ordained and consecrated, and such consent shall form part of the proceedings of the Synod. The duties assigned by the Bishop to the Bishop Coadjutor in any Diocese may be enlarged by mutual consent whenever the Bishop of the Diocese may desire to assign such additional duties to the Bishop Coadjutor. In case of the inability of the Bishop of the Diocese to issue the aforesaid consent, the Standing Committee of the Diocese may request the Synod to act without such consent, and such request shall be accompanied by certificates of physicians as to the inability of the Bishop of the Diocese to issue his written consent.

(b) In the case of a Bishop Coadjutor, the grounds for his election as stated in the record of the Synod, shall be communicated, with the other required testimonials, to the General Synod, or to the Standing Committees and the Primate.

(c) In case of application for the ordination and consecration of a Bishop Coadjutor, the Standing Committee shall forward to the Primate, in addition to the evidence and testimonials required by the preceding Section, a certificate of the Presiding Officer and Secretary of the Synod that every requirement of this Section has been complied with.

(d) There shall not be in any Diocese at the same time more than one Bishop Coadjutor.

Section 36.3
It shall be lawful, within six months prior to the effective date of the resignation or retirement of a Bishop from his jurisdiction, for the said Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, to call a special meeting of the Synod of the Diocese to elect a successor; Provided, that if the Synod is to meet in regular session meanwhile, it may hold the election during such regular session. The proceedings incident to preparation for the ordination and consecration of such successor shall be as provided in Section 1 of this Canon; but the Primate shall not take order for the consecration to be on any date prior to that upon which the resignation is to become effective.

Section 36.4
No one shall be ordained and consecrated Bishop unless he shall at the time subscribe, in the presence of the ordaining and consecrating Bishops, the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

Section 36.5

(a) The House of Bishops may receive into this Church a Bishop of a Church which is in communion with this Church, who, if he shall be elected to jurisdiction in this Church, shall assume the rights and duties as set forth in Article I of the Constitution, or, if he is retired, he may be accorded the status of a retired Bishop of this Church.

(b) The House of Bishops may, with the concurrence of the Executive Council, receive into this Church a Bishop of a Church which is not in communion with this Church, provided that the provisions of Canon 34 be observed as to his Diaconate and Priesthood, and provided further that no temporary license shall extend further than permission of the House of Bishops for such Bishop to function as a Priest, and that, unless the House of Bishops shall certify that his ordination and consecration as Bishop is certainly valid, such license shall extend only to the status of lay reader and Preacher, unless and until he shall have received conditional ordination as Deacon and Priest. No one shall receive conditional ordination and consecration as a Bishop without the consent of the House of Bishops and of the Executive Council. Such a Bishop so received, whether in his Order or with conditional ordination and consecration, shall become a member of the House of Bishops under Article I of the Constitution, but shall, unless elected Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, or Bishop Suffragan, have no vote therein.

CANON 37 - Of Missionary Bishops

Section 37.1
The House of Bishops may establish Missionary Districts in the States or Territories, or parts thereof, or in territory belonging to the United States, not organized into Dioceses, or in territory beyond the United States, not under the charge of Bishops in communion with this Church. It may also, from time to time, change, increase or diminish the territory included in such Missionary Districts.

Section 37.2

(a) The House of Bishops may, from time to time, choose a suitable person or persons to be a Bishop or Bishops of this Church in Missionary Districts, such choice to be subject to confirmation by the Houses of Clergy and Laity during the session of the General Synod, and at other times to confirmation by a majority of the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses. The medical certificate as required in Canon 36, Section 1(a), shall also be required of Missionary Bishops‑elect.

(b) When a vacancy shall occur in the Episcopate in any Missionary District, the Primate may convene the Synod of the Missionary District prior to the meeting of the House of Bishops at which a Missionary Bishop for such Missionary District is to be elected. The Synod of the Missionary District may thereupon nominate not exceeding three persons to the House of Bishops for that office. It shall be the duty of the Primate to transmit such nomination, if any be made, to the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops, who shall three weeks before the meeting of the House of Bishops communicate the same to the Bishops along with other nominations that have been made in accordance with the Rules of Order of the House.

Section 37.3
The House of Bishops shall have power, at their discretion, to transfer a Missionary Bishop from one Missionary District to another, and, in case of the permanent disability of the Bishop in charge, to declare the Missionary District vacant.

Section 37.4
When the Bishop of a Missionary District is unable, by reason of age or other permanent cause of disability, fully to discharge the duties of his office, at his request a Bishop Coadjutor may be elected for that Missionary District with right of succession and subject to all the other provisions of this Canon governing the election of Missionary Bishops. Before such election the Bishop asking for such assistance shall state the duties which he thereby assigns to the Bishop Coadjutor. The duties assigned by the Bishop may be enlarged by mutual consent whenever the Bishop of the Missionary District may desire to assign such additional duties to the Bishop Coadjutor.

Section 37.5
Any Bishop or Bishops elected and consecrated under this Canon shall be entitled to a seat and vote in the House of Bishops, and shall be eligible to the office of Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor or Suffragan Bishop in any organized Diocese within the United States; Provided, that such Bishop shall not be so eligible within five years from the date of his consecration, except to the office of Bishop of a Diocese formed in whole or in part out of his Missionary District. And whenever a Diocese shall have been organized within the jurisdiction of such Missionary Bishop, if he shall be chosen Bishop of such Diocese, he may accept the office without vacating his Missionary appointment; Provided, that he continue to discharge the duties of Missionary Bishop within the residue of his original jurisdiction, if there be such residue, until the House of Bishops shall elect a Missionary Bishop of such residue.

Section 37.6

(a) When a Diocese, entitled to the choice of a Bishop, shall elect as its Diocesan, or as its Bishop Coadjutor, or Suffragan Bishop, a Missionary Bishop of this Church, if such election shall have taken place within three months before a meeting of the General Synod, evidence thereof shall be laid before each House of the General Synod, and the concurrence of each House, and its express consent, shall be necessary to the validity of said election, and shall complete the same; so that the Bishop thus elected shall be thereafter the Bishop of the Diocese which has elected him.

(b) If the said election have taken place more than three months before a meeting of the General Synod, the above process may be adopted, or the following instead thereof, viz:

The Standing Committee of the Diocese electing shall give duly certified evidence of the election to every Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction and to the Standing committee of every Diocese. On receiving notice of the concurrence of two-thirds of such Bishops and two-thirds of the Standing Committees in the election, and their express consent thereto, the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing shall transmit notice thereof to the Ecclesiastical Authority of every Diocese and Missionary District; which notice shall state what Bishops and what Standing Committees have consented to the election. On receiving this notice the Primate shall certify to the Secretary of the House of Bishops the altered status and style of the Bishop so elected.

