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Volume II: Section 1.3 – Canons of the Church in Wales

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VOLUME II, SECTION 1.3

CANONS OF THE CHURCH IN WALES – RELATIONS WITH OTHER CHURCHES

CONTENTS

1) International Agreements

a) Communion Agreements 1937-1975

i. Old Catholics (Union of Utrecht) 30 September 1937

ii. Philippine Independent Church 29 September 1966

iii. Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church 29 September 1966

iv. Lusitanian Church 29 September 1966

v. Mar Thoma Syrian Church 24 September 1975

b) Communion Agreements with Churches in South Asia 1973-1976

i. Church of South India 26 April 1973

ii. Church of North India 27 September 1973

iii. Church of Pakistan 27 September 1973

iv. Church of Bangladesh 23 September 1976

c) Porvoo Declaration Canons 1995 & 2016

d) Reuilly Agreement Canon 2000

2) Ecumenical Agreements in Wales

a) Canon for covenanting between the Church in Wales and Other Churches for Union in Wales 1974 and 1977

b) Canon to Support Relations with other Churches 2005

c) Local Ecumenical Partnerships Canon 2005

d) Canon to promote Ecumenical Relationships (Holy Matrimony) 1985

COMMUNION AGREEMENTS 1937-1975

The Church in Wales has, by Canons promulgated by its Governing Body, entered into relationships of intercommunion, as set out in the below statement, with the churches listed in the Schedule:

Statement

(a) Each Communion recognises the catholicity and independence of the other, and maintains its own.

(b) Each Communion agrees to admit members of the other Communion to participate in the Sacraments.

(c) Intercommunion does not require from either Communion the acceptance of all doctrinal opinion, sacramental devotion, or liturgical practice characteristic of the other, but implies that each believes the other to hold all the essentials of the Christian Faith.

The Schedule

THE OLD CATHOLICS [UNION OF UTRECHT] (promulgated 30 September 1937)

THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT CHURCH (29 September 1966)

THE SPANISH REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH (29 September 1966)

THE LUSITANIAN CHURCH (29 September 1966)

THE MAR THOMA SYRIAN CHURCH (24 September 1975)

(n.b. the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church and the Lusitanian Church have subsequently become full members of the Anglican Communion, as extra-provincial churches under the Metropolitical Oversight of the Archbishop of Canterbury)

COMMUNION AGREEMENTS WITH CHURCHES IN SOUTH ASIA 1973-1976

The Church in Wales has, by Canons promulgated by its Governing Body, entered into a relationship of full communion, as set out in the below statement, with the churches listed in the Schedule (each a ‘Partner Church’):

Statement

(a) Communicant members of the Partner Church may be admitted to Holy Communion in the Church in Wales and communicant members of the Church in Wales may receive Holy Communion in the Partner Church;

(b) Subject to the oversight of the Diocesan Bishop, Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons of the Partner Church may exercise their ministry in the Province of Wales;

(c) Subject to the Constitution of the Partner Church, Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Church in Wales may exercise their ministry in the Church of North India.

Schedule

THE CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA (promulgated 26 April 1973)

THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA (27 September 1973)

THE CHURCH OF PAKISTAN (27 September 1973)

THE CHURCH OF BANGLADESH (23 September 1976)

(n.b. all four of the above churches have subsequently become full members of the Anglican Communion)

PORVOO DECLARATION CANONS - (28 September 1995, 7 April 2016)

Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995

WHEREAS the Anglican Churches of Britain and Ireland and the Lutheran Churches of the Nordic and Baltic countries have reached a common understanding of the nature and purpose of the Church, a fundamental agreement in faith and an agreement on episcopacy in the service of the apostolicity of the Church.

AND WHEREAS it is desirable that the Church in Wales join with the other Churches in making a declaration of mutual acknowledgement and commitment.

BE IT HEREBY ENACTED AND DECLARED THAT the Church in Wales agrees to join with the Churches set out in the Second Schedule hereto in making the Declaration set out in the First Schedule hereto.

