THE CANONS OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH
Adopted in Conventions 1982-2020
Sec. 20.1 Diocesan Institutions may be established by resolution and approval of the Annual Convention, which also shall have the authority to direct, control, alter or dissolve any such institution.
Sec. 20.2 The application for recognition of a Diocesan Institution, or any action to amend a charter, or direct, control, alter or dissolve an existing Diocesan Institution shall be accomplished in accordance with the procedure used for the amendment of a Canon.
Sec. 20.3 No less than sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Convention, copies of the application for recognition of a new Diocesan Institution or any change to an existing Institution contemplated by the previous section, along with copies of its Charter and/or other implementing documents shall be submitted to the Chancellor, Standing Committee, and Executive Council for written comments to be appended to the Application for presentment to the Committee on Constitution and Canons.
Revised October 1989
Sec. 21.1 The power to establish a Mission is hereby vested in the Bishop of the Diocese. A Vicar may at any time be placed or removed by the authority of the Bishop. A mission shall not be established until application shall have been made by fifty (50) or more baptized persons at least eighteen (18) years of age whom a majority shall be confirmed persons, and all of whom shall be charter members. In special cases, the Bishop may, at his discretion, reduce the required number of petitioners. The following declaration shall be signed by the aforementioned petitioners.
Sec. 21.2 "Reverend Father in God:
We, the undersigned residents of _______________, ____________, being desirous of obtaining the services of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, and being ready, according to our ability, to sustain the same, do hereby request you inquire into our estate, and provide for us as you may deem proper and expedient. We do hereby declare ourselves individually and collectively ready to do what in us lies to establish and sustain the regular worship of the Church and promote its influence in our neighborhood; and we do promise conformity to its doctrines, discipline, liturgy, rites, and usages. We put ourselves under your charge and will reverently obey your authority. We promise to abide by and to conform to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the rules and regulations of its Convention. In accordance with these obligations and rules, we now ask the privilege of being organized as a Mission under the name of ___________________________________."
Sec. 21.3 Annual and special meetings of a Mission may be called and held in the manner for Parishes by Canon 26.
Sec. 21.4 There shall be elected each year at the Annual Meeting in every Mission not less than six (6) nor more than nine (9) adult members who, with the Vicar, shall constitute the Bishop's Committee, and whose duty it shall be to promote the temporal and spiritual interest of the Mission. Any Mission may adopt the rotation method of choosing its Bishop's Committee members following the same procedure as provided by the Canons for Parishes inaugurating the rotation system. Members of the Bishop's Committee serve at the Bishop's pleasure.
Sec. 21.5 The Bishop shall appoint from the Bishop's Committee two Wardens, who shall serve for one year, and the Bishop's Committee shall elect a Secretary and a Treasurer, who need not be members of the Bishop's Committee.
Sec. 21.6 Every Mission shall be required to remain as such for at least one year before applying to the Convention for Parish status.
Sec. 21.7 Mission Stations may be established by the Bishop in any place in the Diocese where there are less than the requisite number of persons for the establishment of a Mission. Provisions for the maintenance of Mission Stations shall be made as the Bishop deems advisable. A report shall be made to each Annual meeting of the Convention stating the number of Mission Stations existing, their location, the means provided for their maintenance and their condition. No Mission Station shall be entitled to a Lay Delegate at any meeting of the Convention.
Revised November 2008
CANON 22
FORMATION OF NEW PARISHES
Sec. 22.1 For the formation of a new Parish or the admission into this Diocese of an existing congregation, the written consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese must first be obtained.
Sec. 22.2 For the organization of a Parish, the following Article of Conformity must be signed by not less than fifty (50) baptized persons, the majority being confirmed members of this church at least eighteen (18) years of age, who intend to be members of the proposed Parish. For the admission into this Diocese of an existing congregation, the following Article of Conformity must be signed by not less than fifty (50) baptized persons at least eighteen (18) years of age.
"Reverend Father in God:
We, the undersigned, do associate ourselves together for the purpose of maintaining the worship of God and the preaching of the Gospel, according to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Church as maintained in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, in the town of _______________________, in the State of ________, and do promise to abide by and conform to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.”
