Section B
B 1 Of
conformity of worship
1. The following forms of service shall be authorized
for use in the Church of England:
(a) the forms of service contained
in The Book of Common Prayer;
(b) the shortened forms of Morning
and Evening Prayer which were set out in the Schedule to the Act of
Uniformity Amendment Act 1872;
(c) the form of service authorized
by Royal Warrant for use upon the anniversary of the day of the
accession of the reigning Sovereign;
(d) any form of service approved
under Canon B 2 subject to any amendments so approved, to the
extent permitted by such approval;
(e) any form of service approved
under Canon B 4 subject to any amendments so approved, to the
extent permitted by such approval;
(f) any form of service authorized
by the archbishops under Canon B 5A, to the extent permitted by
such authorization.
2. Every minister shall use only the forms of service
authorized by this Canon, except so far as he may exercise the
discretion permitted by Canon B 5. It is the minister's
responsibility to have a good understanding of the forms of service
used and he shall endeavour to ensure that the worship offered
glorifies God and edifies the people.
3. In this Canon the expression 'form of service'
shall be construed as including -
(i) the prayers known as
Collects;
(ii) the lessons designated in any
Table of Lessons;
(iii) any other matter to be used
as part of a service;
(iv) any Table of rules for
regulating a service;
(v) any Table of Holy Days which
expression includes 'A Table of all the Feasts' in The Book of
Common Prayer and such other Days as shall be included in any
Table approved by the General Synod.
B 2 Of the
approval of forms of service
1. It shall be lawful for the General Synod:
(a) to approve forms of services for
use in the Church of England and to amend any form of service
approved by the General Synod under this paragraph;
(b) to approve the use of any such
form of service for a limited period, or without limit of
period;
(c) to extend the period of use of
any such form of service and to discontinue any such form of
service;
and any form of service or amendment thereof
approved by the General Synod under this paragraph shall be such as
in the opinion of the General Synod is neither contrary to, nor
indicative of any departure from, the doctrine of the Church of
England in any essential matter.
2. Any approval, amendment, continuance or
discontinuance of any form of service under paragraph 1 above shall
not have effect unless the form of service or the amendment,
continuance or discontinuance thereof is finally approved by the
General Synod with a majority in each House thereof of not less
than two-thirds of those present and voting.
2A. (1) It shall be lawful for the bishop of a
diocese or other Ordinary of the place, on request made in
accordance with sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) below on behalf of a
parish or a place of worship of a kind specified in sub-paragraph
(5)(a) below, by notice in writing to approve the continued use in
the parish or place of worship, for such period as shall be
specified in the notice, of any form of service -
(a) the use of which has ceased to
be approved by the General Synod by virtue of the expiry of any
limited period imposed under paragraph 1(b) above; or
(b) the use of which has ceased to
be approved by the General Synod by virtue of the expiry of any
period of extension granted under paragraph 1(c) above; or
(c) which has been discontinued
under paragraph 1(c) above.
(2) Approval under sub-paragraph (1) above for the
continued use of a form of service on a request made on behalf of a
parish shall either -
(a) apply to all
places of worship in the parish in question; or
(b) be limited in its application to
such place or places of worship in the parish as may be specified
in the notice.
(3) Where a bishop or other Ordinary has approved
the continued use of a form of service under sub-paragraph (1)
above he may, on a request made on behalf of the parish or place of
worship concerned in accordance with sub-paragraphs (5) and (7)
below, by notice in writing extend (on one occasion only) the
period of continued use of the form of service for such further
period as shall be specified in the notice.
(4) The period of continued use referred to in
sub-paragraphs (1) and (3) above shall commence on the date on
which the use of the form of service in question ceases or ceased
to be approved by the General Synod or on the expiry of the
original period of continued use, as the case may be.
(5) A request for approval under sub-paragraph (1)
above for the continued use of a form of service or for an
extension under sub-paragraph (3) shall be made -
(a) in the case of a place of
worship which is in an extra-parochial place or in respect of which
a clerk in holy orders is licensed under section 2 of the
Extra-Parochial Ministry Measure 1967, by the minister concerned;
and
(b) in any other case, by the
minister and parochial church council concerned acting jointly.
(6) A request for approval under sub-paragraph (1)
above for the continued use of a form of service shall not be made
after the expiry of the period of twelve months following the date
on which the use of the form of service has ceased to be approved
by the General Synod and the period for which approval is given
shall not exceed three years.
(7) A request for an extension under sub-paragraph
(3) above of a period of continued use for a further period shall
not be made after the expiry of the original period and the further
period shall not exceed the original period or two years, whichever
is the less.
2B. (1) Paragraph 2A above (except sub-paragraphs (2)
and (5) and with the omission from sub-paragraphs (1) and (3) of
references to the Ordinary) shall apply to forms of service used in
a cathedral church as it applies to forms of service used in a
parish, with the following adaptations.
(2) Where Part I of the Cathedrals
Measure 1999 applies in relation to the cathedral church, for
references to a request on behalf of a parish or place of worship
there shall be substituted references to the request of the Chapter
with the consent of the dean.
(3) Where the Cathedrals Measure 1963 continues to
apply in relation to a cathedral church in accordance with section
38(3) of the said Measure of 1999, for references to a request on
behalf of a parish or place of worship there shall be substituted
references to the request of the following bodies acting jointly,
namely -
(a) the administrative body; and
(b) the dean or provost as the case
may be; and also
(c) in the case of a parish church
cathedral for the parish of which there is a parochial church
council whose functions have not been transferred to the
administrative body in pursuance of a section 12(1), that
council.
In this sub-paragraph 'administrative body' and
'parish church cathedral' have the same meaning as in the
Cathedrals Measure 1963.
(4) In relation to the cathedral church of Christ in
Oxford, for references to a request on behalf of a parish or place
of worship there shall be substituted references to the request of
the dean and canons.
2C. In the case of a request in respect of a
cathedral church or a place of worship which is in an
extra-parochial place, the request shall only be made after
consultation with the representatives of persons over the age of
sixteen years who worship regularly therein.
3. In this Canon the expression 'form of service' has
the same meaning as in Canon B 1 and the reference in paragraph
2A(5)(b) above to the minister shall, where there is no minister,
be construed as a reference to the rural dean.
Note: The forms of service
which are currently approved by the General Synod under paragraph 1
above are specified here).
B 3 Of the form
of service to be used where alternative forms are authorized
1. Decisions as to which of the forms of service
authorized by Canon B 1, other than the services known as
occasional offices, are to be used in any church in a parish or in
any guild church shall be taken jointly by the minister and the
parochial church council or, as the case may be, by the vicar of
the guild church and the guild church council. In this Canon
'church' includes any building or part of a building licensed by
the bishop for public worship according to the rites and ceremonies
of the Church of England.
2. If there is disagreement as to which of the said
forms of service are to be used in any such church, then, so long
as the disagreement continues, the forms of service to be used in
that church shall be those contained in The Book of Common
Prayer unless other forms of service authorized by Canon B 1
were in regular use therein during at least two of the four years
immediately preceding the date when the disagreement arose and the
parochial church council or guild church council, as the case may
be, resolves that those other forms of service shall be used either
to the exclusion of, or in addition to, the forms of service
contained in the said Book.
3. The foregoing paragraphs of this Canon shall not
apply in relation to a cathedral which is a parish church nor to
any part of a cathedral which is a parish church.
4. Where more than one form of any of the services
known as occasional offices, other than the Order of Confirmation,
is authorized by Canon B 1 for use on any occasion the decision as
to which form of service is to be used shall be made by the
minister who is to conduct the service, but if any of the persons
concerned objects beforehand to the use of the service selected by
the minister and he and the minister cannot agree as to which form
is to be used, the matter shall be referred to the bishop of the
diocese for his decision.
5. Where more than one form of service of ordination
of deacons or priests or of the ordination or consecration of a
bishop is authorized by Canon B 1 for use, the decision as to which
form of service is to be used shall be made by the bishop or
archbishop, as the case may be, who is to conduct the service and,
where more than one form of service of confirmation is so
authorized, the decision as to which service is to be used shall be
made by the bishop or archbishop, as the case may be, who is to
conduct the service after consulting the minister of the church
where the service is to be held.
6. In this Canon the expression 'form
of service' has the same meaning as in Canon B 1.
B 4 Of forms of
service approved by the Convocations, Archbishops or Ordinary for
use on certain occasions
1. The Convocations of Canterbury and York may
approve within their respective provinces forms of service for use
in any cathedral or church or elsewhere on occasions for which no
provision is made in The Book of Common Prayer or by the
General Synod under Canon B 2, being forms of service which in both
words and order are in their opinion reverent and seemly and
neither contrary to, nor indicative of any departure from, the
doctrine of the Church of England in any essential matter.
