CANON 26: OF RESIDENCE OF CLERGY

Amended Provincial Synod 2019

Part A – Stipendiary Clergy

1.   Residence of Clergy

Every Parish cleric, whether Incumbent or assistant, shall reside within the limits of the Parish (except in towns, where it shall suffice that the cleric live within the town, if there be no Parsonage House) unless the Cleric has a licence of non-residence from the Bishop, which shall only be granted upon urgent cause.

2.  Absence from Sunday Duty and during Great Festivals

No Incumbent shall intentionally be absent from the Incumbent’s Charge for more than one Sunday, without providing a substitute approved by the Bishop, unless with special leave from the Bishop; provided that the Incumbent be on duty for all Holy Week, Easter and Christmas services.

3.  Absence without leave

If an incumbent shall be absent from the Parish for a period of three months without permission of the Bishop of the Diocese, it shall be competent for the Bishop to call upon the Incumbent to return; and if at the expiration of a further three months the Incumbent shall still be absent, it shall be competent for the Bishop, after consultation with the Chapter (or Senate), to declare the Cure vacant.

4.   Secular Employment

No licensed cleric shall seek or accept remunerative office or employment outside the cleric’s ministerial duties without first obtaining written permission of the Bishop.

Part B – Non Stipendiary Clergy

5.   Non-stipendiary or self-supporting clergy are those who, for whatever reason, are not receiving a stipend, and/or whose means of financial support and income are independent from the church.

6.  In all areas of training and formation, dioceses should strive to attain the same standards and requirements for stipendiary and non-stipendiary clergy.  The Provincial requirements in respect of qualifications for ordination as defined in Act VI are to be followed. All clergy are encouraged to undergo on-going training and development.

7.  The Bishop’s licence to the self-supporting cleric must define the nature of the ministry to be exercised.  A separate diocesan Memorandum of Understanding is to be drawn up to specify expectations on both sides, including the frequency of attendance at worship, leading of worship, attendance at governance and other meetings or activities in the parish or institution.

8. Licenses are to be specific to particular pastoral charges and are to specify the oversight authority under whom the cleric is to minister. Licenses are to be issued for set periods of time, with provision for review.

9.Licences to self-supporting assistant clergy lapse when a new rector is appointed to a pastoral charge but may be reviewed and possibly renewed.

10. The diocesan Memorandum of Understanding must cover matters such as a day off, leave or time away from the parish, costs incurred, including travel costs or travel allowances, as well as Easter or Pentecost offerings where appropriate.

11.  Self-supporting clerics are not entitled to church-provided housing, medical aid or pension.

12.  Self-supporting clergy retire at age 65. This may be extended year on year, at the discretion of the Bishop. They may continue to minister in retirement, but are to be relicensed with Permission to Officiate.