The authority of the Episcopal Church resides at the diocesan level. This is witnessed to by the structure of the church as “that of a voluntary association of equal dioceses.” Also, the Constitution and Canons of the Church make no provision for either a central hierarchy or a Presiding Bishop with metropolitan authority. Furthermore, our General Convention representation is as dioceses and not as communicants, with only an administrative role for the convention leadership, the voting members of the leadership themselves drawn from the diocesan deputations. In addition, the ordinal does not contain any language acknowledging or committing to submit to any metropolitan or central hierarchal authority.
Wow. Way to go Russell!
I hope some of these rectors are looking to hire a curate when I finish seminary in a year’s time!
This is a very encouraging statement
Ohhhh … Rectors’ … not Rector’s. I was wondering why the opinion of one rector would matter so much.