CONSTITUTION OF THE
REFORMED CATHOLIC CHURCH
PREAMBLE
We,
the members of the “Reformed Catholic Church,” do hereby establish
this constitution on this _1st__________ day of October, 2006.
Article
I - Name
The
name of this organization shall be “The Reformed Catholic Church,
Incorporated,” henceforth referred to as “The Reformed Catholic
Church.”
Article
II - Purpose
The
Reformed Catholic Church is an affiliation of autonomous member
churches whose traditions and sacramental form of worship are
Catholic, but who function fully independent of Rome. In keeping
with the teachings and example of Jesus the Christ, The Reformed
Catholic Church welcomes and offers the sacraments to all persons,
excluding or limiting no one from the grace of God, regardless
of ethnic origin, religious affiliation, gender, marital status, sexual
orientation, lifestyle or other imposed criteria.
Article
III - Membership
Churches,
clergy or leaders who are interested in membership in the Reformed
Catholic Church are encouraged to express their interest by
contacting the Office of the Presiding Archbishop for information about
eligibility, responsibilities and benefits of membership.
Article
VI - Governance Structures
A.
Guiding Principles
The
following guiding principles shall shape the governing structures and
regulations of the Reformed Catholic Church:
1.
Each member church shall establish its own body of governing regulations.
2.
Each member church is granted autonomy with regard to decisions
relative to local community as long as such decisions reflect
the spirit and intent of this constitution, the Canons of the Church
and Catholic tradition.
3.
Individual member churches are not authorized to financially obligate
The Reformed Catholic Church or to enter into contracts on behalf
of it. Further, each individual member church is responsible for
obtaining and funding its own liability insurance.
4.
While The Reformed Catholic Church reserves approval rights as to
who may serve affiliate churches as Pastor, The Reformed Catholic
Church cannot provide individual supervision and accepts no
liability for his/her actions.
5.
The Reformed Catholic Church does not
exclude eligible candidates
for holy orders or office on the basis of ethnic origin, gender,
marital status, sexual orientation or lifestyle.
6.
Throughout The Reformed Catholic Church and its affiliate members,
the decision-making procedures shall give voice to all respective
constituents to the fullest possible extent.
7.
The Officers of The Reformed Catholic Church will regularly provide
their constituents an account of their work, including financial
accounts, to be reviewed by an outside auditor when appropriate.
8.
All groupings of the faithful, including women and minorities, shall
be equitably represented in all positions of leadership and decision-making.
B.
Officers
Officers
of The Reformed Catholic Church are as follows:
a.
Presiding Archbishop. The Presiding Archbishop is the Primate of
the Church and is chiefly responsible for articulating the vision of the
church. As the promulgator of policy initiatives, he/she is the convener
of the Synod and the convener of special councils and
committees
in response to emerging issues or needs of the Church and
is empowered to make such appointments of clergy and laity as necessary
to accomplish the needed work. He/she is the manager of external
and internal communications, ensuring an accurate and
adequate
flow of information. The minimum criteria for service in this
office are:
1.
Age of at least thirty-five years.
2.
Holds the office of Bishop.
3.
Possesses a relevant advanced degree from an accredited institution
of higher learning,
i. e., Master of Divinity, Master of
Sacred
Theology and preferably a doctorate or the equivalent combination
of education, training and experience.
4.
Excellent skills in communicating orally and in writing.
5.
Proven organizational and leadership skills, capable of responding to
the needs of a diverse group of member churches and clergy.
6.
Demonstrated skills in decision-making, capable of building consensus
and implementing strategies.
7.
Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate and success in teambuilding.
8.
Demonstrated passion for mentoring and developing other leaders.
9.
Demonstrated commitment to spiritual principles and exemplary spiritual
practices.
b.
Bishop Coadjutor. The Bishop Coadjutor works in close conjunction
with the Presiding Archbishop. He/she is assumed to fully
represent the Office of the Archbishop in all matters for which such
responsibility has been delegated by the Presiding Archbishop. He/she
serves in the capacity of a chief executive officer and reports directly
to the Presiding Archbishop. Duties and responsibilities of this
office are established by the Presiding Archbishop.
The
minimum criteria for service in this office are:
1.
Age of at least thirty-five years.
2.
Holds the office of Bishop or is eligible to
do so.
3.
Possesses a relevant advanced degree from an accredited institution
of higher learning,
i. e., Master of Divinity, Master of
Sacred
Theology and preferably a doctorate or an equivalent combination
of education, training and experience.
4.
Excellent skills in communicating orally and in writing.
5.
Proven organizational and leadership skills, capable of responding to
the needs of a diverse group of member churches and clergy.
6.
Demonstrated skills in decision-making, capable of building consensus
and implementing strategies.
7.
Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate and success in teambuilding.
8.
Demonstrated passion for mentoring and developing other leaders.
9.
