Code of Canon Law

For the governance of the

Reformed Catholic Church

Revised & Approved October 7th, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article I - The Organization of the Church

Article II - Ministries

Article III - The Sacraments

Article IV - Particular Churches and their Groupings

Article V - Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

Article VI - Ecclesiastical Discipline

Article VII - Exercise of Ecclesia Supplet

Article VIII- Causes of Sainthood

ARTICLE I

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH

CANON 1: Governance

Sec 1 (a). The Governance of the church shall consist of the following: the Presiding Bishop, the Board of Directors, and the Holy Synod.

(b). The Holy Synod shall consist of three separate bodies: the College of Bishops, the Board of Directors, and the College of Clergy and Laity. Each body shall be distinct and of equal rank in the Synod.

CANON 2: The Presiding Bishop

The Presiding Bishop shall be the spiritual head of the Church and shall be responsible for the governance of the Church with the assistance of the regional Diocesan Bishops. It shall be incumbent upon the Presiding Bishop to introduce legislation and to set the tone for the forward movement of the Church. The Presiding Bishop shall announce the Holy Synod and will act as moderator of the same. The Presiding Bishop is entitled to and is to meet the following:

Sec 1 (a) Only persons consecrated as a Bishop shall be elected as Presiding Bishop. There must be a minimum of 3 (three) active and voting bishops in the Church to elect a Presiding Bishop from among them. All bishops, board members, and active clergy are to vote in this election, which ordinarily takes place during the Holy Synod every 6 years. The election requires a 2/3 quorum.

(b) No person shall be elected Presiding Bishop unless he/she has been a bishop for a minimum of 5 years and has reached at least 45 years of age.

(c) The office of Presiding Bishop is entered into for a period of 6 years. They may be re-elected once for a total of 12 years of leadership.

(d) The office of Presiding Bishop may be vacated for reasons of ill health or advanced age. The office may be vacated either voluntarily or by a majority vote of active bishops.

(e) The Presiding Bishop may, at his/her request retire from the office and shall upon retirement be referred to as Presiding Bishop Emeritus if they so choose.

(f) Should the Presiding Bishop be found guilty of crimes violating Church law, he/she shall be deposed by a vote of the Holy Synod. He/she may also be deposed if found guilty of serious crimes violating Civil law by a vote of the Holy Synod. Such votes may take place apart from the scheduled Synod gathering, either in writing, by telephone or through online methods.

(g) An interim Administrator to oversee the Church will be appointed by the board until the election of a new Presiding Bishop takes place. This election is to happen within 90 days.

CANON 3: The Diocesan Bishop

The Diocesan Bishop shall govern a certain geographical area of the Church. The Diocesan Bishop shall work in conjunction and collaboration with the Presiding Bishop in the governance of the Church. The Diocesan Bishop is the chief executive and ecclesial officer of the geographic area over which he/she governs. The Diocesan Bishop shall make a biannual report to the Holy Synod on the conditions, growth, ministries and financial status of their diocese.

Clergy elevated to the office of Bishop and Diocesan Bishop are entitled to and shall meet the following:

Sec 1 (a) Only persons having received Holy Orders (Diaconate and Priesthood) shall be elevated to the office of Bishop.

(b) Only persons who meet the criteria as established in the Constitution of this Church shall be eligible to be elevated to Bishop.

(c) No person shall be elected a Diocesan Bishop unless he/she has reached 40 years of age and has been a bishop a minimum of 3 years.

(d) The Diocesan Bishop shall be elected by the bishops and/or clergy of his/her diocese or region. Laity of the diocese or region should also participate in the election as circumstances permit.

(e) The office of Bishop and/or Diocesan Bishop may be vacated for reasons of ill health, or advanced age.

(f) The Diocesan Bishop may, at his/her request, retire from the office and shall upon retirement be made Diocesan Bishop Emeritus.

(g) Should a Diocesan Bishop or other Bishop be found guilty of crimes violating Church law, he/she shall be deposed by a vote of the Holy Synod. He/she may also be deposed if found guilty of serious crimes violating Civil law by a vote of the Holy Synod.

CANON 4: The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall provide the temporal leadership of the Church and shall be responsible for conducting the business of the Church. The Board meets annually to set the budget for the following year as well as on a quarterly or even monthly basis for making other executive decisions as necessary.

