The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A131)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Canons III.21, 23, 24, 26 be amended as follows, that Canons III. 22, 25, 27 be deleted and that a new Canon 22 be added to Title III.

CANON 21 20.

Of the Ordination and Consecration of Bishops

Sec. 1(a). The election of a person to be a Bishop in a Diocese shall be held in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese, and pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church.

(b) . The Convention of a Diocese may request that an election be made on its behalf by the House of Bishops of the Province subject to confirmation of the Provincial Synod, or it may request that an election be made on its behalf by the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church.

(c) . If either option in Sec. 1(b) is chosen the President of the Province may convene the Synod of the Province prior to the election and the Synod may nominate up to three person. The Presiding Officer of the electoral body chosen shall, three weeks before the election, communicate the names of the nominees to the Bishops.

(d) . It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Convention electing a Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, or Suffragan Bishop, to inform the Presiding Bishop promptly of the name of the person elected. It shall be the duty of the Bishop-elect to notify the Presiding Bishop of acceptance or refusal of the election, at the same time as the Bishop-elect notifies the electing Diocese.

Sec. 1 2 (a). When ever the Church in any a Diocese shall desires the ordination and consecration of a Bishop-elect, if the election shall have taken place occurs within three months before a meeting of the General Convention, the Standing Committee of the said Diocese shall, by their its President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, forward to the Secretary of the House of Deputies evidence of the election of the Bishop-elect by the Convention of the Diocese, together with evidence of his that the Bishop-elect has having been duly ordered Deacon and Priest, and evidence of acceptance of election, and also a testimonial signed by a constitutional majority of such Convention, in the following words , viz:

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 or affection 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 and consecrated 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 good learning, of such soundness in the Faith, and of such virtuous and pure manners and godly conversation character as to be able to exercise the Office of a Bishop to the honor of God and the edifying of His the Church, and to be a wholesome example to the flock of Christ.

(Date) ________________ (Signed)___________________

(b) . The Secretary of such the Convention shall certify upon this testimonial that it has been signed by a constitutional majority. thereof. There shall also be forwarded to the Secretary of the House of Deputies, with the testimonial and other documents, certificates from two or three recognized and licensed professionals, appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese with the approval of the Presiding Bishop, that they have thoroughly examined the Bishop-elect as to such that person's physical and mental medical and psychological and psychiatric conditions and have not discovered any reason why it would not be wise fitting for such the person to undertake the work for such which the person has been chosen. The forms for medical and psychological and psychiatric reports prepared by The Church Pension Fund shall be used for this purpose.

(c) . The Secretary of the House of Deputies shall lay present the said testimonials before to the House, and if the House shall consents to the consecration ordination of the Bishop-elect, notice of said its consent, certified by the President and the Secretary of said the House, together with the testimonials, shall be sent to the House of Bishops , together with the testimonials aforesaid.

( bd) (1). If the House of Bishops consents to the consecration ordination, the Presiding Bishop shall, without delay, notify such consent to the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing and to the Bishop-elect; and upon notice assurance of the acceptance of the election by the Bishop-elect of his election the Presiding Bishop shall take order for the consecration ordination of the said Bishop-elect either by himself the Presiding Bishop or the President of the House of Bishops of the Province of which the Diocese electing is part, and two other Bishops of this Church, or by any three Bishops of the Church to whom he the Presiding Bishop may communicate the testimonials.

(2). In all particulars the service at the consecration ordination of a Bishop shall be under the direction of the Bishop presiding at such consecration the ordination.

(3). No person shall be ordained Bishop unless the person shall at the time and in the presence of the ordaining Bishops subscribe and make the declaration required in Article VIII of the Constitution.

