T h e   B y - L a w s

Article I: Name


The name of the corporation is The Evangelical Catholic Church.

Article II: Confession

The Evangelical Catholic Church, and every member of The Evangelical Catholic Church, believes and accepts without reservation:

Section 1: The teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, His Apostles, and the first Öcumenical Councils of the undivided Church;

Section 2: The prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of The Old and of The New Testaments as the sole rule and standard according to which all dogma together with all teachers should be estimated and judged (F.C., Ep. 1, Trig. pg. 777) ;

Section 3: The three Catholic and Öcumenical Creeds as the unanimous, universal Christian Faith and confession of the Orthodox and True Church, namely, The Apostles' Creed, The Nicene Creed, and The Athanasian Creed (F.C., Ep. 2, Trig. pg. 777);

Section 4: The Symbolical Writings of The Evangelical Catholic Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of The Word of God, namely, The Unaltered Augsburg Confession, The Apology of The Augsburg Confession, The Smalcald Articles, The Small and Large Catechisms of Dr. Martin Luther, and The Formula of Concord.

Article III: Purposes

The purposes for which The Evangelical Catholic Church is organized are:

Section 1: To unite in a corporate body all Evangelical Catholics;

Section 2: To proclaim and propagate the Evangelical Catholic Faith, especially through The Means of Grace;

Section 3: To assist, guide, direct, and promote the spiritual growth and development of all members;

Section 4: To promote the systematic study of The Holy Bible and constant growth in Christian knowledge and grace through the establishment, construction, and maintenance of theological seminaries, universities, colleges, academies, schools, publishing houses, radio and television broadcasting systems, congregations, preaching stations, religious orders, convents, hospitals, monasteries, confraternities, and sodalities;

Section 5: To unite those Evangelical Catholics who seek a return to Catholic piety and practice by especially fostering the proper honor and adoration due to The Person of Our Lord Jesus Christ in The Holy Sacrament of His Sacred Body and Most Precious Blood in an accessorial confraternity of such name and purpose;

Section 6: To assist Holy Mother Church in training Her members to grow in their understanding and appreciation of the principles, attitudes, traditions and doctrine of our Holy Religion;

Section 7: To foster mutual, supportive intercession (especially at The Holy Eucharist) for all members (living and dead);

Section 8: To promote, by all legitimate means, the celebration of The Holy Eucharist as The Chief Act of Divine Worship every Sunday and Holy Day; and the observance of The Catholic and primitive rule of receiving Holy Communion fasting;

Section 9: To foster the use of The Sacrament of Repentance (private confession), especially in preparation for receiving Holy Communion;

Section 10: To do charitable work within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as now enacted or as may hereafter be amended;

Section 11: To print, publish, purchase, sell, and otherwise disseminate Bibles, books, periodicals, literature, music, and other supplies for The Church and Her institutions and members;

Section 12: To establish and conduct all such enterprises and endeavors and to exercise such further powers as may be necessary or expedient to carry out the objects and purposes for which the corporation is organized.

Article IV: Membership

Section 1: Membership in The Evangelical Catholic Church is held and may be acquired by parishes, accessorial societies (e.g., religious communities, confraternities, sodalities, and educational institutions), and those in Holy Orders who believe, teach, confess and accept the teachings of this Church and the confession of Article II of these By-Laws.

Section 2:

    Part a: Parishes seeking membership in this Church, as well as already established accessorial societies, shall submit their request for membership to The Primate. The Primate shall cause to be published throughout The Church such request for membership. After ninety (90) days, no lawful objection having been registered by any members of The Church, The Primate shall admit said petitioner into full membership in The Evangelical Catholic Church, Provided, said petitioner brings their Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Rules, and Canons into conformity with the same of The Evangelical Catholic Church.

    Part b: When a lawful objection has been registered by a member of The Church to the admittance into membership of the petitioner, The Church's Board of Directors shall present their recommendation to The Primate within thirty (30) days for final disposition.

Section 3: Ordained clergy coming from other ecclesiastical jurisdictions wishing to affiliate with The Evangelical Catholic Church must submit to a colloquium before being received.

Section 4: Those members of the laity wishing to associate with The Evangelical Catholic Church are received into fellowship by the parish Pastors of The Church through:

    Part a: Baptism in The Name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit (if not already validly baptized);

    Part b: Chrismation (if not already validly confirmed), after regular attendance at a catechetical instruction class in which the doctrine of our Holy Religion is studied and discussed;

    Part c: Transfer from another Catholic parish upon receipt of a letter of transfer from the former parish attesting that the prospective member is in a state of saving grace;

    Part d: Renewal of Faith -- lapsed Catholics may be admitted upon showing evidence of a renewal of faith meeting with the Pastor's acceptance.

