Canons of the North American Old Catholic Church

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NAOCC Canons
Effective	Advent Sunday, 2009
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Contents 1 Article I. General Canons 1.1 Section I.01 Preamble 1.2 Section I.02 The Church 1.3 Section I.03 The Two Unique Traits of Old Catholics 1.4 Section I.04 Theses of the Old Catholic Union 1.5 Section I.05 Diversity 2 Article II. Organization and Governance 2.1 Section II.01 Parishes and Non-parochial Ministries 2.2 Section II.02 Jurisdictional Duties in General 2.3 Section II.03 The Ecumenical Councils 2.4 Section II.04 The General Episcopal Synod (GES) 2.5 Section II.05 Executive Committee 2.6 Section II.06 Presiding Bishop 2.7 Section II.07 Coadjutor of the Church 2.8 Section II.08 Vicar General to the Presiding Bishop 2.9 Section II.09 The Curia 2.10 Section II.10 Chancellor 2.11 Section II.11 Church Archivist 2.12 Section II.12 Communications Director 2.13 Section II.13 Regions and Provinces 2.14 Section II.14 Diocese 2.15 Section II.15 Archdeaconries and Deaneries 2.16 Section II.16 Church Property 3 Article III. Clergy 3.1 Section III.01 Old Catholic Apostolic Succession 3.2 Section III.02 Rankings of Clergy 3.3 Section III.03 Active and Inactive Lists 3.4 Section III.04 Good Standing 3.5 Section III.05 Ministry 3.6 Section III.06 The Minor Orders (Seminarian Ministers-in-Training) 3.7 Section III.07 The Major Order of Deacons 3.8 Section III.08 The Major Order of Priests 3.9 Section III.09 The Major Order of Bishops 3.10 Section III.10 Other Titles and Designations 4 Article IV. Religious Orders 5 Article V. Teachings and Practices 5.1 Section V.01 Creed 5.2 Section V.02 Charters and Credentials 5.3 Section V.03 Baptism 5.4 Section V.04 The Eucharist 5.5 Section V.05 Confirmation 5.6 Section V.06 Confession and Absolution 5.7 Section V.07 Unction 5.8 Section V.08 Matrimony

[edit] Article I. General Canons

[edit] Section I.01 Preamble

Our Lord’s law is clear: love.

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, which is the first commandment of all? Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment; and the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.^[1]

When someone in the scripture gets on the wrong side of the discussion, it is often someone who holds that rules trump love.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.^[2]

That said, canons are the rules we consider necessary or helpful in the running of our denomination. Canons impact our clergy more directly than laity. In fact, canons are most often limitations placed on the clergy to protect lay people or enhance their experience.

[edit] Section I.02 The Church

The North American Old Catholic Church is the national Latin Rite church for the USA.

The North American Old Catholic Church (hereafter called “the Church”) is a Fellowship of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, that upholds and propagates the ancient faith, practice and traditions of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

We look to the primitive church in Holland for tradition and inspiration. That body, centered in the See of Ütrecht, is commonly dated to the 1870s when the Church of Rome declared its patriarch to be infallible when speaking ex cathedra on church matters. In fact, the primitive church in Holland is one of the oldest of all Christian groups. The church is bound to honor but not acquiesce to any other body, including the newer break-away groups such as the Roman Rite.

The Church is, first and foremost, a channel of God’s love and a bearer of the Good News (Greek: eucharista) of Jesus Christ. It celebrates Mass in parishes and elsewhere for the benefit of the entire community, not merely for the parish or for those present.

The Good News comes to us through an unbroken line of Holy Orders that stretches back to the original apostles.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.^[3]

This Church accepts the Statutes of the Old Catholic Bishops United in the Union of Utrecht (2000).

The Church does not assert copyrights on any liturgy, rite or statute.

[edit] Section I.03 The Two Unique Traits of Old Catholics

The Christianity we embrace is that which dates to an undivided church. We do this without anathematizing other denominations, churches, dogma or beliefs (including the private beliefs of our own lay members).

We must hold fast to that faith which has been held everywhere, always, and by all the faithful.^[4]

The Old Catholic Church conciliar, collegial and celebrates diversity in unity, providing comfort, solace, protection and sacraments to those rejected, hunted or persecuted by other religious groups. The church does this without condemning any other group.

We hope that Catholic theologians, in maintaining the faith of the undivided Church, will succeed in establishing an agreement upon questions which have been controverted ever since the divisions which arose between the Churches. We exhort the priests under our jurisdiction to teach, both by preaching and by the instruction of the young, especially the essential Christian truths professed by all the Christian confessions, to avoid, in discussing controverted doctrines, any violation of truth or charity, and in word and deed to set an example to the members. By maintaining and professing faithfully the doctrine of Jesus Christ, by refusing to admit those errors which by the fault of men have crept into the Catholic Church, by laying aside the abuses in ecclesiastical matters, together with the worldly tendencies of the hierarchy, we believe that we shall be able to combat efficaciously the great evils of our day, which are unbelief and indifference in matters of religion.^[5]

[edit] Section I.04 Theses of the Old Catholic Union

I.04.(a) We agree that the apocryphal or deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament are not of the same canonicity as the books contained in the Hebrew Canon.^[6]

I.04.(b) We agree that no translation of Holy Scripture can claim an authority superior to that of the original text.

I.04.(c) We agree that the reading of Holy Scripture in the vulgar tongue^[7] cannot be lawfully forbidden.

I.04.(d) We agree that, in general, it is more fitting, and in accordance with the spirit of the Church, that the Liturgy should be in the tongue understood by the people.

I.04.(e) We agree that Faith working by Love, not Faith without Love, is the means and condition of Man’s justification before God.

I.04.(f) Salvation cannot be merited by “merit of condignity,” because there is no proportion between the infinite worth of salvation promised by God and the finite worth of man’s works.

I.04.(g) We agree that the doctrine of opera supererogationi s and of a thesaurus meritorum sanctorum, — i.e., that the overflowing merits of the Saints can be transferred to others, either by the rulers of the Church, or by the authors of the good works themselves — is untenable.^[8]

I.04.(h) The Sacraments:

We acknowledge that the number of the sacraments was fixed at seven, first in the twelfth century, and then was received into the general teaching of the Church, not as tradition coming down from the Apostles or from the earliest times, but as the result of theological speculation.

Catholic theologians acknowledge, and we acknowledge with them, that Baptism and the Eucharist are principalia, praecipus, eximia salutis nostrae sacramenta.^[9]

I.04.(i) Apostolic Tradition:

The Holy Scriptures being recognized as the primary rule of Faith, we agree that the genuine tradition, i.e., the unbroken transmission partly oral, partly in writing of the doctrine delivered by Christ and the Apostles is an authoritative source of teaching for all successive generations of Christians. This tradition is partly to be found in the consensus of the great ecclesiastical bodies standing in historical continuity with the primitive Church, partly to be gathered by scientific method from the written documents of all centuries.

We acknowledge that the Church of England, and the Churches derived from her, have maintained unbroken the Episcopal succession.

I.04.(j) We reject the new Roman doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, as being contrary to the tradition of the first thirteen centuries according to which Christ alone is conceived without sin.

I.04.(k) We agree that the practice of confession of sins before the congregation or a Priest, together with the exercise of the power of the keys, has come down to us from the primitive Church, and that, purged from the abuses and free from constraint, it should be preserved in the Church.

I.04.(l) We agree that “indulgences” can only refer to penalties actually imposed by the Church herself.

I.04.(m) We acknowledge that the practice of the commemoration of the faithful departed — i.e., the calling down of a richer outpouring of Christ’s grace upon them — has come down to us from the primitive Church, and is to be preserved in the Church.

I.04.(n) The Eucharist:

The Eucharistic celebration in the Church is not a continuous repetition or renewal of the propitiatory sacrifice offered once forever by Christ upon the cross; but its sacrificial character consists in this, that it is the permanent memorial of it, and a representation and presentation on earth of that one oblation of Christ for the salvation of redeemed mankind, which according to the Epistle to the Hebrews (9:11,12), is continuously presented in heaven by Christ, who now appears in the presence of God for us (9:24).

While this is the character of the Eucharist in reference to the sacrifice of Christ, it is also a sacred feast, wherein the faithful, receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord, have communion one with another (I Corinthians 10:17).

[edit] Section I.05 Diversity

I.05.(a) The Church encourages diversity. Although churches are legally exempt from civil rights laws, we do not discriminate. The following are not impediments to any Sacrament or ministry: citizenship, race, physical disability (including HIV status), ethnicity, family responsibilities, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, physical appearance, political affiliation, sexual orientation, union membership or veteran status.

I.05.(b) Our ministers lead by example and attraction, never by edict or coercion. Although private faith and belief are not controlled by the church, ministers represent the church in the eyes of lay people and should keep teachings in line with church tradition and norms. Ministers must behave in ways that protect the decorum of their office.

I.05.(c) Each lay member’s faith is sovereign. This principle of unity in diversity is illustrated by a common saying in the church: “They made room in the church for someone like me, so I will make room for someone like you.”

[edit] Article II. Organization and Governance

[edit] Section II.01 Parishes and Non-parochial Ministries

II.01.(a) The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, and everyone in this One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church shares in this perpetual incarnation. Parishes and other ministries should be taken seriously as they are the bridge of the universal to the individual.

II.01.(b) An individual clergy‘s ministry becomes apparent during his or her matriculation in the seminary, allowing for both training and discernment.

II.01.(c) The church wants to foster growth of existing parishes, the formation of new parishes, and the establishment of new and innovative ministries. That said, the church also has the responsibilities of protecting the church as a whole and each individual adherent.

II.01.(d) The church and its entire clergy take care to protect the message of love, of faith and hope and charity.

II.01.(e) At every level, someone is appointed to represent the church as a whole. In a parish, that person is the pastor. In a diocese, it is the Ordinary or diocesan bishop. In a province, it is the Regionary Bishop. At the national office, it is the Presiding Bishop. All of these leaders report to someone: no individual has unbridled control over anything. Checks and balances are built into the structure of the church.