2. The archbishops may approve forms of service for
use in any cathedral or church or elsewhere in the provinces of
Canterbury and York on occasions for which no provision is made in
The Book of Common Prayer or by the General Synod under
Canon B 2 or by the Convocations under this Canon, being forms of
service which in both words and order are in their opinion reverent
and seemly and are neither contrary to, nor indicative of any
departure from, the doctrine of the Church of England in any
essential matter.
3. The Ordinary may approve forms of service for use
in any cathedral or church or elsewhere in the diocese on occasion
for which no provision is made in The Book of Common
Prayer or by the General Synod under Canon B 2 or by the
Convocation or archbishops under this Canon, being forms of service
which in the opinion of the Ordinary in both words and order are
reverent and seemly and are neither contrary to, nor indicative of
any departure from, the doctrine of the Church of England in any
essential matter.
4. In this Canon the expression 'form of service' has
the same meaning as in Canon B 1.
B 4A Of the
approval of collects, lectionaries and table of rules to order the
service
[Repealed by Amending Canon No. 17]
1. The minister who is to conduct the service may in
his discretion make and use variations which are not of substantial
importance in any form of service authorized by Canon B 1 according
to particular circumstances.
2. The minister having the cure of souls may on
occasions for which no provision is made in The Book of Common
Prayer or by the General Synod under Canon B 2 or by the
Convocations, archbishops, or Ordinary under Canon B 4 use forms of
service considered suitable by him for those occasions and may
permit another minister to use the said forms of service.
3. All variations in forms of service and all forms
of service used under this Canon shall be reverent and seemly and
shall be neither contrary to, nor indicative of any departure from,
the doctrine of the Church of England in any essential matter.
4. If any question is raised concerning the
observance of the provisions of this Canon it may be referred to
the bishop in order that he may give such pastoral guidance, advice
or directions as he may think fit, but such reference shall be
without prejudice to the matter in question being made the subject
matter of proceedings under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure
1963.
5. In this Canon the expression 'form of service' has
the same meaning as in Canon B 1.
Note: The forms of service
which have been approved by the Archbishops or commended by the
House of Bishops as being suitable for use by ministers in exercise
of their discretion under Canons B 4 or B 5 respectively are
detailed here).
B 5A Of
authorization of forms of service for experimental periods
1. Where a form of service has been prepared with a
view to its submission to the General Synod for approval by the
Synod under Canon B 2 the archbishops after consultation with the
House of Bishops of the General Synod may, prior to that
submission, authorize such form of service for experimental use for
a period specified by them on such terms and in such places or
parishes as they may designate.
2. Where any form of service has been authorized
under paragraph 1 of this Canon for experimental use and it is
proposed that it shall be used in any church the requirements of
Canon B 3 shall apply.
3. In this Canon the expression 'form of service' has
the same meaning as in Canon B 1.
B 6 Of Sundays and other days of special
observance
1. The Lord's Day, commonly called Sunday, is ever to
be celebrated as a weekly memorial of our Lord's Resurrection and
kept according to God's holy will and pleasure, particularly by
attendance at divine service, by deeds of charity, and by
abstention from all unnecessary labour and business.
2. The principal Feasts which are to be observed in
the Church of England are Christmas Day, Epiphany, the Annunciation
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Easter Day, Ascension Day, Whitsunday
or Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and All Saints' Day.
3. The Days of Fasting or Abstinence and the Vigils
which are to be observed in the Church of England are set out in
The Book of Common Prayer, whereof the 40 days of Lent,
particularly Ash Wednesday and the Monday to Saturday before
Easter, ought specially to be observed.
4. Good Friday is ever to be observed by prayer with
meditation on the death and Passion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, by self-discipline, and by attendance at divine
service.
5. It is lawful for the General Synod to approve Holy
Days which may be observed generally or provincially, and, subject
to any directions of the Convocation of the province, for the
Ordinary to approve Holy Days which may be observed locally.
B 7 Of the
giving notice of Feast Days and Fast Days
The minister having the cure of souls shall give
adequate public notice, in any way which is locally convenient, of
the Feast Days and Fast Days to be observed and of the time and
place of services on those days.
B 8 Of the
vesture of ordained and authorized ministers during the time of
divine service
1. The Church of England does not attach any
particular doctrinal significance to the diversities of vesture
permitted by this Canon, and the vesture worn by the minister in
accordance with the provision of this Canon is not to be understood
as implying any doctrines other than those now contained in the
formularies of the Church of England.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Canon no
minister shall change the form of vesture in use in the church or
chapel in which he officiates unless he has ascertained by
consultation with the parochial church council that such changes
will be acceptable: Provided always that in case of disagreement
the minister shall refer the matter to the bishop of the diocese,
whose direction shall be obeyed.
3. At the Holy Communion the presiding minister shall
wear either a surplice or alb with scarf or stole. When a stole is
worn other customary vestments may be added. The epistoler and
gospeller (if any) may wear surplice or alb to which other
customary vestments may be added.
4. At Morning and Evening Prayer on Sundays the
minister shall normally wear a surplice or alb with scarf or
stole.
5. At the Occasional Offices the minister shall wear
a surplice or alb with scarf or stole.
B 9 Of
reverence and attention to be used in the time of divine
service
1. All persons present in the time of divine service
shall audibly with the minister make the answers appointed and in
due place join in such parts of the service as are appointed to be
said or sung by all present.
2. They shall give reverent attention in the time of
divine service, give due reverence to the name of the Lord Jesus
and stand at the Creed and the reading of the Holy Gospel at the
Holy Communion. When the Prayers are read and Psalms and canticles
are said or sung, they shall have regard to the rubrics of the
service and locally established custom in the matter of posture,
whether of standing, kneeling or sitting.
B 10 Of Morning
and Evening Prayer in cathedral churches
In every cathedral church the Common Prayer shall
be said or sung, distinctly, reverently, and in an audible voice,
every morning and evening, and the Litany on the appointed days,
the officiating ministers and others of the clergy present in choir
being duly habited.
B 11 Of Morning
and Evening Prayer in parish churches
1. Morning and Evening Prayer shall be said or sung
in every parish church at least on all Sundays and other principal
Feast Days, and also on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Each service
shall be said or sung distinctly, reverently, and in an audible
voice. Readers, such other lay persons as may be authorized by the
bishop of the diocese, or some other suitable lay person, may, at
the invitation of the minister of the parish or, where the cure is
vacant or the minister is incapacitated, at the invitation of the
churchwardens say or sing Morning and Evening Prayer (save for the
Absolution).
2. On all other days the minister of the parish,
together with other ministers licensed to serve in the parish,
shall make such provision for Morning and Evening Prayer to be said
or sung either in the parish church or, after consultation with the
parochial church council, elsewhere as may best serve to sustain
the corporate spiritual life of the parish and the pattern of life
enjoined upon ministers by Canon C 26. Public notice shall be given
in the parish, by tolling the bell or other appropriate means, of
the time and place where the prayers are to be said or sung.
3. The reading of Morning and Evening Prayer in any
parish church as required by this Canon may only be dispensed with
in accordance with the provisions of Canon B 14A.
[Repealed by Amending Canon No. 17]
Note: See Canon B 14A here).
B 12 Of the
ministry of the Holy Communion
1. No person shall consecrate and administer the holy
sacrament of the Lord's Supper unless he shall have been ordained
priest by episcopal ordination in accordance with the provisions of
Canon C 1.
2. Every minister, as often as he shall celebrate the
Holy Communion, shall receive that sacrament himself.
3. No person shall distribute the holy sacrament of
the Lord's Supper to the people unless he shall have been ordained
in accordance with the provisions of Canon C 1, or is otherwise
authorized by Canon or unless he has been specially authorized to
do so by the bishop acting under such regulations as the General
Synod may make from time to time.
4. Subject to the general directions of the bishop,
the Epistle and the Gospel and the Prayer of Intercession may at
the invitation of the minister be read by a lay person at the
celebration of the Holy Communion.
Note: Regulations referred to
in paragraph 3 above were made by the Church Assembly in November
1969. These remain in operation and have not been amended or
revoked by the General Synod. They are reproduced here.
B 13 Of Holy
Communion in cathedral churches
1. In every cathedral church the Holy Communion shall
be celebrated at least on all Sundays and other Feast Days, on Ash
Wednesday, and on other days as often as may be convenient,
according to the statutes and customs of each church. It shall be
celebrated distinctly, reverently, and in an audible voice.