The Standing Committee of such Diocese shall transmit to every Congregation thereof, to be publicly read therein, a notice of the election thus completed, and also cause public notice thereof to be given in such other way as they may think proper.

Section 37.7
In case of the death or resignation of a Missionary Bishop, or of a vacancy in the Missionary District from other cause, the charge thereof shall devolve upon the Primate with the power of appointing some other Bishop of this Church as his substitute in said charge until the vacancy is filled.

Section 37.8
If during the recess of the General Synod, and more than six months previous to its session, there shall be a vacancy in a Missionary District arising from any Cause, the House of Bishops shall, on the written request of four members of the same, be convened by the Primate, and thereupon may proceed to elect a Bishop for such District.

CANON 38 - Of Suffragan Bishops

Section 38.1
A Suffragan Bishop shall be elected in accordance with the Canons enacted in each Diocese for the election of a Bishop. But the initiative shall always be taken by the Bishop of the Diocese asking for the assistance of a Suffragan.

Section 38.2

(a) Before the election of a Suffragan Bishop in a Diocese or Missionary District the consent of the General Synod, or during the recess thereof the consent of two-thirds of the Bishops having jurisdiction and two-thirds of the Standing Committees, must be had and obtained.

(b) Whenever the Church in any Diocese shall desire the ordination and consecration of a Suffragan‑Bishop‑elect, subsequent proceedings in accordance with the provisions of Canon 36, Section 1, shall be taken.

(c) If the consents required by Canon 36, Section 1, are not received as therein prescribed, or if the Suffragan‑Bishop‑elect decline his election, the Synod of the Diocese may then proceed to a new election.

Section 38.3
There shall not at any time be more than two Suffragan Bishops holding office in and for any Diocese, save by special consent of the General Synod previously obtained.

Section 38.4
The House of Bishops, from time to time in its discretion, may choose a Suffragan Bishop for any Missionary District in the same manner as provided by Canon 37, Section 2, and subject to all the provisions thereof.

Section 38.5
A Suffragan Bishop shall act, in all respects, as the assistant of the Bishop of the Diocese, or Missionary District, and under his direction.

Section 38.6

(a) Every Suffragan Bishop, upon attaining the age of seventy two years, shall forthwith tender his resignation from his position by sending it to the Primate, who shall immediately communicate the same to every Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction and shall declare the said Bishop's resignation accepted, effective at a designated date not later than three months from the date of such resignation.

(b) The Primate shall communicate to the resigning Bishop the fact of the acceptance of his resignation and the termination of his position effective as of the date fixed; and, in the case of a Suffragan of a Diocese, shall certify the same to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese concerned. He shall also order the Secretary of the House of Bishops to record the same effective as of the date fixed, to be incorporated in the Journal of the House.

At each meeting of the General Synod, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops to communicate to the Houses of Clergy and Laity when in session, a list of such resignations which have been accepted since the preceding meeting of the General Synod.

(c) If any Suffragan Bishop should for any reason fail to submit his resignation upon attaining the age of seventy‑two years, as provided in Clause (a) above, the Primate shall certify that fact to the House of Bishops. The House of Bishops shall then declare the said Bishop's position terminated, effective at a date not later than three months from the date of such declaration; and shall order the Primate's certificate and its own declaration and action to be recorded in its Journal. It shall then be the duty of the President Officer of the House of Bishops to pronounce such position terminated, and to communicate the fact to the Houses of Clergy and Laity, if in session, and to the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese and Missionary District.

(d) The tenure of office of a Suffragan Bishop shall not be terminated on the death or removal of the Bishop of the Diocese or Missionary District. A Suffragan Bishop may, at any time, resign his position as Suffragan of a Diocese or Missionary District with the consent of a majority of the Bishops of this Church under the procedure set out in Canon 40, Section 8, so far as it applies. A Suffragan Bishop whose resignation has been accepted shall exercise episcopal functions only as he may be authorized by the Ecclesiastical Authority of a Diocese or a Missionary District.

Section 38.7

(a) Whenever a Suffragan Bishop shall be elected Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of a Diocese or Bishop of a Missionary District, if such election shall have taken place within three months before a meeting of the General Synod, evidence thereof shall be laid before each House of the General Synod and the concurrence of each House and its express consent shall be necessary to the validity of said election, and shall complete the same, so that the Bishop thus elected shall be thereafter the Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese which has elected him; or Missionary Bishop of the District, as the case may be.

(b) If the said election has taken place more than three months before a meeting of the General Synod, the above process may be adopted, or the following in stead thereof, viz:

The Standing Committee of the Diocese electing, said election having been held with the consent of the Primate and the House of Bishops, shall give duly certified evidence of the election to every Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction and to the Standing Committee of every Diocese.

On receiving notice of the concurrence of two-thirds of the Bishops and two-thirds of the Standing Committees in the election, and their express consent thereto, the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned or the Secretary of the House of Bishops, as the case may be, shall transmit notice thereof to the Primate and to the Ecclesiastical Authority of every Diocese and Missionary District; which notice shall state what Bishops and what Standing Committees have consented to the election. On receiving this notice the Primate shall certify to the Secretary of the House of Bishops the altered status and style of the Bishop so elected.

If the Primate shall not have received the consent of two-thirds of the Standing Committees within six months from the date of his notice to them, or the consent of two-thirds of the Bishops within three months from the date of his notice to them, he shall then give notice of such failure to the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing.

Section 38.8
Bishops of this Church who have been serving at the time of the adoption of this Canon as Suffragan Bishops shall continue in their office, upon the consent of the Clerical and Lay Orders of their Diocesan Synod.

CANON 39 - Of the Consecration of Bishops for Foreign Lands

Section 39.1
Pursuant to the provisions of Article III of the Constitution, the following conditions are prescribed as necessary to be fulfilled before the Primate of this Church shall take order for a Consecration to the Episcopate authorized by that Article.