Sec 1 (a) All consecrations to the episcopacy shall be ratified in advance by the Board in order to address any concerns and to affirm the Presiding Bishop's power to consecrate.

(b) The Board shall elect a member to serve the judicial body of the Church when the Church must hear cases involving violations of the Canons of the Church.

CANON 5 : The Holy Synod

The Holy Synod shall be the chief legislative body of the church and shall consist of the following: the College of Bishops, the Board of Directors, and the College of Clergy and Laity.

Sec 1 (a) The Holy Synod is the only body that shall pass legislation and/or amend canons.

(b) The Presiding Bishop shall announce the time and location of the Synod on a biennial basis (every two years). The Synod date shall be announced no less than 6 (six) months prior to the meeting.

(c) The Synod shall take place in as central a location as possible so as to be convenient to as many bishops, clergy and laity as possible.

(d) The Synod is to typically take place over a weekend but shall not exceed five days in duration.

(e) The Synod shall review and pass the budget presented by the Board of Directors.

(f) The Synod shall set aside time for worship and reflection.

(g) Unless circumstances require otherwise, all consecrations to the episcopacy shall take place at the biennial meeting of the Synod. Ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate may also take place at the Synod.

CANON 6: The College of Bishops

The College of Bishops shall consist of every bishop in the Reformed Catholic Church, including those who are retired. The function of the College is twofold: it acts as a consultative body to the Presiding Bishop and to advise him/her in all matters pertaining to the governance of the church, as well as to act as the preeminent spiritual body during the meeting of the Holy Synod.

Sec 1 (a) The College of Bishops shall meet either in person or through other means, typically a phone or video conference, at least 4 (four) times during the year.

(b) The College shall elect a member to serve the judicial body of the Church when the Church must hear cases involving violations of the Canons of the Church

CANON 7: The College of Clergy and Laity

The College of Clergy and Laity shall consist of all members of the clergy and regional representatives in good standing of the laity of the Church.

Sec 1 (a) The College of Clergy and Laity shall formulate and vote on legislation dealing with the life of the Church.

(b) The College of Clergy and Laity shall vote on the budget of the Church.

(c) The College shall elect a member to serve the judicial body of the Church when the Church must hear cases involving violations of the Canons of the Church.

CANON 8: The Judicial Body

The Judicial Body shall be called into session during the meeting of the Holy Synod, or more frequently as needed, in order to address any violations of Church and/or Civil law.

Sec 1 The Judicial Body will consist of 3 people: 1 member each from the Board of Directors, the College of Bishops, and the College of Clergy and Laity.

Sec 2 (a) The Judicial Body shall hear cases of clergy or laity who have been accused of violating the Canons of the Church or the Laws of the United States or of the State in which the accused live.

(b) The accused shall be presumed innocent until found guilty.

(d) The Judicial Body shall report any criminal violations of Civil law to the appropriate legal authorities.

ARTICLE II

MINISTRIES

CANON 1: Ministerial Structure

The Ministry of the church is comprised of the following: Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Licensed Lay Ministers.

CANON 2: The Bishop

The Bishop holds within his/her office, the fullness of ordained ministry and shall have all privileges and honors to which the rank is entitled.

Sec 1 (a) Only ordained persons with sufficient knowledge and experience in the ministration of theology, Scripture, liturgy and Canon Law shall be considered for election to the office of Bishop. They should also have reached at least 35 years of age and have served as a priest of the Reformed Catholic Church for a minimum of 5 (five) years.

(b) Candidates for consecration shall be examined by the Presiding Bishop and Board of Directors in order to evaluate their qualifications.

(d) A bishop may serve as either a Diocesan Bishop as elected, as a Coadjutor or Auxiliary, or in a strictly Titular or Curial capacity at the discretion of the Presiding Bishop.

(e) Bishops who are invited to incardinate into the Reformed Catholic Church from another denomination/jurisdiction by the governing bodies of the Church must hold valid Apostolic Succession or will be limited to functioning as a priest until such time as he/she may be consecrated into our lineage.

(f) The stylizations for a bishop in this Church are The Right Reverend or The Most Reverend and in spoken or written greeting, “Your Excellency.”