2. In every cathedral church the dean or provost, the
canons residentiary, and the other ministers of the church, being
in holy orders, shall all receive the Holy Communion every Sunday
at the least, except they have a reasonable cause to the
contrary.
B 14 Of Holy
Communion in parish churches
1. The Holy Communion shall be celebrated in every
parish church at least on all Sundays and principal Feast Days, and
on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. It shall be celebrated
distinctly, reverently, and in an audible voice.
2. The celebration of the Holy Communion in any
parish church as required by this Canon may only be dispensed with
in accordance with the provisions of Canon B 14A.
3. In churches and chapels dependent on a parish
church, the Holy Communion shall be celebrated as regularly and
frequently as may be convenient, subject to the direction of the
Ordinary under Canon B 14A.
B 14A Of
services in churches and other places of worship
1. The reading of Morning and Evening Prayer in any
parish church as required by Canon B 11 or the celebration of the
Holy Communion in any parish church as required by Canon B 14 may
be dispensed with as follows:
(a) on an occasional basis, as
authorized by the minister and the parochial church council acting
jointly;
(b) on a regular basis, as
authorized by the bishop on the request of the minister and the
parochial church council acting jointly.
In exercising the powers under this paragraph the
minister and the parochial church council or the bishop as the case
may be must be satisfied that there is good reason for doing so and
shall -
(i) have regard to the frequency of
services of Morning and Evening Prayer or the celebration of the
Holy Communion (as the case may be) in other parish churches or
places of worship in the benefice; and
(ii) ensure that no church ceases
altogether to be used for public worship.
2. Where there is more than one parish church or
place of worship in a benefice or where a minister holds benefices
in plurality with more than one parish church or place of worship
the minister and the parochial church council acting jointly shall
make proposals to the bishop as to what services of Morning and
Evening Prayer or the celebration of the Holy Communion (as the
case may be) are to be held in each of the parish churches or
places of worship and if the bishop is satisfied with the proposals
he shall authorize them accordingly. In default of the minister and
parochial church council making satisfactory proposals, the bishop
shall make such direction as he considers appropriate. In
exercising the powers under this paragraph the bishop shall ensure
that no church ceases altogether to be used for public worship.
3. The powers under paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Canon
shall extend to any parish centre of worship designated under
section 29(2) of the Pastoral Measure 1983.
4. The bishop of a diocese may direct
what services shall be held or shall not be required to be held in
any church in the diocese which is not a parish church or in any
building, or part of a building, in the diocese licensed for public
worship under section 29 of the Pastoral Measure 1983 but not
designated as a parish centre of worship.
B 15 Of the
receiving of Holy Communion
1. It is the duty of all who have been confirmed to
receive the Holy Communion regularly, and especially at the
festivals of Christmas, Easter and Whitsun or Pentecost.
2. The minister shall teach the people from time to
time, and especially before the festivals of Christmas, Easter and
Whitsun or Pentecost, that they come to this holy sacrament with
such preparation as is required by The Book of Common
Prayer.
B 15A Of the
admission to Holy Communion
1. There shall be admitted to the Holy Communion:
(a) members of the Church of England
who have been confirmed in accordance with the rites of that Church
or are ready and desirous to be so confirmed or who have been
otherwise episcopally confirmed with unction or with the laying on
of hands except as provided by the next following Canon;
(b) baptized persons who are
communicant members of other Churches which subscribe to the
doctrine of the Holy Trinity, and who are in good standing in their
own Church;
(c) any other baptized persons
authorized to be admitted under regulations of the General Synod;
and
(d) any baptized person in immediate
danger of death.
2. If any person by virtue of sub-paragraph (b) above
regularly receive the Holy Communion over a long period which
appears likely to continue indefinitely, the minister shall set
before him the normal requirements of the Church of England for
communicant status in that Church.
3. Where any minister is in doubt as to the
application of this Canon, he shall refer the matter to the bishop
of the diocese or other Ordinary and follow his guidance
thereon.
Note: The General Synod made
the Admission of baptized children to Holy Communion Regulations
2006 on 8 February 2006 and these Regulations came into force on 15
June 2006. The Regulations are reproduced here).
B 16 Of
notorious offenders not to be admitted to Holy Communion
1. If a minister be persuaded that anyone of his cure
who presents himself to be a partaker of the Holy Communion ought
not to be admitted thereunto by reason of malicious and open
contention with his neighbours, or other grave and open sin without
repentance, he shall give an account of the same to the bishop of
the diocese or other the Ordinary of the place and therein obey his
order and direction, but so as not to refuse the sacrament to any
until in accordance with such order and direction he shall have
called him and advertised him that in any wise he presume not to
come to the Lord's Table: Provided that in case of grave and
immediate scandal to the congregation the minister shall not admit
such person, but shall give an account of the same to the Ordinary
within seven days after at the furthest and therein obey his order
and direction. Provided also that before issuing his order and
direction in relation to any such person the Ordinary shall afford
to him an opportunity for interview.
2. The references in this Canon to 'the bishop of the
diocese or other the Ordinary of the place' and to 'the Ordinary'
include, in the case of the Ordinary being the bishop of the
diocese and the see being vacant, the archbishop of the province
or, in the case of the archbishopric being vacant or the vacant see
being Canterbury or York, the archbishop of the other province.
B 17 Of bread
and wine for the Holy Communion
1. The churchwardens of every parish, with the advice
and direction of the minister, shall provide a sufficient quantity
of bread and wine for the number of communicants that shall from
time to time receive the same.
2. The bread, whether leavened or unleavened, shall
be of the best and purest wheat flour that conveniently may be
gotten, and the wine the fermented juice of the grape, good and
wholesome.
3. The bread shall be brought to the communion table
in a paten or convenient box and the wine in a convenient cruet or
flagon.
B 17A Of the
disposition of the alms at Holy Communion
Notwithstanding any rubric in The Book of
Common Prayer moneys given or collected in church at Holy
Communion shall form part of the general funds of the parochial
church council and shall be disposed of by the parochial church
council in accordance with the provisions of section 7(iv) of the
Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956.
B 18 Of sermons
in parish churches
1. In every parish church a sermon shall be preached
at least once each Sunday, except for some reasonable cause
approved by the bishop of the diocese.
2. The sermon shall be preached by a minister,
deaconess, reader or lay worker duly authorized in accordance with
Canon Law. At the invitation of the minister having the cure of
souls another person may preach with the permission of the bishop
of the diocese given either in relation to the particular occasion
or in accordance with diocesan directions.
3. The preacher shall endeavour with care and
sincerity to minister the word of truth, to the glory of God and to
the edification of the people.
B 19 Of the
Bidding Prayer which may be used by a preacher before his
sermon
Before any sermon, lecture, or homily, the preacher
may move the people to join with him in prayer in this form or to
this effect, as briefly as is convenient, always concluding with
the Lord's Prayer:
Ye shall pray for Christ's holy Catholic Church,
that is, for the whole congregation of Christian people dispersed
throughout the whole world, and especially for the Church of
England.
And herein I require you most especially to pray
for the Queen's most excellent Majesty our Sovereign Lady
Elizabeth, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, and of her other realms and
territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the
Faith, and ye shall also pray for Philip Duke of Edinburgh, the
Prince of Wales, and all the Royal Family.
Ye shall also pray for the ministers of God's holy
word and sacraments, as well archbishops and bishops, as other
pastors and curates; for the Queen's most honourable Privy Council
and the Ministers of the Crown, for the High Court of Parliament,
for the Convocations of the Clergy, for the General Synod of the
Church of England, and for civil governors and magistrates; that
all and every of these, in their several callings, may serve truly
and diligently, to the glory of God and the edifying and well
governing of her people, remembering the strict and solemn account
that they must one day make when they shall stand before the
judgement seat of Christ.
And, that there may never be wanting a succession
of persons duly qualified to serve God in Church and State, ye
shall implore his blessing on all places of religious and useful
learning, particularly the universities, colleges, and schools of
this land; that in all places of education true religion and sound
learning may for ever flourish and abound.
And more particularly (as in private duty bound) I
ask your prayers for.…
Also ye shall pray for the whole people of this
realm, that they may live in the true faith and fear of God, in
dutiful obedience to the Queen, and in brotherly charity one to
another.
Finally, let us praise God for all
those who are departed out of this life in the faith of Christ, and
pray unto God that we may have grace to direct our lives after
their good example; that, this life ended, we may be made partakers
with them of the glorious resurrection in the life everlasting.
