(xx) Guidelines on Bishops
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official8490
- Date
- 1969 November 3-7
- Source
- House of Bishops Minutes
- Type
- Resolution
- Mover
- Bishop of Huron
- Seconder
- Bishop of Athabasca
- Prologue
- The Bishop of Montreal suggested a helpful preamble which could be used if the Guidelines were printed and made available for use by others than members of the House.
- Text of motion
- "That the Guidelines on Bishops from the Minutes of 1967 and 1968 as amended, with the following preamble, be made available to members of the House of Bishops and to Commissioners on Church Union as an interim document. Preamble: The doctrine of episcopacy is contained in the Ordinal: what follows concerns episcope in practice."
- Notes
- The Guidelines as amended are printed as Appendix B to these Minutes.
- APPENDIX B
- GUIDELINES ON BISHOPS
- Note: The doctrine of episcopacy is contained in the Ordinal. What follows concerns episcope in practice.
- I The Anglican Church of Canada holds and teaches that from the Apostles' time there have been these Orders of Ministers in Christ's Church: Bishops, Priests (Presbyters) and Deacons; and no man shall be accounted or taken to be a lawful Bishop, Priest or Deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada, or permitted to execute any of the offices attached to the same, except he be called, tried, examined and admitted thereunto according to the Ordinal, or has had episcopal consecration or ordination in some Church whose orders are recognized and accepted by the Anglican Church of Canada.
- II Before any person is consecrated to the episcopate, the Metropolitan of the Province must satisfy himself that the person possesses the qualifications for the office. The Bishop-elect must be a Priest of not less than five years' standing, and thirty years of age. He must possess good character, piety, learning, a zeal for souls and prudence. He should sound in health of body and mind.
- III The constitutive elements in the making of a Bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada are:
- - (1) In the ordering of a Bishop for a Diocese that has become vacant (that is, in the ordering of a Diocesan Bishop) the consent of the Metropolitan to the arrangements for the electing body must first be obtained; in the ordering of a Bishop to assist the Diocesan, the consent of the Metropolitan and Bishops of the Province to the election must first be obtained.
- - (2) Election by the Synod or Electoral Body of the Diocese in accordance with the operative canon of the Ecclesiastical Province or Diocese concerned. Clerical and Lay Delegates shall vote separately, by ballot. Election shall require at least a majority of the votes cast by the Clergy, and by the Laity.
- - (3) Free acceptance by the person elected within a space of 14 days after his receiving notification of his election.
- - (4) Ratification of the election by the Metropolitan and Bishops of the Province in accordance with the method of ratification prescribed in the Provincial Canons. This ratification constitutes the Bishop-elect, after his Consecration, a member of the Provincial House of Bishops, and of the Upper House of General Synod.
- - (5) Consecration of the Bishop-elect according to "The Form of Ordaining or Consecrating of an Archbishop or Bishop" by the Metropolitan, or by some Bishop appointed to act in his behalf, assisted by at least two other Bishops exercising their offices in two Dioceses of the Province other than that of the Metropolitan is necessary. In no circumstances shall there be less than three Bishops taking part in the Consecration of a Bishop.
- - (6) The registration of the Election and Consecration of the Bishop in the Registers of the Diocese, the Province and of General Synod.
- IV The effects of Ordination, and its obligations, are permanent, in the same way that the effects and obligations of Baptism are permanent.
- - (1) The Bishop was made Deacon, and after his Consecration he still remains a servant. His Diaconate is extended and made more onerous, for he now becomes a servant of the servants of God.
- - (2) He was ordained Priest. He never ceases to be a Priest. Among his clergy, he is an equal in all respects as to his Priesthood. His obligation to preach the Gospel and to minister the Sacraments of Christ never cease.
- - (3) The unity of the ordained ministry lies in this common priesthood of the Gospel and Sacraments, and in the apostolate and mission of the whole Church to the world. Among the clergy and pastors of the Church, the Bishop is Chief Pastor, the "Pastor Pastorum". It appertains specially to his office to teach and uphold sound doctrine, and to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange opinions; and, himself and example of righteous and godly living, it is his duty to set forward and maintain quietness, love and peace among all men.
- V Bishops are equal in regard to their consecration and office; they differ in their jurisdiction. Among Bishops we distinguish the following:
- - (1) Bishops that have pre-eminence and jurisdiction not only within their own Dioceses, but a jurisdiction throughout the Ecclesiastical Province, as defined in the Canons of that Province, are called "Metropolitans" and bear the title of "Archbishop".
