CANONS OF THE INDEPENDENT ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC CHURCH INTERNATIONAL 

INTRODUCTION Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. – Jesus, to the scribes and pharisees, Mark 12, Matthew 22, Luke 10.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          This Church is an Independent Ecumenical Catholic Church (in the Franciscan Tradition) of men and women who are called by God, the Holy Spirit, to a common journey of faith and service. We are an open and loving Church that does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, racial, ethnic, national origin, physical capabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, employment/work history, education, or social status. We believe that we are the Children of God and are all equal in God’s eyes. In every way we aim to be an open, loving and welcoming Franciscan family church.

The following words by Pope St John XXIII beautifully sum up these our Canons. " In essentials unity, in nonessential's liberty, and in all things clarity" all things, charity.

STRUCTURE AND COMMUNION These are the Canons of the Independent Ecumenical Catholic Church International. This Church is an independent communion committed to following catholic traditions in doctrine and worship. This church is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. The Church from here on shall be referred to as the “IECCI.” The Presiding Bishop and the College of Bishops shall govern the IECCI. The founding bishop shall be ad vitam sed quamdiu se bene gesserit (for life unless indisposed by ill health). The College of Bishops shall, in the event of a vacancy in the office of Presiding Bishop, call an Electoral College meeting consisting of all clergy members to choose a new Presiding Bishop from amongst their number. Each cleric shall have a single vote. The new Presiding Bishop shall be elected with a simple majority (50% + one vote). When elected by the majority of his/her clerics, the newly elected Presiding Bishop, shall be installed and enthroned at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with the established customs of the IECCI. At the time of her/his election, the length of term of office will normally be 10 years. At the completion of this period, he/she may be re-appointed (via the proper election procedure) for a similar period of time. At the end of their second term in office, the Presiding Bishop shall not be eligible for re-election. Any Presiding Bishop who has served two elected terms shall be known by the honorary title of “Archbishop.” An Archbishop shall be entitled to retain their seat in the College of Bishops. She/he may speak on any subject during meetings of the College of Bishops and will not have voting rights (voice but not vote). The IECCI considers itself to be in full communion with churches of similar Faith and Doctrine. Examples of such churches are the Old Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches. The IECCI is rooted in the teaching of the historic Church enshrined in the Catholic Creeds and in the teachings of the ancient Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Christian Church. These councils define the faith and order of the Old Catholic and Anglican traditions, as well as the IECCI. The Church is a Communion of Laity and Clergy who are in union with each other and acknowledge the “Faith as once given to the Apostles.” We are in union to ensure that our faith is maintained for the continuity of the “faith which was once for all delivered to the Saints” (Jude v: 3) and the edification of all humankind to the Glory of God. ​

We believe that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church. We are the servants of Christ in this world. Our faith and orders were given to us through apostolic succession. We hold to the teachings as revealed by God in the Holy Scriptures. We also use various approved modern translations and/or versions of the Holy Bible. We believe our confession of faith and hope for salvation is contained in, but not limited to, the Holy Scriptures. We believe the Holy Spirit comes from the God Head and She will “lead us into all Truth.” Our churches may use the Book of Common Prayer (1979) for their liturgy or any other liturgy approved by the College of Bishops. Such authorised liturgies help to maintain a common practice of worship. We hold to the Chicago-Lambeth Resolutions of 1886 & 1888, which state that Ecumenical Catholic Union is based: on Holy Scripture, Historic Creeds (Apostles and Nicene), Seven Sacraments, and the Historic Episcopate. We hold to four Orders of Ministry: 1) Laity (ordination by Baptism), and to the Holy Orders of: 2) Bishops, 3) Priests, 4) Deacons. We believe that the Traditions of the church also fashion and add depth to our Faith and Orders. Laity applying for Holy Orders must be persons of high moral character and ordained by Apostolic Succession.

THE EMERGENT CHURCH The IECCI sees itself as a part of the emergent church. Our roots were established in the church of the first century. We ideally see our churches beginning with “house groups” much as they did in the book of Acts. There should be no immediate desire to have large groups for Jesus himself said “Where two or three are gathered together in my name I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18: 20-21) We see our church as an extension of this early church movement. Should the size of the group grow beyond the “local cell” then we may seek to “church share.” We should share, if possible, with another local church. After a time, if the group size decreases, then we should always return to our roots, the home church model. This movement of the “emergent church growth” will be used as the formation of the local churches. This is a method of church growth. We aim to start one house group at a time. Three or four house groups may join together to constitute a parish and three parishes may become a diocese at the recommendation of the Presiding Bishop with the approval of the council of bishops.