B 20 Of the
musicians and music of the Church
1. In all churches and chapels, other than in
cathedral or collegiate churches or chapels where the matter is
governed by or dependent upon the statutes or customs of the same,
the functions of appointing any organist, choirmaster (by whatever
name called) or director of music, and of terminating the
appointment of any organist, choirmaster or director of music,
shall be exercisable by the minister with the agreement of the
parochial church council, except that if the archdeacon of the
archdeaconry in which the parish is situated, in the case of
termination of an appointment, considers that the circumstances are
such that the requirement as to the agreement of the parochial
church council should be dispensed with, the archdeacon may direct
accordingly. Where the minister is also the archdeacon of the
archdeaconry concerned, the function of the archdeacon under this
paragraph shall be exercisable by the bishop of the diocese.
2. Where there is an organist, choirmaster or
director of music the minister shall pay due heed to his advice and
assistance in the choosing of chants, hymns, anthems, and other
settings, and in the ordering of the music of the church; but at
all times the final responsibility and decision in these matters
rests with the minister.
3. It is the duty of the minister to ensure that only
such chants, hymns, anthems, and other settings are chosen as are
appropriate, both the words and the music, to the solemn act of
worship and prayer in the House of God as well as to the
congregation assembled for that purpose; and to banish all
irreverence in the practice and in the performance of the same.
B 21 Of Holy
Baptism
It is desirable that every minister having a cure
of souls shall normally administer the sacrament of Holy Baptism on
Sundays at public worship when the most number of people come
together, that the congregation there present may witness the
receiving of them that be newly baptized into Christ's Church, and
be put in remembrance of their own profession made to God in their
baptism.
B 22 Of the baptism of infants
1. Due notice, normally of at least a week, shall be
given before a child is brought to the church to be baptized.
2. If the minister shall refuse or unduly delay to
baptize any such infant, the parents or guardians may apply to the
bishop of the diocese, who shall, after consultation with the
minister, give such directions as he thinks fit.
3. The minister shall instruct the parents or
guardians of an infant to be admitted to Holy Baptism that the same
responsibilities rest on them as are in the service of Holy Baptism
required of the godparents.
4. No minister shall refuse or, save for the purpose
of preparing or instructing the parents or guardians or godparents,
delay to baptize any infant within his cure that is brought to the
church to be baptized, provided that due notice has been given and
the provisions relating to godparents in these Canons are
observed.
5. A minister who intends to baptize any infant whose
parents are residing outside the boundaries of his cure, unless the
names of such persons or of one of them be on the church electoral
roll of the same, shall not proceed to the baptism without having
sought the good will of the minister of the parish in which such
parents reside.
6. No minister being informed of the weakness or
danger of death of any infant within his cure and therefore desired
to go to baptize the same shall either refuse or delay to do
so.
7. A minister so baptizing a child in a hospital or
nursing home, the parents of the child not being resident in his
cure, nor their names on the church electoral roll of the same,
shall send their names and address to the minister of the parish in
which they reside.
8. If any infant which is privately baptized do
afterwards live, it shall be brought to the church and there, by
the minister, received into the congregation of Christ's flock
according to the form and manner prescribed in and by the office
for Private Baptism authorized by Canon B 1.
9. The minister of every parish shall warn the people
that without grave cause and necessity they should not have their
children baptized privately in their houses.
B 23 Of
godparents and sponsors
1. For every child to be baptized there shall be not
fewer than three godparents, of whom at least two shall be of the
same sex as the child and of whom at least one shall be of the
opposite sex; save that, when three cannot conveniently be had, one
godfather and godmother shall suffice. Parents may be godparents
for their own children provided that the child have at least one
other godparent.
2. The godparents shall be persons who will
faithfully fulfil their responsibilities both by their care for the
children committed to their charge and by the example of their own
godly living.
3. When one who is of riper years is to be baptized
he shall choose three, or at least two, to be his sponsors, who
shall be ready to present him at the font and afterwards put him in
mind of his Christian profession and duties.
4. No person shall be admitted to be a sponsor or
godparent who has not been baptized and confirmed. Nevertheless the
minister shall have power to dispense with the requirement of
confirmation in any case in which in his judgement need so
requires.
B 24 Of the
baptism of such as are of riper years
1. When any such person as is of riper years and able
to answer for himself is to be baptized, the minister shall
instruct such person, or cause him to be instructed, in the
principles of the Christian religion, and exhort him so to prepare
himself with prayers and fasting that he may receive this holy
sacrament with repentance and faith.
2. At least a week before any such baptism is to take
place, the minister shall give notice thereof to the bishop of the
diocese or whomsoever he shall appoint for the purpose.
3. Every person thus baptized shall be confirmed by
the bishop so soon after his baptism as conveniently may be; that
so he may be admitted to the Holy Communion.
B 25 Of the
sign of the Cross in baptism
The Church of England has ever held and taught, and
holds and teaches still, that the sign of the Cross used in baptism
is no part of the substance of the sacrament: but, for the
remembrance of the Cross, which is very precious to those that
rightly believe in Jesus Christ, has retained the sign of it in
baptism, following therein the primitive and apostolic
Churches.
B 26 Of
teaching the young
1. Every minister shall take care that the children
and young people within his cure are instructed in the doctrine,
sacraments, and discipline of Christ, as the Lord has commanded and
as they are set forth in the Holy Scriptures, in The Book of
Common Prayer, and especially in the Church Catechism; and to
this end he, or some godly and competent persons appointed by him,
shall on Sundays or if need be at other convenient times diligently
instruct and teach them in the same.
2. All parents and guardians shall take care that
their children receive such instruction.
B 27 Of
confirmation
1. The bishop of every diocese shall himself minister
(or cause to be ministered by some other bishop lawfully deputed in
his stead) the rite of confirmation throughout his diocese as often
and in as many places as shall be convenient, laying his hands upon
children and other persons who have been baptized and instructed in
the Christian faith.
2. Every minister who has a cure of souls shall
diligently seek out children and other persons whom he shall think
meet to be confirmed and shall use his best endeavour to instruct
them in the Christian faith and life as set forth in the Holy
Scriptures, The Book of Common Prayer, and the Church
Catechism.
3. The minister shall present none to the bishop but
such as are come to years of discretion and can say the Creed, the
Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and can also render an
account of their faith according to the said Catechism.
4. The minister shall satisfy himself that those whom
he is to present have been validly baptized, ascertaining the date
and place of such baptism, and, before or at the time assigned for
the confirmation, shall give to the bishop their names, together
with their age and the date of their baptism.
5. If the minister is doubtful about the baptism of a
candidate for confirmation he shall conditionally baptize him in
accordance with the form of service authorized by Canon B 1 before
presenting him to the bishop to be confirmed.
6. If it is desired for sufficient reason that a
Christian name be changed, the bishop may, under the laws of this
realm, confirm a person by a new Christian name, which shall be
thereafter deemed the lawful Christian name of such person.
B 28 Of
reception into the Church of England
1. Any person desiring to be received into the Church
of England, who has not been baptized or the validity of whose
baptism can be held in question, shall be instructed and baptized
or conditionally baptized, and such baptism, or conditional
baptism, shall constitute the said person's reception into the
Church of England.
2. If any such person has been baptized but not
episcopally confirmed and desires to be formally admitted into the
Church of England he shall, after appropriate instruction, be
received by the rite of confirmation, or, if he be not yet ready to
be presented for confirmation, he shall be received by the parish
priest with appropriate prayers.
3. If any such person has been episcopally confirmed
with unction or with the laying on of hands he shall be instructed,
and, with the permission of the bishop, received into the Church of
England according to the Form of Reception approved by the General
Synod, or with other appropriate prayers, and if any such person be
a priest he shall be received into the said Church only by the
bishop of the diocese or by the commissary of such bishop.
B 29 Of the
ministry of absolution*
1. It is the duty of baptized persons at all times to
the best of their understanding to examine their lives and
conversations by the rule of God's commandments, and whereinsoever
they perceive themselves to have offended by will, act, or
omission, there to bewail their own sinfulness and to confess
themselves to Almighty God with full purpose of amendment of life,
that they may receive of him the forgiveness of their sins which he
has promised to all who turn to him with hearty repentance and true
faith; acknowledging their sins and seeking forgiveness, especially
in the general Confessions of the congregation and in the
Absolution pronounced by the priest in the services of the
Church.