- - (2) Bishops that have jurisdictions throughout a Diocese are called "Diocesans" or "Ordinaries".
- - (3) Bishops elected to assist the Diocesan Bishop include the following classifications: Coadjutors, Suffragans with Title, and Suffragans without Title.
- - (4) Bishops who have resigned, or who are superannuated, and who have been given Special Licences, without election, to perform the duties of a Priest within a Parish, or of Assistant to the Diocesan Bishop. Such Bishops normally work on a part-time basis, and should be described as Assistants to the Bishop. If however, the Diocesan and his Executive provide a regular stipend for this Episcopal Assistance, the Bishop is rightly described as an "Assistant Bishop".
- VI A Bishop in relation to his Diocese.
- - (1) Every Diocesan Bishop has, within his Diocese, jurisdiction as Ordinary. He is, within his Diocese, the Principal Minister, and to him belongs the right of celebrating the rites of Ordination and Confirmation; of consecrating new Churches, Chapels and Burial Grounds; of instituting clergy to vacant charges; of admitting by licence to all other vacant ecclesiastical offices; of holding visitation that he may have knowledge of the state, sufficiency, and ability of the clergy and other persons whom he is to visit; of summoning all Synods and Diocesan Conferences; and of presiding therein, either in person or by such deputy as he may lawfully appoint.
- - (2) The Bishop shall be the President of the Synod or Governing Body of his Diocese, and Chairman of its Executive Committee, either in person or by lawful delegation of his authority.
- -- As President of Synod he sits both as Bishop of the Diocese, and in matters of Faith, Worship, Order and Mission as the representative of the Canadian House of Bishops.
- -- Without the sanction of his Executive Committee and of the Metropolitan he may not divest himself of all responsibility for the administration of the Diocese.
- - (3) The authority and jurisdiction that the Bishop possesses within the Diocese are constitutional:
- -- (a) in being exercised under the Canons of the Diocese, of the Ecclesiastical Province, and of General Synod, and
- -- (b) in being shared with clergy and laity elected to Synod and its Boards of Committees, and
- -- (c) in his obligation to consult with the Metropolitan and fellow Bishops in the Province, and with the Primate and the Canadian House of Bishops on important matters of Faith, Worship, Order, and the Mission of the Church.
- - (4) (a) According to the vows taken at his consecration, the primary responsibility of the Diocesan Bishop is the work of the Church of God in the Diocese. Only under the most exceptional circumstances, and on a temporary basis, may he accept any other appointment with remuneration, and that with the consent of his own Executive and the Metropolitan. This consent may be recalled by either party at any time, provided due notice is given.
- -- (b) Because the Diocesan Bishop may not hold two appointments with remuneration it is the duty of his Diocese to provide him with a Stipend and Allowances sufficient to keep him free from any financial anxiety and embarrassment.
- -- (c) It is the duty of the Metropolitan to make an enquiry periodically, either himself, or with the help of a Committee of the Provincial Synod, to satisfy himself that the provisions of clause (b) are being met in the Dioceses under his jurisdiction.
- - 5. (a) The Anglican Church of Canada recognizes no distinction between the status of Bishops who serve in Dioceses receiving Grants-in-aid from General Synod, and those that do not.
- -- (b) The fact that part of the income of Episcopal Fund of any Diocese is derived from sources outside the Diocese does not impair the authority of the Bishop and Synod of that Diocese.
- -- (c) The vows of obedience which a Bishop takes at his Consecration are incompatible with any special agreements or special work that impair the integrity of the Bishop's relationship with his own Synod, the Provincial Synod and the General Synod.
- - (6) All Bishops, both Diocesan and Assistant, are required to fulfil the law of Residence by spending at least 9 months of each calendar year within the limits of their Diocese. They shall not so arrange their Leaves of Absence in such a way, at the end of one year and the beginning of the next that they are absent from their Diocese for more than three months at a time. If the circumstances are exceptional, and the Executive of the Diocese consents, the Metropolitan may extend the Leave of Absence beyond three months.
- - (7) (a) All Bishops shall be entitled to six months' Leave of Absence from their Diocese with full stipend and allowances on the completion of six years of service, and thereafter six months for every six years completed.
- -- (b) The Leave of Absence shall not be cumulative from one six year period to the next.
