The Acts of Convention

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Canon III.10.3 (a) is amended to read as follows:

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

(a) When a Priest or Deacon ordained in a Church by a Bishop in the Historic Succession but not in full communion with this Church, the regularity of whose ordination is approved by the Presiding Bishop as permitted by Canon I.16.3, desires to be received as a Member of the Clergy in this Church, the person shall apply in writing to a Bishop, attaching the following:

(1) A nomination in writing for reception from the person’s congregation or community of faith in this Church. The Nomination shall include a letter of support by the congregation or community of faith, committing the community to involve itself in the person’s preparation for reception to the Priesthood. If it be a congregation, the letter shall be signed by two-thirds of the Vestry or comparable body, and by the Member of the Clergy or leader exercising oversight.

(2) The person, if agreeing, shall accept the nomination in writing, and shall provide the following in writing to the Bishop:

(a) Full name and date of birth.

(b) The length of time resident in the Diocese.

(c) Evidence that the person is a confirmed adult communicant in good standing in a Congregation of this Church.

(d) Whether an application has been made previously for reception in any diocese.

(e) A description of the process of discernment the person has undertaken individually and with the nominating congregation or community of faith.

(f) A statement of reasons for seeking to enter Holy Orders in this Church.

(1) Evidence that the person is a confirmed adult communicant in good standing in a Congregation of this Church.

(3) (2) Evidence of previous ordained Ministry and that all other credentials are valid and authentic.

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

(5) (4) Transcripts of all academic and theological studies.

(6) (5) A certificate from at least two Presbyters in good standing of this Church stating that, from personal examination or from satisfactory evidence presented to them, they believe that the departure of the person from the Communion to which the person has belonged has not arisen from any circumstance unfavorable to moral or religious character, or on account of which it may not be expedient to admit the person to Holy Orders in this Church.

(7) (6) Certificates in the forms provided in Canon III.8.6 and III.8.7 from the Rector or Member of the Clergy in charge and Vestry of a Parish of this Church.

(7) A statement of the reasons for seeking to enter Holy Orders in this Church

And be it further

Resolved, That Canon III.10.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:

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

(a) If a person ordained or licensed by other than a Bishop in the Historic Succession historic succession to minister in a Church not in full communion with this Church desires to be ordained, the person shall follow the procedures and requirements set forth in Canon III.6 if the person desires to be ordained to the diaconate or Canon III.8 if the person desires to be ordained to the priesthood.

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

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

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

(ii) (2) The nature and extent of the applicant’s education and theological training,

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

(3) (c) The provisions of Canon III.5,6, and 8 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 twelve months; the applicant shall be examined by the Commission and show proficiency in the following subjects:

(i) (1) Church History: the history of the Anglican Church and the Episcopal Church in the United States of America,

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

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

(iv) (4) Practical Theology:

(a) The office and work of a Deacon and Priest in this Church,

(b) The conduct of public worship,

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

(d) The use of voice in reading and speaking;

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

(4) (d) If all the requirements of this Canon have been fulfilled, the Bishop may ordain the Candidate a Deacon under Canon III.6 or III.8, but may do so no sooner than twelve months after the Candidate became a confirmed communicant of this Church. If ordained a deacon under Canon III.8, Nno sooner than six months thereafter, the Candidate may be ordained a Priest at the Bishop’s discretion. At the time of such ordination the Bishop shall read this preface following the signing of the declaration of conformity:

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).

In such cases, the ordination certificate shall contain the words:

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

5. Following reception or ordination each clergy person shall be assigned a mentor Priest by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. The mentor and clergy person shall meet regularly to provide the clergy person an opportunity for guidance, information, and a sustained dialogue about ministry in the Episcopal Church.