The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That forms prescribed by the Canons to be used in medical and psychological evaluations of persons prior to their ordination as deacon, priest, and bishop, or of persons already ordained in another church prior to their reception into this Church, require revision and updating; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention agrees with the Church Pension Fund that as the purposes and needs of the forms have changed over time, a more appropriate group should be named to prepare forms that meet all the needs of the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That in developing the forms described in Canons III.6.5.j.2, III.8.5.k.2, III.10.1.b, and III.11.3.a.2, the Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation (or the committee of the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons; or the task force specially designated by the General Convention) shall consult with (i) at least two experts in the field of medicine; (ii) at least two experts in the field of psychology; (iii) persons of all orders knowledgeable about and involved in diocesan ordination processes, such as persons serving on Commissions on Ministry or other discernment bodies, Standing Committees, bishops, and other persons serving in other discernment-related roles; and for forms designed for persons being evaluated as bishops, bishops-elect or nominees for bishop (iv) the Office of Pastoral Development; and be it further

Resolved, That if a Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation is created that Canons III.6.5.j.2, III.8.5.k.2, III.10.1.b, and III.11.3.a.2 be amended as follows:

Canon III.6.5.j

Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination

j. Within thirty-six months prior to ordination as a Deacon, the following must be accomplished

1. a background check, according to criteria established by the Bishop and Standing Committee.

2. medical and psychological evaluation by professionals approved by the Bishop, using forms prepared for the purpose by The Church Pension Fund, the Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention and if desired or necessary, psychiatric referral.

Canon III.8.5.k.2

Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination

a. The Bishop and the Commission shall work with the Postulant or Candidate to develop and monitor a program of preparation for ordination to the Priesthood and to ensure that pastoral guidance is provided throughout the period of preparation.

b. If the Postulant or Candidate has not previously obtained a baccalaureate degree, the Commission, Bishop, and Postulant or Candidate shall design a program of such additional academic work as may be necessary to prepare the Postulant or Candidate to undertake a program of theological education.

c. Formation shall take into account the local culture and each Postulant or Candidate’s background, age, occupation, and ministry.

d. Prior education and learning from life experience may be considered as part of the formation required for the Priesthood.

e. Whenever possible, formation for the Priesthood shall take place in community, including other persons in preparation for the Priesthood, or others preparing for ministry.

f. Formation shall include theological training, practical experience, emotional development, and spiritual formation.

g. Subject areas for study during this program of preparation shall include:

1. The Holy Scriptures.

2. History of the Christian Church.

3. Christian Theology.

4. Christian Ethics and Moral Theology.

5. Christian Worship according to the use of the Book of Common Prayer, the Hymnal, and authorized supplemental texts.

6. The Practice of Ministry in contemporary society, including leadership, evangelism, stewardship, ecumenism, interfaith relations, mission theology, and the historical and contemporary experience of racial and minority groups.

h. Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding

1. prevention of sexual misconduct against both children and adults.

2. civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.

3. the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof, utilizing, but not limited to use of, the Title IV training website of The Episcopal Church.

4. the Church’s teaching on racism.

i. Each Postulant or Candidate for ordination to the Priesthood shall communicate with the Bishop in person or by letter, four times a year, in the Ember Weeks, reflecting on the Candidate’s academic experience and personal and spiritual development.

j. The seminary or other formation program shall provide for, monitor, and report on the academic performance and personal qualifications of the Postulant or Candidate for ordination. These reports will be made upon request of the Bishop and Commission, but at least once per year.

k. Within thirty-six months prior to ordination as a Deacon under this Canon, the following must be accomplished

1. a background check, according to criteria established by the Bishop and Standing Committee.

2. medical and psychological evaluation by professionals approved by the Bishop, using forms prepared for the purpose by The Church Pension Fund the Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention, and if desired or necessary, psychiatric referral.

l. Reports of all investigations and examinations shall be kept permanently on file by the Bishop and remain a part of the permanent diocesan record.

Canon III.10.1.b

Sec. 1. Prior to reception or ordination, the following must be provided

b. medical and psychological evaluation by professionals approved by the Bishop, using forms prepared for the purpose by The Church Pension Fund, the Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention and if desired or necessary, psychiatric referral. If the medical examination, psychological examination, or background check have taken place more than thirty-six months prior to reception or ordination they must be updated. All such background checks and evaluations shall be conducted specifically for the ordination or reception under this Canon and not for any other process or purpose.

