The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That the following provisions of Titles III and V of the Constitution and Canons for the Governance of The Episcopal Church are amended to read as indicated:

Canon III.7.8:

Sec. 8. If any Deacon of this Church not subject to the provisions of Canon IV.8 shall declare, in writing, to the Bishop of the Diocese in which such Deacon is canonically resident, a renunciation of the ordained Ministry of this Church, and a desire to be removed therefrom, it shall be the duty of the Bishop to record the declaration and request so made. The Bishop, being satisfied that the person so declaring is not subject to the provision of Canon IV.8 but is acting voluntarily and for causes, assigned or known, which do not affect the Deacon’s moral character, shall lay the matter before the clerical members of the Standing Committee, and with the advice and consent of a majority of such members the Bishop may pronounce that such renunciation is accepted, and that the Deacon is released from the obligations of the Ministerial office, and is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordination. The Bishop shall also declare in pronouncing and recording such action that it was for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and shall, if desired, give a certificate to this effect to the person so removed from the ordained Ministry.

Canon III.9.3(e)(3):

(3) If the Priest fails to comply with the provision of this Canon,such failure may be considered a breach of Canon IV.4.1(h)(3) occurring in the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident.

Canon III.9.8:

Sec. 8. If any Priest of this Church not subject to the provisions of Canon IV.8 shall declare, in writing, to the Bishop of the Diocese in which such Priest is canonically resident, a renunciation of the ordained Ministry of this Church, and a desire to be removed therefrom, it shall be the duty of the Bishop to record the declaration and request so made. The Bishop, being satisfied that the person so declaring is not subject to the provision of Canon IV.8 but is acting voluntarily and for causes, assigned or known, which do not affect the Priest’s moral character, shall lay the matter before the clerical members of the Standing Committee, and with the advice and consent of a majority of such members the Bishop may pronounce that such renunciation is accepted, and that the Priest is released from the obligations of the Ministerial office, and is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordination. The Bishop shall also declare in pronouncing and recording such action that it was for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and shall, if desired, give a certificate to this effect to the person so removed from the ordained Ministry.

Canon III.9.20(b): [Editor's Note: Canon number was changed by 2009-D006, see note below.]

(b) In the course of proceedings under this Canon, ifa charge is allegations of misconduct are made by the Vestry against the Rector that could give rise to a disciplinary proceeding constitute an Offense under Canon IV.1 Title IV, all proceedings under this Canon with respect to such allegations shall be suspended until the charge has allegations have been resolved or withdrawn.

Canon III.12.7(a):

(a) If any Bishop of this Church not subject to the provisions of Canon IV.8 shall declare, in writing, to the Presiding Bishop a renunciation of the ordained Ministry of this Church, and a desire to be removed there from, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Bishop to record the declaration and request so made. The Presiding Bishop, being satisfied that the person so declaring is not subject to the provision of Canon IV.8 but is acting voluntarily and for causes, assigned or known, which do not affect the person’s moral character, shall lay the matter before the Advisory Council to the Presiding Bishop, and with the advice and consent of a majority of the members of the Advisory Council the Presiding Bishop may pronounce that such renunciation is accepted, and that the Bishop is released from the obligations of all Ministerial offices, and is deprived of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority as a Minister of God’s Word and Sacraments conferred in Ordinations. The Presiding Bishop shall also declare in pronouncing and recording such action that it was for causes which do not affect the person’s moral character, and shall, if desired, give a certificate to this effect to the person so removed.

Canon V.4.1(a)(4):

(4) upon the certification to the Presiding Bishop by the Advisory Committee Disciplinary Board for Bishops as to the abandonment of the communion of this Church by a Bishop pursuant to Canon IV.16;

Canon V.4.1(a)(5):

(5) upon the certification by the Standing Committee as to the abandonment of the communion of this Church by a Priest or Deacon pursuant to Canon IV.16; or