II.01.(f) Anyone who wishes to establish a parish church or a non-parochial ministry must do so within the framework of checks and balances. Parishes require a charter, granted by the Executive Committee at the request of the Ordinary. Non-parochial ministries require written permission of the Ordinary.

II.01.(g) Upon granting a parish charter (a letter of permission to establish its work), the Executive Committee, in consultation with the Ordinary of the new ministry, will appoint someone from its own body to be an ex officio member of the new ministry’s board to act as mentor and advisor.

II.01.(h) Ministers may draw a stipend, so long as it is reasonable, approved by the Ordinary, and including on the minister’s regular report. No sacrament may be withheld because the recipient is unable to pay a stipend. No “indulgence,” relic or consecrated object may be sold or bartered.

[edit] Section II.02 Jurisdictional Duties in General

II.02.(a) Those in positions of jurisdictional authority shall insure that—

• the promotion and coordination of the common pastoral activity within the jurisdiction;
• the clerics of the jurisdiction lead a life in harmony with their state in life and perform their duties with diligence;
• religious functions follow Church norms;
• the good appearance of churches and sacred furnishings are maintained;
• sacramental records are correctly kept up-to-date;
• parish, mission and missionary books are managed according to Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP);
• parish rectories are well maintained;
• clerics, following the norms of the jurisdiction and the Church, attend theological lectures, meetings, or conferences;
• clerics of the jurisdiction have access to spiritual helps and aid in difficult pastoral circumstances;
• all seminarians and those in Minor Orders have a mentor, preferably close to their rank or seniority;
• all clerics in the jurisdiction are well cared for when they are sick or dying; and
• lay members play a substantive role, through advice and consent, as sentient incarnations of the church catholic, the Mystical Body of Christ.

II.02.(b) Any jurisdictions that is not current with its regular ministerial assessment (financial help to the main office) is suspended. No member of the clergy in a suspended jurisdiction may cast a vote in any church body.

[edit] Section II.03 The Ecumenical Councils

II.03.(a) The highest earthly authority of the Church is the Ecumenical Council. To be ecumenical, they must be (a) universal and (b) free.

II.03.(b) There have only been seven (7) such councils where bishops from the farthest reaches of Christendom met without compulsion or intimidation. Each of these councils was called by an emperor, not by a faction in the church. Proceedings of the councils were propagated throughout Christianity without any further ratification, neither by emperor nor patriarch (pope). The seven councils were —

• First Council of Nicaea (325AD)
• First Council of Constantinople (381AD)
• Council of Ephesus (431AD)
• Council of Chalcedon (451AD)
• Second Council of Constantinople (553AD)
• Third Council of Constantinople (680-681AD)
• Second Council of Nicaea (787AD)

II.03.(c) Other meetings of bishops, called synods, are subordinate to the seven Ecumenical Councils.

II.03.(d) What individual denominations do when their leaders gather is more important to them than to the church catholic, but we consider their actions and teachings with respect. We do not accept such conclusions as dogma (e.g., the anti-gay rules passed in the United Methodist Church by its General Conference, 1998, or the dogma of papal infallibility from Rome‘s synod known as the First Vatican Council, 1870).

II.03.(e) We do not automatically concur with pronouncements from individual leaders of other sects (e.g., the so-called “Immaculate Conception” from the Roman Patriarch, Pope Pius IX, or the support given to South African apartheid by the American Televangelist, Jerry Falwell).

[edit] Section II.04 The General Episcopal Synod (GES)

II.04.(a) The North American Old Catholic Church is conciliar. Its highest earthly administrative authority is its General Episcopal Synod (GES), which is a face-to-face meeting of the bishops of the church.

II.04.(b) The highest ranking bishop of the church — usually the Presiding Bishop — shall call a General Episcopal Synod, every one to three (1-3) years by sending written notice of the meeting at least two (2) months before the convocation. The GES agenda shall be sent in writing to every bishop and priest in the church at least one (1) month before the start of the GES.

II.04.(c) The GES shall begin with Mass celebrated by the highest ranking bishop — usually the Presiding Bishop — present at the GES. Each session shall begin with a prayer asking for direction from the Holy Spirit. The final session of the GES shall be Mass concelebrated by every member of the clergy in attendance, with the lead celebrant being the priest or bishop with the least amount of seniority.

II.04.(d) If three (3+) or more years have passed without a GES and the highest ranking bishop is unable or unwilling to call the bishops together, the next highest ranking bishop shall make plans for a GES within one month.

II.04.(e) The GES may conduct any business involving church teachings and governance. The highest ranking bishop present shall be the president of the synod. A secretary (scribe) shall be appointed to take minutes, which must be published within one (1) month after the close of the final session of the synod.

II.04.(f) All sessions of the GES shall be open to anyone, except when bishops meet to discuss personnel issues or to meet with a legal advisor. The GES shall see that the laity has a clear voice and substantive role is all actions.

II.04.(g) The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the GES in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Church may adopt.

[edit] Section II.05 Executive Committee

II.05.(a) There shall be an Executive Committee that consists of the Presiding Bishop, the Presiding Bishop’s Coadjutor, all the Regionary Bishops, all the Diocesan Bishops, the Presiding Bishop’s Chancellor, the head (Superior, General, etc.) of each chartered Religious Order, the Presiding Bishop’s Vicar General and the head of the national seminary.

II.05.(b) All members of the Executive Committee are ex officio members, and no member may be on suspension or on the Inactive List.

II.05.(c) The Executive Committee may and should meet on a regular basis. Any kind of travel-saving technology, such as teleconferencing, is encouraged. So long as a majority of the Executive Committee is part of the meeting, most church business may be transacted without meeting face-to-face.

II.05.(d) The Executive Committee is encouraged to enter into communion and intercommunion agreements with other denominations and to join ecumenical church groups, subject to ratification at the next GES. No agreement or membership may go against any Canon of the Church or eliminate the Church’s responsibility as the national Latin Rite church of the USA.

II.05.(e) Executive Committee meetings may not change the Constitution or Canons of the church.

II.05.(f) The Executive Committee may not take up any new business or settle any old business within two months of the convocation of a GES unless that business involves the GES gathering itself.

II.05.(g) As with GES sessions, Executive Committee meetings should begin with a prayer to the Holy Spirit asking for guidance.

II.05.(h) Any bishop on the Executive Committee may be represented — voting rights included — at a meeting by that bishop’s Vicar General.

II.05.(i) The General Executive Committee shall, from time to time, create or update a list of approved charges and fees imposed for the services of the church that should include, but are not limited to: seminary matriculation, activity, and credit hour fees; cost of publications, books, magazines, and other printed materials; retreat center housing and program fee attendance; Proceeds from such fees and charges are to be deposited into the national church account.

II.05.(j) The Executive Committee shall see that there is the church has a training program for clergy. This is the national seminary. The Committee shall appoint seminary whatever leaders that it deems appropriate. The Committee retains the duty of oversight of those leaders, who shall report regularly on the status of the seminary, the resolution of any ethical issues, changes to curriculum, entrance, matriculation or operational polilcies.

[edit] Section II.06 Presiding Bishop

II.06.a. Duties of the Presiding Bishop

II.06.(a).1 The Presiding Bishop is the servant to the servants of God and Patriarch of the North American Old Catholic Church. He or she is the head pastor, the high priest and the chief executive officer.

II.06.(a).2 The Presiding Bishop is the ex officio chair person of every committee or subcommittee in the church. He or she is not required to assert that authority.

II.06.(a).3 The Presiding Bishop is the ex officio “Regionary Bishop” over any territory not covered by a Province or Diocese.

II.06.(a).4 The Presiding Bishop is the ex officio head of the curia and the main administrative office.

II.06.(a).5 The Presiding Bishop is the public face of the Church as a whole. When speaking to the general public or to members of the media, he or she must speak only in terms agreeable to the church as a whole.

II.06.(a).6 The Presiding Bishop may negotiate and enter into agreements with groups outside the church, but each agreement is subject to ratification by the Executive Committee or the GES.

II.06.b. How the Presiding Bishop is Selected

II.06.(b).1 When the office of Presiding Bishop is vacant ( sede vacante ), the chairman or senior member of the Executive Committee shall issue a call for nominations.

II.06.(b).2 Any bishop on the Active List may nominate no more than one candidate.

II.06.(b).3 Before nomination the consent of the nominee shall have been obtained.

II.06.(b).4 The names of all nominees shall be submitted to the Executive Committee or the GES for secret ballot.

II.06.(b).5 Should no clear majority result, the names of the two having received the highest number of votes shall again be submitted for secret ballot. In the event of a tie vote, the senior nominee (see Section III.02) shall be declared elected.

II.06.c. How a Presiding Bishop may be Replaced

II.06.(c).1 At a written request of not less than one-third (1/3) of the members of the GES, submitted to the senior member of the Executive Committee other than the Presiding Bishop, he shall place before the Executive Committee or the GES a resolution to remove the Presiding Bishop from office.

II.06.(c).2 Should such resolution be adopted by not less than two thirds (2/3) of the members of the Synod, such office shall be declared vacant and the Executive Committee shall proceed with the election of a new Presiding Bishop.

[edit] Section II.07 Coadjutor of the Church

II.07.(a) The Presiding Bishop shall appoint a coadjutor, subject to ratification of the Executive Committee or the GES.

II.07.(b) The coadjutor‘s sole job is to step in without ceremony as Presiding Bishop should that person be unable or unwilling to serve due to illness, death, suspension or removal from office.

II.07.(c) The coadjutor does not become an “acting” Presiding Bishop. Rather, the coadjutor possesses the right to succession.

II.07.(d) If the situation allows the original Presiding Bishop to resume his or her duties, the coadjutor steps aside without ceremony.

II.07.(e) If the original Presiding Bishop is unable to return to active duty within one hundred eighty (180) days, the coadjutor (as Presiding Bishop) shall call for his or her replacement (see II.06.b).

[edit] Section II.08 Vicar General to the Presiding Bishop

II.08.(a) The Presiding Bishop may appoint another bishop or priest to act as the Vicar General.