Porvoo Declaration Amendment Canon 2016

WHEREAS the Anglican Churches of Britain and Ireland and the Lutheran Churches of the Nordic and Baltic countries reached a common understanding of the nature and purpose of the Church, a fundamental agreement in faith and an agreement on episcopacy in the service of the apostolicity of the Church

AND WHEREAS, under the provisions of the Canon to Implement the Porvoo Declaration promulgated on 28th September 1995 (and hereinafter referred to as “the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995”), the Church in Wales agreed to join with the Churches set out in the First Schedule to that Canon in making the Declaration of mutual acknowledgment and commitment set out therein

AND WHEREAS it is now desirable that additional churches be allowed to join with the Church in Wales and the Churches set out in the Second Schedule to the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995 in making the Declaration set out in the First Schedule to that Canon

BE IT ENACTED AND DECLARED THAT:

The Church in Wales agrees to The Lutheran Church in Great Britain, the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad, the Church of Denmark, the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church and the Lusitanian Church of Portugal joining with it and the Churches set out in the Second Schedule to the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995 in making the Declaration set out in the First Schedule to that Canon and to their names being added to the Second Schedule

The Church in Wales further agrees to additional Churches joining with it and the Churches set out in the Second Schedule to the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995 in making the Declaration set out in the First Schedule to that Canon

The Church in Wales further agrees to the addition of Churches which have made the declaration in accordance with section 2 above to the Second Schedule to the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995 by the passing of a simple motion of the Governing Body which is proposed and seconded by members of the Bench of Bishops

Where the Governing Body has resolved to agree to the Church in Wales joining with an additional Church or Churches in making the declaration set out in the First Schedule to that Canon, the resolution shall be sufficient to amend the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995, which shall be amended so as to include that additional Church or those additional Churches in the list of Churches set out in the Second Schedule to the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995

This Canon may be cited as the Porvoo Declaration Amendment Canon 2016, and it and the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995 may be cited together as the Porvoo Declaration Canons

The Schedules to the Porvoo Declaration Canon 1995, as Amended

THE FIRST SCHEDULE

THE PORVOO DECLARATION

We, the Church of Denmark, the Church of England, the Estonian Evangelical-Lutheran Church, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, the Church of Ireland, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Latvia, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Lithuania, the Church of Norway, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Church of Sweden, The Lutheran Church in Great Britain, the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad, the Church of Denmark, the Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church, the Lusitanian Church of Portugal and the Church in Wales, on the basis of our common understanding of the nature and purpose of the Church, fundamental agreement in faith and our agreement on episcopacy in the service of the apostolicity of the Church, contained in Chapters II-IV of The Porvoo Common Statement make the following acknowledgements and commitments:

(i) we acknowledge one another’s churches as churches belonging to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and truly participating in the apostolic mission of the whole people of God;

(ii) we acknowledge that in all our churches the Word of God is

(iii) authentically preached, and the sacraments of baptism and the eucharist are duly administered;

(iv) we acknowledge that all our churches share in the common confession of the apostolic faith;

(v) we acknowledge that one another’s ordained ministries are given by God as instruments of his grace and as possessing not only the inward call of the Spirit, but also Christ’s commission through his body, the Church;

(vi) we acknowledge that personal, collegial and communal oversight (episcope) is embodied and exercised in all our churches in a variety of forms, in continuity of apostolic life, mission and ministry;

(vii) we acknowledge that the episcopal office is valued and maintained in all our churches as a visible sign expressing and serving the Church’s unity and continuity in apostolic life, mission and ministry.

(b) We commit ourselves:

(i) to share a common life in mission and service, to pray for and with one another, and to share resources;

(ii) to welcome one another’s members to receive sacramental and other pastoral ministrations;

(iii) to regard baptized members of all our churches as members of our own;

(iv) to welcome diaspora congregations into the life of the indigenous churches, to their mutual enrichment;

(v) to welcome persons episcopally ordained in any of our churches to the office of bishop, priest or deacon to serve, by invitation and in accordance with any regulations which may from time to time be in force, in that ministry in the receiving church without re-ordination;

(vi) to invite one another’s bishops normally to participate in the laying on of hands at the ordination of bishops as a sign of the unity and continuity of the church;

(vii) to work towards a common understanding of diaconal ministry;

(viii) to establish appropriate forms of collegial and conciliar consultation on significant matters of faith and order, life and work;

(ix) to encourage consultations of representatives of our churches, and to facilitate learning and exchange of ideas and information in theological and pastoral matters;

(x) to establish a contact group to nurture our growth in communion and to co-ordinate the implementation of this agreement.