Canon III.11.3.a.2

Sec. 3

a. The Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop has been elected shall by its President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, immediately send to the Presiding Bishop and to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses a certificate of the election by the Secretary of Convention of the Diocese, bearing a statement of receipt of:

1. evidence of the Bishop-elect’s having been duly ordered Deacon and Priest;

2. certificates from a licensed medical doctor and licensed psychiatrist, authorized by the Presiding Bishop, that they have thoroughly examined the Bishop-elect as to that person’s medical, psychological and psychiatric condition and have not discovered any reason why the person would not be fit to undertake the work for which the person has been chosen. Forms and procedures agreed to by the Presiding Bishop and The Church Pension Fund the Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention shall be used for this purpose; and

3. evidence that a testimonial in the following form was signed by a constitutional majority of the Convention:

We, whose names are hereunder written, fully sensible of 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, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ.

(Date)_______________________

(Signed)_____________________

The Presiding Bishop, without delay, shall notify every Bishop of this Church exercising jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop’s receipt of the certificates mentioned in this Section and request a statement of consent or withholding of consent. Each Standing Committee, in not more than one hundred and twenty days after the sending by the electing body of the certificate of the election, shall respond by sending the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected either the testimonial of consent in the form set out in paragraph (b) of this Section or written notice of its refusal to give consent. If a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses consents to the ordination of the Bishop-elect, the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected shall then forward the evidence of the consent, with the other necessary certificates required in this Section (documents described in Sec. 3.a.2 of this Canon), to the Presiding Bishop. If the Presiding Bishop receives sufficient statements to indicate a majority of those Bishops consent to the ordination, the Presiding Bishop shall, without delay, notify the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected and the Bishop-elect of the consent.

And be it further

Resolved, That if a Standing Commission on Ministry and Formation is NOT created that Canons III.6.5.j.2, III.8.5.k.2, III.10.1.b, and III.11.3.a.2 be amended as follows:

Canon III.6.5.j

Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination

j. Within thirty-six months prior to ordination as a Deacon, the following must be accomplished

1. a background check, according to criteria established by the Bishop and Standing Committee.

2. medical and psychological evaluation by professionals approved by the Bishop, using forms prepared for the purpose by The Church Pension Fund, a committee of the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons or a task force assigned by the General Convention, in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention, and if desired or necessary, psychiatric referral.

Canon III.10.1.b

Sec. 1. Prior to reception or ordination, the following must be provided

b. medical and psychological evaluation by professionals approved by the Bishop, using forms prepared for the purpose by The Church Pension Fund, a committee of the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons or a task force assigned by the General Convention, in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention, and if desired or necessary, psychiatric referral. If the medical examination, psychological examination, or background check have taken place more than thirty-six months prior to reception or ordination they must be updated.

Canon III.11.3.a.2

Sec. 3

a. The Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop has been elected shall by its President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, immediately send to the Presiding Bishop and to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses a certificate of the election by the Secretary of Convention of the Diocese, bearing a statement of receipt of:

1. evidence of the Bishop-elect’s having been duly ordered Deacon and Priest;

2. certificates from a licensed medical doctor and licensed psychiatrist, authorized by the Presiding Bishop, that they have thoroughly examined the Bishop-elect as to that person’s medical, psychological and psychiatric condition and have not discovered any reason why the person would not be fit to undertake the work for which the person has been chosen. Forms and procedures agreed to by the Presiding Bishop and The Church Pension Fund, a committee of the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons or a task force assigned by the General Convention, in accordance with principles and directions adopted by the General Convention; and if desired or necessary, psychiatric referral. If the medical examination, psychological examination, or background check have taken place more than thirty-six months prior to reception or ordination they must be updated.

3. evidence that a testimonial in the following form was signed by a constitutional majority of the Convention:

We, whose names are hereunder written, fully sensible of 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, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained to that Holy Office. We do, moreover, jointly and severally declare that we believe the Reverend A.B. to have been duly and lawfully elected and to be of such sufficiency in learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such godly character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ.

(Date)_______________________

(Signed)_____________________

The Presiding Bishop, without delay, shall notify every Bishop of this Church exercising jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop’s receipt of the certificates mentioned in this Section and request a statement of consent or withholding of consent. Each Standing Committee, in not more than one hundred and twenty days after the sending by the electing body of the certificate of the election, shall respond by sending the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected either the testimonial of consent in the form set out in paragraph b. of this Section or written notice of its refusal to give consent. If a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses consents to the ordination of the Bishop-elect, the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected shall then forward the evidence of the consent, with the other necessary certificates required in this Section (documents described in Sec. 3.a.2 of this Canon), to the Presiding Bishop. If the Presiding Bishop receives sufficient statements to indicate a majority of those Bishops consent to the ordination, the Presiding Bishop shall, without delay, notify the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop is elected and the Bishop-elect of the consent.