(g) A bishop shall retire from office at a date and time that he/she sees fit. A bishop who is found upon examination to be incapable of continuing in his/her duties may be relieved of them by a majority vote of the College of Bishops.

(h) If a bishop is accused of crimes in violation of Church law, he/she will be suspended from all duties pending an investigation. If the evidence is sufficient to pursue proceedings, a trial shall be held by the Judicial Body. If the defendant is found guilty, he/she shall be immediately deprived all inherent privileges and a sentence shall be imposed. If the crime is of a serious enough nature, the defendant may also be deposed.

CANON 3: The Priest

The priest is a person (male or female) duly ordained to the presbyterate who, among other duties, celebrates public Eucharistic services as well as other sacramental services for the people of the Church.

Sec 1 (a) No person shall be ordained in this Church unless they have reached at least 25 years of age. Candidates for ordination to the priesthood shall also first complete a minimum of 6 (six) months as a deacon.

(b) Any person pursuing ordination to the priesthood in this Church must show themselves to have sufficient knowledge in theology, Scripture, liturgics, homiletics, and Canon Law. It shall be the place of the Diocesan Bishop in consultation with the Vocations Director to judge whether or not the candidate meets the minimum criteria for ordination, and shall pass his or her findings onto the Board of Directors and Presiding Bishop for final approval.

(c) All candidates for priesthood in the Reformed Catholic Church, either through ordination or incardination, shall be subject to a full criminal background check at the local, state, and federal levels.

(d) Any person already holding orders within this church who is accused of sexual crimes against minors or other serious offenses shall be suspended from duty and their faculties revoked pending the outcome of both internal Church and external Civil investigations.

(d) (1) The Reformed Catholic Church will work in conjunction with all civil authorities in any investigations regarding those suspected of sexual crimes against minors.

(d) (2) Any person already holding orders in this Church who is convicted of sexual crimes against minors shall be deposed from their office. There shall be no exceptions. (d) (3) Any person applying for ordination or incardination in this Church who withholds information regarding past convictions or accusations of serious crimes, sexual or otherwise, shall be considered as canonically defective and shall not be considered eligible for ordination in this church.

(e) All priests in good standing within the Reformed Catholic Church shall be eligible for a seat in the College of Clergy and Laity.

(f) The normal stylization for a priest within the Church is either Reverend, The Reverend Father/Mother, or Father/Mother.

CANON 4: The Deacon

The deacon has historically seen to the physical needs of the community and is assigned the privilege of proclaiming the Holy Gospel during the Mass. The ministry of deacon is one of service to the congregation, to the priest during liturgical celebrations and to the wider community.

Sec 1 (a) There are two forms of the diaconate: the Transitional Diaconate, where the deacon intends to continue on to the priesthood, and the Permanent Diaconate, which is a state chosen for life.

(b) Each candidate must show themselves sufficiently knowledgeable in the following: theology, Scripture, liturgics and homiletics to the satisfaction of the Diocesan Bishop in conjunction with the Vocations Director, who are responsible for overseeing their training.

(c) The same regulations governing background checks and issues involving sexual crimes against minors that are to be found in Canon 3 apply to all candidates for the Diaconate as well. (d) The stylization for Permanent Deacons is The Reverend Deacon. Transitional Deacons use The Reverend Mister/Mrs./Miss/Ms.

CANON 5: The Licensed Lay Minister

The Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) is a member of a local congregation who is given license by their bishop to perform non-Sacramental liturgies in the absence of the pastor, i.e. Morning Prayer. The LLM is authorized to lead the Prayers of the Faithful during the Mass and to read the lessons if a three lesson lectionary is used in that place. They may also minister to those in a hospital, nursing home, hospice or other institution after completing any required training for these ministry settings.

Sec 1 (a) Since the Lay Licensed Minister is a licensed ministry rather than an ordained one, the regulations governing them are at the discretion of the Diocesan Bishop. (b) The license of a Licensed Lay Minister may be revoked at any time.

CANON 6: Religious Communities

The Reformed Catholic Church encourages the foundation of religious orders and the reformation of existing religious orders to conform to the practices and theology of the Reformed Catholic Church.

Sec 1 (a) Religious communities must petition the Holy Synod for permission to be established under the Reformed Catholic Church.