(a) A person seeking to be ordained and consecrated a Bishop for a foreign land, within the purport of Article III of the Constitution, must present to the Primate of this Church a statement in writing subscribed by him setting forth his name, and the date and place of his birth; his Ecclesiastical and Civil status; whether he is in Priest's Orders, and, if so, the time and place and Episcopal source of his admission thereto, and to the Diaconate; the fact of his election or appointment, by a body of Christian people in a foreign land, to be, when duly ordained and consecrated, their Bishop; the corporate name under which such body is or desires and intends to be known as a distinct part of the Catholic Church of Christ; and the land wherein and the civil government under which it claims and purposes to exercise its jurisdiction as such; that the position of this body of Christian people in the land wherein they dwell is such as to justify its distinct organization as a Church therein; that the members of that body will receive the person consecrated for them by the Episcopate of this Church as a true and lawful Chief Pastor, will suitably maintain him as such, and will render to him all due canonical obedience in the exercise of his proper Episcopal functions; that by the lawful authority recognized in the body applying through him for the Episcopate there has been pre-scribed for use in that body a Book of Offices containing the Creeds commonly called the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, together with forms for the Administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, an Ordinal, an Office for the Administration of Confirmation by the Laying on of Hands, and an Order for the public reading of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, in which Book the Faith and Order of the Church, as this Church hath received the same, are clearly set forth and established as the Faith and Order of the Church in which the Episcopate is as aforesaid desired to be settled and maintained; and that the person presenting himself for consecration is, in his life and teaching, in entire conformity with the principles of such Faith and Order, that he is not justly liable to evil report for error in religion or viciousness of life, and that he has no knowledge of any impediment on account of which he ought not to be consecrated to the Office of a Bishop.

(b) In case a Bishop should already have been consecrated for a foreign land under the provisions of Article III of the Constitution, and application should be made for the consecration of a second or of a third Bishop for the same country, the judgment in writing of the Bishop or Bishops already exercising jurisdiction in that land concerning the proposed consecration shall be presented to the Primate together with the papers required in the foregoing Clause.

(c) The applicant making the statement required in Clause (1) shall with it present to the Primate evidence fully substantiating the said statement in every particular thereof; and shall make such further statement, supported by such further evidence, as the Primate may in the premises deem to be desirable or essential.

(d) If the Primate shall deem the statement so submitted, with the evidence substantiating the same, sufficient to justify the consideration or the application by the Bishops of this Church, he shall lay the whole record embodying such statement and evidence before the House of Bishops on the next occasion on which they may be duly convened as such, with the presence of a majority of all the Bishops of this Church entitled to vote in that House.

Section 39.2
If after consideration of the statement and evidence so presented, and of any other evidence of which they may be cognizant, a majority of the Bishops of this Church entitled to vote in the House of Bishops of this Church shall consent to the proposed ordination and consecrations under the provisions of Article III of the Constitution, the Primate shall take order therefor in the same manner as order is prescribed to be taken by him in the consecration of Bishops in this Church, the Order of Consecration being conformed, as nearly as may be in the judgment of the Bishops consecrating, to that used in this Church.

Section 39.3
If a majority of the Bishops of this Church entitled to vote in the House of Bishops shall have given their consent to the proposed ordination and consecration as required in Section 2 of this Canon, but the person seeking such ordination and consecration shall not have received Episcopal ordination to the Diaconate and to the Priesthood, the Primate, or some Bishop of this Church appointed by him for that purpose, shall proceed to ordain such person to the Diaconate and to the Priesthood, and may do so on successive days, the Order of Ordination being conformed, as nearly as may be in the judgments of the Bishop ordaining, to that used in this Church.

Section 39.4
Immediately after a consecration as herein provided shall have taken place, the Primate shall lodge the original record of the statement and evidence above required, together with such other papers and documents as he may deem essential to the true and complete history of the proceedings, with the Registrar of the General Synod for preservation among the Archives of this Church.

CANON 40 - Of Duties of Bishops

Section 40.1
It shall be the duty of every Bishop of this Church to reside within the limits of his jurisdiction; nor shall he absent himself therefrom for more than three months without consent of the Synod or the Standing Committee of the Diocese, or, in the case of a Missionary Bishop, without the consent of the Primate.

Section 40.2

(a) Every Bishop shall visit the Congregations within his Diocese or Missionary District at least once in three years, for the purposes of examining their condition, inspecting the behavior of the Clergy, administering Confirmation, preaching the Word, and at his discretion, celebrating the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. At every visitation it shall be the duty of the Bishop to examine the records required by Canon 42, Section 3.

(b) If a Bishop shall for three years have declined to visit a Parish or Congregation, the Minister and Vestry (or the Corporation), or the Bishop, may apply to the Primate to appoint the two Bishops in charge of Dioceses who live nearest to the Diocese in which such Church or Congregation may be situated as a Council of Conciliation, who shall amicably determine all matters of difference between the parties, and each party shall conform to the decision of the Council in the premises; Provided, that in case of any subsequent trial of either party for failure to conform to such decision, any constitutional or canonical right of the defendant in the premises may be pleaded and established as a sufficient defense, notwithstanding such former decision; and, Provided, further, that in any case the Bishop may at any time apply for such council of Conciliation.

(c) Every Bishop shall keep a record of all his official acts, which record shall be the property of the Diocese, and shall be transmitted to his successor.

Section 40.3
Every Bishop shall deliver, from time to time at his discretion, a Charge to the Clergy of his Diocese or Missionary District, and may, from time to time, address to the people of his Diocese or Missionary District Pastoral Letters on points of Christian doctrine, worship, or manners, which he may require the Clergy to read to their Congregations.

Section 40.4
At every Annual Synod or Convocation the Bishop shall make a statement of the affairs of the Diocese or Missionary District since the last meeting of the Synod or Convocation; the names of the churches which he has visited; the number of persons confirmed; The names of those who have been received as Candidates for Holy Orders, and of those who have been ordained, and of those who have been by him suspended or deposed from the Ministry; the changes by death, removal, or otherwise, which have taken place among the Clergy; and all matters tending to throw light upon the affairs of the Diocese or Missionary District; which statement shall be inserted in the Journal.

Section 40.5
It shall be the duty of a Bishop, whenever leaving his Diocese or District for the space of six calendar months, to authorize, by writing under his hand and seal, the Bishop Coadjutor, or, should there be none, the Standing Committee of the Diocese, or the Council of Advice of the District, to act as the Ecclesiastical Authority thereof during his absence. The Bishop Coadjutor, or, should there be none, the Standing Committee, may become at any time the Ecclesiastical Authority upon the written request of the Bishop, and continue to act as such until the request be revoked by him in writing.

Section 40.6

(a) Any Bishop of this Church may, on the invitation of the Synod or of the Standing Committee of any Diocese where there is no Bishop, or where the Bishop is for the time under a disability to perform episcopal offices by reason of a judicial sentence, visit and perform episcopal offices in that Diocese, or in any part thereof; and this invitation may be for a stated period, and may be at any time revoked.

(b) A Diocese without a Bishop, or of which the Bishop is for the time under a disability by reason of a judicial sentence, may, by its Synod, be placed under the provisional charge and authority of the Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of another Diocese, who shall by that act be authorized to perform all the duties and offices of the Bishop of the Diocese so vacant or whose Bishop is under disability, until, in the case of a vacant Diocese a Bishop be duly elected and consecrated for the same; or in the case of a Diocese whose Bishop is disabled, until the disqualification be removed; or, until, in either case, the said act of the Synod be revoked.