II.08.(b) There may be only one Vicar General to the Presiding Bishop.

II.08.(c) The Vicar General is the Presiding Bishop’s deputy and may exercise whatever non-liturgical duties given by the Ordinary. When the Vicar General acts, it is considered to be an action of the Presiding Bishop himself or herself.

II.08.(d) No Vicar General may ordain others, unless the Vicar General is a bishop acting on behalf of the Ordinary.

II.08.(e) The Vicar General assumes the title of archdeacon, unless he or she is a bishop.

[edit] Section II.09 The Curia

II.09.(a) The Presiding Bishop may appoint such assistants as he or she needs or wants. They serve at the pleasure of the Presiding Bishop.

II.09.(b) The church asks that any member of the curia continue his or her duties during any period of sede vacante . When a new Presiding Bishop is selected, all positions within the curia expire automatically and without ceremony. It is permissible for the new Presiding Bishop to retain members of the curia, but they must be reappointed.

[edit] Section II.10 Chancellor

II.10.(a) The Presiding Bishop may appoint a chancellor who serves at the pleasure of the Presiding Bishop and is the ex officio chief executive or moderator of the curia.

II.10.(b) The chancellor must be a notary so that official documents may be certified.

II.10.(c) Unless there is a separate treasurer, the chancellor maintains the financial records of the church.

[edit] Section II.11 Church Archivist

II.11.(a) The Presiding Bishop shall appoint a Church Archivist, whose duty is to preserve the documents that show the activity of the church.

II.11.(b) It shall also be the duty of the Church Archivist to preserve artifacts and memorabilia of the Church.

II.11.(c) The archivist may hire or appoint assistants, subject to approval of the Presiding Bishop.

II.11.(d) The archivist shall make regular reports to the Presiding Bishop and an annual report to the Executive Committee or the GES.

[edit] Section II.12 Communications Director

II.12.(a) The Presiding Bishop shall appoint a Communications Director, whose duty is to increase public awareness of the Church and attract converts and clergy. The following are the responsibilities of the Communications Director:

• national news releases;
• parochial news releases (when requested by a Regionary or Diocesan bishop);
• publicity for national initiatives;
• publicity for parochial initiatives (when requested by a Regionary or Diocesan Bishop);
• design and update of the Church’s websites; and
• additional “new media” outlets.

II.12.(b) The Communications Director may hire or appoint assistants as required or needed, subject to the approval of the Presiding Bishop.

II.12.(c) The Communications Director shall make regular reports to the Presiding Bishop and an annual report to the Executive Committee or the GES.

[edit] Section II.13 Regions and Provinces

The terms “province” and “region” are the same for purposes of these canons. They are used interchangeably. II.13.a. Rural and Unincorporated Areas

II.13.(a).1 All areas not within a region or province are considered to be in an unnamed region in the jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop.

II.13.b. Erection of a Province

II.13.(b).1 A new province or region is established by the Presiding Bishop, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee or the GES.

II.13.c. Constitution of a Province

II.13.(c).1 The bishops and clergy may opt to ratify a constitution for the province.

II.13.(c).2 Any section of a provincial constitution that is contrary to the Church constitution is both null and void.

II.13.d. Provincial Clerical Synod

II.13.(d).1 The Regionary Bishop (considered to be an archbishop in terms of address) may choose to summon all the clergy together in a Provincial Clerical Synod.

II.13.(d).2 The synod may meet by any means: in person, by teleconference, etc.

II.13.(d).3 The clergy may discuss any matter that applies to them. If there is a provincial constitution, it may be adopted or amended only in a face-to-face synod.

II.13.(d).4 If the Provincial Clerical Synod passes any resolution of interest to the church as a whole, it is the duty of the Regionary Bishop to report that resolution to the Executive Committee or the GES.

II.13.e. Selecting a Regionary Bishop

II.13.(e).1 The bishops and priests shall select — by secret ballot — a Regionary Bishop from among their ranks, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee or the GES.

II.13.(e).2 If the person selected is a priest, his or her name is submitted to the Presiding Bishop for consecration.

II.13.f. Duties of a Regionary Bishop

II.13.(f).1 The Regionary Bishop is the chief executive of a region or province.

II.13.(f).2 He or she is the Ordinary (i.e., jurisdictional authority without delegation or deputation) for areas and parishes of the region that are not part of a diocese.

II.13.(f).3 If the region contains any dioceses, the Regionary Bishop represents the mystical relationship of the universal and local churches. However, he or she is not the Diocesesan Ordinary (or hyper-Ordinary). Like the larger Church, a diocese is conciliar not monarchical.

II.13.(f).4 The Regionary Bishop may erect and suppress archdeaconries and deaneries.

II.13.g. Removal of a Regionary Bishop

II.13.(g).1 At a written request of not less than one-third (1/3) of the members of the clergy of a region, submitted to the senior member of the Executive Committee other than the Presiding Bishop, he or she shall place before the Executive Committee or the GES a resolution to remove the Regionary Bishop from office. Should such resolution be adopted by not less than two thirds (2/3) of the members of the Synod, such office shall be declared vacant and the Executive Committee shall proceed with the election of a new Regionary Bishop.

II.13.h. Vicar General of a Region or Province

II.13.(h).1 A Regionary Bishop may appoint another bishop or priest within the province to act as the Vicar General for the region.

II.13.(h).2 There may be only one Vicar General in a Region or Province.

II.13.(h).3 The Vicar General is the Ordinary’s deputy and may exercise whatever non-liturgical duties given by the Ordinary. When a Vicar General acts, it is an action of the Ordinary himself or herself.

II.13.(h).4 No Vicar General may ordain others, unless the Vicar General is a bishop acting on behalf of the Ordinary.

II.13.(h).5 The Vicar General assumes the title of archdeacon, unless he or she is a bishop.

II.13.i. Chancellor of a Region or Province

II.13.(i).1 The Regionary Bishop may appoint a chancellor who serves at the pleasure of the archbishop and is the ex officio chief executive of the provincial curia.

II.13.(i).2 The chancellor must be a notary so that official documents may be certified.

II.13.(i).3 Unless there is a separate treasurer, the chancellor maintains the financial records of the region.

II.13.(i).3 The Chancellor may be either an Ecclesiastical notary or a notary recognized by the local government. If he or she is an Ecclesiastical notary, the authority to notarize extends only to church ledgers, certificates of baptism, confirmation, ordination, seminary academic records, results of elections of officials to church offices, results of tribunal actions, and other church documents that may need attestation that they are true copies of the original in the church archive

II.13.j. The Provincial Curia

II.13.(j).1 The Regionary Bishop may appoint such assistants as he or she needs or wants. They serve at the pleasure of the Regionary Bishop.

II.13.(j).2 The region asks that any member of the curia continue his or her duties during any period of sede vacante . When a new Regionary Bishop is selected and ratified, all positions within the curia expire automatically and without ceremony. It is permissible for the new Regionary Bishop to retain members of the curia, but they must be reappointed.

II.13.k. Suppression of a Region or Province

II.13.(k).1 The Presiding Bishop may submit a proposal to the Executive Committee or the GES to suppress a Region or Province for any good cause.

II.13.(k).2 That Region or Province is not suppressed until a majority vote of the Executive Committee or the GES ratifies the move.

[edit] Section II.14 Diocese

II.14.(a) A diocese is a territorial subdivision under the jurisdiction of a bishop. Each diocese is a subdivision of a province, region or the un-named region administered by the Presiding Bishop.

II.14.(b) A diocese should be no smaller than a city or metropolitan area and no larger than a U.S. state.

II.14.b. Erecting a Diocese

II.14.(b).1 A Regionary Bishop (including the Presiding Bishop acting as the Ordinary for a territory outside any region) may erect a diocese, subject to ratification by the Executive Committee or the GES.

II.14.(b).2 Only the GES may suppress a diocese.

II.14.c. Diocesan Constitution

II.14.(c).1 The bishops and clergy may opt to ratify a constitution for the diocese; however, any section of a provincial constitution that is contrary to the Church constitution is both null and void.

II.14.(c).2 Nothing in these national canons forbids lay participation at the diocesan or parish level. In fact, the church encourages such participation in a substantitive way. The position of the laity is not defined in this national document because this document's scope involves the church's organization and clergy.

II.14.d. Diocesesan Clerical Synod

II.14.(d).1 The bishop of a diocese shall summon all the clergy together in a Clerical Synod once a year. If there is a GES scheduled within the next six months, the clerical synod shall be called two months before the GES to allow for discussion of the topics that will be discussed at the GES.

II.14.(d).2 The synod may meet by any means: in person, by teleconference, etc.

II.14.(d).3 The clergy may discuss any matter that applies to them. If there is a constitution for the diocese, it may be amended only in a face-to-face synod.

II.14.(d).4 If the Diocesan Clerical Synod passes any resolution of interest to the church as a whole, it is the duty of the bishop to report that resolution to the GES.

II.14.e. Selecting a Diocesesan Bishop

II.14.(e).1 The selection of the Ordinary of a diocese is a two-step process—

The clergy in the diocese shall meet for the purpose of selecting a bishop. A quorum of at least half of the clergy in a diocese is required. The selection is made by secret ballot. If no individual has a majority of votes, a run-off, again by secret ballot, is held immediately.

The selection of the clergy in a diocese is submitted to the GES for ratification. If the selection fails to be ratified, the matter goes back to the clergy for another selection.

II.14.f. Duties of a Diocesan Bishop

II.14.(f).1 The Diocesan Bishop is the Ordinary (i.e., chief executive without delegation or deputation) of a diocese, assuring that all members of the clergy adhere to its traditions, canons and teachings.

II.14.(f).2 He or she represents the loving relationship of the local church and the universal church.

II.14.(f).3 The Diocesan Bishop protects the sovereignty of the Church as a whole and the rich tapestry of diversity in its lay adherents.

II.14.(f).4 He or she is the public face of the Church in the Diocese. When speaking to the general public or to members of the media, he or she must speak only in terms agreeable to the church as a whole.

II.14.g. Removal of a Diocesesan Bishop

II.14.(g).1 Only the GES may remove the Ordinary of a diocese.