Sec. 22.3 In the case of the formation of a new Parish, a meeting of those intending to be members of the same shall be called on ten (10) days’ written notice to all who have signed the Article of Conformity. At this meeting, members of the Vestry shall be elected, the name of the Parish adopted, and such other steps taken as may be necessary to such organization. The minutes of the meeting shall be recorded in a book to be kept as a record of the proceedings of this meeting and at future meetings of the Vestry of the Parish. In the case of the admission of an existing congregation, the Vestry (or such other governing body) of such congregation shall certify in writing that the congregation desires to be in union with the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. Such written certification shall specify the name of the congregation and the name of each person serving on the Vestry (or such other governing body) of the same. Each member of the Vestry (or such other governing body) shall subscribe to the written certification.
Sec. 22.4 The Article of Conformity and the minutes of the meeting for organizing the Parish or the written certification requesting admission into this Diocese of an existing congregation (as the case may be) shall be sent to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, and such documentation shall constitute notice that the Parish has applied for admission to union with the Convention. The Annual Convention next following the submission of the aforsesaid documentation, as its first order of business after establishing a quorum, shall grant seat, voice and vote to the Parish upon the recommendation of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
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Revised November 2009
Sec. 23.1 The Rector of a Parish is ex-officio President of the Vestry and of the Congregation and has the casting vote, in case of a tie, on all questions brought before it.
Sec. 23.2 The Vicar of a Mission is ex-officio President of the Bishop's Committee and of the Congregation and has the casting vote, in case of a tie, on all questions brought before it.
Sec. 23.3 The Rector or Vicar has the spiritual oversight of the Parish or Mission, and he shall, at all times, be entitled to the use and control of the Church and Parish or Mission buildings with the appurtenances and furniture thereof.
Sec. 23.4 The Rector or Vicar shall be ex-officio chairman of all committees, guilds and societies. All guilds and societies shall exist at his pleasure and their work shall be under his direction and advice.
Revised October 1991
Sec. 24.1 If the Vestry of a Parish gives its approval for the position, a Curate may be called by the Rector.
Sec. 24.2 A Curate shall not be called until the name of the Deacon or Priest whom it is proposed to call has been made known to the Bishop, if there be one, or to the Ecclesiastical Authority, who shall have thirty (30) days to determine whether the Curate proposed be duly qualified. If the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority determines that the proposed Curate is duly qualified, a call may be made.
Sec. 24.3 A Curate is directly under the supervision of the Rector and serves at his pleasure. Any Curate selected shall serve at the discretion of the Rector but may not serve beyond the period of service of the Rector except that, pending a call of a new Rector, the Curate may continue in the service of the Parish if requested to do so by the Vestry of the Parish and under such conditions as the Bishop and Vestry shall determine.
Sec. 24.4 If a Rector wishes to dismiss a Curate, the Rector must present the matter to the Bishop before the dismissal takes place.
Sec. 24.5 A Curate, for purposes of this Canon, includes any Assistant Clergy.
Revised October 1992
CANON 25
WARDENS AND VESTRY OF PARISHES
Sec. 25.1 Vestries shall consist of not less than six (6) and not more than fifteen (15) members who shall be Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing of at least eighteen (18) years of age, canonically resident in the Parish, and who were financial contributors to the Parish in the preceding year as shown on the records of the Treasurer.
Sec. 25.2 The members of the Vestry shall be elected at the annual Parish Meeting by a majority vote of the qualified voters present and voting. Except as herein otherwise provided, their term of office shall be for three (3) years succeeding their election, and one-third (1/3) of the Vestry shall be elected annually.
Sec. 25.3 The Vestry shall have the power to fill any vacancy in their number, and members of the Vestry shall continue in office until their successors are elected. The term of office of the replacement so elected shall be the unexpired balance of the vacated three-year term.
Sec. 25.4 No person having served a full term in office or at least two (2) years of an unexpired term shall be eligible for election to the Vestry until a full year has elapsed.