(b) If approved for establishment, they must submit their Constitution and Rule of Life to the Synod for approval.

(c) Once established and approved, religious orders are under the guidance of the Presiding Bishop but autonomous in their daily operation.

CANON 7: The Laity

The laity, being the body of Christ, shall be protected by the bishops and clergy of the Church from all spiritual, physical, sexual, emotional and psychological harm both internally and, to such extent as is possible, externally.

Sec 1 (a) The laity shall enjoy an equal role in the governance of the church and as such shall make up the greater portion of the College of Clergy and Laity.

(b) The laity shall come into membership of this church through either the Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation or Reception.

(c) Any member of the laity who is in good standing within this church is eligible for election to the College of Clergy and Laity.

(d) A member in good standing is defined as one who attends and participates in the Holy Mass on a regular basis and gives financially to the support of their parish and the Church at large.

CANON 8: Financial Support of the Church

All bishops and clergy are expected to contribute financially on a regular basis to support the work of the Church both locally and universally. This may be done through clergy dues or other means including donations of goods, services, or property for church use. Lay ministers and members are also expected to contribute financially toward the good of the Church, typically through the Sunday collection during Mass in their local parish.

ARTICLE III

THE SACRAMENTS

CANON 1: The sacraments are historically understood in the Catholic and other Christian churches as visible signs of God’s grace to be celebrated and shared with the holy people of God. As such, they are celebrated and offered free of charge. Clergy of the Reformed Catholic Church may not charge a fee for sacraments. It is customary for some members of the church to give clergy a monetary stipend for sacramental services performed, and clergy may receive such stipends gratefully. However, stipends should not be expected and definitely not requested. Where travel expenses may be involved for a wedding or other sacramental celebration, clergy may require that these expenses be paid for by the person(s) receiving the sacrament or their family/representative before clergy commit to traveling and celebrating the sacrament.

CANON 2: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist

All persons within this Church are invited and encouraged to participate in the Eucharistic celebrations (also referred to as the Holy Mass) held each Sunday and on Holy Days in which they will hear the Word of God and may receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Sec 1 (a) The celebration of the Eucharist is considered “the source and summit” of Christian life to which we direct our thanks and praise to God while receiving a renewal of grace and faith.

(b) The minister of the Holy Eucharist (also referred to as the Presider or Celebrant) is ordinarily a bishop or priest. In their absence, a deacon or Licensed Lay Minister may lead the celebration using pre-consecrated Eucharistic hosts and omitting the Eucharistic Prayer and any other prayers or gestures reserved to a bishop or priest.

(c) All Catholics, Christians, and other people of goodwill are welcome to participate in the Mass and to receive Holy Eucharist as well as the other sacraments of the Church according to their personal desire and state in life. The reception of Holy Eucharist (also referred to as Communion) in the Reformed Catholic Church is not reserved only to members “in good standing” or without sin. Similarly, all present should be encouraged to take an active role in the celebration by proclaiming the readings, leading music or singing, and/or by helping to distribute Communion.

(d) The weekly/regular celebration of the Mass is also the appropriate and preferred setting in which to celebrate other sacraments of the Church including Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and/or Holy Orders.

(e) The time and place of Eucharistic celebrations on Sundays, Holy Days and weekdays (as desired) is to be determined by the local Diocesan Bishop or pastors of parishes in consultation with their community’s members. The preferred setting for the Holy Mass is a designated church, chapel or oratory. However, non-religious settings including private homes, community centers, schools, parks or beaches may be used as warranted by local needs or space options.

(f) A suitable number of consecrated hosts are to be reserved in an appropriate vessel (typically a ciborium or pyx) for distribution during the week to those who are sick, hospitalized, elderly, imprisoned or otherwise unable to attend the Eucharistic celebration. The reserved Holy Eucharist may also be venerated on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Solemnity of the Body & Blood of Christ (also referred to as Corpus Christi Sunday) and on other appropriate occasions.

CANON 3: The Sacrament of Baptism

Sec 1 (a) The celebration of Baptism is the joyful occasion wherein an infant, child, teenager or adult is washed clean of/freed from sin and received as a child of God into a life of grace, and initiated as a member of the Body of Christ, i.e. the Church.