II.14.(g).2 A Regionary Bishop may temporarily suspend a Diocesan Bishop for good cause.

II.14.h. Vicar General of a Diocese

II.14.(h).1 The Ordinary of a diocese may appoint another bishop or priest within the diocese to act as the Vicar General for the region.

II.14.(h).2 There may be only one Vicar General in a diocese.

II.14.(h).3 The Vicar General is the Ordinary’s deputy and may exercise whatever non-liturgical duties given by the Ordinary. When a Vicar General acts, it is considered to be an action of the Ordinary himself or herself.

II.14.(h).4 No Vicar General may ordain others, even if he or she is a bishop.

II.14.i. Chancellor of a Diocese

II.14.(i).1 The Ordinary of a diocese may appoint a chancellor who serves at the pleasure of the bishop and is the ex officio chief executive of the curia.

II.14.(i).2 The chancellor must be a notary so that official documents may be certified.

II.14.(i).3 Unless there is a separate treasurer, the chancellor maintains the financial records of the diocese.

II.14.(i).4 The Chancellor may be either an Ecclesiastical notary or a notary recognized by the local government. If he or she is an Ecclesiastical notary, the authority to notarize extends only to church ledgers, certificates of baptism, confirmation, ordination, seminary academic records, results of elections of officials to church offices, results of tribunal actions, and other church documents that may need attestation that they are true copies of the original in the church archive

II.14.j. The Diocesesan Curia

II.14.(j).1 The bishop of a diocese may appoint such assistants as he or she needs or wants. They serve at the pleasure of the bishop, without need for ratification.

II.14.(j).2 The church asks that any member of the curia continue his or her duties during any period of sede vacante . When a new Ordinary is selected, all positions within the curia expire automatically and without ceremony. It is permissible for the new Ordinary to retain members of the curia, but they must be reappointed.

[edit] Section II.15 Archdeaconries and Deaneries

II.15.a. Erecting and Suppression an Archdeaconry or Deanery

II.15.(a).1 A Regionary Bishop may create and suppress an archdeaconry or deanery without ratification of the GES or any regional synod.

II.15.(a).2 The Presiding Bishop may create and suppress an archdeaconry or deanery without ratification of the GES in any area that is not part of a province or region.

II.15.(a).3 An archdeaconry is considered larger or having a more concentrated population than a deanery. In many cases, and archdeaconry is a jurisdiction that is on its way to being erected as a diocese.

II.15.b. Governance of an Archdeaconry or Deanery

II.15.(b).1 The Presiding Bishop or Regionary Bishop is the Ordinary of the archdeaconry or deanery. The chief executive of an archdeaconry is an archdeacon, while the person who oversees a deanery is a dean.

II.15.(b).2 There is no need for the appointment of an archdeacon or dean to be ratified by the GES.

[edit] Section II.16 Church Property

II.16.(a) All property — both real and personal — of a church, diocese, province or region belongs to the North American Old Catholic Church (NAOCC).

II.16.(b) Should a jurisdiction dissolve or cease affiliation, ownership of all its property goes to the NAOCC.

II.16.(c) At no time shall any church property be used for the personal gain or profit of an individual.

[edit] Article III. Clergy

[edit] Section III.01 Old Catholic Apostolic Succession

III.01.(a) For purposes of Canon Law, Old Catholic Apostolic Succession must be traceable through one or more of the following bishops:

Carlos Duarte Costa	1888-1961	BCAC	Brazil
Gerhardus Gul	1847-1920	OCC	Ütrecht
Eduard Herzog	1841-1924	OCC	Switzerland
Franciszek Hodur	1866-1953	PNCC	USA
Charles W. Leadbeater	1854-1934	LCC	Australia
William Laud	1573-1645	CofE	England
Joseph Hubert Reinkens	1821-1896	OCC	Germany
Cornelius van Steenoven	1661-1725	OCC	Ütrecht
Willibrord of Frisia	658-739	RCC	Netherlands

[edit] Section III.02 Rankings of Clergy

III.02.(a) For purposes of Canon Law, seniority shall be determined first by office and then, within a single office, by date of consecration or ordination. The ranks by office are—

1. The Presiding Bishop (considered to be an archbishop)
2. The Regionary (Provincial) Bishops (considered to be archbishops)
3. The Diocesan Bishops
4. Archbishops Emeritus who have no current jurisdiction
5. Auxiliary Bishops and Suffragan Bishops
6. Bishops Emeritus who have no current jurisdiction
7. Rectors (head of the seminary, if not a bishop)
8. Archdeacons
9. Deans
10. Priests
11. Deacons
12. Subdeacons and those in Minor Orders

[edit] Section III.03 Active and Inactive Lists

III.03.a. Active List

III.03.(a).1 A bishop, priest or deacon who is currently licensed to conduct public services, and a retired bishop, priest or deacon who has not been placed on the Inactive List shall be regarded for the purposes of Canon Law as being on the Active List.

III.03.b. Transfer to the Inactive List

III.03.(b).1 Any member of the clergy may be transferred voluntarily or with his consent to the Inactive List, without prejudice to his future reinstatement.

III.03.(b).2 The Executive Committee shall have authority to transfer bishops to the Inactive List for manifest and prolonged inactivity or other reasons, subject to the right of appeal to an ad hoc committee which shall be set up in the same manner as provided for the election and assignment of bishops.

III.03.(b).3 An Ordinary may transfer any member of his clergy (other than a bishop) to the Inactive List and may decline to renew his or her license, for manifest and prolonged inactivity or other reasons, subject to, the right of appeal to the Judiciary Committee.

[edit] Section III.04 Good Standing

III.04.(a) Any clergy indicted on a felony by civil authority shall be suspended until those charges are resolved.

III.04.(b) Clergy who are in arrears with their ministry assessment are not to be considered in good standing.

III.04.(c) To maintain standing, clergy must submit regular activity reports as required by the GES.

III.04.(d) Any clergy, whether on the Active or Inactive List, shall be considered to be in good standing for the purposes of Canon Law when he shall not be under suspension from office or under inhibition from the exercise of clerical functions, save that a member of the clergy who shall have been notified that his conduct is under investigation shall not be entitled to vote in any matter concerning any action in his own case arising from such investigation or to serve during such investigation on any body concerned therewith.

[edit] Section III.05 Ministry

III.05.(a) Clergy called to embark on a particular ministry shall consult with his or her Ordinary prior to beginning work on that ministry.

III.05.(b) The General Episcopal Synod (GES) shall, from time to time, impose financial ministerial assessments on the various ministries and entities of the church in order to support the works of the National Church.

[edit] Section III.06 The Minor Orders (Seminarian Ministers-in-Training)

III.06.a. To save on travel expenses ordination to multiple Minor Orders may occur at the same service. This is at the discretion of the Ordinary. Ordinations are customarily limited to no more than three (3) levels.

III.06.b. Cleric

III.06.(b).1 The Order of Clerics is the first ordination given, and it is usually transitional (i.e., the ordinand is a seminarian hoping for higher orders). The Order is ecclesiastical, not sacramental. In other words, it was instituted by the church, not Jesus Christ.

III.06.(b).2 Receiving admission to the Order of Clerics separates the postulant from the laity.

III.06.(b).3 He or she should be appointed a mentor who is somewhat more experienced in seminary studies or church studies.

III.06.(b).4 The Ordinary may allow clerics the use of a “brothers collar” (thin white band around the neck) or “seminarian collar,” (a regular clerical collar with a black, vertical stripe in the center no wider than a quarter (1/4) inch). No cleric may wear any clothing that would confuse the public into thinking he or she is in major orders. Clerics should check with the Ordinary before wearing any collar.

III.06.(b).5 No one under the age of eighteen (18) may be accepted into the Order of Cleric.

III.06.(b).6 From time to time, the church may hold a retreat for spiritual growth, for training and for ordinations. Anyone who is a cleric or postulant must attend this retreat.

III.06.c. Doorkeeper

III.06.(c).1 The Order of Doorkeepers is ecclesiastical, not sacramental. In other words, it was instituted by the church, not Jesus Christ.

III.06.(c).2 The term “Porter” is synonymous with Doorkeeper.

III.06.(c).3 Doorkeeper is a rank that permits the postulant time to consider his or her mission in the church. Each doorkeeper shall submit a request to the Ordinary to minister in a parish (if applicable) or a general overview of what kind of ministry the Doorkeeper feels called to do.

III.06.(c).4 He or she should be appointed a mentor who is somewhat more experienced in seminary studies or church studies.

III.06.(c).5 The Ordinary may allow doorkeepers the use of a “brothers collar” (thin white band around the neck) or “seminarian collar,” (a regular clerical collar with a black, vertical stripe in the center no wider than a quarter (1/4) inch). No doorkeeper may wear any clothing that would confuse the public into thinking he or she is in major orders. Doorkeepers should check with the Ordinary before wearing any collar.

III.06.(c).6 From time to time, the church may hold a retreat for spiritual growth, community awareness, for training and for ordinations. Anyone who is a doorkeeper or postulant must attend this retreat.

III.06.(c).7 No one under the age of eighteen (18) may be accepted into the Order of Doorkeeper.

III.06.d. Reader

III.06.(d).1 The Order of Readers is ecclesiastical, not sacramental. In other words, it was instituted by the church, not Jesus Christ.

III.06.(d).2 If the Reader is part of a parish, then he or she shall take an active part in Reading the Epistle at Mass and in leading prayer services outside of Mass.

III.06.(d).3 If the Reader is not part of a parish, then he or she shall start holding public prayer services and readings, with the consent of the Ordinary and the assistance of his or her mentor.

III.06.(d).4 He or she should be appointed a mentor who is somewhat more experienced in seminary studies or church studies.

III.06.(d).5 The Ordinary may allow readers the use of a “brothers collar” (thin white band around the neck) or “seminarian collar,” (a regular clerical collar with a black, vertical stripe in the center no wider than a quarter (1/4) inch). No reader may wear any clothing that would confuse the public into thinking he or she is in major orders. Readers should check with the Ordinary before wearing any collar.