(c)(e)(1). If the election of a Bishop shall have taken place occurs more than three months before the meeting of the General Convention, the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing shall by their its President, or by some person or persons specially appointed, immediately send to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses a certificate of the election by the Secretary of Convention of the Diocese, bearing a statement that evidence of the Bishop-elect's having been duly ordered Deacon and Priest and the certificates as to mental and physical medical and psychological and psychiatric examination as required in Sec. 1(a) 2(b) of this Canon have been received and that a testimonial in the form set out in Sec. 1 2(a) of this Canon has been signed by a constitutional majority of the Convention. ; and if a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses shall consent to the consecration ordination of the Bishop-elect, the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing shall then forward the evidence of said the consent, with the other necessary documents described in Sec. 1 2 (a) and (b) of this Canon, to the Presiding Bishop, who shall immediately communicate the same to every Diocesan Bishop. of this Church having jurisdiction, and if a majority of such Bishops shall consent to the consecration ordination, the Presiding Bishop shall, without delay, notify such consent to the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing and to the Bishop-elect of the consent. and upon notice of his acceptance of the election, The Presiding Bishop shall take order for the consecration ordination of said the Bishop-elect either by himself or the President of the Province of which the Diocese electing is a part and two other Bishops of this Church, or by any three Bishops of this Church to whom he may communicate the testimonials or make provision according to Sec. (d)(1) of this Canon.

(2). The e Evidence of the consent of the several each Standing Committee s shall be a testimonial in the following words, signed by a majority of the Standing members of the Committee s 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 we know of no impediment on account of which the Reverend A.B. ought not to be ordained and consecrated to the that Holy Office Order. In witness whereof, we have here unto set our hands this ________________ day of __________________ in the year of our Lord _______________.

(Signed) _____________________________

If the Presiding Bishop shall not have received the consent of a majority of the Bishops within three months from the date of notice to them, he shall then give notice of such failure to the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing.

( d f). In case a majority of all the Standing Committees or the several Dioceses shall do not consent to the consecration ordination of a Bishop-elect within the period of six three months from the date of the notification of the election by the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing, or in case a majority of all the Diocesan Bishops entitled to act in the premises shall do not consent within the period of three months from the date of notification to them by the Presiding Bishop of the election, the Presiding Bishop shall declare the election null and void and shall give notice to the Standing Committee of the Diocese electing. t The Convention of the Diocese may then proceed to a new election.

(e). It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Convention electing a Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, or Suffragan Bishop, to inform the Presiding Bishop promptly of the name of the person elected. It shall be the duty of the Bishop elect to notify the Presiding Bishop of his acceptance or declination of the election, at the same time as he notifies the electing Diocese.

Sec. 2 (a). When a Bishop of a Diocese is unable, by reason of age, or other permanent cause of infirmity, or, except in a Missionary Diocese, 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 a majority 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 Convention 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 Convention. 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 Convention to act without such consent, and such request shall be accompanied by certificates of medical persons 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 Convention, shall be communicated, with the other required testimonials, to the General Convention, or to the Standing Committees and the Presiding Bishop.

(c). In the case of application for the ordination and consecration of a Bishop Coadjutor, the Standing Committee shall forward to the Presiding Bishop, in addition to the evidence and testimonials required by the preceding Section, a certificate of the Presiding Officer and Secretary of the Convention 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; Provided, if it is certified to the Ecclesiastical Authority of a Diocese by three competent physicians selected by that Authority that the Bishop Coadjutor in such Diocese is permanently unable, by reason of physical or mental condition, to carry out the duties as Bishop Coadjutor, the Ecclesiastical Authority, upon advice of three Bishops of three neighboring Dioceses, may declare that the right of succession of such Bishop Coadjutor is terminated and in such event a new Bishop Coadjutor may be elected for such Diocese as provided in paragraph (a) of this Sec. 2.

Sec. 3. It shall be lawful, within six months prior to the effective date of the resignation or retirement of a Diocesan Bishop from his jurisdiction, for the said Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, to call a special meeting of the Convention of the Diocese to elect a successor; Provided that if the Convention is to meet in regular session meanwhile, it may hold the election during such regular session. The proceedings incident to the preparation for the ordination and consecration of such successor shall be as provided in Sec. 1 2 of this Canon; but the Presiding Bishop shall not take order for the consecration ordination to be on any date prior to that upon which the resignation is to become effective.

