 SECTION E CLERGY APPOINTMENTS AND THE

PATRONAGE MEASURE
CONTENTS

1 The Method of Appointment

E1. The Start of a Parish Vacancy

E2. The Patronage Benefices Measure 1986
E3. Initial Action
E4. The Parochial Church Council’s Participation
E5. The Rights of the Patron
E6. The Alternative Method for the Patron
E7. Where the Bishop is Patron
E8. Time Limits
E9. The Public Announcement of a New Appointment

2 The Arrival of a New Incumbent or Priest-in-Charge

E10. Institutions
E11. Rehearsals
E12. Invitations to Institution Services
E13. Briefing new Incumbents
E14. Resettlement and Removal Grants
3 Particular Responsibilities During a Vacancy

E15. Sequestrators
E16. Officiating Clergy
E17. The Care of the Parsonage House
E18. Vacancy Inspection of the Parsonage House

(1)The Method of Appointment:

 E1. THE START OF A PARISH VACANCY.

Section B2 refers to the various circumstances which will lead to a parish entering a
period of interregnum during which there will be no incumbent or priest-in-charge in office.

 E2. THE PATRONAGE (BENEFICES) MEASURE 1986.

Where a new appointment is to be made, the procedure and rules to be followed since 1
January 1989 are laid down by this Measure and by the Rules approved by Synod and
Parliament in 1987. Special arrangements apply where the Crown is the patron of the
living (Sections 35 and 36 of 1986 Measure). The Measure also provides that a
‘Designated Officer’ be appointed to oversee the proper handling of the appointment of a
new Incumbent, and in this Diocese the Registrar acts in this capacity.
 E3. INITIAL ACTION.
It is for the Bishop to take the first step towards a new appointment by instructing the
Designated Officer to initiate the procedures under the Measure. At the same time the
Archdeacon will make arrangements to see the Churchwardens and to attend a meeting
of the PCC in order to outline the procedures to be followed and hear the views of those
present. If appropriate, the Archdeacon also makes enquiries of the former Incumbent,
the Churchwardens, and the Rural Dean.

 E4. THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL'S

PARTICIPATION.
The instruction from the Designated Officer to the PCC Secretary gives the Council 28
days in which to respond to the following matters:

1 the Council is required to prepare a statement describing the needs and traditions
of the parish;

2 the Council is required to appoint two lay members (not necessarily the
Churchwardens) to act as its representatives in all matters relating to the selection
process. (The Measure specifically precludes the Patron (or a representative) or
licensed lay worker from being a PCC representative for this purpose);

3 the Council may request the Patron to advertise the vacancy (note: this can only
be requested);

4 the Council may request a meeting with the Patron;

5 the Council may request the Bishop to make a statement in writing describing, in
relation to the benefice, the needs of the diocese and the wider needs of the
church.

6 Arising from the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 the PCC is required
to consider resolutions A and B, although it is not requested to vote on either
resolution. The Measure specifically states that at the meeting(s) of the PCC called
to consider these matters neither the outgoing Incumbent nor his/her spouse shall
be entitled to attend.

 E5. THE RIGHTS OF THE PATRON.

The Patron has, in effect, the opportunity to proceed to make an offer to clergy by either of
two routes once the procedures outlined in Section E4 above have been completed. The
Patron may invite clergy whom he/she believes meets the PCC's statement of needs and
traditions. In that case, the two PCC representatives and the Bishop will need to be
consulted and their agreement secured. The two PCC representatives have two weeks in
which to act at this point, and the Bishop has four weeks. Reasons will need to be given
where such agreements are not secured and the Patron can then appeal to the
Archbishop.
 E6. THE ALTERNATIVE METHOD FOR THE PATRON TO
PROCEED.
The second route will be to advertise the vacancy, normally though not necessarily
leading to shortlisting and interviews (by the patron with or without the PCC
representatives). Similar consultation as outlined in E4 above with both the bishop and
the two PCC representatives is required before an appointment can be made.

 E7. WHERE THE BISHOP IS PATRON.

Where the Bishop is the Patron it is usual (if the vacancy is to be advertised) for the
Bishop to draw up a shortlist and to include the two PCC representatives in the process of
interviews that follow.

 E8. TIME LIMITS.

When the benefice remains vacant for nine months the rights of the Patron lapse to the
Archbishop.

 E9. THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW

APPOINTMENT.
It will be necessary to secure the agreement of the Bishop before any announcement of a
new appointment is made publicly. It is important to ensure that the announcement is
made in all parishes concerned on the same day.

(2) The Arrival of a New Incumbent or Priest-in-Charge

 E10. INSTITUTIONS.
Arrangements for these and for inductions and licensings are initiated by the Bishop and
Archdeacon. The order of service is laid down in the booklet entitled ‘Form of Service for
the Instituting and Induction of a new Incumbent’. See Appendix 10 – Bishop’s Guidelines
for Institutions and Inductions.

 E11. REHEARSALS.
The Rural Dean is responsible for overseeing the planning of the service and arranging
for a rehearsal for which the Churchwardens, Organist and the Incumbent or Priest-in-
Charge designate should be present. Particular attention should be given to seating,
robing arrangements, and movement round the church by all those participating.

 E12. INVITATIONS TO INSTITUTION SERVICES.

Clergy, Readers, and licensed lay workers from the deanery and district should be invited
to attend. Care should be taken to see that invitations are sent to clergy and ministers of
other denominations. Rural Deans will give advice about the importance of inviting lay
people from different sections of the community to attend.
 E13. BRIEFING NEW INCUMBENTS.
The Archdeacon and Rural Dean are responsible for making arrangements for the briefing
and induction of the Incumbent or Priest-in-Charge into his/her new responsibilities.

 E14. RESETTLEMENT AND REMOVAL GRANTS.

Details of these are available from the Diocesan Office.

(3) Particular Responsibilities During a Vacancy

 E15. SEQUESTRATORS.
The Sequestrators are responsible for a parish during a vacancy and the Churchwardens
and Rural Dean will be automatically appointed. In this diocese the Rural Dean normally
acts as priest-in-charge during a vacancy.

 E16. OFFICIATING CLERGY.

Those who take services will need to be remunerated and have their travel costs
reimbursed (see Section C19). The parish is responsible for paying these costs and is
refunded by the Diocesan Board of Finance. Details of these arrangements including an
up-to-date list of fees will be sent to the parish at the start of the vacancy period.

 E17. THE CARE OF THE PARSONAGE HOUSE.

During the vacancy, the parsonage house may be let to tenants for a limited period. If so,
that will be co-ordinated by the Diocesan Property Manager. During the period when it is
not occupied, the care of the parsonage house needs to be undertaken by the
Churchwardens . The house should be visited frequently and its security ensured at all
times. Mail should be collected regularly and forwarded or redirected as necessary.
Damage should be reported to the Property Manager at the Diocesan Office. Some use
of the central heating and the drainage of the household water system should be
consideed.

 E18. VACANCY INSPECTION OF THE PARSONAGE

HOUSE.
Shortly after the parsonage house has been vacated the Property Sub-Committee of the
bishop's Council will arrange to inspect the house. Those present include the relevant
Archdeacon, the Property Manager, the Surveyor, the Property Maintainer, the
Churchwardnes (or representatives) and a committee member. Informal discussions will
take place about the state of the house, the condition of the fabric and of any repairs or
alterations that may be necessary. After a report from the Surveyor, the Property Sub-
Committee will give its advice about work needing to be tackled.