III.06.(d).6 From time to time, the church may hold a retreat for spiritual growth, community awareness, for training and for ordinations. Anyone who is a reader or postulant must attend this retreat.

III.06.(d).7 No one under the age of nineteen (19) may be accepted into the Order of Reader.

III.06.e. Exorcist

III.06.(e).1 The Order of Exorcists is ecclesiastical, not sacramental. In other words, it was instituted by the church, not Jesus Christ.

III.06.(e).2 An exorcist does not perform public exorcisms but spends the time at this grade purging whatever demons or negative energies from his or her own life.

III.06.(e).3 He or she should be appointed a mentor who is somewhat more experienced in seminary studies or church studies.

III.06.(e).4 The Ordinary may allow exorcists the use of a “brothers collar” (thin white band around the neck) or “seminarian collar,” (a regular clerical collar with a black, vertical stripe in the center no wider than a quarter (1/4) inch). No exorcist may wear any clothing that would confuse the public into thinking he or she is in major orders. Exorcists should check with the Ordinary before wearing any collar.

III.06.(e).5 From time to time, the church may hold a retreat for spiritual growth, community awareness, for training and for ordinations. Anyone who is a exorcist or postulant must attend this retreat.

III.06.(e).6 No one under the age of nineteen (19) may be accepted into the Order of Exorcist.

III.06.f. Acolyte

III.06.(f).1 The Order of Acolytes is ecclesiastical, not sacramental. In other words, it was instituted by the church, not Jesus Christ.

III.06.(f).2 The Ordinary may allow acolytes the use of a “brothers collar” (thin white band around the neck) or “seminarian collar,” (a regular clerical collar with a black, vertical stripe in the center no wider than a quarter (1/4) inch). No acolyte may wear any clothing that would confuse the public into thinking he or she is in major orders. Acolytes should check with the Ordinary before wearing any collar.

III.06.(f).3 From time to time, the church may hold a retreat for spiritual growth, community awareness, for training and for ordinations. Anyone who is a acolyte or postulant must attend this retreat.

III.06.(f).4 No one under the age of twenty (20) may be accepted into the Order of Acolyte.

III.06.g. Subdeacon

III.06.(g).1 The Order of Subdeacons is ecclesiastical, not sacramental. In other words, it was instituted by the church, not Jesus Christ.

III.06.(g).2 Ordination to the subdeaconate occurs at a public celebration of the Mass, just prior to the reading of the Epistle. Each Ordinand is vested in alb, cincture, an amice loosely hanging around the next, tunicle and maniple hanging from their left arm and a lit candle in their right hand. The features of the ordination are:

• The statement of the title under which the candidate is ordained.
• The prostration and the Litany (deferred if the candidates are also receiving the Deaconate at the Mass)
• The investiture with the insignia of the office (amice, maniple, tunicle and book of the epistles).

III.06.(g).3 Subdeacons are entitled to work with empty metalware that has been consecrated, such as an empty chalice or ciborium. This is to give the subdeacon more responsibility in a parish and to offer experience in working in a church.

III.06.(g).4 The Ordinary may allow a subdeacon to carry the Blessed Sacrament in a pyx and offer communion to the sick, the homebound and to prisoners.

III.06.(g).5 Subdeacons are entitled to wear a clerical collar, indistinguishable from the collar worn by deacons, priests and bishops. Subdeacons may not wear clerical shirts that are fuchsia, red or scarlet.

III.06.(g).6 From time to time, the church may hold a retreat for spiritual growth, community awareness, for training and for ordinations. Anyone who is a subdeacon or postulant must attend this retreat.

III.06.(g).7 At solemn or formal occasions, a subdeacon may wear a tunicle, which has the same shape as a deacon’s dalmatic but has less ornamentation.

III.06.(g).8 No one under the age of twenty (20) may be accepted into the Order of Subdeacons.

[edit] Section III.07 The Major Order of Deacons

III.07.a. The Types of Deacons

III.07.(a).1 A deacon may be permanent (no intention of continuing to the priesthood) or transitional.

III.07.(a).2 There is no functional difference between these two types, and the ordination is the same. The individual deacon knows through discernment which type he or she is.

III.07.(a).3 Someone designated as a transitional deacon is not guaranteed further advancement to the priesthood.

III.07.b. Family Responsibility

III.07.(b).1 Before becoming a deacon of the Church, either by ordination or incardination, the family of the postulant shall meet with the Ordinary. No personal shall become a deacon (or priest or bishop) unless his or her family acquiesces to the ordination, consecration or incardination.

III.07.c. Ordination as a Deacon

III.07.(c).1 A person must be at least 22 years old to be ordained as a deacon. The church feels it is better if a new deacon has already been in Minor Orders and the Subdeaconate for a combined minimum of six (6) months.

III.07.(c).2 Before anyone is ordained as a deacon, he or she must have passed a criminal background check administered by the Presiding Bishop or the Presiding Bishop's Curia. If the check finds any felony convictions in the past twenty (20) years, there may be no ordination unless it is approved by the GES or the Executive Committee.

III.07.(c).3 Ordination as a deacon must occur during a public celebration of the Mass. The celebrant must be a bishop of the North American Old Catholic Church (see Section III.01) on the Active List (see Section III.03).

III.07.(c).4 The ordination rite, which occurs just before the reading of the Gospel, must include:

• The Postulation, where the church (including laity) asks the bishop to cause the ordination to occur;
• The Scrutiny, where the bishop establishes that the Ordinand is worthy of the Deaconate;
• The Consultation, where the bishop gives all present the opportunity to express any objection to the ordination;
• The Prostration, where the people say or sing the litany while the ordinand lies prostrate before the altar (skipped if the Ordinand is also being received into the Order of Priest);
• The Imposition of Hands, where the bishop laying hands on the ordinand’s head while speaking the words, “Receive the Holy Spirit for the order and office of the deaconate” with the intent of ordaining the postulant.
• The Investiture, where the bishop gives the ordinand(s) the insignia of the office (dalmatic, empty chalice/paten and book of the Gospels).
• The Oath, of the new deacon taken at the end of Mass. The new deacon swears obedience to the Ordinary and to the canons of the Church.

III.07.(c).5 The Ordaining bishop or his Chancellor must execute the following documents, within ten (10) days of an ordination to the deaconate:

• Letters of Ordination, a certificate given to the new deacon, signed by the bishop with his or her seal.
• Notice of Ordination, a certificate given to the church archivist, advising the national office that a licit ordination has taken place. This notice is signed and sealed by the bishop and signed and notarized by the chancellor.
• Register of Ordination, an entry into the jurisdiction's register that logs the date, time, service and all names, including new Deacon, the Ordaining Bishop, Bishops in Choir and other participants.

III.07.d. Incardination into the NAOCC Deaconate

III.07.(d).1 A deacon who joins the Church from another denomination must be conditionally baptized, confirmed, accepted to each of the minor orders, the order of subdeacons and be ordained sub conditione as a deacon. No offense is intended by this, but the Church has a duty to make sure that the deacon’s ordination is both valid and includes Old Catholic Apostolic Succession.

III.07.(d).2 This re-ordination may be done economia, meaning it may be done outside a public Mass and with only a minimum ceremony. If the economia is done away from the public, notice to the public must be posted. The celebrant must be a bishop of the North American Old Catholic Church (see Section III.01) on the Active List (see Section III.03).

III.07.(d).3 Before anyone is incardinated as a deacon, he or she must have passed a criminal background check administered by the Presiding Bishop or the Presiding Bishop's Curia. If the check finds any felony convictions in the past twenty (20) years, there may be no incardination unless it is approved by the GES or the Executive Committee.

III.07.e. Duties of Deacons

III.07.(e).1 A deacon, whether transitional or permanent, is the one who spreads the Good News or Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. At Mass, deacons read the Gospel and deliver the homily or sermon. When a priest or bishop reads the Gospel, it is because he or she is an ordained deacon.

III.07.(e).2 A deacon may be permitted to keep the Blessed Sacrament at his or her home. The consecrated Hosts must be kept in a tabernacle with a sanctuary lamp (candle or electric lamp) that burns around the clock.

III.07.(e).3 A deacon may carry the Blessed Sacrament in a pyx when done with dignity for purposes of giving Communion to the sick or home-bound.

III.07.(e).4 If the deacon is outside the ministry of a church, his or her active ministry begins in earnest with ordination into the Order of Deacons.

III.07.f. Attire of Deacons

III.07.(f).1 Deacons in suit and at other appropriate times should wear a clerical shirt. They may also wear a cross, so long as it cannot be seen as a bishop‘s pectoral cross.

III.07.(f).2 The traditional color of a clerical shirt is black, but deacons may wear any other color other than fuchsia, red or scarlet.

III.07.(f).3 The liturgical attire of a deacon consists of a solid black cassock with an optional black sash (fascia) with fringed ends that drape downward worn on the left). Deacons may also wear a solid black biretta with a black tuft.

III.07.(f).4 Deacons are to wear a stole ( orarium — orarium quia orat, id est, proedicat) on the left shoulder, the right shoulder being left free to typify the expedition with which they were to discharge their sacred functions.^[10]

III.07.(f).5 At solemn or formal occasions, the deacon may also wear a dalmatic.

III.07.(f).6 Deacons should wear black shoes and black socks at liturgical settings.

III.07.(f).7 In tropical areas, a solid white cassock with white buttons may be substituted for the black cassock, with approval of the Ordinary.

III.07.(f).8 The deacon may wear a religious ring so long as it cannot be seen as a bishop‘s ring. At no time may a deacon wear a religious ring that contains amethysts or sapphires (or the appearance of such stones).

[edit] Section III.08 The Major Order of Priests

III.08.a. Family Responsibility

III.08.(a).1 Before becoming a priest of the Church, either by ordination or incardination, the family of the postulant shall meet with the Ordinary. No personal shall become a priest (or deacon or bishop) unless his or her family acquiesces to the ordination, consecration or incardination.

III.08.b. Ordination of Priests

III.08.(b).1 A person must be at least 25 years old to be ordained as a priest. He or she must have been a deacon for not less than six (6) months.