2. If there be any who by these means cannot quiet
his own conscience, but requires further comfort or counsel, let
him come to some discreet and learned minister of God's Word; that
by the ministry of God's holy Word he may receive the benefit of
absolution, together with ghostly counsel and advice, to the
quieting of his conscience and avoiding of all scruple and
doubtfulness.
3. In particular a sick person, if he feels his
conscience troubled in any weighty matter, should make a special
confession of his sins, that the priest may absolve him if he
humbly and heartily desire it.
4. No priest shall exercise the ministry of
absolution in any place without the permission of the minister
having the cure of souls thereof, unless he is by law authorized to
exercise his ministry in that place without being subject to the
control of the minister having the general cure of souls of the
parish or district in which it is situated: Provided always that,
notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of the Canon, a priest may
exercise the ministry of absolution anywhere in respect of any
person who is in danger of death or if there is some urgent or
weighty cause.
* See also the unrepealed proviso to
Canon 113 of the Code of 1603 reproduced here.
B 30 Of Holy
Matrimony
1. The Church of England affirms, according to our
Lord's teaching, that marriage is in its nature a union permanent
and lifelong, for better for worse, till death them do part, of one
man with one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side,
for the procreation and nurture of children, for the hallowing and
right direction of the natural instincts and affections, and for
the mutual society, help and comfort which the one ought to have of
the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
2. The teaching of our Lord affirmed by the Church of
England is expressed and maintained in the Form of Solemnization of
Matrimony contained in The Book of Common Prayer.
3. It shall be the duty of the minister, when
application is made to him for matrimony to be solemnized in the
church of which he is the minister, to explain to the two persons
who desire to be married the Church's doctrine of marriage as
herein set forth, and the need of God's grace in order that they
may discharge aright their obligations as married persons.
Note: The House of Bishops
issued advice to clergyin respect of further marriage in church
after divorce in November 2002. This advice is reproduced here).
B 31 Of certain
impediments to marriage
1. No person who is under 16 years of age shall
marry, and all marriages purported to be made between persons
either of whom is under 16 years of age are void.
2. Subject to the provisions of the Marriage
(Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Act 1986, no person shall
marry within the degrees expressed in the following Table, and all
marriages purported to be made within the said degrees are
void.
A table of kindred and
affinity
| A man may not marry his |
A woman may not marry her |
| mother |
father |
| daughter |
son |
| adopted daughter |
adopted son |
| father's mother |
father's father |
| mother's mother |
mother's father |
| son's daughter |
son's son |
| daughter's daughter |
daughter's son |
| sister |
brother |
| wife's mother |
husband's father |
| wife's daughter |
husband's son |
| father's wife |
mother's husband |
| son's wife |
daughter's husband |
| father's father's wife |
father's mother's husband |
| mother's father's wife |
mother's mother's husband |
| wife's daughter's daughter |
husband's daughter's son |
| wife's son's daughter |
husband's son's |
| father's sister |
father's brother |
| mother's sister |
mother's brother |
| brother's daughter |
brother's son |
| sister's daughter |
sister's son |
In this Table the term 'brother' includes a brother
of the halfblood, and the term 'sister' includes a sister of the
halfblood.
The Table shall be in every church publicly set up
and fixed at the charge of the parish.
B 32 Of certain
impediments to the solemnization of matrimony
No minister shall solemnize matrimony between two
persons either of whom (not being a widow or widower) is under 18
years of age otherwise than in accordance with the requirements of
the law relating to the consent of parents or guardians in the case
of the marriage of a person under 18 years of age.
B 33 Of the
duty of the minister to inquire as to impediments
It shall be the duty of the minister, when
application is made to him for matrimony to be solemnized in the
church or chapel of which he is the minister, to inquire whether
there be any impediment either to the marriage or to the
solemnization thereof.
B 34 Of
requirements preliminary to the solemnization of matrimony
1. A marriage according to the rites of the Church of
England may be solemnized:
(a) after the publication of banns
of marriage;
(b) on the authority of a special
licence of marriage granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury or any
other person by virtue of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 (in
these Canons, and in the statute law, referred to as a 'special
licence');
(c) on the authority of a licence
(other than a special licence) granted by an ecclesiastical
authority having power to grant such a licence (in these Canons,
and in the statute law, referred to as a 'common licence'); or
(d) on the authority of a
certificate issued by a superintendent registrar under the
provisions of the statute law in that behalf.
2. The Archbishop of Canterbury may grant a special
licence for the solemnization of matrimony without the publication
of banns at any convenient time or place not only within the
province of Canterbury but throughout all England.
3. The archbishop of each province, the bishop of
every diocese, and all others who of ancient right have been
accustomed to issue a common licence may grant such a licence for
the solemnization of matrimony without the publication of banns at
a lawful time and in a lawful place within the several areas of
their jurisdiction as the case may be; and the Archbishop of
Canterbury may grant a common licence for the same throughout all
England.
B 35 Of rules
to be observed as to the preliminaries and to the solemnization of
Holy Matrimony
1. In all matters pertaining to the granting of
licences of marriage every ecclesiastical authority shall observe
the law relating thereto.
2. In all matters pertaining to the publication of
banns of marriage and to the solemnization of matrimony every
minister shall observe the law relating thereto, including, so far
as they are applicable, the rules prescribed by the rubric prefixed
to the office of Solemnization of Matrimony in The Book of
Common Prayer.
3. A marriage may not be solemnized at any
unseasonable hours but only between the hours of eight in the
forenoon and six in the afternoon.
4. Every marriage shall be solemnized in the presence
of two or more witnesses besides the minister who shall solemnize
the same.
5. When matrimony is to be solemnized in any church,
it belongs to the minister of the parish to decide what music shall
be played, what hymns or anthems shall be sung, or what furnishings
or flowers should be placed in or about the church for the
occasion.
Note: Guidelines for the
solemnization of marriage by deacons issued by the archbishops are
reproduced here).
B 36 Of a
service after civil marriage
1. If any persons have contracted marriage before the
civil registrar under the provisions of the statute law, and shall
afterwards desire to add thereto a service of Solemnization of
Matrimony, a minister may, if he see fit, use such form of service,
as may be approved by the General Synod under Canon B 2, in the
church or chapel in which he is authorized to exercise his
ministry: Provided first, that the minister be duly satisfied that
the civil marriage has been contracted, and secondly that in regard
to this use of the said service the minister do observe the Canons
and regulations of the General Synod for the time being in
force.
2. In connection with such a service there shall be
no publication of banns nor any licence or certificate authorizing
a marriage: and no record of any such service shall be entered by
the minister in the register books of marriages provided by the
Registrar General.
B 37 Of the
ministry to the sick
1. The minister shall use his best endeavours to
ensure that he be speedily informed when any person is sick or in
danger of death in the parish, and shall as soon as possible resort
unto him to exhort, instruct, and comfort him in his distress in
such manner as he shall think most needful and convenient.
2. When any person sick or in danger of death or so
impotent that he cannot go to church is desirous of receiving the
most comfortable sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, the
priest, having knowledge thereof, shall as soon as may be visit
him, and unless there be any grave reason to the contrary, shall
reverently minister the same to the said person at such place and
time as may be convenient.
3. If any such person so desires, the priest may lay
hands upon him and may anoint him with oil on the forehead with the
sign of the Cross using a form of service authorized by Canon B 1
and using pure olive oil consecrated by the bishop of the diocese
or otherwise by the priest himself in accordance with such form of
service.
B 38 Of the
burial of the dead
1. In all matters pertaining to the burial of the
dead every minister shall observe the law from time to time in
force in relation thereto, and, subject to this paragraph in
general, the following paragraphs of this Canon shall be
obeyed.
2. It shall be the duty of every minister to bury,
according to the rites of the Church of England, the corpse or
ashes of any person deceased within his cure or of any parishioners
or persons whose names are entered on the church electoral roll of
his parish whether deceased within his cure or elsewhere that is
brought to a church or burial ground or cemetery under his control
in which the burial or interment of such corpse or ashes may
lawfully be effected, due notice being given; except the person
deceased have died unbaptized, or being of sound mind have laid
violent hands upon himself, or have been declared excommunicate for
some grievous and notorious crime and no man to testify to his
repentance; in which case and in any other case at the request of
the relative, friend, or legal representative having charge of or
being responsible for the burial he shall use at the burial such
service as may be prescribed or approved by the Ordinary, being a
service neither contrary to, nor indicative of any departure from,
the doctrine of the Church of England in any essential matter:
Provided that, if a form of service available for the burial of
suicides is approved by the General Synod under Canon B 2, that
service shall be used where applicable instead of the aforesaid
service prescribed or approved by the Ordinary, unless the person
having charge or being responsible for the burial otherwise
requests.