THE SECOND SCHEDULE

The Church of England

The Estonian Evangelical-Lutheran Church

The Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland

The Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Iceland

The Church of Ireland

The Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Lithuania

The Church of Norway

The Scottish Episcopal Church

The Church of Sweden

The Lutheran Church in Great Britain*

The Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad*

The Church of Denmark*

The Spanish Reformed Episcopal Church*

The Lusitanian Church of Portugal*

[* indicates a Church added to the Schedules pursuant to the Porvoo Declaration Amendment Canon 2016]

THE REUILLY AGREEMENT CANON (27 April 2000)

WHEREAS the Church of the Augsburg Confession of Alsace and Lorraine, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of France, the Reformed Church of Alsace and Lorraine, the Reformed Church of France, the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church in Wales have on the basis of their fundamental agreement in faith, common understanding of the nature and purpose of the Church and convergence on the apostolicity of the Church and ministry contained in Chapters II-VI of the Reuilly Common Statement made certain acknowledgements and commitments

AND WHEREAS it is desirable that the Church in Wales join with the other Churches in making a declaration of such mutual acknowledgements and commitments

BE IT HEREBY ENACTED AND DECLARED that the Church in Wales agrees to join with the other Churches hereinbefore referred to in making the declaration set out in the Schedule hereto.

THE SCHEDULE

(a) Acknowledgements

(i) We acknowledge one another’s churches as churches belonging to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ and truly participating in the apostolic mission of the whole people of God.

(ii) We acknowledge that in all our churches the word of God is authentically preached, and the sacraments of baptism and the eucharist are duly administered.

(iii) We acknowledge that all our churches share in the common confession of the apostolic faith.

(iv) We acknowledge that one another’s ordained ministries are given by God as instruments of grace for the mission and unity of the Church and for the proclamation of the word and the celebration of the sacraments.

(v) We acknowledge one another’s ordained ministries as possessing not only the inward call of the Spirit but also Christ’s commission through the Church, and look forward to the time when the fuller visible unity of our churches makes possible the interchangeability of ministers.

(vi) We acknowledge that personal, collegial and communal oversight (episkope) is embodied and exercised in all our churches in a variety of forms, as a visible sign expressing and serving the Church’s unity and continuity in apostolic life, mission and ministry.

(b) Commitments

We commit ourselves to share a common life and mission. We will take steps to closer fellowship in as many areas of Christian life and witness as possible, so that all our members together may advance on the way to full visible unity. As the next steps we agree:

(i) to seek appropriate ways to share a common life in mission and service, to pray for and with one another, and to work towards the sharing of spiritual and human resources;

(ii) to welcome one another’s members to each other’s worship and to receive pastoral ministrations;

(iii) to welcome one another’s members into the congregational life of each other’s churches;

(iv) to encourage shared worship. When eucharistic worship is judged to be appropriate, it may move beyond eucharistic hospitality for individuals. The participation of ordained ministers would reflect the presence of two or more churches expressing their closer unity in faith and baptism and demonstrate that we are still striving towards making more visible the unity of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Nevertheless, such participation still falls short of the full interchangeability of ministers. The rite should be that of the church to which the presiding minister belongs, and that minister should say the eucharistic prayer.

(v) to welcome ordained ministers of our churches to serve in each other’s churches, in accordance with the discipline of our respective churches, to the extent made possible by our agreement;

(vi) to continue theological discussions between our churches to work on the outstanding issues hindering fuller communion, whether bilaterally or in a wider European, ecumenical framework;

(vii) to work towards closer relations between ourselves in diaspora

situations;

(viii) to encourage ecumenical visits, twinnings and exchanges;

(ix) to establish a contact group to nurture our growth in communion, to facilitate regular consultation on significant matters, and to coordinate the implementation of this agreement.