III.08.(b).2 Ordination as a priest must occur during a public celebration of the Mass. The celebrant must be a bishop of the North American Old Catholic Church (see Section III.01 on page 15) on the Active List (see Section III.03 on page 15).

III.08.(c).4 The ordination rite, which occurs just before the reading of the Gospel, must include:

• The Postulation, where the church (including laity) asks the bishop to cause the ordination to occur;
• The Scrutiny, where the bishop establishes that the Ordinand is worthy of the Priesthood;
• The Consultation, where the bishop gives all present the opportunity to express any objection to the ordination;
• The Instruction, where the bishop gives Ordinands gives a short talk to the Ordinand(s), specifying what a priest should and should not do;
• The Prostration, where the people say or sing the litany while the ordinand lies prostrate before the altar;
• The Imposition of Hands, where the bishop laying hands on the ordinand’s head while speaking the words, “Receive the Holy Spirit for the order and office of the priesthood” with the intent of ordaining the postulant.
• The Investiture, where the bishop gives the ordinand(s) the insignia of the office (changing the stole from a deacon's stole to a priest's cross-stole and placing a chasuble).
• The Anointing, where the bishop anoints the hands of the new priest.
• The Power, where the bishop gives the new priest license to change an ordinary host into the Body of Christ and an ordinary juice of grape into the Blood of Christ for the benefit of the Church and community; to maintain pastoral work for the faithful; to mentor those still in the seminary.
• The Oath, of the new priest taken at the end of Mass. The new priest swears obedience to the Ordinary and to the canons of the Church.

III.08.(d).5 The Ordaining bishop or his Chancellor must execute the following documents, within ten (10) days of an ordination to the priesthood:

• Letters of Ordination, a certificate given to the new priest, signed by the bishop with his or her seal.
• Notice of Ordination, a certificate given to the church archivist, advising the national office that a licit ordination has taken place. This notice is signed and sealed by the bishop and signed and notarized by the chancellor.
• Register of Ordination, an entry into the jurisdiction's register that logs the date, time, service and all names, including new Priest, the Ordaining Bishop, Bishops in Choir and other participants.

III.08.c. Incardination into the NAOCC Priesthood

III.08.(c).1 A priest who joins the Church from another denomination must be conditionally baptized, confirmed, accepted to each of the minor orders, the order of subdeacons and be ordained sub conditione as a deacon.

III.08.(c).2 A priest ordained by a bishop outside the NAOCC shall be ordained sub conditione . No offense is intended by this, but the Church has a duty to make sure that the priest’s ordination is both valid and includes Old Catholic “DNA.”

III.08.(c).3 This re-ordination may be done economia, meaning it may be done outside a public Mass and with only a minimum ceremony. If the economia is done away from the public, notice to the public must be posted.

III.08.(c).4 The re-ordination must be performed by a bishop of the North American Old Catholic Church (see Section III.01 on page 15) on the Active List (see Section III.03 on page 15).

III.08.(c).5 During his or her re-ordination, the new priest must take an oath of obedience to the Ordinary and to the canons of the Church.

III.08.(c).6 Before anyone is incardinated as a priest, he or she must have passed a criminal background check administered by the Presiding Bishop or the Presiding Bishop's Curia. If the check finds any felony convictions in the past twenty (20) years, there may be no incardination unless it is approved by the GES or the Executive Committee.

III.08.d. Duties of Priests

III.08.(d).1 Every parochial priest shall see that records of parish activities are kept up-to-date. These records include a registry of each baptism, confirmation, marriage and funeral. There should also be a log of services, including Mass (including number of attendees and number of communicants) and any other activities of the parish, regardless of where the activities occur (including number of participants).

III.08.(d).2 Every parochial priest shall make sure financial records for the parish are kept up-to-date. The parish pastor shall not be the only person who maintains these financial records.

III.08.(d).3 Every parochial priest shall read any pastoral letter from the Diocesan Bishop, the Regionary Bishop or the Presiding Bishop within a month after receipt of the letter.

III.08.(d).4 Every priest shall instruct parents and god parents concerning the significance of baptism.

III.08.(d).5 Every priest shall prepare a monthly report of activities, sending it to the Presiding Bishop’s Curia using instructions provided by the Curia.

III.08.e. Attire of Priests

III.08.(e).1 Priests in suit and at other appropriate times should wear a clerical shirt. They may also wear a cross, so long as it cannot be seen as a bishop‘s pectoral cross.

III.08.(e).2 The traditional color of a clerical shirt is black, but priests may wear other colors besides fuchsia, red or scarlet. No priest may wear a fuchsia, red or scarlet clerical shirt.

III.08.(e).3 The liturgical attire of a priest consists of a solid black cassock with an optional black sash (fascia) with fringed ends that drape downward worn on the left).

III.08.(e).4 Priests may also wear a solid black biretta. No head gear may be worn by the celebrant at Mass from the Preface through the Ablutions.

III.08.(e).5 Priests should wear black shoes and black socks at liturgical settings.

III.08.(e).6 In tropical areas, a solid white cassock with white buttons may be substituted for the black cassock, with approval of the Ordinary.

III.08.(e).7 The priest may also wear a religious ring so long as it cannot be seen as a bishop‘s ring. At no time may a priest wear a religious ring that contains amethysts or sapphires (or the appearance of such stones).

[edit] Section III.09 The Major Order of Bishops

III.09.a. Selection of a Bishop

III.09.(a).1 Prior to the selection of a bishop, the GES must agree that there is a clear and present need for the bishop.

III.09.(a).2 Prior to the consecration of a bishop, his or her name shall be submitted to the GES for approval. In addition to the name, the presenter or nominating clergy must tell the GES why the person should be consecrated. If the consecration is approved by a simple majority vote, the highest ranking bishop in the church (usually the Presiding Bishop) shall issue letters mandating the consecration.

III.09.(a).3 No person may be selected as a bishop unless he or she is at least thirty-five (35) years of age and has been a priest for at least three (3) years.

III.09.b. Family Responsibility

III.09.(b).1 Before becoming a bishop of the Church, either by consecration or incardination, the family of the bishop-elect shall meet with the highest ranking bishop in the church (usually the Presiding Bishop, or the Ordinary if the postulant is to be a suffragan or auxiliary bishop). No personal shall become a bishop (or deacon or priest) unless his or her family acquiesces to the ordination, consecration or incardination.

III.09.c Consecration of a Bishop

III.09.(c).2 Bishops must be consecrated by two (2) or more other bishops.

III.09.(c).3 The primary consecrator must be a bishop of the North American Old Catholic Church (see Section III.01 on page 15) on the Active List (see Section III.03 on page 15).

III.09.(c).4 The words “Receive the Holy Spirit for the office and duties of bishop” must be said while the primary consecrator lays his or her hands on the bishop-elect’s head. In addition, the new bishop is presented with miter, crosier, pectoral cross and episcopal ring.

III.09.(c).5 Before anyone is incardinated as a bishop, he or she must have passed a criminal background check administered by the Presiding Bishop or the Presiding Bishop's Curia. If the check finds any felony convictions in the past twenty (20) years, there may be no incardination unless it is approved by the GES or the Executive Committee.

III.09.(c).6 The Consecrating bishop or his Chancellor must execute the following documents, following the Consecration of a bishop:

• Letters of Certificate, a certificate given to the new bishop, signed by the consecrating bishop with his or her seal.
• Notice of Consecration, a certificate given to the church archivist, advising the national office that a licit consecration has taken place. This notice is signed and sealed by the consecrating bishop, the assisting consecrators and signed and notarized by the chancellor.
• Register of Consecration, an entry into the jurisdiction's register that logs the date, time, service and all names, including new bishop, the Primary Consecrating Bishop, Assistant Consecrating Bishops and other participants.

III.09.d. Doctor of Divinity

III.09.(d).1 The seminary shall bestow an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree to each bishop of the church.

III.09.e. Episcopal Regalia Ownership

III.09.(e).1 All consecrated episcopal regalia (crosier and pectoral cross, signets), however acquired, are the property of the General Episcopal Synod.

III.09.(e).2 The Presiding Bishop shall forward to each bishop and to each bishop-elect a custody receipt in duplicate stating that such regalia have been lent to the bishop for his episcopal use, subject to return at the pleasure of the Synod, or upon his death. The bishop shall sign this to indicate receipt of regalia and acceptance of responsibility for return to the Synod, returning one copy to the Presiding Bishop.

III.09.(e).3 For any item of regalia not received from the Synod, the bishop shall execute a legal deed of gift vesting ownership of such item in the Synod and forward this to the Presiding Bishop, who shall legally accept the gift in writing on behalf of the Synod.

III.09.f. Attire of Bishops

III.09.(f).1 The bishop shall always wear an episcopal ring on his or her right “ring finger.” When a bishop blesses or consecrates someone or something, it is done through the ring and not merely through the bishop’s hand.

III.09.(f).2 A bishop in suit shall wear a clerical collar and pectoral cross. The cross shall be on a chain.

III.09.(f).3 The bishop‘s pectoral cross and/or ring may contain amethysts, but not sapphires or stones with the appearance of sapphires.

III.09.(f).4 The traditional color of a clerical shirt is black. Bishops may also wear color fuchsia and other colors. Bishops may not wear red or scarlet.

III.09.(f).5 A bishop may wear a house cassock or soutane (black cassock trimmed in fuchsia with a fuchsia sash fascia with fringed ends that drape downward worn on the left). The bishop also wears a cross on a metal chain and a fuchsia zucchetto and/or fuchsia biretta.

III.09.(f).6 A bishop, in choir, may wear a choir cassock (fuchsia with red piping, fuchsia sash and rochet). If the bishop is within his or her jurisdiction, he or she may wear a mozzetta. Otherwise, the outermost choir vestment is a fuchsia mantelletta with red lining.

III.09.(f).7 The bishop may wear chirothecœ (episcopal gauntlet gloves in white or in the day’s liturgical color), fuchsia zucchetto and/or fuchsia biretta. When the bishop will be called on to exercise episcopal authority, he or she wears a miter instead of a biretta. Bishops may wear white shoes and fuchsia stockings or buskins).

