The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That a new Canon 10 be added to Title III and that Canons 13 and 12 be amended as follows:

CANON 10.

Of Christian Clergy Previously Ordained or Licensed in Churches Not in the Historic Succession.

Sec.1. If a person ordained or licensed by other than a Bishop in the Historic Succession to minister in a Christian body not in Communion with this Church, desires to be ordained,

(a). The person must first be a confirmed adult communicant in good standing in a Congregation of this Church;

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

(1). Whether the applicant has served in the previous Christian body with diligence and good reputation and the causes which have impelled the applicant to leave that body and seek ordination in this Church,

(2). The nature and extent of the applicant's education and theological training,

(3). The preparations necessary for ordination to the order(s) to which the applicant feels called;

(c). The provisions of Canons III.4,5, and 6 or 7 shall be followed except that the minimum period of Candidacy need not apply, if the Bishop and the Standing Committee at the recommendation of the Commission judge the Candidate to be ready for ordination to the Diaconate earlier than eighteen months, and with the exception that if the person furnishes evidence of satisfactory theological training in the previous Christian body and has exercised a ministry therein with good repute and success for at least five years, the applicant shall be examined by the Commission and show proficiency in the following subjects:

(1). Church History: the history of the Anglican Communion;

(2). Doctrine: the Church's teaching as set forth in the Creeds and in An Outline of the Faith, commonly called the Catechism;

(3). Liturgics: the principles and history of Christian worship; the contents of the Book of Common Prayer;

(4). Practical Theology:

(i) The office and work of a Deacon and a Priest,

(ii) The conduct of public worship,

(iii) The Constitution and Canons of the General Convention, and of the Diocese in which the applicant is resident,

(iv) The use of the voice in reading and speaking;

(5). The points of Doctrine, Discipline, Polity, and Worship in which the Communion from which the applicant 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.

(d) . Having fulfilled all the requirements of this Canon, the Bishop may ordain the Candidate a Deacon, and, no sooner than six months thereafter, a Priest. At the time of such ordination the Bishop may read this preface to the Service:

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

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

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

CANON 13 11.

Of Persons Priests and Deacons Ordained in Churches in the Historic Succession but Not in Communion with This Church

Sec. 1(a). When a person Priest or Deacon ordained or licensed to minister in a Church by a Bishop of the Historic Episcopate but not in communion with this Church desires to be received as a Member of the Clergy in this Church, he the person shall apply in writing to a Bishop, attaching to his written application the following:

(1). Evidence that the person is a confirmed adult communicant in good standing in a Congregation of this Church; he has been duly baptized with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

(2). Satisfactory E vidence of his previous Ministry and that all his other credentials are valid and authentic;

(3). Satisfactory E vidence of his moral and godly character; and that he the person is free from any vows or other engagements inconsistent with the exercise of Holy Orders in this Church;

(4). Transcripts of his all relevant 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 presented to them, they believe that his desire to leave the departure of the person from the Communion to which he the person 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 the person the exercise of to Holy Orders in this Church;

(6). A Certificate s in the forms provided in Canon III. 9 6 or 7 5 (3) and (4), from the Rector or Member of the Clergy in charge and Vestry of a Parish of this Church; and

(7). A statement of the reasons which have moved him to seek for seeking to enter Holy Orders in this Church.

(b). With regard to the fulfillment of requirements as to pre-theological education, the provision s of Canon III. 5 4. 7 and 8 shall be applicable. The applicant shall also submit to the examinations required in Canon III. 9 6 or 7, 3, the result of such the examination s to be filed and submitted as therein required.

Sec.2(a). If such a the person furnish es evidence of a satisfactory theological training in his the previous Communion, and have has exercised his a ministry therein with good repute and success for at least five years , he the applicant shall be examined by the Commission and show proficiency on Ministry in the following subjects:

(1). Church History: the history of the Church of England, and of this Church Anglican Communion;

(2). Doctrine: the Church's teaching as set forth in the Creeds and in An Outline of the Faith, commonly called the Catechism;

(3). Liturgics: the principles and history of Christian worship; the contents and use of the Book of Common Prayer;

(4). Practical Theology:

( a i ) The office and work of a Deacon and of a Priest,

( b ii ) The conduct of public worship,

( c iii ) The Constitution and Canons of the General Convention, and of the diocese in which he the applicant is canonically resident, ( d iv ) 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 the applicant 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.

(b). But if such a person 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 III. 7. 1.

(b). The Commission on Ministry may, with the consent of the Bishop, and with due notice to the applicant, examine the latter in any other subject required by Canon III. 7. 1. 6 or 7 .

