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Code of Canons
By Abbot-Bishop Brian E. Brown, OSH | November 5, 2009
Code of Canons of Christ’s Catholic Church
Adopted Unanimously at the 2nd Ecumenical Synod
May 4th 2007, Feast of St. Chad of Lichfield Meeting in Ozark Missouri
Modified on September 14th 2009 by Consensus of the Ecumenical Synod
Canon 1 On Membership
Christ’s Catholic Church (CCC) includes those bishops who:
a) together with their ministries adhere to the Declaration of Common Faith, Purpose, and Intercommunion;
b) maintain the roots of the apostolic faith, in light of the seven Ecumenical Councils and the wider tradition of the universal church, while allowing for the Holy Spirit, as expressed in the consensus fidelium, to guide their respective church’s in ministry, doctrine and worship.
c) together with their ministries are in full communion with each other; having been elected lawfully and ordained canonically and exercise the catholic episcopacy in their ministry;
d) exercise their function as a bishop through the laying on of hands within the historic apostolic succession.
Canon 2 On Convening Bishops
The CCC is shepherded by three Convening Bishops who share equally the responsibility and work of the Communion and are empowered to do so on behalf of the Ecumenical Synod.
a) The term of office of a Convening Bishop, when elected, shall be for as long as he or she is able to carry on the functions of the office.
b) If a Convening Bishop is no longer able to carry on the functions of his or her office, or upon his or her death, the Communion shall immediately call a special conclave for the election of a new Convening Bishop. The conclave shall meet within two months after it has been so called.
c) The Convening Bishops shall be the chief pastors of the Communion, and as such they shall: [1] Be charged with the responsibility for giving leadership in initiating and developing the policy and strategy of the Communion; [2] Speak God’s word to the Communion and to the world, as the representatives of this Communion and Christ’s Body; [3] Take order for the Consecration of the Bishops as they are called, and from time to time assemble the Communion together for advice and counsel; [4] Preside over the Ecumenical Synod; [5] Make recommendations for legislation in a state of the Communion address before the Ecumenical Synod; [6] Visit every jurisdiction of this Communion for the purpose of holding pastoral consultation with the Bishop and Clergy thereof. [7] May, as necessary, act by virtue of unanimous agreement without the approval of the Ecumenical Synod.
d) The Convening Bishops shall report annually to the Communion, and they may, from time to time, issue Pastoral letters in their own person.
e) The Convening Bishops, as the sole legal members of the Corporation, shall perform such other functions as shall be prescribed by these Canons and Civil Law.
Canon 3 On Business of the Ecumenical Synod
The Ecumenical Synod has the following tasks:
a) it makes the necessary decisions in all organizational or disciplinary matters concerning the maintenance of the Communion and regarding joint projects;
b) it responds to controversial matters of faith and the ensuing ethical behavior as well as to matters of order;
c) it decides about the admission of bishops and their ministries to the Communion.
d) in all matters, a decision has been taken if and when a two-thirds majority of the members of the Ecumenical Synod present agree to it.
Canon 4 On Core Doctrine
All members of the Communion shall embrace a basic Core Doctrine:
a) We confess the revelation of God in and through His Son, Jesus Christ, and are a Church consecrated to the task of spreading the importance of that revelation to the entire world. We believe in the Trinity — one God in three — God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We further hold that Jesus Christ, the second Person in the Trinity, is God and yet Man; that He was incarnated in the womb of the Virgin Mary; that he was crucified, died and was buried; that he rose again; and that He ascended into Heaven. He left as His ever-present witness in the world the Holy Spirit, whom we hold is the voice of God speaking in scripture, history, and in our individual souls. Where two or three are gathered together in Christ’s Name, there is He in the midst.
b) We further believe in His eternal witness, and that the Church is an essential part of the Spirit’s revelation. It is to this end that we are further dedicated to the unification of that Holy, Catholic (universal), and Apostolic Church, and to pledge ourselves to the struggle to follow and understand the historical traditions throughout all branches of Christ’s Church. We trust, as did the ancient Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, that the Holy Spirit will lead us in this.
c) We offer ourselves as a Church home to all who confess and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, regardless of their state of grace; and we would not exclude anyone from our fellowship, for we are committed to the principle that all are the Children of God and that “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Saint or sinner, we would exclude none from the joyful response in which we embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the life to which we are called. We witness to Christ who lives and loves; therefore, we are free to commit ourselves to each other, and to live and love.
d) Christ’s Catholic Church historically embraces the traditional Seven Sacraments. All are prescribed by the Holy Scriptures and confirmed by God’s continual revelation. It is obligatory on professing Christians and members of this Church that they avail themselves of the Sacraments, especially Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, and Reconciliation, as far as is appropriate to their vocation and station in life, as acts of love and devotion, but none are to be considered conditions for Salvation. Faith in Christ is all that man needs for his soul’s salvation.
e) In the spirit of historic Catholic and ecumenical concord we hold that all worship done in the Name of Christ and in the presence of the Holy Spirit is acceptable unto Him.