Sec. 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.

CANON 22

Of Bishops Coadjutor

Sec. 1. When a Bishop of a Diocese is unable, by reason of age, or permanent cause of infirmity, or by reason of the extent of Diocesan work, fully to discharge the duties of the office, a Bishop Coadjutor may be elected by and for the Diocese, who shall have the right of succession.

Sec. 2. There shall be only one Bishop Coadjutor in any Diocese. Provided, if it is certified to the Ecclesiastical Authority of a Diocese by three competent physicians selected by the Ecclesiastical Authority that the Bishop Coadjutor in the Diocese is permanently unable, by reason of medical or psychological or psychiatric condition, to carry out the duties as Bishop Coadjutor, the Ecclesiastical Authority, upon the advice of three Bishops of three neighboring Dioceses, may declare that the right of succession of the Bishop Coadjutor is terminated and in such event a new Bishop Coadjutor may be elected as provided in Canon III. 20.1.

CANON 23

Of Suffragan Bishops

Sec. 1 (a). A Suffragan Bishop shall be elected in accordance with the Canons enacted in each Diocese for the election of a Bishop . But ; however, the initiative shall always be taken by the Bishop of the Diocese asking for the assistance of a Suffragan.

Sec. 2 (a).(b). Before the election of a Suffragan Bishop in a Diocese, the consent of the General Convention, or during the recess thereof, the consent of a majority of the Diocesan Bishops having jurisdiction and of the several Standing Committees, must be had an 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 III.21.1 shall be taken.

(c). If the consents required by Canon III.21.1 are not received as therein prescribed, or if the Suffragan Bishop elect decline his election, the Convention of the Diocese may then proceed to a new election.

Sec. 3 2. There shall not at any time be more than two Suffragan Bishops holding office in and for any Diocese, save except by special consent of the General Convention previously obtained.

Sec. 4. A Suffragan Bishop may be elected and consecrated for any Missionary Diocese in accordance with the provisions of Sec 2 of this canon, and subjected to all the provisions thereof.

Sec. 5. A Suffragan Bishop shall act, in all respects, as the assistant of the Bishop of the Diocese, and under his direction.

Sec. 6. Every Suffragan Bishop, upon attaining the age of seventy-two years, shall forthwith tender his resignation from his position by sending it to the Presiding Bishop, 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 Presiding Bishop 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 Convention, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishops to communicate to the House of Deputies, when in session, a list of such resignations which have been accepted since the preceding meeting of the General Convention.

(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 Presiding Bishop 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 Presiding Bishop'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 position terminated, and to communicate the fact to the House of Deputies, if in session, and to the Ecclesiastical Authority of each Diocese.

(d). Sec. 3. The tenure of office of a Suffragan Bishop shall not be terminated on the death or removal resignation of the Bishop of the Diocese. A Suffragan Bishop may, at any time, resign his the position as Suffragan of a Diocese with the consent of a majority of the Diocesan Bishops of this Church having jurisdiction under the procedure set out in Canon III. 26.8 25, 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 of an Area Mission.

Sec. 7 (a). Whenever a Suffragan Bishop shall be elected Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of a Diocese, if such election shall have taken place within three months before a meeting of the General Convention, evidence thereof shall be laid before each House of the General Convention 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.

(b). If the said election has taken place more than three months before each meeting of the General Convention, the above process may be adopted, or the following instead there viz.:

The Standing Committee of the Diocese electing, or the Secretary of the House of Bishop, as the case may be, 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 a majority of the Bishop and 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 Presiding Bishop and to the Ecclesiastical Authority of every Diocese, which notice shall state what Bishops and what Standing Committees have consented to the election. On receiving this notice the Presiding Bishop shall certify to the Secretary of the House of Bishops the altered status and style of the Bishop elected. If the Presiding Bishop shall not have received the consent of a majority 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.

