The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma Canons
CANONS of THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF OKLAHOMA, INC.
(an Oklahoma not-for-profit, religious corporation)
CANON 1. OF THE DIOCESE
1.1. The Office of the Bishop; Ecclesiastical Authority. The Diocese is under the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Bishop. Whenever the Constitution or Canons of the Diocese provides for action by the Bishop, such action, except as otherwise provided, is taken by the Ecclesiastical Authority.
1.1.1. Chief Pastor. The Bishop is the Chief Pastor of this Diocese and may officiate in the liturgical offices of the Church throughout the Diocese.
1.1.2. Bishop's Annual Report. At each Annual Meeting of the Convention, the Bishop reports on the state of the Diocese since the last Annual Meeting of the Convention. The report includes the names of the Parishes, Missions, Affiliated Episcopal Congregations (if any) and Affiliated Communities (if any) visited; the number of persons confirmed and received; the names of those admitted as Postulants and Candidates for Holy Orders, of those ordained, and of those suspended or deposed from Holy Orders; the changes by death, removal, or otherwise, which have taken place among the Clergy; and other matters the Bishop desires to present to the Convention. The Secretary includes the report in the Journal of the Convention.
1.1.3. Pastoral Letters. Whenever the Bishop delivers a Charge to the Clergy and a Pastoral Letter to the people of the Diocese on points of doctrine, discipline, or worship, the Bishop may require the Clergy to read the Pastoral Letter to their Congregations.
1.1.4. Bishop's Inherent Power. In all matters affecting the Diocese or any Congregation, where no procedure is specifically provided by the Constitution and Canons of the Church or the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese, the Bishop has the power to act for and on behalf of the Diocese or such Congregation.
1.1.5. Intervention in and Determination of Controversies. All controversies between the Priests in charge of two or more Congregations or between a Vestry or Bishop's Committee and its Priest-in-charge or between persons adversely claiming to be members of a Vestry or Bishop's Committee are to be referred to the Bishop for determination and the Bishop may intervene on his or her own motion.