FOR COVENANTING BETWEEN THE CHURCH IN WALES AND OTHER CHURCHES FOR UNION IN WALES

(1 May 1974, Part 2 of Second Schedule amended on 21 September 1977)

WHEREAS certain Churches in Wales being members of the Council of Churches for Wales have set up a Joint Covenant Committee which has prepared the Form of Covenant set out in the First Schedule hereto and such Committee has recorded its agreement that those Churches represented on the Committee should enter into a covenant with one another on these terms.

AND WHEREAS the Governing Body of the Church in Wales has determined to enter into such covenant in manner hereinafter appearing.

BE IT HEREBY ENACTED that the Church in Wales solemnly covenants in the terms set out in the First Schedule hereto with such of the Churches set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule hereto and with such Churches which belong to the Union set out in Part 2 of the Second Schedule hereto as have already or shall hereafter enter into a like Covenant with the Church in Wales. Provided that nothing herein contained shall affect or be deemed to affect the faith, discipline, articles, doctrinal statements, rites, ceremonies or formularies of the Church in Wales.

FIRST SCHEDULE

THE COVENANT

Confessing our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and renewing our will to serve his mission in the world, our several churches have been brought into a new relationship with one another. Together we give thanks for all we have in common. Together we repent the sin of perpetuating our division. Together we make known our understanding of the obedience to which we are called:

(a) We recognise in one another the same faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ found in Holy Scripture, which the creeds of the ancient Church and other historic confessions are intended to safeguard. We recognize in one another the same desire to hold this faith in its fulness.

(b) We intend so to act, speak, and serve together in obedience to the gospel that we may learn more of its fulness and make it known to others in contemporary terms and by credible witness.

(a) We recognize in one another the same awareness of God’s calling to serve his gracious purpose for all mankind, with particular responsibility for this land and people.

(b) We intend to work together for justice and peace at home and abroad, and for the spiritual and material well-being and personal freedom of all people.

(a) We recognize one another as within the one Church of Jesus Christ, pledged to serve His Kingdom, and sharing in the unity of the Spirit.

(b) We intend by the help of the same Spirit to overcome the divisions which impair our witness, impede God’s mission, and obscure the gospel of man’s salvation, and to manifest that unity which is in accordance with Christ’s will.

(a) We recognize the members of all our churches as members of Christ in virtue of their common baptism and common calling to participate in the ministry of the whole Church.

(b) We intend to seek that form of common life which will enable each member to use the gifts bestowed upon him in the service of Christ’s Kingdom.

(a) We recognize the ordained ministries of all our churches as true ministries of the word and sacraments, through which God’s love is proclaimed, his grace mediated, and his Fatherly care exercised.

(b) We intend to seek an agreed pattern of ordained ministry which will serve the gospel in unity, manifest its continuity throughout the ages, and be accepted as far as may be by the Church throughout the world.

(a) We recognize in one another patterns of worship and sacramental life, marks of holiness and zeal, which are manifestly gifts of Christ.

(b) We intend to listen to one another and to study together the witness and practice of our various traditions, in order that the riches entrusted to us in separation may be preserved for the united Church which we seek.

(a) We recognize in one another the same concern for the good government of the Church for the fulfilment of its mission.

(b) We intend to seek a mode of Church government which will preserve the positive values for which each has stood, so that the common mind of the Church may be formed and carried into action through constitutional organs of corporate decision at every level of responsibility.

We do not yet know the form union will take. We approach our task with openness to the Spirit. We believe that God will guide his Church into ways of truth and peace, correcting, strengthening, and renewing it in accordance with the mind of Christ. We therefore urge all our members to accept one another in the Holy Spirit as Jesus Christ accepts us, and to avail themselves of every opportunity to grow together through common prayer and worship in mutual understanding and love so that in every place they may be renewed together for mission.

Accordingly we enter now into this solemn Covenant before God and with one another, to work and pray in common obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, in order that by the Holy Spirit we may be brought into one visible Church to serve together in mission to the glory of God the Father.