III.09.(f).8 At the most formal occasions, such as an ordination, it is common for a bishop to wear a dalmatic under the chasuble.

III.09.(f).9 At Mass (whether celebrant or not), the bishop‘s pectoral cross may be on a chain or a rope that is green and gold. When the bishop is the celebrant, he or she may wear the cross over or under the chasuble.

III.09.(f).10 Bishops generally wear a zucchetto but not a biretta as the celebrant at Mass. At formal or solemn occasions, the bishop also wears a miter and carries a crosier.

III.09.(f).11 No head gear or gloves may be worn at Mass by a bishop who is the celebrant or in choir from the Preface through the Ablutions. It is common for the bishop to remove his or her episcopal ring and any other symbols of rank during the Canon.

III.09.(f).12 In tropical areas, a solid white cassock with fuchsia buttons may be substituted for the black cassock.

III.09.(f).13 At Mass, the bishop may wear fuchsia hose and shoes that are black, white or the liturgical color.

III.09.g. Other

III.09.(g).1 No bishop of the NAOCC may participate in an ordination or consecration outside the NAOCC without prior written consent of the Presiding Bishop, the Executive Committee or the GES.

[edit] Section III.10 Other Titles and Designations

III.10.a. Archbishop

III.10.(a).1 The title of archbishop is ecclesiastical, not sacramental.

III.10.(a).2 The Presiding Bishop and Provincial Bishops (Regionary Bishops) are considered to be archbishops. This is an ex officio title, not a separate sacramental order. The title becomes effective at the moment the bishop assumes the new job and does not require any separate ceremony, installation or ratification.

III.10.(a).3 Once the person is entitled to use the title of archbishop, he or she may continue to do so until death.

III.10.(a).4 No person may be selected as an archbishop unless he or she is at least forty (40) years of age and has been a bishop for at least three (3) years.

III.10.(a).5 The attire of an archbishop is the same as that for a bishop, except fuchsia is commonly replaced by scarlet and the rope cord of a pectoral cross is gold and red. In tropical areas, a solid white cassock with scarlet buttons may be substituted for the black house or mass cassock.

III.10.(a).6 An archbishop‘s biretta is commonly scarlet but has no tuft. Archbishops generally do not wear a biretta as the celebrant at Mass, opting for a miter for formal or solemn occasions.

III.10.(a).7 An archbishop may wear chirothecœ (episcopal gauntlet gloves) that are white or the liturgical color.

III.10.(a).8 At Mass, the archbishop may wear red or scarlet hose or buskins and shoes (patent leather) that are black, white or the liturgical color. When wearing an archbishop's choir cassock, the shoes may be red or scarlet, and they may be trimmed in gold.

III.10.(a).9 No head gear or gloves may be worn at Mass by an archbishop who is the celebrant or in choir from the Preface through the Ablutions. It is common for the archbishop to remove his or her episcopal ring and any other symbols of rank during the Canon.

III.10.(a).10 At Mass (whether celebrant or not), the archbishop‘s pectoral cross may be on a chain or a red and gold rope. The pectoral cross may be over or under the chasuble.

III.10.(a).11 Regionary Bishops may wear a fuchsia or scarlet mozzetta where appropriate to the liturgy even if they are outside their province or region, except in the church of the Presiding Bishop. The Regionary Bishop wears a mantelletta in the Presiding Bishop’s church.

III.10.(a).12 The archbishop‘s pectoral cross and/or ring may contain sapphires.

III.10.(a).13 The traditional color of a clerical shirt is black. Archbishops may also wear color fuchsia, red or any other color.

III.10.b. Auxiliary Bishops

III.10.(b).1 An auxiliary bishop is a bishop who is given a specific area of responsibility (e.g., Bishop for Spanish Ministries or Bishop of Discernment) by a Diocesan or Regionary Bishop.

III.10.(b).2 Auxiliary bishops are not Ordinaries because they act as a deputy of the Ordinary. They are voting members of the GES but not the Executive Committee.

III.10.c. Suffragan Bishops

III.10.(c).1 A Suffragan Bishop is a bishop on the Active List with no jurisdiction and no auxiliary appointment.

III.10.(c).2 They are voting members of the GES but not the Executive Committee.

III.10.d. Archdeacon or Dean

III.10.(d).1 The titles of archdeacon and dean are ecclesiastical, not sacramental.

III.10.(d).2 An archdeacon presides over an archdeaconry. This is similar to a deanery, which is something like a “diocese” without an Ordinary. A dean presides over a deanery. A deanery is a geographical jurisdiction, similar to a diocese.

III.10.(d).3 An archdeacon is considered a higher rank than a dean.

III.10.(d).4 An archdeacon or a dean may use the term Very Reverend in front of his or her name.

III.10.(d).5 The attire of any archdeacon or dean is the same as that of a priest, except that the trim of his or her mass and house cassock s may have red piping. Archdeacons and deans may sear a black zucchetto with red trim or a biretta with red tuft. In this case the red is a deep red, not scarlet.

III.10.(d).6 Archdeacons and deans should wear black shoes and black socks at liturgical settings.

III.10.e. Pastor

III.10.(e).1 The title of pastor is given to the priest or bishop who is serving as head of a parish church.

III.10.f. Doctor of Divinity

III.10.(f).1 The national seminary shall award each person who teaches upper-class courses with the honorary title of Doctor of Divinity.

[edit] Article IV. Religious Orders

IV.01.(a) A religious order is an organization, recognized by the Church, whose members strive to achieve a common purpose through formally dedicating their life to God. Members of an order freely vow (for life or for a specified span of years) to live in accordance to the order’s rule, constitution and norms.

IV.01.(b) The Church encourage religious order s, both monastic (monks, nuns) or mendicant (friars, sisters) and tries to help the order’s its members embody their charism and fulfill the order’s mission.

IV.01.(c) Individuals who feel they are called to establish a new religious order may proceed only if no existing order is compatible with the prospective order’s mission or rule. New orders must have at least three (3) members, and must submit a proposed rule to the Ordinary of the jurisdiction of the initial house or headquarters. The Ordinary shall work with (or appoint someone to work with) the new religious order to make sure its defining documents comply with the canons, constitution and norms of the Church. Once satisfied, the Ordinary shall submit the order’s proposal to the next GES.

IV.01.(d) Only the GES may approve or suppress an order, and only the GES may ratify changes to an order’s rule or constitution. The GES will consider the submission only if the new order has shown that it will bring a unique mission and/or charism into the Church and does so in a way compatible with the Church’s constitution, canons and norms.

IV.01.(e) An Ordinary or the Executive Committee may suspend an order for good cause, but the suspension at the next GES even if the GES fails to suppress the order.

IV.01.(f) Ordinaries are admonished to allow approved orders to establish and maintain houses and missions within a jurisdiction, and members of an approved order are admonished to give deference to the Church’s parochial structure and administration.

[edit] Article V. Teachings and Practices

[edit] Section V.01 Creed

V.01.(a) The official creed of the Church is the Nicene-Constantinople Creed of 381AD.

V.01.(b) The phrases deum de deo and filioque are not part of the Creed.

[edit] Section V.02 Charters and Credentials

V.02.(a) The curia of the national church issues charters to provinces, regions, diocese and parishes at the direction of the GES or Executive Committee.

V.02.(b) There is no arbitrary ending date to a charter.

V.02.(c) The curia of the national church issues clergy credentials (or “clergy card”) to all those in Major Orders who are active and in good standing (see page 15).

V.02.(d) Clergy credentials are valid for a period of not more than one year beginning each Advent.

V.02.(e) All credentials, including charters and clergy credentials, remain the property of the church and must be surrendered when requested.

[edit] Section V.03 Baptism

V.03.(a) Baptism is the gateway to the Mystical Body of Christ.

V.03.(b) The typical minister is a deacon, priest or bishop.

V.03.(c) Anyone — even a non-Christian, non-believer — may minister the Sacrament of Baptism if there is imminent danger of death ( in extremis).

V.03.(d) Anyone — including infants and children — may receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

V.03.(e) The vesture of the baptismal minister is a cassock, surplice and white overlay stole. If the minister is a bishop or archbishop, the vesture is cassock, rochet, white overlay stole, pectoral cross and zucchetto.

V.03.(f) The baptism must include water in contact with the head, either immersion or pouring, while the minister says “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

V.03.(g) Except baptism in extremis, the baptism should include anointing with Oil of the Catechumens (OC), which was consecrated by the Ordinary during Chrism Mass (usually Maundy Thursday). Containers for Oil of the Catechumens is sometimes abbreviated OS (sacred oil) instead of OC.

V.03.(h) Except baptism in extremis, baptismal water should be blessed for each service using the form approved by the Ordinary. Baptismal water does not contain added salt.

V.03.(i) Anyone who was not anointed at his or her baptism or is not sure if the baptism was Sacramental may be baptized sub conditione. In that case, the words of institution are “If you are not baptized, then I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

V.03.(j) Baptisms shall be recorded in the permanent register of the parish church, even if the baptism is performed away from church property.

[edit] Section V.04 The Eucharist

V.04.(a) The official liturgy of the Church is the traditional Mass in English, often called the “Knott Mass.” The typical Mass in Latin of 1958 (or earlier) or in the vernacular from the 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer is also acceptable for use without dispensation.

V.04.(b) The rubrics for the Mass may come from either Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described (1917) by Adrian Fortescue or Ceremonies of the Liberal Catholic Church (1934) by Irving S. Cooper.

V.04.(c) The Ordinary may allow different liturgies on a case-by-case basis for pastoral reasons.

V.04.(d) The wine may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic but should be grape-based.

V.04.(e) The normative bread is an unleavened wheat host, made with nothing besides wheat and water. If there is a communicant known to have an allergy to wheat, then another type of wafer may be used. No person should be denied access to Communion because of an allergy.

V.04.(f) The ordinary minister of Communion is a bishop, priest, or deacon. In some cases, the Ordinary may approve subdeacons to administer Communion outside of Mass, such as taking Communion to the sick or the imprisoned.

