Convention Booklet 2024 FINAL (01-22-2024)

Report of the Constitution and Canons Committee to the 105 th Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia January 11, 2023

The Constitution and Canons Committee adopted the following resolution as its report to the 105 th Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia by unanimous consent.

WHEREAS, in lieu of meeting in-person, by video conference, or teleconference, committee action may be executed by unanimous consent, and

WHEREAS, no further, substitutive changes to the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, hereinafter known as the “Diocese,” have been proposed for consideration at the 105 th Annual Convention of the Diocese, and WHEREAS, the 104 th Annual Convention of the Diocese adopted the following change to Article 15 of the Constitution of the Diocese: The Convention Executive Board shall elect annually, upon nomination by the Ecclesiastical Authority, a suitable person to be called the Cchancellor of the diocese, who shall be a communicant of this Church and a member of the Virginia State Bar, and who shall continue in office until a successor be elected. The Cchancellor shall be the advisor of the Eecclesiastical Aauthority and the Eexecutive Board upon all legal questions affecting the interest and welfare of the diocese. The Ecclesiastical Authority may, in consultation with the Chancellor, nominate and upon with the consent of the Executive Board, may appoint one or more Vice Chancellors, who shall assist the Chancellor in discharging the duties of the office. A Vice Chancellor shall have the same qualifications as the Chancellor. AND, WHEREAS, the Canons Committee previously clarified that the addition of one or more Vice Chancellors allows for gradual preparation of a new Chancellor; that election by the Executive Board allows Chancellors and Vice Chancellors to be appointed in a flexible manner if sudden needs arise; and that nomination by the Ecclesiastical Authority allows the Standing Committee flexibility to nominate Chancellors and Vice Chancellors in the absence of a Bishop Diocesan; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the undersigned Constitution and Canons Committee of Annual Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia unanimously refers the aforementioned amendment to Article 15 of the Constitution of the Diocese to the 105 th Annual Convention for its second consecutive adoption.

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