(b) The ordinary minister of Baptism is a bishop, priest or deacon. In the event of a life-threatening emergency when immediate Baptism may be necessary or desired and an ordained minister is not available, any baptized individual may administer the sacrament of Baptism using water and the prescribed words below.

(c) To be valid, licit and effective, the sacrament of Baptism must include the pouring of water, even if only a minimal amount, and the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The baptism of an infant or young child who would not be confirmed immediately following their baptism ordinarily receives a simple anointing with Holy Chrism on their head or breast as prescribed in the Rite of Baptism.

(d) The preferred time and location of the sacrament of Baptism is during the regular Sunday Eucharistic celebration when the entire faith community is gathered and can welcome its new member(s). However, the sacrament may be celebrated at other times and/or locations including private homes, hospitals or other settings as pastoral circumstances may necessitate.

(e) In the case of transgender and non-binary individuals seeking acknowledgement of their lived gender identity, any valid and licit Baptism in accordance with Article III Canon 3c, would still be considered valid. Any clergy can issue a new Baptismal Certificate for the original Baptism aligned to the person's new names and identity. Other transgender individuals might validate their identity through the Renewal of Baptismal Vows within the context of the Rite of Confirmation. If after pastoral counseling and spiritual discernment, for the spiritual well-being of the individual, the validation and affirmation of this new identity may be celebrated using the Rite of Baptism as an Affirmation of Baptism and a new Baptismal Certificate can be issued. God knew and loved this person before they were born, and the first Baptism was indeed valid and effective, but for pastoral and parochial reasons, a celebration of an individual's actual identity acknowledges the unique dignity of all individuals and affirms their identity above legal precedents or limitations and serves as a powerful witness to the faith community and to the greater community at large to validate and affirm a person’s lived identity.

CANON 4: The Sacrament of Confirmation

Sec 1 (a) Confirmation marks the completion or “sealing with the Holy Spirit” of one’s faith development and full initiation in the Church. That notwithstanding, Confirmation is not the end of one’s spiritual faith formation and growth.

(b) The ordinary minister of the sacrament of Confirmation is the Diocesan Bishop. However, he/she typically grants the faculty to administer the sacrament to priests as warranted by the celebration of Confirmation during the Easter Vigil (see section d below). Deacons do not administer the sacrament of Confirmation.

(c) To be valid, licit and effective, the sacrament of Confirmation must include the laying on of hands and invocation of the Holy Spirit (either individually or collectively if there is a large number to be confirmed) as well as an anointing with Holy Chrism on the head as prescribed in the Rite of Confirmation.

(d) The sacrament of Confirmation is administered to older children (those who have attained the

“age of reason,” generally regarded as age 7), teenagers and adults who have been baptized previously in the Church. This may be celebrated at any appropriate time during the liturgical year, with the Diocesan Bishop serving as the minister of the sacrament. Those older children, teenagers and adults who have not been baptized previously are ordinarily baptized and confirmed during the annual Easter Vigil Mass, with their priest pastor serving as the minister of the sacrament after receiving the customary delegation from their local bishop.

CANON 5: The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Sec 1 (a) Reconciliation (commonly but more restrictively referred to as Confession or Penance) is the sacramental means by which one’s sins are forgiven and one is restored to the communion of the Church and the order of grace. It is intended to be an experience of healing and not one of shame, humiliation or punishment.

(b) Due to its sensitive and absolutely confidential nature, the celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation is strictly limited to bishops and priests. They should always be mindful that they are forgiving sins on God’s behalf and not their own. A bishop or priest who reveals sins confessed to them along with the identity of the penitent in question is considered in violation of Church law and will be disciplined appropriately, which may culminate in deposition or excommunication.

(c) The celebration of the sacrament is comprised of the following: the penitent’s initial acknowledgement that they have sinned and are in need of forgiveness/reconciliation; the full and honest verbal confession of their known/remembered sins; counseling and the assignment of a suitable penance by the minister; the optional recitation of a traditional or personal Act of Contrition by the penitent; and the recitation of the Prayer of Absolution and a final blessing by the minister.

(d) Reconciliation may be celebrated at any time and/or place that is convenient for both the penitent and minister. Ministers may set and promote appointed times to celebrate the sacrament but should remain open to any time a penitent may approach them in need. Care must always be taken to ensure privacy so that no one might overhear the penitent’s confession.