V.04.(g) Communion may be of the host alone or the host and wine together.

V.04.(h) Intinction (dipping the host into the wine and placing it on the tongue of the communicant) is the preferred way of offering Communion in both species.

V.04.(i) The minister of Communion must avoid spreading bacteria or viral particles during communion.

V.04.(j) The celebration of the Eucharist shall be recorded in the permanent register of the parish church. The record should contain the minister, the date and the number of Communicants.

V.04.(k) Out of respect, no service may immediately follow the Eucharist.

V.04.(l) Any baptized person may receive Communion at the discretion of the celebrant.^[11]

V.04.(m) It is possible to administer Viaticum (final communion) to someone who is barely conscious by placing the tiniest of fragments of a host in the mouth.

V.04.(n) Stoles and chasubles shall be of the liturgical color of the day:

• white major feasts and solemnities
• red any feast or solemnity of the Holy Spirit, the apostles and martyrs
• red-purple throughout Lent, including Holy Week, except when another color is specified explicitly (e.g., Lætare and Maundy Thursday). Any purple will do when there is a need.
• blue-purple throughout Advent, except when another color is specified explicitly (e.g., Gaudete). Any purple will do when there is a need.
• green numbered days (“ordinary” time) and ferias
• blue the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). White is a satisfactory substitute color.
• rose the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) and the fourth Sunday of Lent (Lætare)
• black Good Friday and All Souls’ Day.
• gold May be used in place of any color other than purple.
• silver, gray never used

V.04.(o) The liturgical color for services

ordinations	white unless the color of the day is red.
funerals	white, purple or black (option of the survivors and priest). Outside Mass, the celebrant is also dressed in cassock and surplice (rochet for bishops).
weddings	white or gold. Outside Mass, the celebrant is also dressed in cassock and surplice (rochet for bishops).
confession	purple (preferred) or white stole. When possible, the priest wears a cassock and surplice (rochet for bishops).
unction	purple (preferred) or white stole
viaticum	purple (preferred) or white stole. When possible, the priest is dressed in cassock and surplice (rochet for bishops) and lights two candles.
confirmation	red (preferred), white or gold
communion (from reserved sacrament)	stole of the day's liturgical color. The priest is dressed in cassock and surplice (rochet for bishops) and lights two candles.

V.04.(p) The liturgical colors should not create a financial hardship on parishes or ministers. Red-purple may be used for Lætare, Good Friday and Holy Saturday; blue-purple works for Gaudete; and white is acceptable for feasts of the BVM.

V.04.(q) Chasubles may be fiddleback (traditional), gothic (rounded bottom) or monastic (square cut bottom).

V.04.(s) The ordinary vesture of the priest celebrating the Eucharist is a cassock, alb, rope cincture, stole and chasuble. Use of the maniple is optional. The priest's stole should be crossed in the front, with the right over the left. The priest should wear an amice if the chasuble does not have a collar. The priest may wear a biretta with black tuft during processions and at the homily.

V.04.(t) Archdeacons and deans may wear a black zucchetto trimmed in red or a black biretta with red tuft.

V.04.(u) The ordinary vesture of a bishop celebrating the Eucharist is a cassock, alb, rope cincture, underlay stole, chasuble, pectoral cross and fuchsia zucchetto. The two ends of the underlay stole are not crossed in front. The pectoral cross may be over or under the chasuble, and it may be on a chain or rope of green and gold. Bishops may wear episcopal gloves of fuchsia, white or the liturgical color. If there are stones in the cross or ring, they should be amethyst or appear to be amethyst. He or she may wear fuchsia hose and black or white shoes. On solemn occasions, the bishop may also wear a miter and carry a crosier.

V.04.(v) The ordinary vesture of an archbishop celebrating the Eucharist is a cassock, alb, stole, and chasuble, pectoral cross, episcopal ring and scarlet zucchetto. The pectoral cross may be over or under the chasuble, and it may be on a chain or rope of red and gold. If there are stones in the pectoral cross or ring, they should be sapphire, although other stones are acceptable for economic reasons. They may wear episcopal gloves of scarlet, white or the liturgical color. He or she may wear scarlet hose and black or white shoes. On solemn occasions, the archbishop may also wear a miter and carry a crosier.

V.04.(w) Religious Orders may make changes to the ordinary vesture, subject to ratification of the Executive Committee or GES.

V.04.(x) No headgear, episcopal ring or other symbols of jurisdiction or rank may be worn within the sanctuary from the Canon of the Mass to the ablutions.

[edit] Section V.05 Confirmation

V.05.(a) Confirmation is the Rite of Passage to adulthood.

V.05.(b) The typical minister is the Ordinary of the jurisdiction, although the Ordinary may delegate this to another bishop or priest if necessity requires it.

V.05.(c) If there is imminent danger of death, Confirmation in extremis may be ministered by a priest or deacon.

V.05.(d) It is typical for those receiving the sacrament of Confirmation to renew their baptismal vows.

V.05.(e) The sacrament is conferred by the imposition of hands on the recipient’s head while calling out to the Holy Spirit, saying “send forth upon them thy sevenfold Spirit the Holy Paraclete” or similar words approved by the GES. The bishop then anoints the forehead of each with Sacred Chrism saying: "I sign thee with the sign of the cross and confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" or other words approved by the GES. Finally, the minister gives each a slight blow on the cheek saying: "Peace be with thee". A prayer is added that the Holy Spirit may dwell in the hearts of those who have been confirmed, and the rite closes with the bishop's blessing.

V.05.(f) Sacred Chrism is consecrated by the bishop during Chrism Mass, usually on Maundy Thursday.

[edit] Section V.06 Confession and Absolution

V.06.(a) The church provides for both public and private confession. Public Confession generally occurs with the recitation of the Confiteor during Mass. Private Confession occurs between a penitent and a priest or bishop.

V.06.(b) Any baptized person who cannot quiet his own conscience by public confession or by personal confession to God may seek private auricular confession with a priest or bishop.

V.06.(c) The minister of absolution must be a priest, dean, archdeacon, bishop or archbishop.

V.06.(d) The minister may hear confession and offer absolution regardless of jurisdiction.

V.06.(e) Whereas the minister is under duty to receive general confession in the liturgical setting of Holy Communion, no canonical duty is placed on the minister either to hear the confession or to absolve with regard to auricular confession.

V.06.(f) The minister may withhold absolution if the penitent has no intention to amend his or her life. The minister may make absolution conditional on an act of the penitent (such as returning something stolen, making amends for some action or turning one’s self in to the authorities in the case of a serious crime).

V.06.(g) The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden ( nefas est) for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

V.06.(h) In grave circumstances, it is permissible for a translator or interpreter to be present at the confession and absolution. This third person shall be approved by the minister and by the penitent and must agree to be held to the sacramental seal.

[edit] Section V.07 Unction

V.07.(a) Unction is the anointing with sacred oils for the purpose of healing. The sacrament may be performed during a healing service or in extremis (in danger of death).

V.07.(b) Oil used for Unction is the Oil of the Infirm (OI) which was consecrated by the Ordinary during Chrism Mass (usually Maundy Thursday).

V.07.(c) The typical minister of Unction is a priest, dean, archdeacon, bishop or archbishop.

V.07.(d) Ministers are encouraged to have Oil of the Infirm (OI) with them at all times in case of an emergency.

[edit] Section V.08 Matrimony

V.08.(a) The matrimonial covenant, by which two people establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring, has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.

V.08.(b) The ministers of a marriage are the two people being married. A deacon, priest, dean, archdeacon, bishop or archbishop is the church’s witness to the sacrament.

V.08.(c) It is possible to perform the sacrament of marriage that is not recognized by the local government, such as matrimony between two people of the same gender. The church will consider this a valid marriage, even if the government does not.

V.08.(d) The two people must enter into the marriage of their own free will, without coercion.

V.08.(e) The Sacrament of Matrimony may stand alone or take part during a Nuptial Mass. When it occurs during a Mass, the marriage rite itself must be completed before the Canon of the Mass.

V.08.(f) The church has no opinion on whether the marriage partners are members of the Church. We recommend that, but it is not a requirement.

V.08.(g) Neither partner may be in a current marriage, but the marriage of a divorced person is allowed.

V.08.(h) Church annulment is not necessary because the church is willing to perform marriage for divorced individuals.

V.08.(i) Priests are encouraged to meet with the partners well in advance of their wedding in order to explain the sacrament and offer whatever counseling and instruction the priest feels is needed.

V.08.(j) No priest is ever required to witness a particular wedding. If a priest declines to officiate, he or she must inform the Ordinary of the situation promptly.

V.08.(k) Each marriage must be recorded in the permanent record of the church.

1. ↑ Mark 12:28-31
2. ↑ Matthew 23:25
3. ↑ Matthew 28:19-20
4. ↑ St. Vincent of Lerins
5. ↑ Declaration of Utrecht (September 24, 1889)
6. ↑ These fourteen points were agreed to at a conference of the Old Catholic Union in Bonn, Prussia (now Germany), on September 14-16, 1874.
7. ↑ Nothing off-color is suggested by the word “vulgar.” In 1874, it was the word used for “common.” So in the USA, the vulgar tongue would be English, with Spanish, French and other languages being contenders in various neigh-borhoods.
8. ↑ Opera supererogationis and thesaurus meritorum sanctorum: these refer to the Roman doctrine that God expects so much merit from each human being, and that some saints lived exemplary lives filled with more merit than was required of God (“opera supererogationis” or works above those required). This extra merit was then kept in es-crow by the Church (“thesaurus meritorum sanctorum” treasury of the merits of the saints), who has the authority to portion it out to her children.
9. ↑ Principalia, praecipus, eximia salutis nostrae sacramenta: original, distinguished, extraordinary sacraments for our welfare.
10. ↑ The deacon’s stole was introduced by the Fourth Council of Toledo in 633 AD.
11. ↑ For example, the priest could withhold Communion from someone who appears to be intoxicated or approaches the altar with contempt. The priest should err on the side of giving Communion.