A123 Amend Canon IV.3.1 - Addressing misrepresentation in Ordination process
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
That Canon IV.3.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1. A Member of the Clergy shall be subject to proceedings under this Title for:
(a) knowingly violating or attempting to violate, directly or through the acts of another person, the Constitution or Canons of the Church or of any Diocese;
(b) failing without good cause to cooperate with any investigation or proceeding conducted under authority of this Title; or
(c) intentionally and maliciously bringing a false accusation or knowingly providing false testimony or false evidence in any investigation or proceeding under this Title; or
(d) intentionally misrepresenting or omitting any material fact in applying for admission to Postulancy, for admission to Candidacy, for ordination as a Deacon or Priest, for reception from another Church as a Deacon or Priest, or for nomination or appointment as a Bishop.
Explanation
This amendment will make it clear that Title IV will apply to failures to disclose and to misrepresentations made during the ordination process, when seeking reception or appointment as a bishop. While individuals who have not yet been ordained are not subject to the provisions of Title IV, these misrepresentations are clearly contrary to the manner of life expected of ordained persons and should have consequences.