Demonstrated commitment to spiritual principles and exemplary spiritual
practices.
c.
Dean of the College of Bishops and Monsignors/Vicar General. He/she
prioritizes and articulates the issues to be discussed by the Presiding
Archbishop in collaboration with the College of Bishops. The
Vicar General is the convener of such meetings, which are
chaired
by the Presiding Archbishop or in his/her absence, the Bishop Coajutor. The Vicar General is responsible for the
organization
and efficient operation of the church’s judicial system and
for the establishment, updating and implementation of the Church
Canons. Duties and responsibilities of this office are established
by the Presiding Archbishop. The minimum criteria for service
in this office are:
1.
Age of at least thirty-five years.
2.
Holds the Office of Bishop or is eligible to do so.
3.
Possesses a relevant advanced degree from an accredited institution
of higher learning,
i. e., Master of Divinity, Master of
Sacred
Theology and preferably a doctorate or an equivalent combination
of education, training and experience.
4.
Excellent skills in communicating orally and in writing.
5.
Comprehensive training and extensive experience in conflict management
and mediation. Considerable skills in consensus building.
6.
Demonstrated capacity to act with expedience, fairly resolving complex
and diverse issues with diplomacy.
7.
A working knowledge of organizational psychology.
8.
Knowledge of the Church’s Canons
9.
Demonstrated commitment to spiritual principles and exemplary spiritual
practices.
C.
Election of Officers
The
Presiding Archbishop is elected by the College of Bishops and Monsignors
at a regular meeting of the Synod. The process of nomination
may be determined by the College, but the successful candidate
must receive at least a two-thirds majority vote and be confirmed
with a consensus of unanimity. Upon vacancy, the Bishop
Coajutor serves as “Acting,” or in the case of vacancy in that office,
the Vicar General. The Presiding Archbishop serves until
voluntary
retirement, incapacitation or removal. Removal requires a three-fourths
majority vote of the College. Other officers are appointed
by the Presiding Archbishop and confirmed by the College
of Bishops and Monsignors. Their term of office is indeterminate
as they serve at the pleasure of the Presiding Archbishop.
In the case of the Bishop Coajutor, the right of succession
may or may not be granted based upon the recommendation
of the Presiding Archbishop and confirmation by the
College of Bishops and Monsignors.
D.
Leadership
Vicariate
Bishops and Monsignors and Auxiliary Bishops.
Vicariate Bishops
and Monsignors provide necessary leadership in designated geographical
areas and to the church at large through the College of Bishops
and Monsignors. They are chiefly responsible for the
facilitation
of communication to and from the Office of the Archbishop
and throughout the vicariate. Auxiliary Bishops possess knowledge,
skills and abilities which enable them to serve the church-at-large
by accepting specific areas of responsibilities or long and
short-term projects which are essential to the efficient and effective
operation of the organization. Vicariate Bishops and Monsignors
and Auxiliary Bishops are appointed by the Presiding Archbishop
and confirmed by the College of Bishops and Monsignors.
Duties and responsibilities are established
by the Presiding
Archbishop. The minimum criteria for service in this office are:
1.
Age of at least thirty-five years.
2.
At least six full years of experience in active ministry at the local parish
level.
3.
Possess a relevant advanced degree from an accredited institution of
higher learning,
i. e., Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred
Theology
or equivalent.
4.
Excellent skills in communicating orally and in writing.
5.
Proven organizational and leadership skills, capable of responding to
the needs of a diverse group of member churches and clergy throughout
the vicariate.
6.
Demonstrated commitment to facilitate a flow of communication to
and from the Office of the Archbishop and throughout the vicariate.
7.
Demonstrated ability to effectively delegate, build consensus and implement
plans and programs.
8.
Demonstrated passion for mentoring and developing other leaders.
9.
Demonstrated commitment to spiritual principles and exemplary spiritual
practices.
Article
V - Meetings & Quorum
The
Presiding Archbishop convenes two Synods annually, the dates and
location of which are announced and at each preceding meeting. He/she
establishes the length of the meeting as well as its agenda, which
will include worship and inspiration, education, progress and
financial
reports as well as business session(s). Each member church (mission
parish or oratory) is allowed two voting delegates. Those in attendance
will constitute a quorum. Both clergy and laity are encouraged
to attend and participate.
The
College of Bishops and Monsignors is convened at semi-annual Synod
meetings by its Dean, the Vicar General, in cooperation with the
Presiding Archbishop. With the concurrence of the Presiding Archbishop,
the Dean may also call additional special meetings by providing
a thirty-day notice. The quorum for a special meeting is three-fourths
of the eligible attendees.
Article
VI - Amendment
Ratification
of amendments to this constitution require a three-fourths majority
vote by the College of Bishops and Monsignors and a subsequent
three-fourths majority vote by eligible delegates at a general
business session of the Synod.
If you would like a copy of any of these documents for review,
please contact the
Presiding Bishop.