- -- (c) Any Bishop taking Leave of Absence, shall report to his Metropolitan on the measures he is taking for his ministry and Administration during his absence. The Metropolitan shall satisfy himself that the measures are sufficient, and shall take any necessary steps to ensure that the measures agreed to are being duly maintained by those who have accepted the responsibilities.
- VII A Bishop in Relation to his Clergy.
- - (1) Among the Clergy whose names are on his Diocesan Roll, the Bishop is Chief Pastor, and Chief Liturgical Minister.
- - (2) In maintaining the Discipline of Christ among the Clergy, he shall act in the spirit of a true Father in God.
- -- If complaints or accusations are brought to the Bishop about one of his clergy, he must follow a course, as far as possible that will avoid all notoriety and public scandal.
- -- In considering recourse to the discipline of Canon 28 of the General Synod, the Bishop shall not proceed to definitive action without consulting his Chancellor, and/or senior and prudent clergy of the Diocese.
- - (3) The Bishop shall provide retreats and conferences of the Clergy for their spiritual and intellectual renewal; and arrange for their post ordination study and training.
- - (4) The Bishop shall exercise a fatherly concern for the families of the Clergy, and according to the means at his discretion gassiest them at times of their special need.
- VIII The Election or Appointment of assistant Bishops, (Coadjutor, Suffragan and Assistant Bishops).
- - (1) If a Diocesan Bishop desires Episcopal Assistance and his Synod consents, and makes sufficient financial provision for one, the matter shall be laid before the Metropolitan who, in accordance with Provincial Canons, shall obtain and give the consent of the Provincial Authority to the holding of the election.
- - (2) While the Provincial Authority may give or deny its consent to the election of an assistant Bishop, it lies with the Diocesan Authority, the Bishop and his Synod or his executive, to determine the Title and Work of the assistant Bishop to be elected. This shall be done and recorded in the Minutes of the meeting before the Election, and announced publicly at the meeting of the Electing Body. The person elected shall be informed of the terms of his appointment. If he accepts the Election, it is understood that he also accepts the terms of the appointment.
- - (3) These terms may thereafter be changed only with the consent of the Diocesan with his Executive, and of the assistant Bishop himself.
- - (4) If an assistant Bishop is elected, and the Diocese has not laid down beforehand the terms of appointment, it is understood that his position in the Diocese is that of Suffragan Bishop without Title and definite jurisdiction.
- - (5) The expression 'terms of appointment' is to be taken to mean:
- -- (a) Status or Title of the assistant Bishop, whether Coadjutor, Suffragan, or Assistant;
- -- (b) Whether responsibility for a territorial area is assigned or not, or responsibility for certain kinds or spheres of work;
- -- (c) Place of residence;
- -- (d) Stipend and allowances that are to be paid at the start, on the understanding that they will be reviewed periodically by the Executive of the Diocese;
- -- (e) That the assistant Bishop be 'ex officio' a member of the Executive Committee of the Diocese or its equivalent.
- IX The Status and Work of assistant Bishops.
- - (1) The Bishop Coadjutor is an assistant Bishop who has been already designated as the successor to the Diocesan. Any person who has already passed the age of 70 years when the Diocesan retires, is ineligible to act as Diocesan.
- - (2) Since the Coadjutor is elected with the right to succession, it is understood that he will be given the opportunity of coming to know the Diocese, its history, and traditions, its Parishes and activities. The Coadjutor serves without restriction as to Title, or Jurisdiction in area or type of work.
- - (3) His Title is, "The Coadjutor Bishop of .... (name of Diocese)".
- - (4) In the exercise of the Episcopal Office, he holds Confirmations, dedications and consecrations, and makes visitation, in his own right, but in consultation with the Diocesan. He ordains, makes appointments of Clergy to parishes, receives their resignations, and convenes meetings of the clergy or of the Synod and its Executive only on the express authority of the Diocesan.
- - (5) In the absence of the Bishop, unless Diocesan Canons give other directions, he shall preside at Synods and meetings of the Executive Committee.
- - (6) The Coadjutor ranks next in seniority to the Diocesan Bishop. He takes precedence to the Suffragan with Title at services held within the jurisdiction of that Suffragan, only if he is present as the Deputy of the Diocesan himself.
- - (7) It is permissible for the Diocesan, with the consent of his Synod or Executive to confer one other remunerative appointment on the Coadjutor, provided that the appointment shall not make it impossible for the Coadjutor to exercise his office throughout the Diocese.
