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Constitution and Canons

All congregations in the Diocese of Washington are governed by the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese, as well as those of the National Church.

The Constitution and Canons section of the diocesan Journal is only printed when it changes. These are the diocesan Constitution and Canons, not to be confused with those of the General Convention, which take precedence.

• Constitution and Canons
  Constitution of the Diocese of Washington
  Canons of the Diocese of Washington
  Appendix A: Guidelines for Building and Financing
  Appendix B: Guidelines for Clergy Contracts
  Rules of Order of the Convention
  Order of Business of the Convention
  The "Maryland Vestry Act"
  Charter of the Convention of the Diocese of Washington

Clerical Discipline

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2009 revised the canons known as Title IV to make clergy discipline first and foremost a process of discernment, mediation and pastoral response rather than one that is legalistic and judicial. The process now models those used in the medical, legal and social work professions.

Effective July 1, 2011, under the revised canons, all matters will be reported to an intake officer. Matters might then be resolved through pastoral care, mediation, an agreement with the bishop, an investigation or any combination of these. An investigation may result in formal mediation, and, if necessary, a hearing.

The process now allows for resolution through whatever means will move those affected toward justice, restitution, amendment of life, repentance, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. This can include a variety of interventions for all involved and, if necessary, the suspension or removal of the cleric from ordained ministry.

Anyone may contact the diocesan intake officer to report concerns about the behavior of a member of the clergy (priests, deacons, bishops). This initiates a process to hold clergy accountable for their behavior. (see canonical list of standards for clergy conduct)  For full text of Title IV, see national canons.

Reporting a clerical discipline matter

You may choose which intake officer, or simply contact the Bishop's Office:

Cheryl Daves Wilburn (on Bishop's staff) at (202) 537-6543
The Rev. Jeff MacKnight at (301) 229-2960

Standards of Conduct - National Canons

For full text of Title IV, see national canons

Canon IV.4. Of Standards of Conduct
Sec. 1. In exercising his or her ministry, a Member of the Clergy shall:

   (a) respect and preserve confidences of others except that pastoral, legal or moral obligations of ministry may require disclosure of those confidences other than Privileged Communications;

   (b) conform to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer;

   (c) abide by the promises and vows made when ordained;

   (d) abide by the requirements of any applicable Accord or Order, or any applicable Pastoral Direction, restriction on ministry, or placement on Administrative Leave issued under Canon IV.7;

   (e) safeguard the property and funds of the Church and Community;

   (f)  report to the Intake Officer all matters which may constitute an Offense as defined in Canon IV.2  meeting the standards of Canon IV.3.3, except for matters disclosed to the Member of Clergy as confessor within the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent;

   (g) exercise his or her ministry in accordance with applicable provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the Church and of the Diocese, ecclesiastical licensure or commission and Community rule or bylaws;

   (h) refrain from:
        (1) any act of Sexual Misconduct;

        (2) holding and teaching publicly or privately, and advisedly, any Doctrine contrary to that held by the Church;

        (3) engaging in any secular employment, calling or business without the consent of the Bishop of the Diocese in which the Member of the Clergy is canonically resident;

        (4) being absent from the Diocese in which the Member of the Clergy is canonically resident, except as provided in Canon III.9.3(e) for more than two years without the consent of the Bishop Diocesan;

        (5) any criminal act that reflects adversely on the Member of the Clergy's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a minister of the Church;

        (6) conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; or

        (7) habitual neglect of the exercise of the ministerial office without cause; or habitual neglect of public worship, and of the Holy Communion, according to the order and use of the Church; and

        (8) any Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Clergy.