Section 5: Every member of The Church shall, in accordance with his vocation, his ability, and the means at his command, diligently and earnestly promote the purposes of The Church by word, deed, and adequate financial support.

Article V: Administrative Power


Section 1: The Evangelical Catholic Church is an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative and judicial powers to govern Her members.

Section 2: The Bishops and The Clergy have the power of the Order and power of Jurisdiction, for they are the spiritual fathers who govern and guide their parish, diocese, order, and Church by The Word of God (Apol. XXVIII,13, Trig. pg. 477; cf. Mt 18:18, Mt 28:18-20, Lk 10:16).

Section 3: One and only one Bishop, The Superior-General, heads and manages all the business and affairs of The Evangelical Catholic Church; he shall be The Primate of The Evangelical Catholic Church.

Article VI: Legislative Power


Section 1: The legislative powers of The Evangelical Catholic Church are reserved to, in the order of precedence:
    a. The General Synod;
    b. Special Synods;
    c. Diocesan (or Archdiocesan) Synods;
    d. Special Diocesan (or Archdiocesan) Synods;
    e. Parish meetings.
Section 2: All matters resolved or adopted by The General Synod or Special Synods must receive The Primate's approval before they can be implemented or take effect.

Article VII: The Primate

Section 1: The Primate has the supervision regarding the doctrine, faith, morals, discipline and administration of:
    Part a: All officers of The Church;

    Part b: All such as are employed by The Church;

    Part c: Each individual Diocese/Archdiocese of The Church;

    Part d: All Bishops of The Church;

    Part e: All parishes, seminaries, monasteries, convents, religious communities and orders, universities, colleges, academies, schools, confraternities, sodalities and other accessorial organizations of The Church;

    Part f: All clergy and religious of The Church.

Section 2: The Primate has the authority and duty to see to it that all the aforementioned act in accordance with The Church's Articles of Incorporation, Faith, Canons, and these By-Laws; to admonish all who in any way depart from them, and, if such admonition is not heeded, to discipline such as depart therefrom.

Section 3: The Primate shall sign all official papers and documents in the name of The Church.

Section 4: The Primate shall represent The Church in official contacts with other churches, synods, communions, denominations and ecclesiastical jurisdictions.

Section 5: The Primate shall represent The Church in official contacts with all sister churches by aiding, counseling, and advising them and strengthening the relations with and between them.

Section 6: The Primate shall have the right to authorize any Bishop of The Church to perform the duties of The Primate's office, and shall hold him responsible for the performance of such duties.

Section 7: The Primate shall consecrate all Bishops for The Evangelical Catholic Church, or name Consecrators (who must have valid Apostolic Orders).

Section 8: The Primate shall preside at all General and Special Synods, taking care that all things are done in a Christian manner and in accordance with The Articles of Incorporation, Canons, Faith, and By-Laws of The Church.

Section 9: The Primate is the superior of all Bishops and Clergy and the official head of all seminaries, universities, colleges, monasteries, convents, and religious communities.

Section 10: The Primate hears and decides all appeals regarding administrative and disciplinary matters.

Section 11: The Primate shall be the Comptroller of The Church, counter-signing all cheques.

Section 12: The Primate is to receive annual written reports from all Bishops regarding their Dioceses.

Section 13: The Primate is to confirm or reject as unsuitable those elected by their Diocese to The Office of Bishop; no one may serve as or be consecrated a Bishop in The Church without The Primate's prior written confirmation and approval.

Section 14: The Primate is to render a written report on the state of The Church, at least once every year, to all Dioceses and Bishops.

Section 15: The Primate approves all salaries paid to all officers of The Church and all such as are employed by The Church.

Section 16: The Primate shall serve as a member of and Chairman of The Board of Directors.

Section 17: The Primate's See shall be The Diocese of Phoenix & The Southwest, or wherever The Primate may elect.

Section 18: The Primate shall serve as Superior-General of The Evangelical Catholic Church from the time of his election until his death, resignation from office, or retirement; a successor must be elected by The General Synod from a list of candidates nominated by The Board of Directors within six (6) months after a vacancy occurs.

