Holy Orders and Lay Ministry
1. Clergy and Laity
Clergy = Bishop, Priest, Deacon (traditional orders).
All others are lay people.
2. Women’s Ordination
Women cannot be ordained to Holy Orders.
Men and women of good character may serve as Lay Readers.
Must be baptised, confirmed, and at least 23 years old.
3. Deaconesses
The traditional Lay Order of Deaconess remains.
Women of faith and fitness may apply (min. age 23).
Duties defined by the Archbishop; formal service of admission required.
4. Key Church Appointments
Roles like Vicar General, Chancellor, Registrar, etc., appointed by the Archbishop annually.
Not all roles must be filled; new roles may be created as needed.
5. Lay Appointments
Roles of Secretary, Treasurer, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Registrar open to laity.
Annual election by the Management Committee.
6. Employment Status
Clergy and lay leaders are not employees.
Licence or appointment conditional on acceptance of this status.
7. Titles
Archbishop: The Most Reverend (+ Doctor/Professor titles as applicable).
Bishops: The Right Reverend.
Priests: The Reverend or Father.
Deacons: The Reverend.
Deaconesses: The Reverend Deaconess.
Vicar General: The Very Reverend.
8. Honorary Titles
Certain clerics may be styled “Canon” based on roles (e.g., Canon Theologian, Canon Treasurer).
Chancellor: “The Worshipful”; addressed as “Your Worship” in court.
Registrar: Usually a qualified Australian solicitor with a current practising certificate.
9. Further Appointments and Titles
Vice-Chancellor may be appointed if needed.
Registrar advises clergy/laity, assists the Chancellor’s Court.
Archbishop may confer honorary titles/academic honours (e.g. HonDD) annually.
All honorary titles last one financial year unless removed by College of Bishops.
10. Honorary Degrees
Archbishop may award honorary degrees in Theology, Divinity, etc.
These must not be used outside clerical contexts without “Hon” prefix.
11. Lay Ministry
Laypersons may lead prayers, distribute Holy Communion, perform emergency baptisms, etc., in clergy’s absence.
In emergencies, any baptised person may pray for the dying.
12. Ordination Requirements
Must provide proof of baptism and confirmation (or swear an oath if unavailable).
Must meet standards of leadership, education, maturity.
13. Ordination Standards
Instruction required pre-ordination.
No discrimination by race, disability, etc.—must have sufficient reason for denial.
Priests: min. age 25; Deacons: min. age 23.
Minimum six months between diaconate and priesthood.
14. Incardination and Celebration
Ordained clergy from other churches may apply for incardination.
Ordinations must occur during public Holy Communion and be performed by a bishop.
15. Records & Certification
Ordination details must be officially recorded.
Each ordained person receives a certificate (Letters of Orders).
16. Consecration Protocols
Normally three bishops consecrate a bishop; letters accepted if unavailable.
Only Archbishop-approved rites (e.g. BCP) may be used.
17. Episcopal Oversight
Bishops may ordain Deacons, Priests, Deaconesses—must inform Archbishop.
Archbishop has absolute veto.
Episcopal consecrations require Archbishop’s consent.
Bishops may not ordain/consecrate women or participate in such acts elsewhere.
18. Episcopal Standards
Candidates must be male, at least 35, show outstanding Christian character, leadership, and meet Church requirements.
19. Bishop’s Role
Must care for all people, especially clergy and vocations.
Must model holiness, charity, humility, and guide sacramental life.
20. Priest’s Responsibilities
Priest = pastor of all who engage with him, under the Bishop’s direction.
Duties: teaching, sacraments, social justice, pastoral care.
Must record all sacramental acts accurately.
21. Sacramental Duties
Administers: baptism, confirmation (in emergencies), anointing, marriages, funerals, Eucharist.