THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CONNECTICUT
Delegated episcopal pastoral oversight is a ministry whose intention is to
seek resolution between parish and bishop where our common mission, life and
worship
in the Diocese of
Connecticut are broken. Delegated episcopal pastoral oversight is offered under
the jurisdiction
and authority of the Diocesan Bishop, whose desire and responsibility is to care
for all our churches.
The goal for delegated episcopal pastoral oversight, as stated in the March 2004
House ofBishops plan entitled “Caring for All the Churches,” is to
provide
episcopal care for all our churches and, where our relationships are strained
or broken, to reconcile us
to full communion and mission. The conditions under which a parish in the Diocese
of Connecticut
may seek delegated episcopal pastoral oversight are those set forth and delimited
therein.
The following points expand upon the plan contained in “Caring for All
the Churches” and apply
to congregations seeking delegated episcopal pastoral oversight in the Diocese
of Connecticut:
Delegated episcopal pastoral oversight shall be certain episcopal responsibilities
outlined in Title III Canon 18, Sec 4(a) and (b). Most of these responsibilities
are fulfilled
in the course of the Bishop’s Visitation to the parishThese functions include preaching the Word of God, presiding at a Celebration
of the Eucharist
and at the Rites of Initiation, and examining the records, life, mission and
ministry of the parish and the clergy who serve therein.
The administration of Confirmation shall conform to the practice of our diocese
-- that
Confirmation is celebrated not on a Sunday morning, and will be administered
in services in which several parishes worship together.
The diocesan bishops will maintain pastoral support and care with and for all
our clergy. Primary
pastoral care of the parish’s clergy may be delegated by the Diocesan Bishop
to the Bishop to whom episcopal pastoral oversight has been designated.
The Bishop of the Diocese shall continue to exercise constitutional and canonical
jurisdiction in
all congregations of the diocese. The Bishop will meet with the parish Vestry
at least once a year, and may participate in other parish functions as is appropriate.
There shall be an agreement concerning the financial contribution of the congregation
for
diocesan mission and ministry. A benchmark is for the congregation to be giving
at the level of its pledge for the year 2003. (Diocesan Convention expects
that every parish
give to the budget of the Diocese for our mission and ministry at the rate
of 12.5%, as determined by Convention, or shall be working toward that giving
level.) The agreement
for the congregation’s
level of giving for the implementation of this plan shall be negotiated between
the Vestry and
a member or members of the diocese appointed by the Bishop.
Episcopal ministry retained by the Diocesan Bishop includes but is not limited to: discernment and admission of nominees as postulants and candidates for ordination, clergy deployment for all clergy in charge of parishes, assisting clergy, deacons and seminarians, receiving and sending of Letters Dimissory, and licensing of clergy. Further, the Diocesan Bishop with the Standing Committee retains jurisdiction in matters of parish property and finance. The Diocesan Bishop retains jurisdiction for matters of discipline which fall within Title IV of the Canons of this church.
The Rector and Wardens, or their equivalent, of a parish considering delegated
episcopal pastoral
oversight, will so notify the Bishop. The Bishop will meet with the parish
leaders, and may meet with the general membership of the parish, in an
effort to seek
a way forward
toward the full presence and ministry of the diocesan bishops in the congregation.
If the Bishop agrees to implement delegated episcopal pastoral oversight,
the Bishop then, in
consultation with the parish leaders, shall appoint a Bishop to whom pastoral
oversight will be delegated. The Bishop so designated shall be in communion
with the Diocesan Bishop,
and shall consult with the Diocesan Bishop before and after each Visitation.
The Diocesan Bishop shall identify bishops to whom the Bishop will delegate
episcopal pastoraloversight.
The diocese shall provide the stipend of a Bishop exercising delegated episcopal
pastoral oversight for the annual Visitation to the congregation. Other costs
and reasonable
business expenses such as travel, lodging and meals for the Bishop designated
shall be
provided by the parish that will receive this ministry.
Every agreement made for delegated episcopal pastoral oversight shall be
reviewed at least once a year, by the Diocesan Bishop, the Standing Committee
in its advisory
capacity,
the Bishop to whom oversight has been delegated, and the Rector and Wardens
of the parishes
receiving such oversight, with special attention given to progress toward full restoration
of communion and
standing of the parish and clergy within the diocese.
When resolution to delegated episcopal pastoral oversight is reached, the
occasion shall be marked appropriately by public announcement and worship.
From time to time the Diocesan Bishop shall review and decide as to the continuation
of the
ministry of delegated episcopal pastoral oversight in this diocese, and shall
do so at the time of the General Convention in 2006.
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