Article VIII: The General Synod

Section 1: The General Synod shall be The Church's chief legislative assembly. It shall meet at such times as The Primate may direct.

Section 2: Voting delegates shall consist of all accredited clergy (deacons, priests, Bishops) and at least one lay delegate from each member parish.

Section 3: All accessorial societies, sodalities, confraternities, religious orders and religious communities are entitled to send at least one voting delegate to The General Synod.

Section 4: The number of delegates which each member parish and accessorial organization shall be entitled to send to The General Synod shall be determined by guide-lines adopted by The Board of Directors and approved by The Primate.

Section 5: The General Synod of The Evangelical Catholic Church is not recognized as having doctrinal authority. The Doctrine and dogmas of our Holy Religion represent the teachings of The Holy Scripture, our Lord and His Apostles, and the consensus of the entire Church Catholic, as is correctly expounded by The Catholic Book of Concord of 1580. This Church and Her General Synods may not, by themselves, therefore, presume to change the recognized Faith of the whole.

Section 6: The General Synod shall:
    Part a: Interpret and define Church laws, canons, and Truths;

    Part b: Remove Bishops when necessary, with The Primate's approval;

    Part c: Elect The Primate (The Superior-General) from a list of candidates nominated by The Board of Directors;

    Part d: Elect members to The Board of Directors from a list of candidates nominated by The Primate;

    Part e: Organize and implement programs which will further the purposes and objectives of The Church;

    Part f: Listen to the needs and desires of all members, and respond when possible;

    Part g: Promote an awareness and appreciation of the historic continuity of The Church, as well as of the affairs and workings of all the denominations, communions, ecclesiastical jurisdictions and sects within The Body of Christ, and to work for their eventual reunion.

Section 7: All the decisions and resolutions of The General Synod or a Special Synod approved by The Primate are binding upon all the members of The Evangelical Catholic Church.

Section 8: All matters resolved or adopted by The General Synod or a Special Synod must receive The Primate's approval before implementation; it is The Primate, and only The Primate, who can make a law binding upon the entire Church and Clergy.

Article IX: Diocesan/Archdiocesan Synods

Section 1: The Diocesan/Archdiocesan Synod shall meet every year, or more frequently if The Ordinary of The Diocese so directs.

Section 2: The Bishop of The Diocese shall preside at all Diocesan Synods, taking care that all things be done in a Christian manner and in accordance with The Articles of Incorporation, Canons, Faith, By-Laws and decisions of The General Synod of The Evangelical Catholic Church.

Section 3: Voting delegates shall consist of all accredited clergy of The Evangelical Catholic Church registered in The Diocese and delegates from all member parishes and accessorial organizations within The Diocese as determined by guide-lines established by The Board of Directors of The Evangelical Catholic Church with the Primate's prior approval.

Section 4: The Diocesan Synod shall:

    Part a: Elect priests to the Office of Bishop for The Diocese, submitting such election to The Primate and The Board of Directors of The Evangelical Catholic Church for confirmation or rejection;

    Part b: Adopt and implement programs to promote and fulfill the purposes of The Church within The Diocese;

    Part c: Adopt by-laws, resolutions, canons and regulations necessary or proper for its administration or for effectively carrying on the work of The Church within The Diocese. Such by-laws, resolutions, canons and regulations shall not conflict with The Articles of Incorporation, Canons, Faith, By-Laws, or decisions of The Evangelical Catholic Church, and must be submitted to The Evangelical Catholic Church's Board of Directors for approval before they can be implemented.

Section 5: All property and assets to which a Diocese holds title or over which it has control is held in trust by The Diocese for The Evangelical Catholic Church and shall be transferred forthwith to The Evangelical Catholic Church at the request of The Primate or The Church's Board of Directors.

Section 6: All matters resolved or adopted by The Diocesan Synod must receive The Ordinary's approval in order to be ratified and eligible for implementation; The Primate is empowered to nullify all actions and resolutions of The Diocesan Synod, even those receiving The Ordinary's approval.

Article X: Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board of Directors shall consist of: The Superior-General (The Primate), The Treasurer-General, and The Secretary-General of The Evangelical Catholic Church by virtue of their offices. The Bishop of each Diocese within The Church shall be a member of The Board of Directors; the Superior, whatever his title, of each recognized accessorial organization of The Church shall be a member of The Board of Directors.