3. Cremation of a dead body is lawful in connection
with Christian burial.
4. (a) When a body is to be
cremated, the burial service may precede, accompany, or follow the
cremation; and may be held either in the church or at the
crematorium.
(b) The ashes of a cremated body
should be reverently disposed of by a minister in a churchyard or
other burial ground in accordance with section 3 of the Church of
England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1992 or on an area of
land designated by the bishop for the purpose of this sub-paragraph
or at sea.
5. When a body is to be buried according to the rites
of the Church of England in any unconsecrated ground, the
officiating minister, on coming to the grave, shall first bless the
same.
6. If any doubts shall arise whether
any person deceased may be buried according to the rites of the
Church of England, the minister shall refer the matter to the
bishop and obey his order and direction.
7. A funeral service at a crematorium or cemetery
shall be performed only in accordance with directions given by the
bishop.
B 39 Of the
registration of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and
burials
1. In all matters pertaining to the registration of
baptisms, marriages, and burials every minister shall observe the
law from time to time in force relating thereto.
2. When any person is presented for confirmation, the
minister presenting the said person shall record and enter the
confirmation in his register book of confirmations provided in
accordance with paragraph 3 of Canon F 11, together with any change
of name made under paragraph 6 of Canon B 27.
B 40 Of Holy
Communion elsewhere than in consecrated buildings
No minister shall celebrate the Holy Communion
elsewhere than in a consecrated building within his cure or other
building licensed for the purpose, except he have permission so to
do from the bishop of the diocese: Provided that at all times he
may celebrate the Holy Communion as provided by Canon B 37 in any
private house wherein there is any person sick, or dying, or so
impotent that he cannot go to church.
B 41 Of divine service in private chapels
1. No chaplain, ministering in any house where there
is a chapel dedicated and allowed by the ecclesiastical laws of
this realm, shall celebrate the Holy Communion in any other part of
the house but in such chapel, and shall do the same seldom upon
Sunday and other greater Feast Days, so that the residents in the
said house may resort to their parish church and there attend
divine service.
2. The bishop of a diocese within which any college,
school, hospital, or public or charitable institution is situated,
whether or not it possesses a chapel, may under the Extra-Parochial
Ministry Measure 1967 license a minister to perform such offices
and services of the Church of England as may be specified in the
licence on any premises forming part of or belonging to the
institution in question but, except as provided by section 2(1A) of
that Measure, no such licence shall extend to the solemnization of
marriage.
3. The performance of offices and services in
accordance with any such licence shall not require the consent or
be subject to the control of the minister of the parish in which
they are performed.
B 42 Of the
language of divine service
1. (1) Subject to the following provisions of this
Canon, authorized forms of services shall be said or sung in
English.
(2) In the provinces of Canterbury and York outside
England authorized forms of service may be said or sung in the
vernacular.
2. Authorized forms of service may be said or sung in
Latin in the following places -
Provincial Convocations
Chapels and other public places in university
colleges and halls
University churches
The colleges of Westminster, Winchester and
Eton
Such other places of religious and sound learning
as custom allows or the bishop or other the Ordinary may permit
3. (1) It shall be lawful for the Standing Committee
of the House of Bishops of the General Synod to approve
translations of authorized forms of service for use when permitted
in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) below.
(2) The bishop of a diocese may, on the written
application of the minister and parochial church council of a
parish in the diocese acting jointly, give written permission for
the use in the church or churches of the parish (whether as the
whole or as part of the service in question) of a translation
approved under sub-paragraph (1) above, and any such permission
shall be subject to such conditions as the bishop may specify.
(3) The bishop of a diocese may, on the written
application of authorized representatives of the Deaf Church, give
written permission for the use in the church or churches of a
parish in the diocese (whether as the whole or as part of the
service in question) of an authorized form of service performed in
British Sign Language, and any such permission shall be subject to
such conditions as the bishop may specify.
4. (1) Paragraph 3 above shall apply to forms of
service used in a cathedral church as it applies to forms of
service used in the church of a parish, with the following
adaptations.
(2) Where Part I of the Cathedrals Measure 1999
applies in relation to the cathedral church for the reference to a
written application of the minister and parochial church council
there shall be substituted a reference to a written
application of the Chapter with the consent of the dean.
(3) Where the Cathedrals Measure 1963 continues to
apply in relation to a cathedral church in accordance with section
38(3) of the said Measure of 1999, for the reference to a written
application of the minister and parochial church council there
shall be substituted a reference to a written application of the
following bodies acting jointly, namely -
(a) the administrative body; and
(b) the dean or provost as the case
may be; and also
(c) in the case of a parish church
cathedral for the parish church of which there is a parochial
church council whose functions have not been transferred to the
administrative body in pursuance of section 12(1), that
council.
In this paragraph 'administrative body' and 'parish
church cathedral' have the same meanings as in the Cathedrals
Measure 1963.
(4) In relation to the cathedral church of Christ in
Oxford, for the reference to a written application of the minister
and parochial church council these shall be substituted a reference
to a written application of the dean and canons.
5. In this Canon -
(a) 'authorized form of service'
means a form of service authorized by Canon B 1 for use in the
Church of England and 'form of service' shall be construed
accordingly;
(b) the reference to the minister
shall, where there is no minister, be construed as a reference to
the rural dean.
B 43 Of
relations with other Churches
1. (1) A minister or lay person who is a member in
good standing of a Church to which this Canon applies and is a
baptized person may, subject to the provisions of this Canon, be
invited to perform all or any of the following duties -
(a) to say or sing Morning or
Evening Prayer or the Litany;
(b) to read the Holy Scriptures at
any service;
(c) to preach at any service;
(d) to lead the Intercessions at the
Holy Communion and to lead prayers at other services;
(e) to assist at Baptism or the
Solemnization of Matrimony or conduct a Funeral Service;
(f) to assist in the distribution of
the holy sacrament of the Lord's Supper to the people at the Holy
Communion;
if the minister or lay person is authorized to
perform a similar duty in his or her own Church.
(2) An invitation to perform in a parish church or
other place of worship in the parish any of the duties mentioned in
sub-paragraph (1) above, other than duties in connection with a
service of ordination or confirmation, may be given only by the
incumbent and may be given only if
(a) in the case of -
(i) any duty mentioned in
sub-paragraph (1)(f) above or,
(ii) any duty mentioned in
sub-paragraph (1)(a), (c) or (e) above, which is to be performed on
a regular basis, the approval of the bishop has been obtained;
and
(b) in the case of
any duty mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(e) above, the persons
concerned have requested the incumbent to give the invitation;
and
(c) in the case of any duty
mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a), (c) or (f) above, the approval
of the parochial church council has been obtained.
(3) An invitation to perform in a parish church or
other place of worship in the parish any duty in connection with a
service of ordination or confirmation may be given only by the
bishop and may be given only if the approval of the incumbent and
the parochial church council has been obtained.
(4) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) above shall apply in
relation to an invitation to perform in a cathedral church any of
the duties mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above subject to the
following modifications -
(a) for any reference to the
incumbent there shall be substituted -
(i) in the case of a dean and
chapter cathedral, the dean and chapter, and
(ii) in the case of a parish
church cathedral, the cathedral chapter; and
(b) the provisions relating to the
approval of the parochial church council shall not apply.
1A. Where a bishop's mission order contains a
provision under section 47(11) of the Dioceses, Pastoral and
Mission Measure 2007 authorizing a minister to exercise his or her
ministry in any place and divine service may be performed in that
place under section 47(13) or (14), the leader or leaders of the
mission initiative endorsed by the order may, with the approval of
the bishop or bishops who made the order and, in the case of a
place mentioned in section 47(14), with the consent of the minister
having the cure of souls in that place, invite any person mentioned
in paragraph 1(1) above to perform any of the duties therein
mentioned in the place where divine service is authorized to be
performed.
2. Notwithstanding any provision of any Canon, a
bishop who receives from a person authorized by a Church to which
this Canon applies an invitation to take part in a service may in
the course of that service perform any duty assigned to him if
-
(a) the duty assigned to him is or
is similar to a duty which he is authorized to perform in the
Church of England; and
(b) he has before accepting the
invitation obtained
(i) the approval
of the incumbent of the parish in which the service is to take
place, and
(ii) in the case of an invitation
to take part in a service in another diocese, the approval of the
bishop of that diocese, and
(iii) in the case of an
invitation to take part in the ordination or consecration of a
minister of a Church to which this Canon applies, to take part in a
service of confirmation or to preside at the Holy Communion, the
approval of the archbishop of the province.