(c) A Diocese, while under the provisional charge of a Bishop, shall not invite any other Bishop to perform any episcopal duty or exercise authority.

Section 40.7

(a) Every Bishop and every Bishop Coadjutor and every Missionary Bishop, upon attaining the age of seventy‑two years, shall forthwith tender his resignation from his jurisdiction, as required by Section 9 of Article II of the Constitution, by sending it to the Primate, who shall immediately communicate the same to every Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction and shall declare the said Bishop's resignation accepted, effective at a designated date not later than three months from the date of such resignation.

(b) The Primate shall communicate to the resigning Bishop the fact of the acceptance of his resignation and the termination of his jurisdiction effective as of the date fixed; and, in the case of a Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of a Diocese, shall certify the same to the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned. He shall also order the Secretary of the House of Bishops to record the same, effective as of the date fixed, to be incorporated in the Journal of the House.

(c) If any Bishop should for any reason fail to submit his resignation upon attaining the age of seventy‑two years, as provided in Section (a) above, the Primate shall certify that fact to the House of Bishops. The House of Bishops shall then declare the said Bishop's jurisdiction terminated, effective at a date not later than three months from the date of declaration; and shall order the Primate's certificate and its own declaration and action to be recorded in its Journal. It shall then be the duty of the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops to pronounce such jurisdiction terminated, effective as of the date fixed, and to communicate the fact to the Houses of Clergy and Laity, if in session, and to the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese and Missionary District. Nothing herein, however, shall diminish the right of a Diocesan Synod to refuse the resignation of a Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor under the Constitution.

Section 40.8

(a) If the Bishop of a Diocese, or a Bishop Coadjutor, shall desire to resign his jurisdiction, he shall send in writing to the Primate his resignation with the reasons therefor. This communication shall be sent at least thirty days before the date set for a regular or a special meeting of the House of Bishops. The Primate shall without delay send a copy of the communication to every Bishop of this Church having ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and also to the Standing Committee of the Diocese of the Bishop desiring to resign, in order that the Standing Committee may on behalf of the Diocese be heard either in person or by correspondence upon the subject. The House during its session shall investigate the whole case, and by a majority of those present accept or refuse the resignation.

(b) If said resignation shall have been tendered more than three months before a regular or special meeting of the House of Bishops, the Primate shall, without delay, notify the resigning Bishop and the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned, of the acceptance of such resignation and the termination of said Bishop's jurisdiction, effective as of the date fixed. He shall also order the Secretary of the House of Bishops to record the same, effective as of the date fixed to be incorporated in the Journal of the House.

(c) The House of Bishops may accept the resignation of a Missionary Bishop at any session of the House by a vote of a majority of those present; Provided, that, in case the resignation be sent to the Primate more than three months before a regular or special meeting of the House of Bishops, the Primate shall follow the procedure set out in Section (b) above so far as it applies.

(d) At each meeting of the General Synod, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops to communicate to the Houses of Clergy and Laity, when in session, a list of the resignations which have been accepted since the preceding meeting of the General Synod.

Section 40.9

(a) A Bishop whose resignation has been accepted may perform episcopal acts at the request of any Bishop of this Church, having ecclesiastical jurisdiction, within the limits of his jurisdiction. He may also be given an honorary seat in the Synod of the Diocese, with voice, but without vote, and an honorary seat in the Cathedral of the Diocese, if there be one, or such honorary appointment as may be designated by the Synod of the Diocese with the consent of the Bishop. He shall report all ministerial acts to the Bishop and to the Diocese in which such acts are performed.

(b) A Bishop who ceases to have episcopal charge shall still be subject in all matters to the Canons and authority of the General Synod.

(c) A Bishop who has resigned his jurisdiction with the consent of the House of Bishops, may, at the discretion of the Bishop of the Diocese (or Missionary District) in which he chooses to reside, be enrolled among the Clergy of that Diocese (or Missionary District), and become subject to its Canons and regulations; and if he accept any pastoral charge or ministerial appointment within the Diocese (or Missionary District) he may be accorded a seat and vote in the Diocesan Synod (or Convocation) according to its canonical provisions for the qualification of Presbyters. The same shall apply to a resigned Bishop who continues to reside within the Jurisdiction in which he formerly served as Bishop; Provided, that, the Bishop seeking to be counted among the Clergy of a Diocese and to sit in its Diocesan Synod is not at the same time exercising his right (under Article I, Section 2) to vote in the House of Bishops.

CANON 41 - Of Duties of Missionary Bishops

Section 41.1
Missionary Bishops shall exercise jurisdiction in States and Territories, or parts thereof, or in territory belonging to the United States, not organized into Dioceses, or in any Missionary District of this church beyond the limits of the United States, in conformity with the Constitution and Canons of this Church, and under such regulations and instructions, not inconsistent therewith, as the House of Bishops may prescribe.

Section 41.2
Notice shall be sent to all Archbishops and Metropolitans, and all Presiding Bishops of Churches in communion with this Church, of the designation of any Foreign Missionary District, and of the consecration of any Foreign Missionary Bishop. Such Bishop, either already consecrated or to be consecrated, shall exercise his mission within his defined District, and it is hereby declared as the judgment of this Church, that no two Bishops of Churches in communion with each other should exercise jurisdiction in the same place.

Section 41.3
Every such Bishop shall report annually to the Primate his proceedings, and the state and condition of the Church within his Missionary District, such report to be transmitted by the Primate to the Executive Council. Every such report shall state the amount contributed in each year by the said District for Episcopal Support.

Section 41.4

(a) On the formation of a Missionary District the Bishop consecrated therefor, or assigned thereto, shall, for the administration of his jurisdiction, adopt the Canons approved by the House of Bishops for Missionary Districts, or he may select the Constitution and Canons of one of the Dioceses of this Church, which shall remain in force, so far as applicable to the circumstances of such Missionary District, except so far as altered by the Bishop and Convocation from time to time with the approbation of the Primate of the Church.

(b) Every Missionary Bishop shall appoint annually a Council of Advice, to be composed of not less than two or more than four Presbyters, and an equal number of Laymen, communicants of this Church, resident within his Missionary District, who shall perform the duties of a Standing Committee for such District, except in so far as these Canons otherwise provide, and who shall continue in office until their successors are appointed, and shall, so far as the circumstances of the District permit, be governed by the Constitution and Canons that have been adopted for such District.