Sec. 25.5 The Rector shall name one of the Vestry members to be the Senior Warden. At the first meeting of the newly constituted Vestry following the Parish Meeting the Vestry shall elect one of its members Junior Warden. At the same meeting the Vestry shall elect a Clerk (or Secretary) and a Treasurer, but these officers need not be members of the Vestry. All officers serve for one (1) year or until their successors are selected.
Sec. 25.6 The Vestry shall meet at least bimonthly, and it shall be the duty of every member of the Vestry to attend meetings regularly. In case of the continued absence of a member from regular meetings of the Vestry for a period of three (3) successive meetings without valid excuse, that member of the Vestry may be removed by majority vote of the Vestry members present and the remaining members shall fill the vacancy.
Sec. 25.7 Special meetings may be called by the Rector. At the written request of three members of the Vestry, including one (1) Warden, or a majority of the Vestry, the Rector shall call a special meeting. Notice of called meetings shall be given in writing to all members of the Vestry not later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time of the meeting; provided, however, that the Vestry may meet at any time without notice with the consent of the Rector and the presence of all members of the Vestry.
Sec. 25.8 There shall be no meeting of the Vestry without the presence of the Rector, if there be one, and a majority of the members of the Vestry; provided however, that if the Rector be absent, and when duly notified of a meeting shall decline or neglect to be present, the Vestry shall be competent to transact business if a majority of its members, including one (1) Warden, be present.
Sec. 25.9 The Vestry shall have charge of the property, endowments and all temporal concerns of the Parish, shall provide and keep in good order a suitable place of worship and the furnishings and appointments appropriate thereto, and shall provide for the payment of all Parish obligations and assessments. The Vestry shall be the legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its clergy.
Sec. 25.10 Missions, to the extent appropriate, and not in conflict with Canon 21, shall also be governed by this Canon.
Revised October 1993
CANON 26
PARISH OR MISSION MEETINGS
Sec. 26.1 The Annual Meeting of each Parish or Mission of this Diocese shall be held in the month of January. Due notice of said meeting, including its time and place, shall be given by the Rector or Vicar, or if there is no Rector or Vicar, by the Wardens.
Sec. 26.2 Qualified voters at Parish Meetings shall be confirmed communicants in good standing of the Parish or Mission, sixteen (16) years of age or older. The presence of at least ten percent (10%) of the qualified voters of the Parish or Mission shall constitute a quorum.
Sec. 26.3 A special meeting of the Parish or Mission may be called by the Rector or Vicar (if there be one) and Wardens by giving notice at least one week in advance of its time and place. Such notice shall set forth the business for which the meeting has been called, and no other business shall be in order except by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present.
Sec. 26.4 At the Annual Meeting of the Parish or Mission, the Rector or Vicar and the Senior Warden, or in case of his inability to act, the Junior Warden, shall present a full and faithful account of the condition of the Parish or Mission as of December 31 of the preceding year.
a. The report of the Rector or Vicar for the previous year shall include (1) the number of persons baptized and confirmed, (2) the number of baptized members, confirmed communicants in good standing and households, specifying the number of removals and additions, (3) the number of marriages and burials, (4) the number of services conducted and the total attendance and communions, (5) the number of teachers and students in the Sunday Church School, and (6) the total amount of the Discretionary Fund received with such statement of expenditure as he may deem proper.
b. The report of the Senior Warden (which includes reports of the Junior Warden and Treasurer) shall include, (1) what money, lands or other property have been received during the preceding year, from what source and the value of the same, (2) all offerings, separately stating the purposes for which they have been made, (3) all expenditures and the purposes for which they have been expended, (4) what property has been purchased, exchanged, mortgaged, sold, or otherwise alienated or encumbered, and for what purpose, (5) what debts have been contracted and what debts previously contracted are owing, and (6) what improvements have been made, with the cost thereof.
c. Following the meeting these statements shall be delivered to the new Vestry, to be examined by them and entered into the permanent records of the Parish or Mission.
Revised October 1992
CANON 27
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL REPORTS
Sec. 27.1 A report from every Parish and Mission shall be prepared annually for the year ending December 31 preceding, upon the form provided by The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. This report shall be sent in duplicate to the Bishop not later than March 1.