3. Notwithstanding any provision of any Canon, a
priest or deacon of the Church of England who receives from a
person authorized by a Church to which this Canon applies an
invitation to take part in a service may in the course of that
service perform any duty assigned to him if -
(a) the duty assigned to him is or
is similar to a duty which he is authorized to perform in the
Church of England, and
(b) he has before accepting the
invitation obtained -
(i) the approval of the incumbent
of the parish in which the service is to take place, and
(ii) in the case of an invitation
to take part in the ordination or consecration of a minister of a
Church to which this Canon applies or to preside at the Holy
Communion, the approval of the bishop of the diocese in which the
service is to take place, and
(iii) in the case of an
invitation to take part in any service on a regular basis, the
approval of both the bishop of the diocese and the parochial church
council of the parish in which the service is to take place.
3A. Where a bishop's mission order contains a
provision under section 47(11) of the Dioceses, Pastoral and
Mission Measure 2007 any minister authorized to exercise his or her
ministry in any place by the order but who does not hold any office
in the place in question and who receives from a person authorized
by a Church to which this Canon applies an invitation to take part
in a service may, notwithstanding any provision of any Canon, with
the approval of the bishop or bishops who made the order, in the
course of that service perform any duty assigned to
him or her if the provisions of paragraph 3(a) are satisfied with
respect to the invitation.
4. In the case of an invitation to preside at the
Holy Communion, the archbishop shall not give his approval under
paragraph 2 above and the bishop shall not give his approval under
paragraph 3 above unless the archbishop or the bishop, as the case
may be, is satisfied that there are special circumstances which
justify acceptance of the invitation and that the rite and the
elements to be used are not contrary to, nor indicative of any
departure from, the doctrine of the Church of England in any
essential matter.
5. A bishop or priest who has accepted an invitation
to take part in the ordination or consecration of a minister of a
Church to which this Canon applies may not, by the laying on of
hands or otherwise, do any act which is a sign of the conferring of
holy orders, unless that Church is an episcopal Church with which
the Church of England has established intercommunion.
6. Notwithstanding any provision of any Canon, a
deaconess, lay worker or reader of the Church of England who
receives from a person authorized by a Church to which this Canon
applies an invitation to take part in a service may in the course
of that service perform any duty assigned to him or her if -
(a) the duty so assigned is or is
similar to a duty which he or she is authorized to perform in the
Church of England; and
(b) he or she has before accepting
the invitation obtained the approval of the incumbent of the parish
in which the service is to take place and also, in the case of an
invitation to take part in a service on a regular basis, the
approval of both the bishop of the diocese and the parochial church
council of that parish.
6A. Notwithstanding any provision of any Canon, a
deaconess, lay worker or reader of the Church of England, who is
authorized by or under a bishop's mission order to perform any
duties in any place and who receives from a person authorized by a
Church to which this Canon applies an invitation to take part in a
service may, in the course of that service, and with the approval
of the bishop or bishops who made the order perform any duty
assigned to him or her which satisfies the condition in paragraph
6(a) above.
7. Where, on an application under paragraph 3 or 6
above for the approval of an incumbent, that approval is withheld,
the applicant may appeal to the bishop of the diocese in which the
service is to take place and if, after considering
the views of the applicant and the incumbent, the bishop determines
that approval has been unreasonably withheld, the bishop may
authorize the applicant to take part in the service in question and
where the bishop so determines the bishop shall inform the
incumbent in writing of the reasons for that determination.
8. Where the approval of the parochial church council
is required for the giving or accepting of an invitation under the
preceding provisions of this Canon, that approval may be given in
respect of the performance of such duties as may be specified in
the approval by such person or persons, or such class of persons,
as may be so specified and may either be given generally for an
unlimited period or given subject to such limitations, whether as
to duration or occasion, as may be so specified.
9. The incumbent of a parish may, with the approval
of the parochial church council and the bishop of the diocese,
invite members of another Church to which this Canon applies to
take part in joint worship with the Church of England or to use a
church in the parish for worship in accordance with the forms of
service and practice of that other Church on such occasions as may
be specified in the approval given by the bishop.
10. The dean and chapter or the cathedral chapter of
any cathedral church may with the approval of the bishop of the
diocese invite members of another Church to which this Canon
applies to take part in joint worship with the Church of England,
or to use the cathedral church for worship in accordance with the
forms of service and practice of that other Church, on such
occasions as may be specified in the approval given by the
bishop.
10A. Where a bishop's mission order contains a
provision under section 47(13) or (14) of the Dioceses, Pastoral
and Mission Measure 2007 the leader or leaders of the mission
initiative endorsed by the order may, with the approval of the
bishop or bishops who made the order, and on such occasions as may
be specified by him or them -
(a) invite members of another Church
to which this Canon applies to take part in joint worship with the
Church of England in any church, building or place mentioned in
section 47(13) or (14) with the consent, in the case of a building
mentioned in section 47(13), of the person who has the general
management and control of the building and, in the case of a church
or place mentioned in section 47(14), with the consent of any
minister having the cure of souls in that church or place; and
(b) invite members
of another Church to which this Canon applies to use a building
mentioned in section 47(13) with the consent of the person who has
the general management and control of that building.
11. Any approval required by this Canon to be
obtained from a bishop or archbishop shall be in writing and shall
be given in accordance with such directions as may from time to
time be given by the House of Bishops of the General Synod.
12. (1) This Canon applies to every Church to
which the Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988
applies.
(2) In this Canon 'incumbent', in relation to a
parish, includes -
(a) in a case where the benefice
concerned is vacant (and paragraph (b) below does not apply), the
rural dean and
(b) in a case where a suspension
period (within the meaning of the Pastoral Measure 1983) applies to
the benefice concerned, the priestincharge, and
(c) in a case where a special cure
of souls in respect of the parish has been assigned to a vicar in a
team ministry by a scheme under the Pastoral Measure 1983 or by his
licence from the bishop, that vicar, and 'place of worship' means a
building or part of a building licensed for public worship.
Note: The Churches to which
the Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988 applies
(see paragraph 12 above) are reproduced here.
B 44 Of local
ecumenical projects
1. (1) The bishop of a diocese may enter into an
agreement with the appropriate authority of each participating
Church with regard to the participation of the Church of England in
a local ecumenical project established or to be established for an
area comprising any parish in his diocese (not being the parish of
a cathedral church) or part of such a parish.
(2) Where the area of a local ecumenical project is
extended so as to include a parish which was not previously
included (not being the parish of a cathedral church) or to include
part of such a parish, the Church of England shall not participate
in the project in respect of that parish or part of a parish unless
the bishop of the diocese has agreed thereto.
(3) A bishop shall not enter into any agreement
under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above as respects any parish or part
of a parish unless the participation of the Church of England in
the project in respect of the parish concerned has been approved
-
(a) by the incumbent of that
parish; and
(b) by 75 per cent of those present
and voting at a meeting of the parochial church council of that
parish; and
(c) by either the annual parochial
church meeting or a special parochial church meeting of that
parish; and
(d) by the diocesan pastoral
committee after consultation with the deanery synod concerned or
the standing committee of that synod.
2. (1) Any agreement made under paragraph 1(1) above
shall have effect for such period of not more than seven years as
may be specified therein, but may from time to time be extended by
an agreement made by the bishop of the diocese concerned for such
further period of not more than seven years as may be specified in
that later agreement.
(2) Where a local ecumenical project is amended so
as to include a Church which was not previously participating in
the project, or to include an additional congregation of a
participating Church, the Church of England shall not continue to
participate in that project unless the bishop of the diocese
concerned has agreed to that amendment or, if the area of the
project comprises parishes or part of parishes in more than one
diocese, the bishops of those dioceses have so agreed.
(3) A bishop of a diocese shall not
make any agreement under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above unless he
has obtained the consent of -
(a) the incumbent of each parish
concerned, and
(b) each parochial church council
concerned, and
(c) the diocesan pastoral
committee.
3. (1) A bishop may at any time revoke any agreement
made under the foregoing provisions of this Canon after
consultation with the appropriate authority of each participating
Church, each parochial church council concerned and the diocesan
pastoral committee.
(2) Any agreement made under the foregoing
provisions of this Canon shall be in writing.