CANON 42 - Of Ministers and Their Duties

Section 42.1

(a) The control of the worship and the spiritual jurisdiction of the Parish, are vested in the Rector, subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Canons of the Church, and the godly counsel of the Bishop. All other Ministers of the Parish, by whatever name they may be designated, are to be regarded as under the authority of the Rector.

(b) For the purposes of his office and for the full and free discharge of all functions and duties pertaining theret, the Rector shall, at all times, be entitled to the use and control of the Church and Parish buildings with the appurtenances and furniture thereof.

(c) In a Missionary Cure the control and responsibility belong to the Priest who has been duly appointed to the charge thereof, subject to the authority of the Bishop.

Section 42.2

(a) It shall be the duty of Ministers of this Church who have charge of Parishes or Cures to be diligent in instructing the children in the Catechism, and from time to time to examine them in the same publicly before the Congregation. They shall also, by stated catechetical lectures and instruction, inform the youth and others in the Holy Scriptures and the Doctrine, Polity, History, and Liturgy of the Church. They shall also instruct all persons in their Parishes and Cures concerning all the missionary work of the Church at home and abroad, and give suitable opportunities for offerings to maintain that work.

(b) It shall be the duty of Ministers before baptizing infants or children to prepare the sponsors by instructing both the parents and the Godparents concerning the significance of Holy Baptism, the responsibilities of parents and Godparents for the Christian training of the baptized child, and how these obligations may properly be discharged.

(c) It shall be the duty of Ministers to prepare young persons and others for Confirmation; and on notice being received from the Bishop of his intention to visit any church, which notice shall be at least one month before the intended visitation, the Minister shall announce the fact to the Congregation on the first Sunday after the receipt of such notice; and he shall be ready to present for Confirmation such persons as he shall judge to be qualified, and shall deliver to the Bishop of a list of the names of those to be confirmed.

(d) At every visitation it shall be the duty of the Minister, and of the Churchwardens, or Vestrymen, or of some other officer, to exhibit to the Bishop the Parish Register and to give information to him of the state of the Congregation, spiritual and temporal, under such heads as shall have been previously signified to them, in writing, by the Bishop.

(e) The Alms and Contributions, not otherwise specifically designated, at the Administration of the Holy Communion on one Sunday in each calendar month, and other offerings for the poor, shall be deposited with the Minster of the Parish or with such Church officer as shall be appointed by him, to be applied by the Minister, or under his superintendence, to such pious and charitable uses as shall by him be thought fit. During a vacancy the Vestry shall appoint a responsible person to serve as Almoner.

(f) Whenever the House of Bishops shall put forth a Pastoral Letter, it shall be the duty of every Minister having a pastoral charge to read it to his Congregation on some occasion of public worship on a Lord's Day, not later than one month after the receipt of the same.

Section 42.3

(a) It shall be the duty of every Minister of this Church to record in the Parish Register all Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, Burials, and the names of all Communicants within his Cure.

(b) The registry of every Baptism shall be signed by the officiating Minister.

(c) Every Minister of this Church in charge of a congregation shall have recorded in the Parish Register a list of all persons who have received Holy Baptism; and a list of all persons who have received Confirmation. He shall indicate upon the Parish Register each year the names of those who have died in the past year or whose names have been removed by letter of transfer. He shall also indicate:
(1) those whose domicile is unknown, and
(2) those whose domicile is known but are inactive.
He shall maintain as far as practicable a list of all families and persons within his Cure, which list shall remain in the Parish for the use of his successor.

Section 42.4

(a) No Minister of this Church shall officiate, either by preaching, reading prayers in public worship, or by performing any other priestly or ministerial function, in the Parish, or within the Cure, of another Minister, without the consent of the Minister of that Parish or Cure; or one of its Churchwardens if, in his absence or disability, the Minister fail to provide for the stated services of such Parish or Cure.

If there be two or more Congregations or Churches in one Cure, as provided by Canon 11, Section 3(b), the consent of the majority of the Ministers of such Congregations of Churches, or of the Bishop, shall be sufficient; Provided, that nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent any Clergyman of this Church from officiating, with the consent of a Minister, in the Church or place of public worship used by the Congregation of such Minister, or in private for members of his Congregation; or, in his absence, with the consent of the Churchwardens or Trustees of such Congregation; and Provided, moreover, that the license of the Ecclesiastical Authority required in Section 6 be first obtained when necessary.

This rule shall not apply to any Church, Chapel, or Oratory, which is part of the premises of an incorporated institution, created by legislative authority, provided that such place of worship is designed and set apart for the convenience and uses of such institution, and not as a place for public or parochial worship.

(b) If any Minister of this Church, from disability or any other cause, neglect to perform the regular services in his Congregation, and refuse, without good cause, his consent to any other duly qualified Minister of this Church to officiate within his Cure, the Churchwardens, Vestrymen, or Trustees of the Congregation shall, on proof before the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District of such neglect or refusal, have power, with the written consent of the said Authority, to permit any duly qualified Minister of this Church to officiate.

Section 42.5

(a) A Minister of this Church removing into a Diocese or Missionary District shall, in order to gain canonical residence within the same, present to the Ecclesiastical Authority thereof, a testimonial from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District in which he last had canonical residence, which testimonial shall set forth his true standing and character. The said 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 Missionary District to which he proposes to remove. The testimony may be in the following words:

I hereby certify that the Reverend A.B., who has signified to me his desire to be transferred to the Ecclesiastical Authority of ___, is a Presbyter (or Deacon) 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 three years last past.

(Signed)

(b) Such testimonial shall be called Letters Dimissory. The canonical residence of the Minister so transferred shall date from the acceptance of his Letters Dimissory, of which prompt notice shall be given both to the applicant and to the Ecclesiastical Authority from which it came.

(c) Letters Dimissory not presented within six months from the date of their transmission to the applicant shall become wholly void.

(d) If a Minister, removing into another Diocese, has been called to a Cure in a Parish or Congregation therein, he shall present Letters Dimissory in the form above given. It shall be the duty of the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese to which he has removed, to accept them within three months, unless the Bishop or Standing Committee shall have heard rumors, which he or they believe to be well founded, against the character of the Minister concerned, which would form a proper ground of canonical inquiry and presentment, in which case the Ecclesiastical Authority shall communicate the same to the Bishop or Standing Committee of the Diocese to whose jurisdiction the said Minister belongs; and in such case, it shall not be the duty of the Ecclesiastical Authority to accept the Letters Dimissory unless and until the Minister shall be exculpated from the said charge.