SECOND SCHEDULE

PART 1

The Calvinistic Methodist Church of Wales or the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

The Methodist Church.

United Reformed Church of England and Wales (Congregational and Presbyterian).

PART 2

The Union of Welsh Independents.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland [added by Canon Promulgated on 21 September 1977]

TO SUPPORT RELATIONS WITH OTHER CHURCHES (7 April 2005)

WHEREAS the inter-church process has its practical expression at the local level in the commitment of the Churches to one another.

AND WHEREAS the Church in Wales has entered into a covenant with other Churches to work and pray for union in Wales.

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to make provision for ecumenical worship throughout the Province.

BE IT HEREBY ENACTED as follows:

(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) hereof, within and throughout the Church in Wales, a minister or lay person who is baptized and is a member in good standing of another Church holding the Trinitarian Faith and administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion may be invited by the incumbent of a parish to perform all or any of the following duties within that parish:

(i) to lead Morning or Evening Prayer or other non-sacramental service;

(ii) to read the Holy Scriptures at any service;

(iii) to preach at any service;

(iv) to read the Litany, to lead the intercessions at the Holy Communion and to lead prayers at other services;

(v) to conduct a service of Holy Baptism;

(vi) to assist at a service of Holy Matrimony, save for the solemnization of the marriage;

(vii) conduct a funeral service;

(viii) to assist in the distribution of the elements at the Holy Communion;

(ix) to preside at a service of the Holy Communion according to the form or forms of service authorised by the Commission of the Covenanted Churches;

Provided that:

(a) the aforesaid minister or lay person is authorized to perform the same or a similar duty in his or her own Church;

(b) in the case of sub-paragraphs (v), (vi) and (vii) above, the persons concerned have requested the incumbent to give the invitation;

(c) in the case of sub-paragraph (ix) above, a celebration of the Holy Communion shall be presided over by one or more ordained ministers of the Word and Sacraments; and notice of the holding of such a service shall, so far as practicable, be given on the Sunday immediately preceding, with an indication of the denomination to which the minister or ministers who are to preside belong;

(d) in the case of sub-paragraphs (i), (viii) and (ix) above, if such a duty is to be performed on a frequent basis, the approval of the diocesan bishop has been obtained.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) hereof, a member in good standing of the Religious Society of Friends or of the Salvation Army may be invited by the incumbent of a parish to perform within that parish any or all of the duties specified in sub-section (1) above, with the exception of sub-paragraphs (v), (viii) and (ix), provided that:

(a) in the case of a member of the Salvation Army, he or she is authorized to perform the same or a similar duty in the Salvation Army;

(b) in the case of duties specified in sub-paragraphs (1)(vi) and (vii) above, the persons concerned have requested the incumbent to give the invitation;

(c) in the case of paragraph (1)(iii) above, if the invitation is to preach at a service of Holy Communion or Holy Baptism, the diocesan bishop is satisfied that there are special circumstances on each such occasion which justify such an invitation being issued;

(d) if such a duty is to be performed on a frequent basis, the approval of the diocesan bishop has been obtained.

(3) An invitation to perform any duty covered by sub-sections (1) or (2) above in connection with a service of ordination or confirmation may be given only by the diocesan bishop and only if the approval of the incumbent and the parochial church council has been obtained.

A bishop who receives an invitation to take part in an ecumenical service or a service of another denomination may in the course of that service perform any duty assigned to him provided that:

(a) the duty is, or is similar to, a duty which he is authorized to perform in the Church in Wales; and

(b) he has, before accepting the invitation, consulted the incumbent of the parish in which the service is to take place and, in the case of an invitation to take part in a service in another diocese, received the approval of the bishop of that diocese; and

(c) in the case of an invitation to take part in the ordination or consecration of a minister of another Church, or to take part in a service of confirmation, or to preside at the Holy Communion other than according to the form or forms of service authorised by the Commission of the Covenanted Churches, he has received the consent of the diocesan bishops of the Church in Wales.