4. (1) A bishop who has given his agreement to
participation in a local ecumenical project under the foregoing
provisions of this Canon may by an instrument in writing made after
consultation with the parochial church council of each parish or
part of a parish in the area of the project -
(a) make special provision as to
the ministry in that area of clerks in holy orders, deaconesses,
lay workers and readers beneficed in or licensed to any parish
wholly or partly in that area;
(b) exercise in relation to that
area his powers under Canon B 14A, Canon B 40 and Canon B 43;
(c) authorize ministers of any
other participating Church with the goodwill of the persons
concerned to baptize in a place of worship of the Church of England
in that area in accordance with a rite authorized by any
participating Church;
(d) authorize a priest of the
Church of England to preside in that area at a service of Holy
Communion in accordance with a rite authorized by any other
participating Church;
(e) make provision for the holding
in that area of joint services with any other participating Church,
including services of baptism and confirmation;
(f) authorize the
holding, in a place of worship of the Church of England in that
area, of services of Holy Communion presided over by a minister of
any other participating Church.
(2) A bishop shall not by any instrument made under
this paragraph authorize any rite to be used in any service
mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(d), (e) or (f) above unless he is
satisfied that the rite and the elements to be used are not
contrary to, nor indicative of any departure from, the doctrine of
the Church of England in any essential matter.
(3) Where the holding of a service of Holy Communion
is authorized under sub-paragraph (1)(f) above -
(a) notice of the holding of any
such service shall, so far as practicable, be given upon the Sunday
immediately preceding with an indication of the rite to be used and
the Church to which the minister who is to preside thereat belongs;
and
(b) no such service,
notwithstanding that the form of service used may follow a form
authorized under Canon B 1 or a form substantially similar thereto,
shall be held out or taken to be a celebration of the Holy
Communion according to the use of the Church of England;
(c) no portion of the bread and
wine consecrated at any such service shall be carried out of the
church in accordance with the provisions of Canon B 37(2) except at
the express wish of the individual sick communicant, in which case
this shall be done either during or immediately after the service,
or as soon as practicable on the same day.
(4) An instrument made under this paragraph with
respect to any local ecumenical project may be amended or revoked
by a subsequent instrument made after consultation with the
parochial church council of each parish which is in, or part of
which is in, the area of that project.
5. Before exercising his powers under
paragraph 4 above in relation to any local ecumenical project the
bishop shall consult the authorities of the other participating
Churches, and he shall so exercise those powers as to ensure that
public worship according to the rites of the Church of England is
maintained with reasonable frequency in a parish which is in, or
part of which is in, the area of the project and when exercising
his powers under Canon B 14A in relation to the celebration of
Holy Communion the bishop shall (in addition to
observing the requirements imposed on him by that Canon) have
regard -
(a) to the duty imposed by Canon B
15.1 on all who have been confirmed to receive the Holy Communion
regularly, and especially at the festivals of Christmas, Easter and
Whitsun or Pentecost; and
(b) to the extent and frequency of
the celebration of the Holy Communion according to the rites of the
Church of England in neighbouring parishes and benefices.
6. (1) Where a local ecumenical project is
established or is to be established for an area in which a
cathedral church is situated, the bishop of the diocese may, after
consultation with the dean and chapter or cathedral chapter of that
cathedral church and after such other consultation as he considers
appropriate, enter into an agreement with the appropriate authority
of each participating Church with regard to the participation of
that cathedral church in the project.
(2) The provisions of paragraphs 2 to 4 above shall
apply in relation to an agreement made or project participated in
by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above subject to the following
modifications -
(a) sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph
2 shall not apply but the bishop before making an agreement under
sub-paragraph (1) or (2) of that paragraph with respect to a
project in which a cathedral church is participating shall consult
the dean and chapter or cathedral chapter of that cathedral
church;
(b) in paragraph 3(1) for the
reference to each parochial church council concerned and the
diocesan pastoral committee there shall be substituted a reference
to the dean and chapter or cathedral chapter of the cathedral
church concerned;
(c) in paragraph 4 for the
reference in sub-paragraphs (1) and (4) to the parochial church
council of each parish or part of a parish in the area of the
project there shall be substituted a reference to the dean and
chapter or cathedral chapter of the cathedral church concerned and
for the reference in sub-paragraph (1)(a) to clerks in holy orders,
deaconesses, lay workers and readers beneficed or licensed to any
parish wholly or partly in the area there shall be substituted a
reference to clerks in holy orders, deaconesses, lay workers and
readers ministering in or licensed to the cathedral church
concerned; and
(d) before exercising his powers
under paragraph 4 in relation to a project participated in by
virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above the bishop shall consult the
authorities of the other participating Churches.
(3) Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the
requirements of Canon B 10 or Canon B 13 regarding services in
cathedral churches.
7. (1) Where a local ecumenical project is
established or to be established for an institution and a clerk in
holy orders is licensed under section 2 of the ExtraParochial
Ministry Measure 1967 in respect of that institution, the bishop of
the diocese may, after such consultation as he considers
appropriate, enter into an agreement with the appropriate authority
of each participating Church with regard to the participation of
the Church of England in that project.
(2) A bishop shall not enter into an agreement under
sub-paragraph (1) above as respects any institution unless the
participation of the Church of England in the project concerned has
been approved by the diocesan pastoral committee.
(3) The provisions of paragraphs 2 to 5 above shall,
so far as applicable, apply in relation to an agreement made or
project participated in by virtue of this paragraph as they apply
in relation to an agreement made or project participated in by
virtue of paragraph 1 above, subject to the following modifications
-
(a) for any reference to the area
of the project there shall be substituted a reference to the
institution concerned;
(b) for the reference to clerks in
holy orders, deaconesses, lay workers and readers beneficed in or
licensed to a parish there shall be substituted a reference to any
clerk in holy orders, deaconess, lay worker or reader licensed in
respect of the institution concerned; and
(c) any reference to an incumbent
or to a parochial church council shall be omitted.
7A. (1) Where a local ecumenical project is
established or to be established in connection with a bishop's
mission order made under section 47 or 50 of the Dioceses, Pastoral
and Mission Measure 2007 the bishop or bishops who made or who are
to make the order may, after such consultation as he or they think
appropriate, including such consultation as is required by section
49(3) of that Measure, enter into an agreement with
the appropriate authority of each participating Church with regard
to the participation of the Church of England in that project.
(2) A bishop shall not enter into an agreement under
sub-paragraph (1) above unless the participation of the Church of
England in the project concerned has been approved by the diocesan
mission and pastoral committee.
(3) The provisions of paragraphs 2 to 5 above shall,
so far as practicable, apply in relation to an agreement made or
project participated in by virtue of this paragraph as they apply
in relation to an agreement made or project participated in by
virtue of paragraph 1 above, subject to the following modifications
-
(a) for any reference to the area
of the project there shall be substituted a reference to the area
in which the initiative endorsed by the bishop's mission order is
being or is to be carried out, except that for any reference to a
place of worship in paragraph 4(1)(c) or (f) and any reference to
an area in paragraph 4(1)(d) or (e) there shall be substituted a
reference to a place where divine service is authorized to be
performed by the bishop's mission order in pursuance of section 47
(13) or (14) of the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure
2007;
(b) for the reference to clerks in
holy orders, deaconesses, lay workers and readers beneficed in or
licensed to a parish there shall be substituted a reference to any
clerk in holy orders, deaconess, lay worker or reader licensed in
connection with the bishop's mission order; and
(c) any reference to an incumbent
or parochial church council shall be omitted and paragraph 4(1)
shall apply so that any such provision as is referred to in any of
sub-paragraphs (c) to (f) of that paragraph shall have effect in
relation to a place where divine service is authorized to be
performed pursuant to section 47(14) of the Dioceses, Pastoral and
Mission Measure 2007 only with the consent of any minister having
the cure of souls in that place.
8. The powers of a bishop under this Canon may be
exercised only in respect of a local ecumenical project in which
every other Church participating in the project is a Church to
which the Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988
applies.
9. In this Canon -
'incumbent', in relation to a parish, includes -
(a) in a case where the benefice
concerned is vacant (and paragraph (b) below does not apply), the
rural dean, and
(b) in a case where a suspension
period (within the meaning of the Pastoral Measure 1983) applies to
the benefice concerned, the priestincharge, and
(c) in a case where a special cure
of souls in respect of the parish has been assigned to a vicar in a
team ministry by a scheme under the Pastoral Measure 1983 or by his
licence from the bishop, that vicar;
'local ecumenical project' has the same meaning as
in the Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988;
'minister', in relation to any other participating
Church, means any person ordained to the ministry of the word and
sacraments;
'participating Church', in relation to a local
ecumenical project, means a Church which is participating in that
project.
Note: The Churches to which
the Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988 applies
(see paragraph 8 above) are reproduced here.