(e) No Minister, removing from one Diocese or Missionary District to another, shall officiate as Rector or Minister of any Parish or Congregation of the Diocese or District to which he removed, until he shall have obtained from the Ecclesiastical Authority thereof a certificate in the words following:

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

(Signed)

(f) No person who has been refused Ordination or reception as a Candidate in any Diocese or Missionary District, and who has afterwards been ordained in another Diocese or Missionary District, shall be transferred to the Diocese or Missionary District in which such refusal has taken place without the consent of its Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority.

(g) No person who has been ordained under the provisions of Canon 30 shall be transferred to another Diocese or Missionary District, save as provided in the said Canon.

Section 42.6
No Minister of this Church shall officiate more than two months by preaching, ministering the Sacraments, or holding any public service, within the limits of any Diocese or Missionary District other than that in which he is canonically resident, without a license from the Ecclesiastical Authority.

Section 42.7

(a) Any Minister of this Church desiring to officiate temporarily without the confines of this Church shall, in order so to do, obtain from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District in which he has canonical residence, a testimonial which shall set forth his true standing and character, and may be in the following words:

I hereby certify that the Reverend A.B. who has signified to me his desire to be permitted to officiate temporarily in churches not under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Church of America, yet in communion with this Church, is a Presbyter (or Deacon) of ___ in good standing, and as such is entitled to the rights and privileges of his Order.

(Signed)

This testimonial is valid for one year from date of issuance and is to be returned to the Ecclesiastical Authority at the end of that period.

(b) The Ecclesiastical Authority giving such testimonial shall keep a record of issuance of such, in which the date of issuance and of return shall be recorded, together with the name of the Minister to whom the testimonial has been issued.

Section 42.8

(a) Any priest of this Church desiring to serve as a Chaplain in the Armed Forces of the United States of America or as Chaplain for the Veterans' Administration, with the approval of the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which he is canonically resident, may be given ecclesiastical endorsement for such service by the Armed Forces Division of the Executive Council of the Church.

(b) Such ministers serving on active duty with the Armed Forces shall retain canonical residence in a Diocese of this Church, and shall be under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Bishop of said Diocese, even though his work as a Chaplain shall be under the general supervision of the Armed Forces Division, or such Bishop of the Church as the Primate may designate.

(c) Any such minister serving on a military installation or at a Veterans' Administration facility shall not be subject to either Section 4(a), nor Section 6, of this Canon. When serving outside of military installations or of Veterans' Administration facilities, such Chaplains shall be subject to said sections.

Section 42.9
Upon attaining the age of seventy‑two years, every Minister of this Church occupying any remunerative position in this Church shall resign the same and retire from active service, and his resignation shall be accepted. Thereafter, he may accept any position in this Church; Provided. that

(a) the tenure in such position shall be for a period of not more than one year, which period may be renewed from time to time, and

(b) service in such position shall have the express approval of the Bishop and Standing Committee or Council of Advice of the Diocese or Missionary District in which such service is to be performed, acting in consultation with the Ecclesiastical Authority of such Minister's canonical residence, and of the Vestry of the Parish.

CANON 43 - Of the Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation

Section 43.1
Except as provided in Canon 42, Section 9, a Rector may not resign his Parish without the consent of the said Parish, or its Vestry, or its Trustees, whichever may be authorized to act in the premises, nor may any Rector canonically or lawfully elected and in charge of any Parish be removed therefrom by said Parish, Vestry, or Trustees, against his will, except as hereinafter provided.

Section 43.2
If for any urgent reason a Rector or Minister as aforesaid, or the body authorized to elect a Rector in the Parish committed to his charge, shall desire a separation and dissolution of the pastoral relation, and the parties be not agreed respecting a separation and dissolution, notice in writing may be given by either party to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District. The Bishop, in case the difference be not settled by his godly judgment, shall ask the advice and consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese or of the Council of Advice of the Missionary District, and, proceeding with its aid and counsel, shall be the ultimate arbiter and judge. If the Diocese or Missionary District be vacant, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall select a Bishop of an adjacent Diocese or Missionary District to act as the Bishop, and with like force and effect. The judgment shall be either that the pastoral relation between the parties shall cease and determine at a time and upon terms therein specified, or that the said relation shall not be terminated; and such judgment shall be binding upon both parties. In the event of the failure or refusal of either party to comply with the terms of such judgment, the Bishop may inflict such penalties as may be provided by the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese or Missionary District; and in default of any provisions for such penalties therein, the Bishop may (1) in the case of a Rector or Minister, suspend such Rector or Minister from the exercise of his priestly office until he shall comply with said judgment; (2) in the case of a Vestry or Trustees, recommend to Diocesan Synod or Missionary Convocation that the union of the Parish or Mission with Synod or Convocation shall cease until they have complied with his judgment.

Section 43.3
In case of the regular and canonical dissolution of the connection between a Rector or Minister and his Parish, under this Canon, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall direct the Secretary of the Synod to record the same.

Section 43.4
This Canon shall not apply in any Diocese or Missionary District which has made, or shall hereafter make, provision by Canon upon this subject, nor in contravention of any right of any Rector, Minister, Parish, Congregation, or Vestry under the law of the Civil Authority.

CANON 44 - Of the Filling of Vacant Cures

Section 44.1
When a Parish or Congregation becomes vacant the Church wardens or other proper officers shall notify the fact to the Bishop. If the authorities of the Parish shall for thirty days have failed to make provision for the services, it shall be duty of the Bishop to take such measures as he may deem expedient for the temporary maintenance of Divine services therein.

Section 44.2
No election of a Rector shall be had until the name of the Clergyman whom it is proposed to elect has been made know to the Bishop, if there be one, and sufficient time, not exceeding thirty days, has been given to him to communicate with the Vestry thereon, nor until such communication, if made within that period, has been considered by the Parish or Vestry at a meeting duly called and held for that purpose.

Section 44.3
Written notice of the election, signed by the Churchwardens, shall be sent to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese. If the Ecclesiastical Authority be satisfied that the person so chosen is a duly qualified Minister, and that he has accepted the office, and that he has been approved by the Diocesan Bishop, the notice shall be sent to the Secretary of the Synod, who shall record it. And such record shall be sufficient evidence of the relation between the Minister and the Parish.

Section 44.4
A Minister is settled, for all purposes here or elsewhere mentioned in these Canons, who has been engaged permanently, or for any term not less than one year, by any Parish, according to the rules of the Diocese in which such Parish is located.

Section 44.5
In case of the election of an Assistant Minister the name of the Clergyman whom it is proposed to elect, shall be made known to the Bishop and sufficient time, not exceeding thirty days, shall be given him to communicate with the Rector and Vestry thereon.