Sec. 8 4. No Suffragan Bishop, while acting as such, shall be Rector or settled Member of the Clergy in charge of a Parish or Congregation.

CANON 24

Of Assistant Bishops

Sec. 1. Whenever any Diocese shall, in the opinion of its Bishop, shall require additional episcopal services, the said Bishop may, with the consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, in lieu of requesting the election of a Coadjutor or Suffragan Bishop, ask the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese to approve the creation of the position of Assistant Bishop, and to authorize the Bishop to appoint a Bishop for such the position, with the consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, and under such conditions as the Bishop may determine.

Sec. 2. Such An Assistant Bishop may be appointed from among the following:

(a). Bishops now exercising jurisdiction, or serving as Suffragan Bishop, who under the Constitution and Canons, and subject to their provisions, would be eligible for election in that Diocese; Provided, that before accepting any such appointment a Bishop exercising jurisdiction as the Ordinary or as the Bishop Coadjutor shall resign that jurisdiction, or the right of succession, as the case may be;

(b). Bishops who, having resigned their previous responsibilities, are qualified to perform episcopal acts in this Church; and

(c). Bishops of a Church in communion with this Church, in good standing therein, if they:

Sec. 3. An Assistant Bishop so appointed shall serve at the discretion of, and be under the control and direction of, the Bishop having jurisdiction.

Sec. 4 3. No person may serve as an Assistant Bishop beyond the termination of the jurisdiction of the appointing Bishop or after attaining the age of 72 years.

CANON 26 21.

Of Bishops and Their Duties

Sec. 1. Each Bishop shall keep a record of all official acts, which record shall be the property of the Diocese, and shall be transmitted to the Bishop's successor.

Sec. 2. No Bishop shall officiate by preaching, ministering the Sacraments, or holding any public service, within the judicatorial limits of any Diocese other than that in which the Bishop is canonically resident, without a license or permission to perform occasional public services from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Bishop desires to officiate.

Sec. 1 3(a). It shall be the duty of every Bishop having jurisdiction in a Diocese of this Church, to reside within the limits of his jurisdiction, Each Bishop elected to serve in a Diocese shall reside in that Diocese.

(b). nor shall he The Diocesan Bishop shall not be absent himself therefrom for a period of more than three consecutive months without the consent of the Convention or the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

(c). A Diocesan Bishop, whenever leaving the Diocese for six consecutive months, shall authorize in writing, under hand and seal, the Bishop Coadjutor, or, should there be none, the Standing Committee of the Diocese, to act as the Ecclesiastical Authority thereof during the absence. The Bishop Coadjutor, or, should there be none, the Standing Committee, may at any time become the Ecclesiastical Authority upon the written request of the Bishop and continue to act as such until the request is revoked by the Bishop in writing.

Sec. 2 4(a). Every Each Diocesan Bishop shall visit the Congregations within his jurisdiction the Diocese at least once in three years. Interim visits may be delegated to another Bishop of this Church.

(b). At every visitation the visiting Bishop shall preside at the Holy Eucharist and at the Initiatory Rites, as required, preach the Word, 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 of the Congregation according to required by Canon III.14.3, and examine the life and ministry of the Clergy and Congregation according to Canon III.14.2(e).

( b c). If a Diocesan Bishop shall for three years have declined to visit a Parish or Congregation, the Member of the Clergy in charge and Vestry (or the Corporation), or the Bishop, may apply to the Presiding Bishop to appoint the five Bishops in charge of neighboring Dioceses who live nearest to the Diocese in which such 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. Such decision or the failure to conform to it shall be neither discoverable nor admissible in any subsequent proceedings. in the premies, 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.

Sec. 3 5. The Diocesan Every Bishop shall may deliver from time to time at his discretion, a Charge to the Clergy of his jurisdiction, and may, from time to time address the Diocese and a Pastoral Letter to the people of his jurisdiction, Pastoral Letters on points of Christian doctrine, worship, or manners, which he the Diocese. The Bishop may require the Clergy to read the Pastoral Letter to their Congregations.