Sec. 3. Prior to being examined as heretofore provided, pursuant to Sec. 2(a) of this Canon, the applicant shall have received certificates from the Bishop and from the Standing Committee, that he the applicant is acceptable as a Member of the Clergy of this Church, subject to the successful completion of said the examination; but he the applicant shall not be ordained or received until , at least six months after the provision of said certificates have been received, at least six calendar months shall have elapsed, during which period he the applicant shall undertake such studies and training, in a theological Seminary school or otherwise, as shall be directed by the Bishop with the advice of the Commission. on Ministry

Sec. 4. Before such a the person shall may be ordained or received into Holy Orders in this Church, the Bishop shall require him to a 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 the person to subscribe and make in his presence, and in the presence of the Bishop and two or more Presbyters the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

Sec. 5 (a). Thereafter the Bishop, being satisfied of such the person's theological attainments qualifications and successful completion of the examination specified in Sec. 2, and soundness in the faith,may

(1). receive, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, the person into this Church in the Orders to which he has already been ordained by a Bishop in the historic succession; or

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

(3). Ordain him as a Deacon and, no sooner than four months thereafter, ordain him the person a Priest conditionally (having baptized and confirmed him the person 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 Sec. 5 (a) (2) of this Canon, the Bishop may, at the time of such ordination, read this preface to the service:

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

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

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

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

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

Sec. 6. No one shall be ordained or received as a Deacon or received as such until he be age twenty-one years of age. No one shall be ordained or ordained Priest or received as such a Priest until he be age twenty-four years of age .

Sec. 7. A Deacon received under Sec. 5 of this Canon, desiring to be ordained to the Priesthood must satisfy all the requirements for ordination to the Priesthood as set forth in Canon III.7.

Sec. 7. Any other provisions in other Canons inconsistent with this Canon are inapplicable.

CANON 12.

Of Clergy Ordained by Bishops of Other Churches in Communion with This Church

Sec. 1(a). A Member of the Clergy, declaring himself to have been ordained by a Bishop of another Church in communion with this Church, or by a Bishop consecrated for a foreign country land by Bishops of this Church under Article III of the Constitution shall, before he be being permitted to officiate in any Parish, Mission or Congregation of this Church, exhibit to the Member of the Clergy in charge, or, if there be no Member of the Clergy in charge, to the Vestry thereof, a certificate of recent date, signed by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese that his the person's letters of Holy Orders and other credentials are valid and authentic, and given by a Bishop in communion with this Church, and whose authority is acknowledged by this Church; and also that he the person has exhibited to the said Ecclesiastical Authority satisfactory evidence of his (i) moral and godly character and of his (ii) theological qualifications.

(b). And B efore he shall be being permitted to take charge of any Parish, Mission, or Congregation, or be being received into any Diocese of this Church as a Member of the its Clergy thereof, he shall produce to the Ecclesiastical Authority shall receive Letters Dimissory or equivalent credentials under the hand and seal of the Bishop with whose Diocese he the person has been last connected, which letters or credentials shall be delivered within six months from the date thereof. Before such receiving the Member of the Clergy shall also be received, the Bishop shall require him to a 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 the person to subscribe and make in his the Bishop's 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 T he Bishop and at least one Presbyter shall examine the person as to his knowledge of the history of this Church, its worship and government. The said Ecclesiastical Authority, Bishop also being satisfied of him the person's theological qualifications, may then receive him the person into the Diocese as a Member of the Clergy of this Church., Provided, that such Member of the Clergy shall not be entitled to hold canonical charge in any Parish or Mission, until he shall have resided one year within the jurisdiction of this Church subsequent to the acceptance of his credentials.

(c). A member of the Clergy declaring himself to have been ordained by a Bishop of another Church in communion with this Church, or by a Bishop consecrated for a foreign country land by Bishops of this Church, under Article III of the Constitution, shall not be accepted nor shall the Member of the Clergy named therein be placed on the clergy list of this Church until such a Member of the Clergy shall have having submitted himself to, and satisfactorily passed, a thorough examination, covering both mental medical and psychological and physical condition by professionals appointed by the Bishop. The forms for medical and psychological and psychiatric reports prepared by The Church Pension Fund shall be used for these purposes.

Sec. 2. If such A Member of the Clergy be who is a Deacon he shall not be ordered Priest until he shall have having resided within the jurisdiction of this Church at least one year and all the requirements for ordination to the Priesthood as required by Canon III.7 have been satisfied.