Notwithstanding any provision of any Canon, a cleric, licensed lay minister or other member of the Church in Wales who receives an invitation to take part in an ecumenical service or a service of another denomination may in the course of that service perform any duty assigned to him or her, provided that:

(a) the duty is or is similar to a duty which he or she is authorized to perform in the Church in Wales; and

(b) he or she has, before accepting the invitation, obtained the consent of the incumbent of the parish in which the service is to take place; and

(c) in the case of an invitation to take part in the ordination or consecration of a minister of another Church, or to preside at the Holy Communion other than according to the form or forms of service authorised by the Commission of the Covenanted Churches, he or she has received the approval of the bishop of the diocese in which the service is to take place; and

(d) in the case of an invitation to take part in any service on a frequent basis, he or she has received the approval of both the bishop of the diocese and of the incumbent and of the parochial church council of the parish in which the service is to take place.

A bishop or priest who has accepted an invitation to take part in the ordination or consecration of a minister of another Church may not, by the laying on of hands or otherwise, do any act which is a sign of the conferring of holy orders, unless that Church is an episcopal Church with which the Church in Wales is in full communion.

The incumbent of a parish may, with the approval of the parochial church council and the diocesan bishop, invite members of another Church or Churches to use a church building in the parish for worship in accordance with the forms of service and practice of that other Church (or Churches) on such occasions as may be specified in the approval given by the bishop.

Approvals given by a diocesan bishop pursuant to this Canon shall be in writing and shall be in accordance with any directions made from time to time by the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales.

In this Canon the expression “incumbent” includes:

(i) in relation to a vacant parish (and where paragraph (ii) below does not apply) the Area Dean; and

(ii) in relation to a vacant parish the incumbency of which has been suspended, the priest-in-charge appointed by the diocesan bishop.

This Canon may be cited as the Canon to Support Relations with other Churches 2005.

TO PERMIT THE ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPORT OF LOCAL ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIPS (7 April 2005)

WHEREAS the Local Ecumenical Projects Canon 1991 made provision for the establishment of local ecumenical projects (now known as local ecumenical partnerships), and ecumenical relations in Wales have already benefited from a number of such partnerships in which the Church in Wales has participated under due authority.

AND WHEREAS the Church in Wales has entered into a covenant with other Churches to work and pray for union in Wales, by which it has recognised the members of all such Churches as members of Christ in virtue of their common baptism and common calling to participate in the ministry of the whole Church.

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to continue to establish and support local ecumenical partnerships under licence of the diocesan bishop to promote greater unity among all Christians in Wales.

BE IT HEREBY ENACTED as follows:

(1) It shall be lawful for a diocesan bishop of the Church in Wales to authorise by written declaration the establishment of a local ecumenical partnership in a parish or parishes or in part or parts thereof within his diocese, after reaching agreement with the appropriate authorities of each participating Church holding the Trinitarian Faith and administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.

Provided that the diocesan bishop shall have received the written approval of:

(a) the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales;

(b) the Diocesan Conference of the diocese in which the partnership is to be established;

(c) the Parochial Church Council or Councils of the parish or parishes in which the partnership is to be established; and

(d) the incumbent or incumbents of the parish or parishes in which the partnership is to be established.

(2) Any such local ecumenical partnership shall have a written constitution or covenant approved by the diocesan bishop.

It shall be lawful for a diocesan bishop of the Church in Wales after consultation with the appropriate authorities of each participating Church to authorise the following to officiate within a local ecumenical partnership:

(i) clerics, licensed lay ministers and other members of the Church in Wales in accordance with section 6 hereof;

(ii) ministers or other baptised members of the participating Churches in accordance with section 8 hereof.

After consultation with the appropriate authorities of each participating Church, the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales may, from time to time, make regulations relating to the administration of a local ecumenical partnership.

The diocesan bishop shall, in collaboration with the appropriate authorities of each participating Church, conduct periodic reviews of each local ecumenical partnership.

The involvement of the Church in Wales in a local ecumenical partnership established as herein enacted may be ended at any time by the decision of the diocesan bishop, after consultation with the appropriate authorities of each participating Church, which decision shall be communicated to each and every person authorised to officiate within the partnership and to each and every person or body whose consent was required for its being established.