Sec. 4 6. At every each Annual Meeting of the Convention the Diocesan Bishop shall make a statement report of the affairs State of the Diocese since the last Annual M meeting of the Convention; the names of the Churches which he has Congregations visited; the number of persons confirmed and received; the names of those who have been received admitted as Postulants and Candidates for Holy Orders, and of those who have been ordained, and of those who have been by him suspended or deposed from Holy Orders; the changes by death, removal, or otherwise, which have taken place among the Clergy; and all other matters the Bishop desires to present to the Convention; tending to throw light upon the affairs of the Diocese, which statement shall be inserted in the Journal.

Sec. 7 (a). Before an election of a Bishop Coadjutor, the Diocesan Bishop shall read to the Convention the Bishop's written consent to the election. The consent shall state the duties to be assigned to the Bishop Coadjutor, when ordained. The consent shall form part of the proceedings of the Convention. The duties assigned by the Diocesan Bishop to the Bishop Coadjutor may be enlarged by mutual consent.

(b). In the case of the inability of the Diocesan Bishop to issue the required consent, the Standing Committee of the Diocese may request the Convention to act without the consent, and the request shall be accompanied by certificates of medical or psychological or psychiatric professionals as to the inability of the Bishop to issue the written consent.

Sec. 8. A Suffragan Bishop shall act as an assistant to and under the direction of the Diocesan Bishop. Under that direction the Diocesan Bishop may assign episcopal duties in a defined territory to a Suffragan Bishop.

Sec. 9. An Assistant Bishop shall serve at the discretion of, and under the control and direction of, the Diocesan Bishop.

Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of a Bishop, whenever leaving his Diocese 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, 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.

Sec. 6 (a). Any Bishop of this Church may, on the invitation of the Convention 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.

CANON 26

Of Dioceses without Bishops

Sec. 1 (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 an act of its Convention, and in consultation with the Presiding Bishop, be placed temporarily under the provisional charge and authority of the a Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of another Diocese or of a resigned Bishop, who shall by that act be authorized to perform exercise 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 is elected and consecrated ordained for that office or until 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 Convention be is revoked.

Sec. 2. Any Bishop may, on the invitation of the Convention or of the Standing Committee of any Diocese where there is no Bishop, visit and exercise episcopal offices in that Diocese, or any part of it. This invitation may be for a stated period and may be revoked at any time.

Sec. 3. (c). A Diocese, while under the provisional charge of a Bishop, shall not invite any other Bishop to perform any visit and exercise episcopal duty or exercise offices or authority without the consent of the Bishop in charge.

CANON 25

Of the Incapacity, Resignation, and Retirement of Bishops

Sec. 1. When it is certified to the Presiding Bishop by at least three competent physicians who have examined the case that a Diocesan Bishop is incapable of authorizing the Bishop Coadjutor, if there is one, or a Suffragan Bishop, if there is one, or the Standing Committee to act as the Ecclesiastical Authority, then, upon the advice of five Bishops of neighboring Dioceses, to be selected by the Presiding Bishop, the Bishop Coadjutor, or a Suffragan Bishop, if the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese so provide, or the Standing Committee, shall be declared by the Presiding Bishop to be the Ecclesiastical Authority for all purposes set forth in these Canons and shall retain such authority until, acting upon a like certificate, the Presiding Bishop declares the Diocesan Bishop competent to perform official duties.

Sec. 7 2 (a). Every Each 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 Sec. 9 of Article II, Sec. 9 of the Constitution , by sending it The resignation shall be sent to the Presiding Bishop, who shall immediately communicate the same it to every each Diocesan 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 the resignation.