Section 2: The Board of Directors shall number no less than three (3) but no more than fifteen (15) voting members. Should the number of Dioceses within The Church cause the membership of The Board of Directors to exceed twelve (12) members, excluding the officers (Primate, Treasurer-General and Secretary-General):
    Part a: Each Superior of a recognized accessorial organization shall be classified as an Advisory Member of The Board of Directors and shall not be eligible to vote;

    Part b: The Diocesan Bishops of The Church, excluding the officers (Primate, Treasurer-General and Secretary-General), shall elect twelve of their number at each meeting of The General Synod to serve as voting members of The Board of Directors until the next meeting of The General Synod; each Bishop not elected to voting membership on The Board of Directors shall be classified as an Advisory Member of The Board and shall not be entitled to vote.

    Part c: Each Bishop who is not the Ordinary of a Diocese, excluding the officers, shall be classified as an Advisory Member of The Board and shall not be eligible to vote;

Section 3: The Board of Directors, acting only with the recommendation and approval of The Primate, decides when and whether a Diocese shall be formed, divided, reäligned, dissolved, or merged with another or other Dioceses; determines the boundaries of a Diocese and approves the name of a Diocese.

Section 4: The Board of Directors may suggest to The Primate the creation of inferior boards, committees, departments, commissions and tribunals, together with a tentative definition of their duties and membership.

Section 5: The Board of Directors shall:
    Part a: Approve or reject, upon the recommendation of The Primate, the by-laws, canons, resolutions and regulations for the organization and management of every Diocese before final adoption or implementation by The Diocese and presentation to the proper civil authorities, should this be necessary. All subsequent changes to the by-laws, canons, resolutions and regulations governing a Diocese must also be submitted to The Primate for the Board's review and approval or rejection before implementation.

    Part b: Present a list of candidates to The General Synod for The Office of Primate (Superior-General) when that office is vacant because of death, retirement, or resignation. This list of candidates shall be gathered in any manner deemed appropriate by The Board. Only The Board has the right to nominate candidates to The Office of Primate.

    Part c: Meet as it agrees or at The Primate's call.

    Part d: A majority of The Board's voting members shall constitute a quorum.

    Part e: Require and receive Quarterly and Annual financial reports and statements from The Treasurer-General; arrange for the publication and distribution of financial reports according to guide-lines established by The Primate.

    Part f: See to it that independent audits are made of all financial activities of boards, commissions, committees and accessorial societies, sodalities, confraternities, religious orders and communities, and all the dioceses of The Church.

    Part g: Advise The Primate in recognizing or chartering accessorial organizations and in accepting parishes and clergy into membership when a lawful objection has been registered to such admittance.

    Part h: Confirm or reject the election of a candidate to the Office of Bishop within The Evangelical Catholic Church by The Diocese in which he is to serve.
    Part i: The death, resignation or retirement of The Primate also constitutes the Call for a General Synod; the Board of Directors shall elect from their membership a Presiding Bishop to act as Primate in the interim between The Primate's death, resignation or retirement and The General Synod's election of a new Primate. The Presiding Bishop is not eligible for nomination to the Office of Primate.

Article XI: Secretary-General

Section 1: The Secretary-General shall be elected by The General Synod from the slate of candidates nominated by The Primate. Only The Primate has the right to nominate candidates for The Office of Secretary-General.

Section 2: The Secretary-General shall serve in office from the time of election until: (1) death; (2) resignation from office; (3) retirement; or, (4) removal from office by The Primate.

Section 3: In the event of death, resignation, removal from office by The Primate, or permanent incapacity of The Secretary-General, The Board of Directors shall elect an Acting Secretary-General from nominations made by The Primate; the Acting Secretary-General will serve until the next regularly called General Synod elects a new Secretary-General.

Section 4: The Secretary-General shall:
    Part a: Perform all customary duties as corporation secretary and as such, with The Primate, sign all duly authorized documents of The Church.

    Part b: Serve as a voting member and secretary of The Board of Directors.

    Part c: Record the proceedings during The General Synod.

    Part d: Announce daily the time and place of committee meetings at The General Synod.

    Part e: Officially notify every member of The Church elected to office by The General Synod of his election.

    Part f: Receive and present all applications for parish and clergy membership in The Evangelical Catholic Church to The Primate and, if necessary because of a lawful objection, to The Board of Directors.

    Part g: Keep an accurate, up-to-date file on all members, or cause such file to be kept and maintained.

    Part h: Perform such other work as The General Synod or The Primate may assign.

