The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Canons presented its Report #1 on Resolution B007 (Amend Canon III.18.4) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(B007)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Canon III.18.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 4 (a) A Bishop of the Diocese Each Diocesan Bishopshall visit the Congregations within 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, examine the records of the Congregation required by Canon III.9.5(c), and examine the life and ministry of the Clergy and Congregation according to Canon III.9.5(b)(5).

(c) If a Bishop of the Diocese Diocesan Bishophas declined to visit a Parish or Congregation for three years, the Member of the Clergy in charge and Vestry (or the Corporation), or the Bishop, may apply to the Presiding Bishop to appoint five Diocesan Bishops who live nearest to the Diocese in which such Parish or Congregation is situated as a Council of Conciliation, who shall determine all matters of difference between the parties, and each party shall conform to the decision of the Council. Provided, that, in case of any subsequent trial of either party for failure to conform to the decision, any right of the Accused under the Constitutions and Canons of this Church or the Diocese holding the trial may be pleaded and established as a sufficient defense, notwithstanding the former decision; and Provided, further, that, in any case, the Bishop may at any time apply for such Council of Conciliation.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #256)