- - (8) No Bishop should be named Coadjutor who has the prospect of serving in that capacity for over three years.
- B. The Suffragan, with or without Special Title
- - (1) Among Suffragan Bishops there are to be distinguished-
- -- (a) those that bear a special Title, other than that of the Diocese, and
- -- (b) those that bear the Title of the Diocese, and are known as the "Suffragan Bishop .... (name of the Diocese)".
- - (2) The Special Title indicates a special responsibility for the Parishes and Clergy of a certain part of the Diocese. This Special responsibility does not impair the authority of the Diocesan in respect to that part of his Diocese, nor on the other hand, does it restrict the Suffragan in the exercise of his office to one part of the Diocese only. The Suffragan with a Title is available for duty throughout the Diocese at the direction of the Diocesan, but it will be expected that Confirmations, dedications, consecrations, the holding of retreats for and visitations of the Clergy within his jurisdiction will be left in his hands.
- - (3) The absence of a Special Title indicates that the Suffragan Bishop is more directly and closely assigned to the Diocesan for duty anywhere in Diocese.
- - (4) Suffragan Bishops are not required to resign when the Diocesan retires or deceases.
- - (5) Suffragan Bishops do not succeed the Diocesan by right, but they may be elected to succeed, provided that they have not already reached the age of 70 years.
- - (6) It is permissible for the Diocesan, with the consent of his Synod or Executive to confer one other remunerative appointment on the Suffragan Bishop.
- C. The Assistant Bishop, or the Assistant to the Bishop
- - (1) In addition to Coadjutor and Suffragan Bishops there are also Assistant Bishops.
- -- A person appointed with the Title Assistant Bishop is normally already a bishop, and the procedure in his appointment varies. When it is to be by diocesan election the regulations outlined in Clause VIII, shall apply.
- -- When Assistant Bishops or Assistants to the Bishop are appointed rather than elected, their nomination lies with the Diocesan Bishop who shall act with the consent of, and on terms agreed to, by the Diocesan authorities (the Executive or the Synod) and by the Metropolitan.
- - (2) Assistant Bishops may serve part time or full time, according to their agreement with the Bishop and Executive, but if they with to hold any other appointment in addition to the Bishopric they must obtain the consent of the Diocesan.
- - (3) Superannuated Bishops may be appointed Assistant Bishops on a part time basis only. (See Clause V, (4).)
- - (4) The appointment of an Assistant Bishop terminates when the Diocesan Bishop dies or retires.
- - (5) If a Diocese requires Episcopal assistance, but is unable to obtain the necessary majorities of Clergy and Laity for election, or is unable to obtain the consent of the person who is elected, the Diocese
- -- (a) may set up a special Electoral College, not otherwise provided for but not excluded by Diocesan Canons, in consultation with the Metropolitan, or
- -- (b) may ask the Metropolitan to appoint a person as its assistant Bishop.
- - (6) If a Diocese requires Episcopal assistance either permanently or temporarily, the initiative in seeking assistance shall lie
- -- (a) normally with the Diocesan with the consent of his Synod or Executive Committee, or
- -- (b) with the Executive Committee of the Diocese in consultation with the Chancellor, or
- -- (c) with the Metropolitan.
- - (7) If a Bishop requires Episcopal assistance, and his Synod or Executive cannot or will not make sufficient financing provision, the Metropolitan may meet the Executive to review the matter, and if he deems it wise an appeal shall be sent forward to the Primate and General Synod for a grant for this purpose.
- X Resignations on Account of Age.
- - (1) All Bishops shall submit their resignations to the Metropolitan when they attain the age of 70 years.
- - (2) Resignations by Metropolitans of both their Diocesan and Provincial administration shall be submitted to the Provincial House of Bishops, and shall be governed by the same regulations.
- - (3) Any Diocesan Bishop who has reached the age of 68 years and is within two years of his retirement, may give notice of his retirement to the Metropolitan and to the Synod or Executive of his Diocese, and require that he be provided with Episcopal Assistance. The Bishop elected on the grounds of "impending retirement" shall be a Coadjutor with right to succeed, provided that there be no Coadjutor to the Diocesan already.
- Subjects
- Episcopacy - Anglican Church of Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada - Bishops
- Anglican Church of Canada - Bishops - Office
- Guidelines on Bishops
- Guidelines for the Use of Bishops
- Assistant Bishops - Anglican Church of Canada
- Suffragan Bishops - Anglican Church of Canada