Sec. 27.2 Copies and tabulations of the reports shall be filed in the Diocesan office for the use of commissions and committees. These reports, or such parts of them as the Bishop may deem proper, shall be published in the Journal of the Convention.
Revised November 2010
Sec. 28.1 It shall be the duty of every Minister within the Diocese to record in a Parish Register all baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials and the names of all Communicants within his cure.
Sec. 28.2 The Register shall specify the name and the date of birth of each person baptized, with names of the parents, and the names of the sponsors or witnesses; the names of the persons confirmed and the date of the service, together with the name of the member of Clergy who presents the class and the name of the Bishop confirming the same; the names of the parties married, and two or more special witnesses of the same, and the date and place where the marriage was solemnized; the names of the persons buried, the place of interment, and also the date of the service; and a list of the communicants. This Register shall be kept by the Minister, or, in case of a vacancy, by the Senior or Junior Warden, and shall be a part of the records of the Parish or Mission.
Sec. 28.3 It shall be the duty of every member of the Clergy not regularly settled in any Parish to record such occasional services as he may perform in the Register of the Parish or Mission in which such service was held. In case there be no Register in that place, he shall report such services to the Bishop, and these reports, or such parts of them as the Bishop shall think fit, may be entered in the Journal of the Convention.
Sec. 28.4 The word communicant as used here, and elsewhere, in these Canons, means one who has been confirmed, and has not been suspended from the right of partaking of the Holy Communion; provided that no parish shall be required to continue as a communicant anyone (a) who has been absent from the Parish for two full years, and whose residence, after diligent search, has not been discovered, or (b) one who has abandoned the Communion of this Church by and open-renunciation of its doctrine, discipline and worship, or by a formal admission into a religious body not in communion with this Church.
Revised October 1991
Sec. 29.1 In every congregation of this Diocese the following standard business methods shall be observed:
a. Trust and permanent funds and all securities of whatever kind shall be deposited with a federal or state bank or other agency approved in writing by the Department of Finance of the Diocese under either a deed of trust or an agency agreement, excepting such funds and securities as may be refused by such depositories as being too small for acceptance. There shall be at least two (2) authorized signatures on any order of withdrawal of such funds or securities.
b. Treasurers and custodians, other than banking institutions, shall be adequately bonded.
c. Such books of accounts shall be kept in such manner as shall make them available for satisfactory accounting, and such books and accounts shall conform to generally accepted accounting principles.
d. All accounts of the Diocese shall be audited annually by an independent Certified Public Accountant. All accounts of Parishes, Missions or other institutions shall be audited annually by an Certified Public Accountant or independent Licensed Accountant or such audit committee as shall be authorized by the Department of Finance, and copies of such audit shall be filed with the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority not later than thirty (30) days following date of such report, and in no event, not later than September 1 of each year, covering the financial reports of the previous calendar year.
e. All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured.
f. The fiscal year shall begin January 1.
Sec. 29.2 Annual reports of all Diocesan accounts shall be made to Convention, which reports shall be referred to and reported on by the Department of Finance.
Revised November 2008
CANON 30
USE OF DEDICATED AND CONSECRATED CHURCHES
Sec. 30.1 The dedicated and consecrated Churches and Chapels of the several Parishes and Missions of the Diocese may be opened only for the services, rites and ceremonies, or other purposes, either authorized or approved by this Church, and for no other use.
Revised October 1991
Sec. 31.1 Any Parish, Mission or Diocesan Institution which desires to organize a corporation to use in connection with the administration of its affairs may do so upon compliance with the following requirements.
a. If organized by a Parish or Mission, any such corporation shall be merely an adjunct or instrumentality of such Parish or Mission; the Parish or Mission itself, being the body in union with Convention, shall not be incorporated.
b. The articles of incorporation must expressly provide that such corporation is subject to, and its powers and rights shall be exercised in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese.
c. Such corporation shall not hold title to real estate acquired for the use of the Church in the Diocese, which title must be vested and dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 of the Constitution of the Diocese.
d. The proposed articles of incorporation and bylaws of such corporation, and any amendments thereof, shall, prior to filing or adoption, be submitted to the Chancellor of the Diocese for his approval as being in conformity with these provisions.
