Canon 18: The Office of the Presiding Bishop
18.1 The
presiding Bishop shall proactively serve as national spokesperson
for the Church.
18.2 The
Presiding Bishop shall proactively evangelize the Gospels.
18.3 The
Presiding Bishop, in his or her role as Bishop Protector of
Institutes of Consecrated Life, shall actively promote the creation
of new religious orders, and to take care that they grow and
flourish according to the spirit and charism of their Founder(s).
18.4 The
Presiding Bishop is responsible for convening monthly meetings of
the House of Bishops.
18.5 The
Presiding Bishop is responsible for convening the National Church
Conference at a location accessible for all to attend.
18.6 The
Presiding Bishop shall be elected, or affirmed in Office at the
National Conference in the first and fifth year of each decade
beginning with the year AD 2005.
18.7 Upon
election, the Presiding Bishop shall appoint a Vicar General who
shall assume the duties of Presiding Bishop on a provisional basis
should the office of Presiding Bishop become vacant before the end
of the current term.
1. The
Vicar General shall have the responsibility to contact the members
of the House of Bishops, Council of Advisors, House of Clergy, and
the House of Laity of the vacancy. The Council of Advisors, the
House of Clergy, and the House of Laity shall make recommendations
to the House of Bishops regarding the selection of a new Presiding
Bishop no later than three months after the vacancy occurs. At the
time of their recommendations, the House of Bishops shall elect a
new Presiding Bishop.
2. The
Vicar General shall perform other duties assigned by the House of
Bishops.
3. During
the transitional period, the Vicar-General shall act as spokesperson
for the Church; consulting with the House of Bishops and the Council
of Advisors for guidance before making any pronouncements binding
upon the Church and its members.
18.8 For the
purpose of recognition and service to the edification of the people,
the Church has instituted the position of Honorary Prelate as Canon
to the Metropolitan.
As a Canon to the Metropolitan, it is the
Presiding Bishop’s prerogative to appoint any cleric to this
position and duty.
If a local Ordinary wishes to honor a member of
his/her diocese in this way, they may petition the Presiding Bishop
to appoint.
If the Church, gathered in synod, deems someone
worthy of this position they may by nomination of a bishop and
popular acclaim (50% + 1 majority) elect this worthy cleric to the
position. The Presiding Bishop must appoint under such a vote.
As a canon to the Metropolitan they will be
obliged to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at least once a
liturgical season for the Presiding Bishop’s intention and the
welfare of the Church, living and dead.
As a Canon to the Metropolitan the cleric is to
be styled in the traditional manner as "Canon."
18.9 The
Presiding Bishop may not unilaterally assume any powers or authority beyond that
already prescribed by Canon 18. The penalty for such actions
shall be the loss of office and Episcopal faculties.
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