CANON 6: The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

Sec 1 (a) Anointing of the Sick is the Church’s traditional and primary celebration of sacramental healing for either physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual or other infirmities.

(b) The anointing may be administered by either a bishop, priest or deacon using consecrated Oil of the Sick and the prescribed words (see c below).

(c) The celebration of the sacrament is comprised of the following: a greeting and introduction by the minister; an appropriate scripture reading; laying of hands on the person’s head and invocation of the Holy Spirit; anointing with the Oil of the Sick in the sign of the cross on the person’s forehead and the palms of both hands while saying “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who frees you from your sins, save you and raise you up”; and a closing prayer with final blessing.

(d) Anyone who considers themselves appropriate for and potentially benefiting from the sacrament may request it at any time. It may be administered either privately/individually, which is typical if they are in a hospital or other health setting, or to a number of people during Mass or another appropriate communal gathering.

CANON 7: The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Sec 1 (a) Holy Orders (also referred to as Ordination) is the celebration wherein a man or woman, having heard the Lord’s call, is consecrated and blessed to serve the people of God with their lives as a minister in the Lord’s own image. The three Holy Orders in the Church are the Episcopacy (i.e. bishops), the Presbyterate (i.e. priests) and the Diaconate (i.e. deacons).

(b) The minister of Holy Orders in the celebration of priesthood and diaconate is the Diocesan Bishop. Only a bishop may ordain priests and deacons. For the consecration of a bishop, a minimum of three bishops sharing in verified apostolic succession are required.

(c) The celebration of all three Holy Orders require the calling and presentation of the candidates, laying on of hands by the bishop(s), invocation of the Holy Spirit, the Litany of the Saints (recited or chanted/sung), the prescribed prayer of consecration, and investiture of the newly ordained with the vestments and appointments appropriate to their order. These are defined in full in the Rites.

(d) It is up to the ordaining bishop(s) to define the frequency, dates, times and suitable location for the ordination rites. In the Reformed Catholic Church, it is preferred that Holy Orders (at least of bishops) be celebrated during our biennial synod. However, local and potentially urgent pastoral needs must be considered in scheduling ordinations.

(e) The discipline of celibacy for priests and other clergy of the Reformed Catholic Church is optional. Clergy may marry either prior to or after ordination.

CANON 8: The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Sec 1 (a) Holy Matrimony (commonly referred to as Marriage) celebrates the loving union, intended for life, of two consenting adults. They may be of either the opposite or the same sex/gender. They may also have been previously married and divorced. An annulment of their previous marriage(s) is not required by the Reformed Catholic Church.

(b) The two partners presenting themselves for Holy Matrimony are properly considered the ministers of the sacrament. However, their marriage must be witnessed by either a bishop, priest or deacon to be both sacramentally and legally valid in the United States (this is different in some other countries). The clergy witness also guides and supports the partners through the preparation for and celebration of the marriage.

(c) Holy Matrimony may be celebrated at any time or location that is convenient for both the partners and the clergy witness. It may be celebrated within Mass, either on Sunday or another day of the week, depending on the partners’ religious backgrounds and preference.

(d) The sacramentally valid celebration of marriage requires that both partners are choosing to marry of their own free will and without pressure from anyone or anything, that they exchange both vows of fidelity and rings, and that the witnessing minister blesses their union. The minister also must sign their legally issued marriage license after the ceremony and ensure that the partners and other witnesses sign it as well. Other religious, cultural or family traditions may be incorporated into the celebration as desired and appropriate.

(e) Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers of the Reformed Catholic Church are to respect a married couple’s decision(s) regarding whether or not to have children.

CANON 9: The worship and sacramental celebrations of the Reformed Catholic Church shall follow the patterns set down by the church catholic as it is found in its Roman, Anglican, Old Catholic and Orthodox branches. This church shall not be bound to follow any one form but shall use any such forms, customs and languages as best suits the needs of the local parish or community.

ARTICLE IV

PARTICULAR CHURCHES AND THEIR GROUPINGS

See Article VIII of the Church Bylaws

ARTICLE V

INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE

See Article VIII of the Church Bylaws

ARTICLE VI

ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE

See Article I, Canon 8 of this document.

