CANON 2: OF THE METROPOLITAN

Amended Provincial Synod 2019

1.   Metropolitan

The Archbishop of Cape Town shall be the Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.  The seat and residence of the Metropolitan shall be at  St George’ Cathedral and Bishopscourt, respectively, in the Diocese of Cape Town.

2.   Functions and powers

The functions and powers of the Metropolitan of the Church of this Province are to:
(a)  Summon Provincial Synods, and to preside at them;
(b)  Summon the Bishops of the Province to Synods of Bishops and to preside at them;
(c)  Preside at elective assemblies held in terms of Canon 4, Of the Election of Bishops, or to appoint a deputy to do so, if so desired;
(d) Confirm the election of Bishops of the Province in terms of Canon 7, Of Confirmation of Bishops;
(e) Hear in Provincial Tribunal appeals regarding sentences of Diocesan Tribunals;
(f) with the aid of other Diocesan Bishops, hear and decide on charges brought against any Bishop of this Province, and

(g) Visit officially any Diocese of the Province, when invited to do so by the Bishop or Clergy of that Diocese, or whenever it shall seem desirable to the Metropolitan, after consultation with other Diocesan Bishops. Provided, however, that the exercise of the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Diocese be not inhibited during the Metropolitical visitation, except there appear to the Metropolitan to be some strong reason for such inhibition, the Synod of Bishops at their next Session being competent to declare whether such reason was sufficient.

3.  Dean of the Province

(a)   The Metropolitan shall at the first meeting of the Synod of Bishops in each calendar year appoint, after consultation with the Bishops, one of their number to be the Dean of the Province until the first meeting of such Synod in the year following.

(b)   Whenever the Metropolitical See is vacant or in the absence for a period in excess of six weeks from the Province, or during the incapacity of the Metropolitan, the Dean of the Province shall execute all functions appertaining to the office of the Metropolitan.

(c)   During such vacancy, absence or incapacity, the other Bishops of the Province shall render the said Dean of the Province such obedience as they are bound to give to the Metropolitan.

(d)   Should the Dean of the Province be unable to perform the duties of the office, or should the office fall vacant for any reason whatsoever, the Diocesan Bishop senior by consecration shall perform the duties of the Dean of the Province.

(e)  If the office of the Dean of the Province falls vacant, a new Dean shall similarly be appointed at the next meeting of the Synod of Bishops, to hold office until the first meeting of the year following.