Sec. 31.2 Those in charge of the affairs of any corporation, organized by any Parish, Mission or Diocesan Institution, shall review its articles of incorporation and bylaws and bring them into conformity with provisions of this Canon, if inconsistent therewith.
Revised November 2008
CANON 32
CONTROVERSY BETWEEN RECTOR AND VESTRY
OR BETWEEN A PARISH AND THE DIOCESE
Section 32.1 When a Rector has been regularly settled in a Parish he shall not be dismissed without the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese.
Section 32.2 In case of a controversy between a Rector and Vestry which cannot be settled by the parties themselves, the parties or either of them, may appeal to the Bishop. The duty of the Bishop shall be to seek to bring the parties to an amicable conclusion; and in such case, the agreement between them, signed by them and attested to by the Bishop, shall have the same force as an order made under Section 32.5 of this Canon.
Section 32.3 In the case of a controversy between a Parish and the Diocese, the Rector and a majority of the members of the Vestry may petition the Bishop, whose duty it shall be to seek to bring the parties to an amicable conclusion. To that end, the Rector and majority of the Vestry shall provide a reasonable opportunity for the Bishop, a diocesan chancellor and a member of the Standing Committee to meet on parish property with the entire Vestry and such members of the parish as wish to be present. Both verbal and written notice of the meeting must be provided to the members of the parish. It will be the duty of the Bishop to determine the extent to which the members of the parish agree with the Rector and majority of the Vestry. It shall also be the duty of the Bishop to make adequate provision in any resolution to protect the interest of the minority of the parish wishing to remain in union with the Diocese, and to protect the missionary interest of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. In the case where an agreement is reached, it shall be signed by the Rector and the Bishop and attested to by at least a two-thirds majority of the members of the Vestry and at least a majority of the members of the Standing Committee. This agreement shall have the same force and effect as an order made under Section 32.5 of this Canon. When reaching the conclusion amicably or pursuant to an order made under Section 32.5 of this Canon, consideration will be given to the provisions of Article 14 of the Constitution, Canon 18 and such guidelines as may be established by the Bishop and Standing Committee for the resolution of such disputes.
Section 32.4 If the matter shall not be amicably settled within a reasonable time, not to exceed six (6) months, the bishop shall convene the members of the Standing Committee and shall give notice to the parties to appear before him and them and present their facts and arguments, at such time and place as he may appoint; and he may adjourn and continue the hearing in the matter at his discretion.
Section 32.5 After all hearings as may be called for in Sections 32.2 through 32.4 above are concluded, the Bishop, after consultation with the Standing Committee, shall make such an order in regard to the matter as he may think to be just and for the best interest of the Church. It shall be the duty of the Diocese, the Rector and the Parish, and every member thereof, to submit to and abide by such order as the final and conclusive determination of all matters of difference between them.
Revised November 2007
Sec. 33.1 Upon the organization of a new Parish or in the event of a vacancy in the Rectorship of an existing Parish, the Wardens shall give notice within three (3) days to the Bishop of the Diocese of such vacancy. It shall be the duty of the Bishop or his deputy to meet with the Vestry of the vacant Parish before the Vestry takes whatever measures may be necessary to continue regular services. If the Vestry of the Parish shall for 30 days have failed to make provision for the services it shall be the duty of the Bishop to take whatever measures may be necessary to continue regular services.
Sec. 33.2 In the case of a vacancy in the Rectorship of a Parish the Bishop or his deputy shall meet with the Vestry of a vacant Parish to discuss the calling process. The Bishop shall suggest the names of one (1) or more priests to fill the vacancy. The Vestry shall, in the calling process, inform the Bishop of other priests that it would like to consider for the vacant post.
Sec. 33.3 Following notice that the Bishop has no objection or if after thirty (30) days the Bishop has made no objection to any Vestry nominee(s), the Vestry may proceed, either from the Bishop's suggestions or from the list submitted to the Bishop.
