Wednesday, January 18, 2023
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
I bring you greetings during this Epiphany season!
In an effort to ensure The Diocese of West Missouri continues following the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, I want to remind all Deacons and Priests of the following canonical requirements:
For Deacons:
According to Canon III.7.7: “On reaching the age of seventy-two years, a Deacon shall resign from all positions of active service in this Church, and the resignation shall be accepted. The Bishop may, with the consent of the Deacon, assign a resigned Deacon to any congregation, other community of faith or ministry in another setting, for a term not to exceed twelve months, and this term may be renewed.”
For Priests:
According to Canon III.9.8: “On reaching the age of seventy-two years, a Priest shall resign from all positions in this Church, and the resignation shall be accepted. Thereafter, the Priest may accept any position in this Church, including, with the permission of the Ecclesiastical Authority, the position or positions from which resignation pursuant to this Section has occurred; provided,
- tenure in the position shall be for a term of not more than twelve months, which term may be renewed from time to time,
- service in the position shall have the express approval of the Bishop of the Diocese in which the service is to be performed, acting in consultation with the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese in which the Priest is canonically resident.
- Anything in this Canon to the contrary notwithstanding, a Priest who has served in a non-stipendiary capacity in a position before resignation may, at the Bishop’s request, serve in the same position for a term not to exceed twelve months thereafter, and this term may be renewed.”
My brothers and sisters, if you are seventy-two years of age or older and continue to serve in active ministry (other than supply work), I am asking you to do two things. First, please respond to this email (which will put you in contact with my assistant Emily Davenport) to schedule a Zoom or in-person meeting with me to discuss your current ministry and work. Second, please submit to me (email is fine: bishop.bruce@diowestmo.org) a letter indicating your desire to continue in active ministry or your desire to retire by March 1, 2023.
I value all of you and the work you do to the glory of God here in The Diocese of West Missouri!
Yours in Christ,
Diane
The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce
Bishop Provisional of West Missouri