C.3.00 EPISCOPAL AFFAIRS

C. 3.01 Election of a Bishop

Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the Provincial Synod, in the event of a vacancy in the See, it shall be the duty of the senior dignitary in the Diocese at the time of such vacancy within ten days of the senior dignitary's knowledge thereof, to cause notice of the vacancy to be sent to every cleric and lay delegate in the Diocese, and to summon a meeting of the Synod to be held in the Cathedral of St. Alban the Martyr, Prince Albert within six weeks, for the election of a bishop.

On the day and at the place appointed the Holy Eucharist shall be first celebrated by the Chairperson of the Synod or someone designated by the chairperson.

C. 3.03 Method of Procedure

(1) As soon as the names of the clergy and lay representatives entitled to vote shall be ascertained by the scrutineers the list shall be signed by the Chairperson of the Synod, but duly qualified members may subsequently be added to the list of voters.

(2) All members of the Synod present shall sign their names in a book provided for that purpose.

(3) The Chairperson shall appoint Scrutineers to take the ballot as follows: for the Clergy vote, two clergy and one lay representative; for the Lay vote, two lay representatives and one cleric.

(4) The list of those entitled to vote shall be handed to the Secretaries and Scrutineers, who shall see that only those whose names are on the list are allowed to vote.

(5) The Synod shall then adjourn to meet in the Cathedral for the purpose of election at such time as the Synod may appoint.

C. 3.04 Proceedings in the Cathedral

(1) The Synod, having been called to order at the hour appointed, the Chairperson will request that a few minutes be devoted to a private prayer. The voting shall then commence and be conducted according to the following regulations.

(2) The Scrutineers shall be entitled to vote, but their vote must be placed in their respective ballot boxes before anyone else is called on to vote.

(3) The roll of clerical members shall then be called by the Clerical Secretary from the certified list provided for under Section C. 3.03, subsection (4) of this Canon, and each voter as their names are called shall deposit the ballot received in the box for the votes of the clergy.

(4) The roll of lay members shall then be called by the lay secretary, and balloting by lay voters shall proceed in like manner, the ballots of lay voters being deposited in the box for the vote of the laity.

(5) The Chairperson having ascertained that all the members have had the opportunity of voting, shall declare the ballot closed and shall then announce the number of clerical and lay votes required for an election.

(6) The Scrutineers shall then retire and count the ballots.

(7) The Scrutineers shall hand to the Chairperson the result of the ballot and he shall announce it to the Synod, declaring whether there has been an election or not, and it there be no election a further vote shall be taken in the same manner.

(8) After the voting has commenced no discussion on points of order shall be orally raised, but an appeal may be reduced to writing and presented to the Chairperson, whose decision, after consultation with the Chancellor, will be final.

(9) When the election has been made the Chairperson shall announce the result, and the consent of the Bishop-elect having been obtained, the Synod shall finally adjourn.

(10) The Chancellor shall declare a deadlock when one candidate shall receive a majority of votes from the laity, and another candidate a majority of votes from the clergy, and this situation remains unchanged for ten successive ballots.

(11) When a deadlock has been declared, a new nominating ballot shall be called for and the proceedings start over again, according to the regulations set forth in this Canon.

(12) All the proceedings shall be with closed doors.

C.3.05 Appointment of Ministers

On the vacancy of any Parish within the Diocese the method of appointment of the new Minister shall be as follows:

(1) Each Parish at its annual Congregational meeting, shall appoint a committee of three persons, to be called the "Parish Selection Committee". In a multi-point parish where there is a Parish Council, the Parish Council shall name one representative from each congregation represented to sit on the Selection Committee. It there is no Parish Council then each congregation shall appoint one representative to the Selection Committee of the Parish. The members of this Selection Committee shall be communicants of the full age of 18 years, members of the congregations selecting them. The Parish Selection Committee in existence at the time a vacancy occurs shall remain in office until an appointment is made.

Before the discussion of a specific appointment, the Vestry shall meet with the Bishop, or someone appointed by the Bishop, to determine the obligations of the Parish with respect to stipend, housing, travel, pensions and all other financial matters relating to the incumbent. The needs of the Parish shall be carefully discussed with a view to discovering the kind of person required as Rector. The accountability of the Parish to its Priest shall be clearly delineated; and likewise the accountability of the Priest to the Parish shall be set forth clearly.

The Bishop will then receive from the Selection Committee, and submit to them, names of clergy considered suitable for appointment to the Parish. When a name has been agreed upon, the Bishop shall offer the Parish to the candidate; and shall in making the offer, set forth clearly the whole question of accountability, both of the Parish to the candidate and of the candidate to the Parish. Under no circumstances may the Parish, the Selection Committee, or the Vestry or any members thereof, approach any Priest with a view to the candidate's being offered the Parish. The Bishop alone approaches the Priest and offers the candidate the Parish.

The Bishop may appoint a Priest-in-charge to assisted parishes, but in parishes where no subsidy is received from the Diocese, the Bishop may appoint a locum tenens, provided that a Rector be appointed within a period not exceeding two years from the time the vacancy occurs.

C. 3.06 Annual Vacation of Clergy

(1) Every Cleric licensed by the Bishop shall be entitled to a vacation of not less than one month in every year with pay.

(2) The Churchwardens shall be responsible for making provision for the conduct of Divine Worship during the absence of the cleric, and such fees and honoraria as are customary shall be paid by the Parish.

C. 3.07 Resignations

(1) When a cleric wishes to resign a charge, that cleric shall give three months notice thereof in writing to the Bishop and that cleric shall not leave the charge before the end of such period unless permission to do so has been given to the cleric in writing by the Bishop or the Bishop's Commissary; nor shall such permission be given unless other suitable arrangements can be made for carrying on the work, or unless, in the judgement of the Bishop or Commissary, there is special necessity.

(2) When a cleric holding the Bishop's Licence to a cure of souls, reaches the age of 70 years, said cleric shall resign from that cure of souls, that resignation taking effect that day.

(3) When a cleric holding the Bishop's Licence to a cure of souls referred to under paragraph (2) hereof, neglects or refuses to tender a resignation as required there under, the cleric shall upon attaining the age of 70 years and 9 months shall be deemed to have resigned the charge and the Bishop or Commissary shall institute the procedure set out under these Canons. (Section C. 3.06) for the appointment of Ministers and shall proceed with the appointment of a Rector in accordance with the said Canon and the cleric neglecting or refusing to resign as required hereunder shall no longer thereafter be entitled to the rectorship of the parish or charge unless by special authority of the Bishop.