Article XII: Treasurer-General

Section 1: The Treasurer-General shall be elected by The General Synod from the slate of candidates nominated by The Primate. Only The Primate has the right to nominate candidates for The Office of Treasurer-General.

Section 2: The Treasurer-General shall serve in office from the time of election until: (1) death; (2) resignation from office; (3) retirement; or, (4) removal from office by The Primate.

Section 3: In the event of death, resignation, removal from office by The Primate, or permanent incapacity of The Treasurer-General, The Board of Directors shall elect an Acting Treasurer-General from nominations made by The Primate; the Acting Treasurer-General will serve until the next regularly called General Synod elects a new Treasurer-General.

Section 4: The Treasurer-General shall:
    Part a: Receive all contributions.

    Part b: Keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements.

    Part c: Serve as a voting member of The Board of Directors.

    Part d: Pay all bills approved by The Primate.

    Part e: Submit all cheques to The Primate for counter-signature.

    Part f: Submit an accurate financial accounting quarterly and annually to The Board of Directors.
    Part g: Keep on file a correct list of all devises and bequests which directly or indirectly have been given to The Evangelical Catholic Church. In such list there shall be recorded the name of the testator, the amount of money or the real estate (including legal description) or legal papers devised or bequeathed, the stipulations of the will (if such have been made by the testator), and the name of the executor or executors.

    Part h: Receive and publish monthly reports of receipts and reports from Diocesan treasurers.

Article XIII: The Pastor/The Parish


Section 1: The Pastor of every parish in The Evangelical Catholic Church, appointed by The Ordinary from a list of nominees submitted to him by the parish, is the official voice of the people under his cure; he has the power of the Order and of Jurisdiction in his parish, for he is the spiritual father of his parish.

Section 2: The Pastor is responsible for the spiritual, physical, financial, and administrative welfare of his parish; he establishes the character of life and goals of his parish; he may organize his parish in any manner he deems appropriate, with the permission of his Ordinary.

Section 3: The Pastor of each parish in The Evangelical Catholic Church shall:
    Part a: Keep accurate records of all baptisms, marriages, communions, confirmations, funerals, etc.

    Part b: Submit annual reports to The Ordinary (or more frequently if the Ordinary so directs) of:
      (1) All Eucharistic celebrations at which he presided or assisted, giving date, place, attendance, collection, etc .
      (2) Communions taken to the sick, infirm, shut-in, elderly.
      (3) All baptisms, giving pertinent data (e.g., name of baptized, date and place of birth, full legal name of both parents, sponsors' names).
      (4) All marriages, giving pertinent data and submitting a copy of the marriage certificate.
      (5) All sacraments administered, giving all pertinent data.
      (6) All income received, excluding honoraria.
      (7) All disbursements on behalf of the parish.

    Part c: Preside at all parish meetings.

    Part d: Be responsible for hiring and firing all parish help (office workers, janitors, teachers, parish workers, directors of Christian education, etc.).

    Part e: Receive all new members and transfer members in a state of saving grace who have moved outside his parish's boundaries.

    Part f: Celebrate only The Liturgy approved by The Primate.

    Part g: Permit only canonically ordained clergy to share his Altar and Pulpit, and then only clergy of denominations or jurisdictions with The Evangelical Catholic Church is in full fellowship.

    Part h: Receive the approval of The Primate to carry on any öcumenical services or relations.

    Part i: Authorize his associate or assistant Pastor(s) to function as The Pastor of the parish whenever he deems it necessary; he may authorize his associate or assistant to represent either him or the parish at Diocesan Synods and meetings.

Article XIV: Holy Orders
Section 1: D e a c o n s
    Part a: No one shall be ordained to the Deaconate without having first completed at least two years of formal seminary training (or its equivalent, as determined by The Primate) and having reached the age of twenty-one (21) years. The Primate may, for good reason, make exceptions.

    Part b: Deacons shall not preside at The Holy Eucharist, hear confessions, bestow blessings, or grant Absolution.

    Part c: Deacons shall assist the priests and Bishops in their ministry, especially during the celebration of The Holy Eucharist in the reading of The Holy Gospel and leading The Intercessions, and in the supervision and conduct of The Church's benevolent and charitable work.

    Part d: All candidates for ordination to the Deaconate must, before ordination, make an unqualified subscription to the Confession of The Church (Article II).

    Part e: Deacons may be married or single; members of monastic communities may not marry. Once ordained, an unmarried Deacon may not ordinarily marry; exceptions may be granted by The Primate for just cause.