Section 44.6
Any parish or congregation who elects a Minister and/or an Assistant Minister shall be required to set aside, in a pension fund, for the benefit of said Minister and/or Assistant Minister, no less than $1,200.00 per annum, which said pension fund shall belong to the said Minister and/or Assistant Minister, and the said parish or congregation shall not make any claim on the said fund.

CANON 45 - Of Deacons

Section 45.1
Every Deacon shall be subject to the direction of the Bishop of the Diocese or Missionary District for which he has been ordained, or, if there be no Bishop, to that of the Clerical members of the Standing Committee, acting by their President, until he is canonically transferred to some other jurisdiction. He shall officiate in such places only as the Bishop, or the Clerical members of the Standing Committee, as the case may be, may designate. He shall not accept any appointment for work outside the Diocese to which he canonically belongs without the written consent both of his own Bishop and of the Bishop in whose Diocese he desires to minister.

Section 45.2

(a) No Deacon shall be a Rector of a Parish or Congregation, nor be permitted to accept a Chaplaincy in the Armed Forces of the United States.

(b) A Deacon ministering in a Parish or Congregation under the charge of a Priest, shall act under the direction of such Priest in all his ministrations.

(c) A Deacon ministering in a Parish or Congregation not under the charge of a Priest, shall, if not under the immediate direction of the Bishop, be placed under the authority of some neighboring Priest, by whose direction, in subordination to the Bishop, he shall in all things be governed.

Section 45.3
No Deacon who shall not have passed the examinations prescribed in Canon 27, Section 1, shall be transferred to another jurisdiction without the written request of the Ecclesiastical Authority of the same.

Section 45.4
In case of a Deacon desiring to be transferred from one Diocese to another, the Ecclesiastical Authority of the former Diocese must state in the Letters Dimissory the exact standing of the Deacon as regards Examinations passed or Dispensations received; also the dates of his birth, admission as a Candidate, and Ordination.

CANON 46 - Of Persons Not Ministers in this Church

Officiating in any Congregation Thereof

No Minister in charge of any congregation of this church, or, in case of vacancy or absence, no Churchwardens, Vestrymen, or Trustees of the Congregation, shall permit any person to officiate therein, without sufficient evidence of his being duly licensed or ordained to minster in this Church; Provided, that nothing herein shall be so construed as to forbid communicants of the Church to act as Lay Readers; or to prevent the Bishop of any Diocese or Missionary District giving permission to a Minister of any Church with which this Church has entered into a declaration of purpose to achieve organic union to preach the Gospel, or to Christian men, who are not Ministers of this Church, to make addresses in the Church, on special occasions. Priests and Deacons ordained in Churches not in communion with this Church may be licensed by the Bishop to officiate in their Order for a fixed period of time not to exceed one year, with the consent of the Standing Committee, or for a longer time by compliance with Canon 34.

CANON 47 - Of Lay Readers

Section 47.1
A competent person ready and desirous to serve the church in the public services statedly as a Lay Reader must procure a written license from the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District of which he is a canonical resident. Such license shall not be granted to any but a male communicant of this Church, and may be given for a definite period, not longer that three (3) years, but may be renewed from time to time, or revoked at any time. Such license may be given for any vacant Parish or Mission, or for a Congregation without a Minister, but where a Presbyter is in charge, his request and recommendation must have been previously signified to the Ecclesiastical Authority. A license shall not be granted for conducting the service in a congregation without a Minister, which is able and has had reasonable opportunity to secure the services of an ordained Minister. If the Lay Reader be a student in any Theological Seminary, he shall also, before acting as such, obtain the permission of his own Bishop.

Section 47.2
A Lay Reader shall be subject to the regulations prescribed by the Ecclesiastical Authority, and shall not serve in any Diocese other than that in which he is licensed, unless he shall have received a license from the Bishop of the Diocese in which he desires to serve.

Section 47.3
In all matters relating to the conduct of the service, and the Sermons or Homilies to be read, he shall conform to the directions of the Minister in charge of the Parish, Congregation, or Mission in which he is serving, and, in all cases, to the directions of the Bishop. He shall read only the following Offices, or parts thereof, and shall observe the limitations mentioned:

(1) Morning and Evening Prayer, omitting the Absolution, and substituting, while remaining kneeling, the Collect for the 21st Sunday after Trinity;

(2) The Litany;

(3) The Penitential Office;

(4) The Offices of Instruction;

(5) In the Order for Holy Communion, the Epistle only;

(6) The Burial Offices; substituting for the priestly blessing the concluding prayer at the end of the Shorter Form for Family Prayer at Evening; substituting for the priestly blessing at the grave the final prayer at the end of the Shorter Form for Family Prayer at Morning; and substituting for the priestly blessing at the Burial of a Child, the concluding prayer at the end of the Shorter Form for Family Prayer at Evening.

He shall not deliver sermons or addresses of his own composition, unless, after instruction and examination, he be specially licensed thereto for urgent needs by the Bishop. He shall not wear the dress only appropriate to Clergymen ministering in the Congregation.

CANON 48 - Of Deaconesses

Section 48.1
A woman of devout character and proved fitness may be set apart, hallowed and consecrated Deaconess by any Bishop of this Church, subject to the provisions of this Canon.

Section 48.2

(a) The duty of a Deaconess is to assist in the work of the Parish, Mission, or institution to which she may be appointed, under the direction of the Rector or Priest in charge; or, if there be none such, to perform such functions as may be directly entrusted to her by the Bishop.

(b) The following are the chief functions which may be entrusted to a Deaconess:

(1) To care for the sick, the afflicted, and the poor;

(2) To give instruction in the Christian Faith;

(3) Under the Rector or the Priest in charge, to prepare candidates for Baptism and for Confirmation;

(4) To assist at the administration of Holy Baptism of female candidates.

(5) Under the Rector or Priest in charge to organize, superintend, and carry out the Church's work among women and children;

(6) To organize and carry on social work; and in colleges and schools to have a responsible part in the education of women and children, and to promote the welfare of women students.

Section 48.3

(a) A woman desiring reception as Candidate for the office of Deaconess shall submit to the Bishop of the Diocese or Missionary District letters of recommendation from her Rector and from two women communicants of the Church, together with evidence that she is a communicant of the Church in good standing; and that she is a graduate of a four‑year institution of higher learning, or is prepared to take such examinations as shall qualify her for reception.

(b) During the period of Candidateship, she shall be under the supervision of the Bishop, and shall report to him quarterly at the Ember Seasons.

Section 48.4
(a) Before admission to the office of Deaconess a Candidate shall be required to pass examinations in the following subjects:

(1) Holy Scripture: The Bible in English; introduction to and contents of the various books; special knowledge of at least one Gospel and one Epistle.

