2018 Convention Booklet

other non-substantive corrections. This draft (Version 2.2) reflects comments received from delegates, additional review by Committee members, and Committee deliberations. The Committee recommends that the Convention adopted the Proposed Canons (Version 2.2) as submitted and that any amends thereto be addressed by separate action. The Committee believes the Proposed Canons (Version 2.2) accomplish the goal of updating and modernizing the Canons, and that the draft does so without working any substantive change from the existing Canons. The Committee therefore recommends that this Convention adopt the Proposed Canons (Version 2.2) as the Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia” in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A effective January 27, 2018. 2018-C.2 AMENDMENT TO CANONS TO REQUIRE THE PRESIDENT OF EACH CONVOCATION TO SET THE AGENDA FOR THE SPRING MEETING The Canons state that the Bishop/Ecclesiastical Authority, in consultation with the Executive Board shall set the agenda for the Spring meeting of the Convocation. Traditionally, the Spring meeting serves as a forum for each convocation to discuss issues of importance to it. The Committee recommends that the Convention adopt an amendment to Canon 8, Section 6(c) of the Proposed Canons in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Committee believes that proposed revisions to Canon 8, Section 6(c) is consistent with the Constitution of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, the existing Canons, and the Proposed Canons and recommends its adoption. 2018-C.3 AMENDMENT TO ADOPT A NEW CANON CONCERNING “DISTRESSED PARISHES” Bishop Bourlakas and Canon Furlow, with the concurrence of the Executive Board, asked the Committee to consider whether to amend the Proposed Canons to include a new provision concerning “distressed parishes.” The proposed provision, designated as Proposed “Canon 17 – Distressed Parishes” is set forth as Exhibit C hereto. As set forth in Proposed Canon 17, a “distressed parish” is “a Parish whose continued viability as a self-sustaining entity appears to be in jeopardy, such that a degree of episcopal intervention or oversight is needed as a means of restoring the health of the congregation.” Proposed Canon 17 sets forth a detailed list of conditions that indicate a Parish is a “distressed parish,” detailed procedures that must be followed to warrant episcopal intervention or oversight, and detailed remedies to address the situation. The Committee believes that Proposed Canon 17 contains sufficient detail and procedures to protect the interests of the Parish and the Diocese. The Committee believes that Proposed Canon 17 is consistent with the Constitution of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, the existing Canons, and the Proposed Canons and recommends its adoption.

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