ARTICLE VII

EXERCISE OF ECCLESIA SUPPLET

CANON 1: From time to time, the Church may find herself in need of making a decision for the good of the people of God that may come in conflict with the norms of Canon Law. On these occasions, the ancient dictum of ecclesia supplet (“the church supplies”) will supplant all such norms. If the spiritual needs of a group of people are in jeopardy by inaction on the part of the Church, the Presiding Bishop with the consent of a simple majority of the Sacred College of Bishops may temporarily suspend a canon or section thereof to provide for the benefit of the people of God. This action may not be taken without due care and consideration, and may not be repeated more than once in a given calendar year.

ARTICLE VIII

CAUSES OF SAINTHOOD

CANON 1: Throughout the course of history, the Church has chosen for particular acknowledgment of women and men whose examples of faith, compassion, service, and self-sacrifice have been deemed worthy of recognition and emulation. These individuals the Church elevates to the rank of sainthood. This is done so that the faithful might look to them as examples and as a source of inspiration, encouragement, and perseverance in living out the values of the Gospel.

(a) The Reformed Catholic Church may choose to elevate to the rank of Sainthood individuals who have demonstrated, through their word and actions, have manifested the values of the Gospel in ways that highlight that particular charism of the Reformed Catholic Church. These particular charisms are characterized by outreach to marginalized communities and the outcasts of mainstream society; effective and persistent activism directed to social-economic justice for all; values of a Christian life; and/or by exceptional dedication to welcoming all to a life of grace through the sacraments.

CANON 2: A petition for sainthood is a written statement submitted by any member of the Reformed Catholic Church, signed by the submitter.

(a) A candidate for sainthood is not limited to just those of the Catholic Faith or Christian Faith. Candidates can be any person who, through their words and actions, has demonstrated or manifested those values that the Reformed Catholic Church and the Gospels hold in the highest, as stated in Article IX, Canon 1a.

(b) Candidate for sainthood must be deceased for any petition to be considered.

(c) All Petitions must be forwarded to the Presiding Bishop. If the Presiding Bishop so chooses, they can designate, in writing, someone else to receive the petitions and start the processes of sainthood.

(d) Petition is recommended to follow a format as follows:

(d) (1) Must be in writing and addressed to the Presiding Bishop

(d) (2) Must include the full name, the dates of birth and death, and the period of when the act(s) took place to warrant consideration.

(d) (3) Must have any other additional personal information that would be pertinent to a discussion on sainthood

(d) (4) Must include a statement of why the person should be considered for sainthood

(d) (5) Must include a statement of how the person's sainthood relates to and furthers the mission and character of the Reformed Catholic Church and how it, through words and/or actions, demonstrated or manifested the words and meaning of the Gospel and teachings of the Christ.

CANON 3: A petition, once accepted for consideration, will be reviewed and investigated and a report will be issued to the Board of Directors. The Board will decide if the candidate will be put forward for a full vote of all the members attending the next scheduled Synod. The report will be completed by either the Presiding Bishop or a designated Postulator. Their duties and report requirements are:

(a) The first page after the title and index should include all the findings and recommendations limited to bullet-type comments and as close to one page as possible

(b) The next part after the findings/recommendations must incorporate the original submission for sainthood.

(c) Items that can be included but are not required: a timeline of events of the person’s life, public statements made about the event, historical reports on events, a list of and, when possible, copies of any awards or recognitions for events, and any other information that supports or casts doubt on the sainthood.

(d) A conclusion stating why the recommendation and finding are reached and being offered should be the last part. Part of this needs to be a statement of any other body considering the same person and the status of that process if one exists.

(e) This report will be presented to the Presiding Bishop or their designated receiver for the report once concluded. This report, once received, will be reviewed before being forwarded to the Board of Directors.

CANON 4: The report from the Postulator will be presented to the Board of Directors for their review and comments. All comments, pro or con, will be included at the end of the final report. A simple majority in favor of the report is all that is required to proceed to the vote of the Synod.

CANON 5: The final report including all the pro/con comments from the Board of Directors is presented to the attending members at the next scheduled Synod for voting. A vote of 2/3 is required to grant sainthood.