CANON 24: OF INCUMBENTS AND OTHER CLERICS

Amended Provincial Synod 2019

1.  Duties of the Clergy

Every cleric shall in the absence of reasonable hindrance
(a) say the daily Morning and Evening Prayer or such other Offices as may be authorized by the Bishop;
(b) be devoted, in accordance with the ordination vows, to regular study of Holy Scripture and other studies relevant to the work to be done.

2.  Incumbents

Incumbents are recognized as being leaders, ordained Incumbents and set apart by God and his Church for the oversight of the Pastoral Charges to which they are appointed, and particularly in regard to preaching, teaching and liturgical worship, under the authority of the Bishop.

3.  Incumbent and the Parish Council

The Incumbent shall work together with the Parish in the task of enabling the community of the people of God to exercise the ministry of the Body of Christ. Together with the Council the Incumbent shall see that the educational, evangelistic and pastoral work of the pastoral charge is carried out, and shall lead the people of the pastoral charge in its social  and environmental concerns.

4.  Duties of Incumbent

Every Incumbent shall in the absence of reasonable hindrance perform the following duties:

(a)  celebrate or cause to be celebrated the Holy Communion on Sundays, other Great Festivals and Ash Wednesday, save for the provisions of section 2 of Canon 26 Of Residence of Clergy;
(b) administer or cause to be administered the Sacraments and other rites prescribed by the Book of Common Prayer or as may be authorized by the Bishop, as the occasion demands;
(c)  preach or cause to be preached a sermon expounding and applying Holy Scripture, within the pastoral charge at least once on each Sunday;
(d) be responsible for the organization and training of all who instruct children and adults in the Christian faith;
(e) be available for counsel and advice;
(f) administer with due pastoral concern the requirements of Canon 35;

(g) [take responsibility to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth within the parish boundaries.