Sec. 33.4 If the Bishop objects to any priest nominated by the Vestry, he must do so in writing within 30 days, giving his reasons therefor. Before proceeding to an election, the Vestry shall consider such objection at a meeting called and held for that purpose.
Sec. 33.5 A Vestry, having decided upon the person whom they wish to call as Rector of the Parish, sends the name of that person to the Bishop, who is given not more than thirty (30) days in which to communicate with the Vestry in the matter. At the end of thirty (30) days, or as soon as a communication has been received from the Bishop, the Vestry may proceed to an election. Written notice of such election shall then be sent to the Bishop, signed by the Wardens confirming a majority of the entire Vestry. If the Bishop be satisfied that the person so elected is a duly qualified Priest, the Vestry may then, but not until then, proceed to issue a call to such Priest to become Rector of the Parish.
Sec. 33.6 Once the Priest has accepted the call, the Bishop shall notify the Secretary of the Diocesan Convention and the Registrar of the Diocese both of whom shall record it. Such record shall be sufficient evidence of the relation between the new Rector and his Parish.
Revised October 1991
CANON 34
CHANGES OF PARISHES OR MISSIONS
Sec. 34.1 In circumstances other than non-payment of assessment and the consequences thereof described in Canon 16, whenever it shall appear to the Bishop that the conditions render it advisable to dissolve a Parish or Mission or to change a Parish to a Mission status, he shall submit the matter in writing to the next Annual Convention. The matter shall then be referred to the appropriate Committee on the first day of the Convention where it shall lay over until the following day. The Committee shall then report its recommendation in writing to the Convention. In order to declare the Parish or Mission dissolved or changed, a two-thirds (2/3) vote by orders shall be required.
Sec. 34.2 The property rights of every kind and character of a dissolved Parish or Mission shall vest in the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. No disposal thereof may be made without consent of the Standing Committee.
Sec. 34.3 In the event it becomes necessary for a Parish to apply to the Diocese for a grant to enable it to meet its operating budget and maintain its Rector, such Parish upon application to the Bishop may be changed by him to the status of a Mission, subject to provisions for Missions as established by the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese.
Sec. 34.4 No Parish or Mission shall be relocated within the Diocese of Fort Worth without the approval and consent of the Bishop and the Standing Committee.
Revised October 1993
Sec. 35.1 The Diocese shall be divided into Deaneries, as defined by the Bishop with the concurrence of the Convention.
Sec. 35.2 The Bishop shall appoint a Dean to serve at the Bishop's pleasure. The Dean must be a member of the Clergy entitled to a vote in the Convention and residing in the Deanery.
Sec. 35.3 Each Deanery shall have a Council made up of all members of the Clergy residing in the Deanery who are entitled to a vote in the Convention, all the elected Convention Delegates for the Parishes and Missions of the Deanery, and the Lay Deanery Representative to the Executive Council.
Sec. 35.4 The Council of each Deanery shall meet annually prior to the Convention of the Diocese to elect on a rotating basis for three (3) years one (1) member of the Clergy or one (1) of the two Lay Representatives to the Executive Council by a concurrent vote of a majority of each order from the following:
a. The Clerical Representative must be a member of the Clergy entitled to a vote in the Convention and residing in the Deanery; and
b. Each Lay Representative must be a Confirmed adult Communicant in good standing in one of the Parishes or Missions of the Deanery,
but not of the same Parish or Mission as the other.
In addition to the Pre-Convention meeting the Deanery Council shall meet at least one other time in the course of the year for the purpose of disseminating information from the Executive Council Meetings and as seems necessary for the furtherance of the Mission of the Church in the Deanery or as the Bishop or Executive Council of the Diocese may require.
Sec. 35.5 The term of office of Clerical and Lay Representative to the Executive Council of the Diocese shall be three (3) years on a rotating basis. The three (3) year rotation means one (1) representative is to be elected to a full term each year. No member shall serve for more than six (6) consecutive years.
Sec. 35.6 A Lay Person from each Deanery Council is elected for a one (1) year term to serve as Sub-Dean. This person assists the Dean with agenda, business, secretarial and financial concerns of the Deanery and presides at Meetings in the absence of the Dean.
Revised November 2020