Section 2: P r i e s t s
    Part a: Ordinarily no one shall be ordained a priest who has not already been ordained a Deacon and served as a Deacon for at least one full year; Priests shall not be younger than twenty-four (24) years of age.

    Part b: All candidates for ordination to The Holy Priesthood must freely give their unqualified subscription to the Confession of The Church (Article II).

    Part c: No one shall be ordained to the priesthood without having first earned a Baccalaureate degree and subsequently graduated from an academically accredited seminary (or its equivalent, as determined by The Primate).

    Part d: Priests may be married or single. Once an unmarried man is ordained to the Deaconate, however, he may not ordinarily marry. Exceptions may be granted by The Primate with just cause.

    Part e: Monastic Priests may not marry or be married, either before or after their ordination.

    Part f: Priests must be diligent in their prayer life and administration of The Holy Sacraments.

Section 3: B i s h o p s
    Part a: Only single Priests or monastic clergy who are members in good standing of The Evangelical Catholic Church can be elected to the Office of Bishop; there can be no exception to this law without the consent of the whole Church Catholic.

    Part b: The Bishop who would fulfill his Office must see to it that our Holy Faith is fully presented and truly received, the Holy Sacraments made available and freely supplied, and that The Sacred Ministry is rigorously maintained, defended, and extended within his Diocese or Jurisdiction.

    Part c: The Bishop is the center of unity in The Church; he symbolizes and signifies the true nature of The Church as The Mystical Body of Christ Jesus, one in Her being, one in Her function, and one in Her objectives.

    Part d: The Bishop has the supervision regarding the doctrine, faith, morals, discipline and administration of all members of The Church within his Diocese or Jurisdiction.

    Part e: The Bishop shall submit annual written reports on the affairs and condition of his Diocese or Jurisdiction to The Primate and cause the Diocesan or Jurisdictional Treasurer, or his equivalent, to submit annual written reports of all financial transactions to The Treasurer-General of The Evangelical Catholic Church.

    Part f: The Bishop shall assume the duties, responsibilities and prerogatives of his office only after having been nominated and elected to Office by his Diocesan or Jurisdictional Synod and receiving the confirmation of The Primate and The Church's Board of Directors. He may serve, with The Primate's prior approval, as Diocesan or Jurisdictional Vicar (Acting Bishop) should there be an unduly long interval of time between his election and (1) the next regular meeting of The Church's Board of Directors or (2) arrangements can be made for his valid Consecration in Apostolic Succession. A Vicar may not preside or assist at any ordinations or confirmations until he be fully confirmed in his new Office by The Church's Board of Directors and The Primate and receive Consecration at the hands of at least two (but preferably three) Bishops with valid Orders.

    Part g: The Bishop shall serve from the time of his confirmation by The Primate and The Church's Board of Directors and his Consecration until his death, resignation, retirement, or removal from Office by The Primate or The General Synod. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Bishop, a successor must be nominated and elected by The Diocesan or Jurisdictional Synod within six months after the vacancy first occurs.
       

Article XV: Canons

Section 1: To carry out and implement the purposes and mission of The Church, to establish principles and rules for Christian ministry, and to facilitate a God-pleasing administration of The Church and all Her members, The Primate and The Board of Directors shall be responsible for promulgating The Canons of The Church.

Section 2: The Canons of The Church may be amended by The Board of Directors upon petition of The General Synod, but only with The Primate's approval.

Section 3: All the Canons adopted by The Board of Directors must be approved by The Primate prior to implementation. Canons become binding upon The Church and clergy only after having received The Primate's written approval.

Article XVI: Amendments

Section 1: The General Synod may, at any regular session, formulate and adopt proposed amendments to these By-Laws or to The Articles of Incorporation, which must then be presented to The Primate for approval or rejection.

Section 2: Proposed amendments to these By-Laws or to The Articles of Incorporation, presented by a regular session of The General Synod to The Primate and receiving The Primate's approval, shall then be presented by The Primate to the next regular meeting of The General Synod for final adoption.

Section 3: There must elapse at least twelve (12) months between the meeting of The General Synod which proposes an amendment to these By-Laws or to The Articles of Incorporation and the meeting of The General Synod to which The Primate presents the proposed amendment for final adoption.