Canon 5 On Duties of Member Jurisdictions
Each member of the Communion is bound:
a) to take part in the Ecumenical Synod of the CCC;
b) to bring problems, insights, and developments of their jurisdiction to the attention of the of the other bishops of the Communion;
c) to initiate in his or her ministry a discussion of matters concerning Canon 3, which will be dealt with in the Ecumenical Synod, so that he or she can express his or her views in the Ecumenical Synod in knowledge of the conviction of his or her ministry;
d) to make known in his or her ministry as doctrinal statements of the bishops united in the Ecumenical Synod any declarations and statements in matters of faith and the ensuing ethical behavior as well as order, thereby including the given justification;
e) to have implemented the decisions of the Ecumenical Synod on discipline, organization, and common endeavors in his or her church according to its internal order;
Canon 6 On Voting Procedures
a) A member of the Communion according to Canon 1 is in principle bound to cast a vote at the Ecumenical Synod concerning Canon 3;
b) All members must disclose any conflicts of interest.
c) A bishop who does not take part in the meeting must authorize another member of his or her own ministry to speak on his or her behalf and to vote. All actions are binding.
d) Abstentions are not taken into consideration in the voting results.
Canon 7 On Admission, Election, and Consecration of a Bishop
a) Decisions on the admission of a bishop and his or her ministry to the Ecumenical Synod (Canon 3c) are taken in accordance with Canon 3d.
b) The election of a bishop is carried out by the respective ministry according to its order; the consecration is performed by the bishops of the Communion.
c) The respective ministry carries out the election being aware of the following impediments to consecration as determined by the Communion: — the lack of theological formation and pastoral experience required for the episcopal ministry; — a conduct of life incompatible with the dignity of the episcopal office;
d) The responsible ministerial authority notifies all the member ministries of the Ecumenical Synod, through the Convening Bishops, of the election and supplies the respective certification.
e) The consent process, after the election notification, shall last 30 days;
f) If consent is given within 30 days after the notification to the Convening Bishops of the Communion, the Convening Bishops will send a copy of the “Canons” and of the “Declaration of Common Faith, Purpose and Intercommunion” to the elect requesting assent to them by signing them.
g) After having received the copies of the “Canons” and of the “Declaration of Common Faith, Purpose and Intercommunion ” carrying the signature of the elect, the Convening Bishops notify to the members of the Communion that the consecration may be performed; also communicating this fact in a letter to the responsible authority of the respective ministry.
h) All the bishops of the Communion are to be invited to the consecration by the respective ministry.
i) If possible, the three principal consecrators are to be taken from ordinary bishops of various traditions of the Communion. Whenever possible, the predecessor is not to be among the three principal consecrators.
Canon 8 On Episcopal Collegiality
a) The bishops do not enter into any obligations concerning the ministry, doctrine, or worship of other bishops or ministries, nor do they terminate them, without prior joint discussion and approval of the Communion.
b) In particular, the bishops commit themselves not to consecrate any bishop for other ministries or to take part in the laying-on of hands without the approval of the Communion.
c) The bishops distribute among themselves the constitutions, their canonical provisions, pastoral letters, official prayer books and hymnals, rituals, pontificals, catechisms, manuals, the annual lists of clergy, the minutes of their synod, the study and examination regulations, particularly important decisions, and the like.
Canon 9 On Canonical Clerical Transfers
Deacons and priests transferring from one Free Catholic diocese to another must have permission from their ordinary and must have received a formal call from the prospective bishop and his or her ministry. A formal reception into the clergy of another ministry can be made only after the canonical release by the clergy person’s ordinary.
Canon 10 On Clerical Standards for Ordination
a) Each bishop is bound to ordain or receive only such candidates to the diaconate and presbyterate who are duly qualified and can prove the required training, theological studies and examinations according to the order of the bishop’s ministry.
b) Candidates for the diaconate and presbyterate from other ministries are ordained to the respective order only at the request or with the consent of the ordinary bishop or their ministry.
Canon 11 On Regulation Respecting Member Jurisdictions
The CCC does not infringe upon the jurisdiction of its members in their local ministries unless otherwise specified by these canons and or the Declaration of Common Faith, Purpose, and Intercommunion.
Canon 12 On Breaking Communion
Bishops and their respective ministries may leave the Communion at any time and may be asked to do so by the unanimous consent of the Convening Bishops and or by vote of the Ecumenical Synod in accordance with Canon 3d.
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