(b). The Presiding Bishop shall communicate to the resigning Bishop the fact of the acceptance of his the resignation and the termination of his jurisdiction effective as of the date fixed. , and, i In the case of a Diocesan Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor of a Diocese, the Presiding Bishop shall certify the same to the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned, and in the case of other Bishops to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese concerned. The Presiding Bishop 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, fails to submit his resignation upon attaining the age of seventy-two years, as provided in Clause (a) above Sec. 2 of this Canon, the Presiding Bishop shall certify that fact to the House of Bishops. The House of Bishops shall then declare the said Bishop's jurisdiction position terminated, effective at a date no later than three months from the date of declaration; and shall order the Presiding Bishop's certificate and its own declaration and action to be recorded in its Journal. It shall then be the duty of t The Presiding Bishop Officer of the House of Bishops to shall then pronounce such jurisdiction the position terminated, effective as of the date fixed, and to shall communicate the fact to the House of Deputies, if in session, and to the Ecclesiastical Authority Diocesan Bishop and Standing Committee of each Diocese.

Sec. 8 3 (a). If the Any Bishop of a Diocese, or a Bishop Coadjutor, shall who desires to resign his jurisdiction, he shall send in writing to the Presiding Bishop his the resignation with the reasons therefore. This communication shall be sent at least thirty days before the date set for a regular or special meeting of the House of Bishops. The Presiding Bishop shall without delay shall send a copy of the communication to every notify each Diocesan Bishop of this Church having ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and also to the Standing Committee 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 a resignation shall havehas been tendered more than three months before a regular or special meeting of the House of Bishops, the Presiding Bishop shall communicate the same it, together with any statement from the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned, to every each Diocesan Bishop. of this Church having jurisdiction, and i If a majority of such Bishops shall consent to the resignation, the Presiding Bishop shall, without delay, shall notify the resigning Bishop and the Standing Committee of the Diocese concerned of the acceptance of such the resignation and the termination of said Bishop's jurisdiction, effective as of the date fixed. He The Presiding Bishop shall also order the Secretary of the House of Bishops to record the same it, effective as of the date fixed, to be incorporated in the Journal of the House.

(c) . Each Bishop holding an office created by the General Convention whose salary is paid by the Executive Council, and whose resignation for reasons of age, disability, policy, or strategy, or for reasons beyond the Bishop's control, has been accepted, may receive from the Executive Council a retiring allowance or an annual retirement or disability supplement to be paid by the Treasurer of the Executive Council in an amount fixed by the Executive Council.

(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 Presiding Bishop more than three months before a regular or special meeting of the House of Bishops, the Presiding Bishop shall follow the procedure set out in Clause (b) above so far as it applies.

(d). At each meeting of the General Convention, it shall be the duty of the Presiding Officer of the House of Bishop s shall communicate to the House of Deputies, when in session, a list of the resignations which have been accepted since the preceding meeting of the General Convention.

(e). Every Missionary Bishop whose resignation for cause of age or disability has been accepted may receive from the Executive Council an annual retirement or disability supplement to be paid by the Treasurer of the Executive Council in an amount to be fixed by the Executive Council. Any such supplement would be in addition to his regular pension received from the Church Pension Fund, and may be revised whenever such Retired Bishop shall receive a regular stipend from an ecclesiastical employment.

(f). Every Missionary Bishop, and every Bishop holding an office created by the General Convention, whose salary is paid by the Executive Council, whose resignation for reasons of policy or strategy, or for reasons beyond his control, has been accepted, and who has reached retirement age, or who has suffered total disability, shall receive from the Executive Council a retiring allowance to be paid by the Treasurer of the Executive Council in an amount to be fixed by the Executive Council.

Sec. 4(a). A resigned Bishop shall be subject in all matters to the Constitution and Canons and to the authority of the General Convention.

(b). Sec.9 (a). A resigned Bishop whose resignation has been accepted by the House of Bishops may perform any episcopal act, at the request of any Diocesan Bishop of this Church, within the limits of the said that Bishop's jurisdiction Diocese. He A resigned Bishop may also by vote of the Convention of any Diocese, and with the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese, be given an honorary seat in the Convention, with voice but without vote, or such an honorary seat in the Cathedral of any Diocese, subject to the authority competent to act in the premises. He The resigned Bishop shall report all official acts to the Diocesan Bishop and to the Diocese in which such acts are performed. The foregoing These provisions of this paragraph shall also be applicable to a resigned Bishop of another Church in communion with this Church, subject to the approval of competent authority within such the other Church, where such approval may be required.