(2) Church History: A general outline, including the History of the Church in the United States, and special knowledge of the first five centuries.

(3) Christian Missions: History; present extent and methods; at least one missionary biography.

(4) Doctrine: Contents and teaching of the Book of Common Prayer, including preparation for the Sacraments.

(5) Ministration: The Office and work of a Deaconess; Parish Work and Organization.

(6) Religious Education: Psychology; Educational methods; Church School Management.

(7) Social Service: Principles involved in the adjustment of individuals to each other and to the community; the methods of social case work; familiarity with the recognized standards of the work of social organizations including institutions.

(b) This examination shall be conducted by examiners appointed by the Bishop. The results of the examination shall be certified to the Bishop, and to the Standing Committee of the Diocese or Council of Advice of the Missionary District.

(c) The candidate shall also be required to furnish evidence that she has had at least nine months of field work under competent supervision, or satisfactory previous experience in social service, educational, parish, or mission work.

Section 48.5
No one shall be admitted a Deaconess until she is twenty‑four years of age; nor within two years of her reception as a Candidate, unless the Bishop, with the advice and consent of a majority of the members of the Standing Committee or Council of Advice, shall shorten the time of her Candidateship; but the time shall not be shortened to less than one year.

Section 48.6
No woman shall be admitted a Deaconess until she have laid before the Bishop testimonials showing that she is a communicant of this Church in good standing, and that she possesses such characteristics as, in the judgment of the persons testifying, fit her for the duties of that office. The testimonials of fitness shall be signed by four Presbyters of this Church and by eight Lay Communicants, six of whom shall be women.

Section 48.7
Before admission as a Deaconess the Bishop shall require the Candidate to submit to a thorough examination by a physician appointed by the Bishop. This examination shall cover her mental and nervous as well as her physical condition. The form of medical report prepared by the Standing Joint Commission on Education for Holy Orders shall be used for this purpose. This report shall be kept on file by the Bishop and shall be submitted to the Standing Committee or Council of Advice with the application to be recommended for admission to the office of Deaconess.

Section 48.8
When the foregoing specified requirements have been complied with, the Bishop, upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, or Council of Advice of the Missionary District, may admit the Candidate to the office of Deaconess. The fact of the setting apart of a Deaconess shall be transmitted by the Bishop to the Recorder of the General Synod, together with the following data:

(1) Her full name.

(2) Place and date of birth.

(3) Date and place of such setting apart.

Any change in the status of a Deaconess shall be likewise notified to the Recorder by the Bishop.

Section 48.9
No woman shall be recognized as a Deaconess until she has been admitted to that office by a service prescribed either by the General Synod or, in the absence of such prescription, by the Bishop of the Diocese or Missionary District.

Section 48.10
A Deaconess shall not accept work in a Diocese or Missionary District without the express authority in writing of the Bishop of that Diocese or Missionary District; nor shall she undertake work in a Parish without the like authority from the Rector of the Parish. No candidate shall be admitted as Deaconess until she shall have been appointed to serve in some position under the jurisdiction of the Church.

Section 48.11
When not connected with a Parish, the Deaconess shall be under the direct oversight of the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District to which she is canonically attached. Each Deaconess shall report annually to the Bishop of her Diocese in the form prescribed by the Bishop. A Deaconess may be transferred from one Diocese or Missionary District to another by Letters Dimissory. A Deaconess may at any time resign her office to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese or Missionary District to which she is attached under this Canon, but she may not be suspended or removed from office except by the Bishop for cause. A Deaconess thus suspended or removed may demand a trial by a special Court, to be composed of two Presbyters and four Lay communicants, one man and three women, of whom two shall preferably be Deaconesses. The members of the Court shall be chosen by the Standing Committee or Council of Advice. The procedure of the Court shall be according to the rules governing the trial of a Clergyman in the Diocese of Missionary District to which the Deaconess is attached under this Canon.

CANON 49 - Of Religious Communities

Section 49.1
A religious community of men or women desiring the official recognition of the Church shall submit its Constitution and Rules of the community to the Primate for his approval, subject to the consent of the House of Bishops. Subject to the consent of the House of Bishops, the Primate may give his approval for such recognition. Provisions shall be made in the Constitution for the appointment of a visitor, with the approval of the Primate.

Section 49.2

(a) The rules of every religious community shall include a distinct recognition of the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of this Church.

(b) No religious priest or deacon shall, without the license of the Diocesan or Missionary Bishop of that place, perform any liturgical acts outside the precincts of a religious house, convent, or monastery. The Bishop having responsibility for the religious shall, before licensing any new community or work, obtain the permission of the Ordinary of the place in which such new community or work shall be located; provided, however, that no Ordinary shall withhold his assent to such community or work without good cause.

(c) The provisions of these Canons pertaining to the rites and ceremonies of the Church shall apply to religious communities.

(d) The Bishop in whose jurisdiction the "Mother House" shall be located or situated, or one who shall be appointed by said Bishop, shall be the Episcopal Visitor of religious communities.

(e) Once official recognition has been granted to a religious community, it shall not be withdrawn except in consequence of a violation of the provisions of this canon by such community, as determined by the Primate, with the advice and consent of the House of Bishops.

(f) Any differences which may arise between the religious community and the Episcopal Visitor which can not be satisfactorily settled between the parties shall be appealed by either party to the House of Bishops for resolution. The manner in which the differences shall be presented to the House of Bishops shall be determined by the House of Bishops.

CANON 50 - Of Professional Church Workers

Section 50.1
Any person being a communicant of this Church, who is a salaried, professional Church worker, who is employed or seeks to be employed, as a Christian Education, College, or Social Worker, in the service of this Church in any Diocese or Missionary District, and who fulfills, in the opinion of the Bishop, the following qualifications:

(a) Completion of two years of graduate study in a Church Training School or Seminary; or

(b) Completion of a five‑year combination of at least two of the following:

(1) Attendance at college;

(2) Attendance at a Church Training School or Seminary;

(3) Employment in the field of Christian Education; provided that at least 16 semester hours have been earned in two or more of the following fields:

a. Religion,

b. Christian Education,

c. Education,

may apply to the Bishop of that jurisdiction to be accepted as a Certified Worker.

Section 50.2
The Bishop shall keep a list of such Certified Workers. When such a Certified Worker moves to another jurisdiction, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall give him a letter to the Bishop of the jurisdiction to which he shall remove, certifying that he has been on his list of Certified Workers.

Section 50.3
Each such Certified Worker shall report, either personally or by letter, to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the jurisdiction in which he is employed, annually, during Advent, as to the progress of his work. He shall also report at other times, if requested to do so by the Ecclesiastical Authority.