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TX - Scribdsection Q June 07

This document provides information about visitations, parochial records and registers, and relevant measures in the Church of England. It discusses the two types of visitations conducted by the archdeacon, including annual visitations where clergy and churchwardens are cited and parochial visitations every 3 years. It also outlines the process for retaining and depositing parish registers and records in designated record offices. Finally, it lists several important measures that govern aspects of church administration, pastoral changes, property ownership, and clergy discipline.

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23 views

TX - Scribdsection Q June 07

This document provides information about visitations, parochial records and registers, and relevant measures in the Church of England. It discusses the two types of visitations conducted by the archdeacon, including annual visitations where clergy and churchwardens are cited and parochial visitations every 3 years. It also outlines the process for retaining and depositing parish registers and records in designated record offices. Finally, it lists several important measures that govern aspects of church administration, pastoral changes, property ownership, and clergy discipline.

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 SECTION Q VISITATIONS, RECORDS AND

MEASURES
CONTENTS

Q1. Visitations
Q2. Parochial Records and Registers
Q3. Measures

 Q1. VISITATIONS.
There are two patterns of Visitation, both of which are normally under the jurisdiction of
the Archdeacon. Canon G5 outlines the general ‘right to visit’ which is given to the
Archbishop, Bishop and Archdeacon. The Canon states that the primary basis to such
Visitations lies both in law and in custom, and that the primary purposes are ultimately
pastoral - for the ‘well-being of Christ’s flock’ on the one hand, and for ‘the supply of things
lacking, and the correction of things that are amiss’ on the other.

 Q1.1 Annual Visitations.


In this diocese such Visitations are normally held by the Archdeacon and usually take
place in each deanery. However, periodically the Bishop may exercise his right to hold the
Visitation instead of the Archdeacon. Each year the clergy and Churchwardens are cited
by the Archdeacon to appear at the Visitation in May or June during the course of which
the Archdeacon gives an address (Charge) and the Churchwardens make their
declarations of office and are formally admitted. (See Canon G6.) When the Archdeacons
summon the clergy and churchwardens to the Annual Visitation they may issue Articles of
Enquiry in which questions are asked concerning each church and parish. Traditionally,
the Visitation is an opportunity for the Churchwardens to discuss with the Archdeacon any
problems affecting their parish. The Registrar is no longer under duty to be present at the
Archdeacon’s Visitation.

 Q1.2 Parochial Visitations.


The duty of the Archdeacon (or Rural Dean) to enquire into each parish church is to be
found in Canon F18. Often referred to as a Fabric Inspection, the Archdeacon is
instructed to carry out this duty at least once in every three years. Since the passing of the
Inspection of Churches Measure 1955, the main task of surveying churches has been
undertaken by inspecting architects and qualified surveyors. The duty of the Archdeacon
is now more directed to ensuring that such regular inspections take place and that the
advice of the inspecting architect is heeded by the Incumbent and PCC. The Archdeacon
also has a duty to ensure that there is a regular inspection of ‘register books and records’
retained in parochial custody, doing so personally or through an appointee. This duty is to
be exercised at least every five years, but is usually done alongside the triennial Fabric
Inspection.
 Q2. PAROCHIAL RECORDS AND REGISTERS
 Q2.1 The Records Offices.
For the purposes of the Parochial Registers and Records Measure the Bishop has
designated that the Records Offices at Newport, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and
Winchester should be used by the parishes of the diocese. Each PCC should make use
of the relevant office for keeping its records and registers no longer in use (see Section
Q2.3 and Appendix 1 - Bishop’s Notice 10).

 Q2.2 Inspection by the Archdeacon.


Parish records which are retained by the PCC are to be inspected at least every five years
by the Archdeacon (see Section Q1.2 above).

 Q2.3 Retention of Parish Registers and Records.


Books and registers (unless in current use) may be deposited at the relevant Records
Office. However, all registers and records completed more than 100 years ago must be
so deposited unless retention in parochial custody has been authorised in writing by the
Bishop.

 Q2.4 The Care of Registers and Records.


Strict requirements are laid down by the Miscellaneous Provisions Measure 1992 with
regard to the care and attention to be given where the PCC determines to retain some of
its records. These include the provision of an adequate steel cabinet, its siting,
temperature and humidity, and its security against theft. Consultation with the relevant
Records Officer is advised.

 Q3. MEASURES.
Copies of Measures of the General Synod and the Statutory Instrument of Ecclesiastical
Law are held by the Diocesan Registrar and at the Diocesan Office. The principal
Measures, which are most frequently of concern, are:

• Synodical Government Measure 1969. This Measure outlines the basis for synodical
government in the Church of England and includes the functions of General, Diocesan
and Deanery Synods. It also refers to PCCs though reference here also needs to be
made to the more detailed matters outlined in the Church Representation Rules.

• Pastoral Measure 1983. The procedures for a whole range of matters concerning
pastoral schemes and redundant churches are governed by this Measure. This Measure
consolidated the Pastoral Measures of 1967 and 1982 and together with its Code of
Practice lays down the method whereby pastoral changes are handled at parochial,
diocesan, and national level.

• Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976. The Measure transferred the responsibility for
the management of glebe land to the Diocesan Board of Finance, terminated existing
trusts providing towards a stipend, and restricted the letting of parsonage houses. It was
an essential element in making it possible to introduce national stipend scales for
incumbents and other clergy. Together with other alterations to the payment of stipends
made in the seventies its additional effect has been to change fundamentally the way in
which the clergy are remunerated.

• Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1987. This established that most registers
and records of parish churches should be deposited with designated Records Officers.
(See Section Q2 above.) • Incumbents and Churchwardens [Trusts] Measure 1964 and
the Parochial Church Councils [Powers] Measure 1956. The 1964 Measure provides that
real and personal property held by incumbent and churchwardens jointly or severally shall
be vested in the Diocesan Board of Finance. As a result of this Measure and of the 1956
Measure concerning cases where the PCC or incumbent and churchwardens are the
Managing/Administrative Trustees, most parish properties are held by the DBF acting in
the capacity of Custodian Trustees.

• Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991. Together with its Rules,
this Measure governs the procedures whereby alternations and repairs to churches are
controlled. It includes such matters as the inspection of churches, the granting of
faculties, and the duties of the Diocesan Advisory Committees for the Care of Churches.

• Patronage (Benefice) Measure 1986. This Measure outlines procedures in consultation


which are to be followed in the making of nominations and appointments to parishes.

• Churchwardens Measure 2001. This Measure is outlined in ‘Church Representation


Rules’ printed by Church House Publishing. (See also Section J9.)

• Repair of Benefice Buildings Measure 1972. As its title implies this Measure outlines the
procedures to be followed in the provision and maintenance of housing for Incumbents.

• The Clergy Discipline Measure 2003. This provides a replacement structure for the
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963, for dealing efficiently and fairly with formal
complaints of misconduct against members of the clergy (except in relation to matters
involving doctrine, ritual or ceremony. It came into force on 1 January 2006.

• The Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure (Currently awaiting the Royal Assent
February 2007). This makes provision among other things for procedures for making
pastoral schemes and orders and pastoral church building schemes. It also makes
provisions for the closure and possible disposal of church buildings no longer needed for
regular public worship; care of church buildings and mission initiatives.

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