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

(c). A resigned Bishop whose resignation has been accepted may, at the discretion of the Bishop of the Diocese in which he the resigned Bishop chooses to reside s, and upon the presentation of Letters Dimissory from the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which he the resigned Bishop has had canonical residence most recently, be enrolled among the Clergy of that Diocese, and become subject to its canons and regulations; and may be accorded a seat and vote in the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese, in accordance with its canonical provisions for qualification of Presbyters Priests.

(d). but if he shall When a resigned Bishop accepts a pastoral charge or other ministerial post within the a Diocese , as hereinafter provided, he the Diocesan Bishop shall process such the Letters Dimissory and the resigned Bishop shall be enrolled among the Clergy of the Diocese, and be given seat and vote in the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese, subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this section. Sec. 4(b) of this Canon.

( d e). Such A resigned Bishop may, with the approval of the Bishop of the Diocese in which he chooses to the resigned Bishop reside s, accept a pastoral charge in said that Diocese, and subject to its canonical provisions for the filling of vacancies, may accept election as the Rector of a Parish therein.

( e f). Such A resigned Bishop may, with the approval of the Bishop of the Diocese in which he choose to the resigned Bishop reside s, accept any position created under the authority of the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese, including that of Assistant Bishop . He and may, at the same time, occupy a pastoral charge.

( f g). Enrollment among the Clergy of, or acceptance of any position within, a Diocese shall not deprive a resigned Bishop of the seat and vote in the House of Bishops to which he the Bishop may be entitled under Article I, Sec. 2 of the Constitution.

( g h). The Provisions of the foregoing paragraphs of this section shall be applicable to a resigned Bishop who continues to reside within the limits of the jurisdiction he previously served as Bishop, resigned Bishop's formed Diocese, except that he the resigned Bishop shall not have the right to vote in the Diocesan Convention of the Diocese, unless the Canons of the Diocese so specifically so provide.

Sec. 10. When it is certified to the Presiding Bishop, by at least three competent physicians who shall have examined the case, that the Bishop of any Diocese is incapable of authorizing the Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, or a Suffragan Bishop, if there be one, or the Standing Committee, to act as the Ecclesiastical Authority, then, upon the advice of five Bishops of neighboring Dioceses, to be selected by the Presiding Bishop, the Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, or a Suffragan Bishop, if there be one, and if the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese so provide, or the Standing Committee, shall be declared by the Presiding Bishop to be the Ecclesiastical Authority for all purposes set forth in these Canons, and shall retain such authority until such time as, acting upon a like certificate, the Presiding Bishop shall declare the said Bishop competent to perform official duties.

[On the sixth day] the Committee on Ministry presented its Report #4 on Resolution A131 (Amend Canons III.21,23,24,26; Delete Canons III.22,25,27) and moved that the resolution be adopted without amendment.

The Bishop of East Tennessee moved to refer the resolution to the Council on Development of Ministry.

The Bishop of Oregon moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

The House voted on the motion to refer.

Motion carried

Resolution referred to an Interim Body

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #104)

[On the ninth day] the Chair of the Committee on Ministry moved to reconsider Resolution A131.

Motion carried by a two-thirds majority

The Committee on Ministry presented its Report #40 on Resolution A131 (Amend Canons III.21,23,24,26; Delete Canons III.22,25,27) and moved adoption as amended by the Committee.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In The Blue Book, p. 330, in line 26 add "upon submission of a statement from the Standing Committee of the Diocese asking for assistance setting forth the need."

In The Blue Book, p. 333, in lines 14 and 15: the editor is directed to use the same language as in Title III.4.2(e).

The Bishop of Montana moved to refer the matter to the Council for Development of Ministry.

Motion carried

Resolution referred to an Interim Body

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #309)