© 1976  The Evangelical Catholic Church, All Rights Reserved.
Post Office Box #8907
Scottsdale, Arizona 85252-8907


Canons 4.3-1:   On the Reception of Clergy

4.3-1 Ordained clergy coming from other ecclesiastical jurisdictions wishing to affiliate with The Evangelical Catholic Church (ECC) must submit to a colloquium before being received.

    1.01 Applications for admission to the colloquy program shall be directed by The Bishop of the Diocese where the application originates to The Primate.

    1.02 The Diocesan Bishop shall transmit all applications for clergy membership in The ECC to The Primate (or to the individual or committee appointed for this purpose by The Primate). The application shall be accompanied by:
      a. An autobiographical statement by the applicant, clearly and fully setting forth his background and his reasons for wishing to qualify for the pastoral ministry within The ECC.
      b. Official transcripts of the applicant's secondary, collegiate, and seminary training, as well as a full description of all non-credit academic work done by the applicant.
      c. Testimonials from no fewer than three competent references who have known the applicant and worked with him for at least two recent years as to his Christian character and life, ability, personality, and previous service.
      d. At least three testimonials witnessing to the applicant's past service in the jurisdiction where he previously served in the pastoral ministry, together with evidence of good standing in the ecclesiastical jurisdiction from which he has severed connection or is in the process of severing connection.

    1.03 The Diocesan Bishop shall assure The Primate, or his authorized delegate, of his sponsorship of the applicant before favorable action on the application can be taken.

    1.04 Only such applicants shall be considered eligible for admission to the colloquy program as are:
      a. Clergy with valid Orders who are in good standing in other Catholic jurisdictions and are graduates of established theological seminaries.
      b. Clergy who are in good standing in a Lutheran jurisdiction and are graduates of established theological seminaries.
      c. Members in good standing of a parish which is a member of The ECC who are graduates of an established theological seminary.
      d. Members in good standing of a parish which is a member of The ECC who are over the age of 40 years, are college graduates, and have had considerable experience in Church work.

    1.05.a After the Diocesan Bishop has furnished The Primate, or his authorized delegate, with the required documents and The Primate has assured himself that the applicant qualifies for the colloquy program, The Primate shall cause to be published throughout The Church the request of the applicant for admission to the pastoral ministry within The ECC. If no valid objection is filed within ninety (90) days after the notice of application has been published, The Primate shall cause the colloquy program to proceed.

    1.05.b When a lawful objection has been registered by a member of The ECC to the admittance into the pastoral ministry of the applicant, the application shall be submitted to The Church's Board of Directors, which shall present its recommendation to The Primate within thirty (30) days for final disposition.

    1.06 The Primate, or his authorized delegate, in consultation with the Diocesan Bishop recommending the applicant for the pastoral ministry, shall determine the course of study and length of internship for each applicant on the basis of the applicant's needs and ecclesiastical background. In general, the course of study should include courses in the major areas of theology and the internship should be for not less than six months under the immediate supervision of one of the Bishops of The Church.

    1.07 Before admittance to the pastoral ministry in The ECC, the applicant shall submit satisfactory theological papers and sermons and pass comprehensive written and oral examinations in the major areas of theology under the direction of The Primate, or his authorized delegate.

    1.08 All candidates for the pastoral ministry of The ECC shall give evidence that they fully understand and accept the doctrinal standards of The Church, are acquainted with Her practice, and have the ability and intention to teach, preach, and practice in conformity with these standards.

    1.09 Applicants who have satisfactorily passed their written and oral examinations and completed their mandatory period of internship shall be given a certificate of eligibility by The Primate for admittance into the pastoral ministry and commended to the sponsoring Bishop for ordination (should this be necessary) and installation.
    1.10 Applications from clergy or candidates for Holy Orders who are members of an ecclesiastical jurisdiction with whom The ECC is in full communion and who have previously given satisfactory evidence of their qualifications for the pastoral ministry may be received without examination of the applicant, provided that The Church's high professional standards for the ministry are maintained.


© 1977,  The Evangelical Catholic Church, All Rights Reserved
Post Office Box #28624
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255-0160




Want to learn more about The Evangelical Catholic Church?


Check these Links!

Home Page of The Evangelical Catholic Church
The Church -- What We Believe

The Church & Her Faith

The Communion of Infants

Sample Parish Constitution

The Divine Liturgy

The Confraternity -- The Intercession Paper

The ECC Kalendar

Apostolic Succession within the ECC

The Order of The Servants of The Holy Cross

Commissionings & Ordinations


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