It shall be lawful within a local ecumenical partnership for a cleric, licensed lay minister or other member of the Church in Wales authorised pursuant to the provisions of section 2(i) hereof to officiate at or perform any duty assigned to him or her in an ecumenical service or a service of another participating denomination.

Provided that:

(a) the duty is or is similar to a duty which he or she is authorised to perform within the Church in Wales; and

(b) in the case of a service of Holy Communion, the form of service to be used shall be an authorised rite of any participating Church or of the Commission of the Covenanted Churches; and

(c) in the case of an invitation to take part in the ordination or consecration of a minister of another Church, or to preside at the Holy Communion other than in accordance with proviso (b) hereof, he or she has received the approval of the bishop of the diocese.

A cleric, licensed lay minister or any member of the Church in Wales authorised pursuant to the provisions of section 2(i) hereof may attend, speak and vote at meetings of the participating Church or Churches concerned.

It shall be lawful within a local ecumenical partnership for a minister or other baptised member of a participating Church authorised pursuant to the provisions of section 2(ii) hereof to perform all or any of the following duties:

(i) lead Morning or Evening Prayer or other non-sacramental service;

(ii) to read the Holy Scriptures at any service;

(iii) to preach at any service;

(iv) to read the Litany, to lead the intercessions at the Holy Communion and to lead prayers at other services; (v) to conduct a service of Holy Baptism;

(vi) to assist at a service of Holy Matrimony, save for the solemnization of the marriage;

(vii) to conduct a funeral service;

(viii) to assist in the distribution of the elements at the Holy Communion;

(ix) to preside at a service of the Holy Communion according to the form or forms of service authorised by the Commission of the Covenanted Churches or of any of the participating Churches; (x) to administer Communion of the Sick.

Provided that:

(a) the aforesaid person is authorised to perform a similar duty in his or her own Church;

(b) the celebrations of the Holy Communion shall be presided over by an ordained minister of the Word and Sacraments;

(c) notice of the holding of any service of Holy Communion shall, so far as practicable, be given on the Sunday immediately preceding, with an indication of the form of service to be used and the denomination to which the minister who is to preside belongs;

(d) the bishop shall ensure that a service of Holy Communion according to a rite of the Church in Wales shall be celebrated on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day and Pentecost within the parish or parishes concerned where this is requested by communicants within the partnership;

(e) the authority or authorities of the aforesaid person’s own Church shall have consented to his or her being permitted so to officiate;

(f) the aforesaid person shall have agreed to be bound by the constitution or covenant of the local ecumenical partnership concerned, as approved by the diocesan bishop.

(1) The Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales may, from time to time, make regulations relating to the administration of a parish or parishes in which a minister or other baptised member of a Church is authorised to officiate pursuant to the provisions of section 2(ii) hereof, where such parish or parishes is or are part of a local ecumenical partnership, providing for:

(a) his or her right to attend, speak and vote at meetings of the Vestry, Parochial Church Council, Deanery Conference, Deanery Chapter and other such bodies;

(b) the nomination of the churchwarden to be appointed by the incumbent in accordance with section 17 of Chapter VI of the Constitution;

(c) duties of residence within the parsonage and the maintenance thereof;

(d) the application of the rules and regulations relating to burials and burial grounds within the parish;

(e) such other matters relating to parochial administration as the Bench of Bishops may, from time to time, deem to be expedient.

(2) Regulations made in accordance with sub-section (1) hereof shall be valid only when approved by the Governing Body of the Church in Wales, but sections 36, 37 and 43 of Chapter II of the Constitution shall not apply to the procedure for such approval.

Authorisation given in accordance with section 2 hereof may be revoked in writing by the diocesan bishop at any time.

(1) After consultation with the incumbent or incumbents and Parochial Church Council or Councils of the parish or parishes of a local ecumenical partnership, and with the appropriate authorities of each other participating Church, a diocesan bishop may recognise a local meeting of the Religious Society of Friends or a local gathering of the Salvation Army as associate members of that partnership.

(2) Within a local ecumenical partnership where recognition has been given under this section, a member in good standing of the Religious Society of Friends or of the Salvation Army may perform within that partnership any or all of the duties specified in section 8 hereof, with the exception of sub-paragraphs (v), (viii), (ix) and (x), provided that:

(a) in the case of a member of the Salvation Army, he or she is authorised to perform the same or a similar duty in the Salvation Army;

(b) in the case of the duties specified in sub-paragraphs (vi) and (vii) of section 8 the persons concerned have requested the incumbent to give the invitation;

(c) the authority or authorities of the Religious Society of Friends or the Salvation Army, as the case may be, have consented to his or her being permitted so to officiate; and

(d) he or she shall have agreed to be bound by the constitution or covenant of the local ecumenical partnership concerned, as approved by the diocesan bishop.

(1) Where a cleric, licensed lay minister or other member of the Church in Wales has been appointed by a diocesan bishop by licence to an extra-parochial office within the ministry of the Church in Wales, it shall be lawful for the diocesan bishop, after reaching agreement with the appropriate authorities of each participating Church by written declaration, to authorise within the diocese the establishment of a local ecumenical partnership including such extra-parochial ministry.

(2) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of the proviso to section 1(1) hereof, and sections 2 to 10 hereof with the exception of sub-sections (b), (c), (d) and (e) of section 9 hereof, shall apply in relation to local ecumenical partnerships authorised by virtue of this section.

Nothing contained in this Canon shall be taken to affect or be deemed to affect

(i) the declaration of canonical obedience made by a cleric of the Church in Wales;

(ii) the declaration made and subscribed by a cleric of the Church in Wales in accordance with section 66 of Chapter VII [ Now section 10 of Chapter VI ] of the Constitution of the Church in Wales;

(iii) the faith, discipline, articles, doctrinal statements, rites, ceremonies or formularies of the Church in Wales.

The Canon to Permit the Establishment of Local Ecumenical Projects 1991 is hereby repealed.

In this Canon the expression “incumbent” includes:

(iv) in relation to a vacant parish (and where paragraph (ii) below does not apply) the Area Dean; and

(v) in relation to a vacant parish the incumbency of which has been suspended, the priest-in-charge appointed by the diocesan bishop.

This Canon may be cited as the Local Ecumenical Partnerships Canon 2005.

TO PROMOTE ECUMENICAL RELATIONS (HOLY MATRIMONY) (19 September 1985)

WHEREAS the Church in Wales has entered into a covenant with other churches to work and pray for union in Wales, by which it has recognized the members of all such churches as members of Christ in virtue of their common baptism and common calling to participate in the ministry of the whole Church.

AND WHEREAS it is now desirable to promote ecumenical relations by permitting clerics of the Church in Wales to officiate at marriage services in such places of worship as are hereinafter mentioned.

BE IT HEREBY ENACTED AS FOLLOWS:

On and from the first day of October 1985, it shall be lawful within and throughout the Province of Wales for a cleric of the Church in Wales to officiate at a marriage service in a place of religious worship which has been registered as a registered building for the solemnization of marriages in accordance with the Marriage Act 1949 or any Act amending or re-enacting the same.

Provided that:

(a) the cleric holds a licence from his diocesan bishop permitting him to officiate at such services in the parish in which the registered building is situated;

(b) the form of service to be used has been approved by the diocesan bishop;

(c) the trustees or governing body of the registered building consent or

consents to the cleric so officiating;

(d) the cleric is an authorised person so to officiate in the registered building under the provisions of the Marriage Act 1949 or any Act amending or reenacting the same, or else solemnizes the marriage in the presence of a registrar of the registration district in which the registered building is situated;

(e) there is no impediment to the marriage of the couple according to the canon law of the Church in Wales.

A licence permitting a cleric to officiate in accordance with clause 1 of this Canon may be revoked in writing by the diocesan bishop at any time.

Nothing in this Canon shall be held or interpreted to permit a marriage to be solemnized in a registered building following the publication of banns or according to the rites of either the Church in Wales or the Church of England.