HOLY ORDERS AND LAY MINISTRY The ‘Holy Orders’ of the clergy shall be the traditional orders of Bishops, Priests and Deacons handed down to us from the earliest times. Those whom God has chosen for Holy orders shall, at all times, strive to represent the IECCI to the very best of their ability. This ensures that the bishop, priest or deacon behaves in a manor suitable to their calling. Their conduct and dress must always be in accordance with the state of life to which God has called them. Candidates must submit a complete application including documentation of their baptism and confirmation before being accepted for ordination. They shall be suitably trained and educated for the positions of Deacon and/or Priest. The training shall be undertaken with the assistance of a mentor chosen by the Presiding Bishop. In order to confer the Orders of Diaconate or Priesthood, it is required that, in the judgement of the Bishop, the candidate must be suitably trained, possesses the required qualities for future clerical duties. Thus, they shall be considered to be of positive benefit to the ministry of the IECCI. The Priesthood may be conferred upon those men and women who have completed their twenty-fifth year of age. They shall serve, normally, for an interval of at least six months between the Diaconate and the Priesthood. The Diaconate may be conferred only on those women and men who have completed their twenty-third year of age. Those clergy who have been already ordained, according to the rites and traditions of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, can be incardinated into the IECCI. If they wish to be incardinated into and licensed for their ministry, then they should apply to the presiding bishop who will admit them by simple transfer. Clergy from other churches who have not been Ordained in Apostolic Orders, or who are unsure whether they have been ordained in a valid Apostolic Succession, may choose to have the Sacrament of Orders conferred or conferred conditionally. After an ordination, the names of the individuals ordained, the name of the ordaining Bishop, and the date and place of ordination are to be entered into a Register kept at Church Central (Presiding Bishop’s Office). The Presiding Bishop shall keep an official record of all currently incardinated and active clergy of the IECCI. The ordaining Bishop is to present to each person ordained priest or deacon an authentic certificate of the ordination received. Such document is normally referred to as Letters of Orders. It must contain the date and place of ordination, and a statement that it took place during a public celebration of Holy Communion and the seal and signature of the ordaining bishop. Following ordination, the Presiding Bishop will also provide the newly ordained deacon or priest their letter of faculties. IECCI parishes are not limited by geographical boundaries. The parish embraces all who have contact with the priest in that parish. The priest is the proper pastor. She/he should exercise pastoral care of their community. The parish priest serves under the guidance of a bishop. This priest’s ministry of Christ enables them to serve their community. The priest teaches, sanctifies, and ministers with the cooperation of other priests or deacons, with the assistance of the laity, in their diocese. Priests have the Divine obligation to make sure that the word of God is proclaimed faithfully to those within their parish. He/she is to see that the laity of Christ’s faithful is instructed in the truths of the faith. The laity of the church is Christ’s first order of ministry to the world. The Priest is to strive to ensure that Christ’s faithful are nourished by the devout Celebration of the Sacraments. So that the Priest may fulfil the office of pastor, she/he is to strive to know those who are entrusted to their care. The Priest is to care for the sick, especially the dying in charity, and giving them the Sacrament of the Sick by anointing with Holy Oil and the laying on of hands with prayer. The Sacred Duties of the Priest are as follows: to baptise, to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation with the approval of their bishop, and Sacraments of Reconciliation, Penance and Confession. Other duties include: conducting marriages and giving a nuptial blessing, the conducting of funerals and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and to be given to prayer. The Priest is responsible for the keeping of proper and accurate records and to register all baptisms, marriages, funerals, and any other services as required. The priest shall ensure that church records are available for inspection at the request of the Presiding Bishop. The Bishop, Priest and the Deacon shall renew their priestly promises each Holy Thursday, according to local rubrics or at their Bishop’s yearly Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday.

INSTITUTES OF RELIGIOUS LIFE Establishment, Recognition, Acknowledgement. We give thanks that the Holy Spirit has raised up many spiritual families in the Church. Therefore, the Presiding Bishop shall have the authority to establish, recognise and acknowledge Religious Institutes. A Religious Institute under these Canons is a society of persons who voluntarily commit themselves for life, or a term of years, in obedience to their Rule and Constitution. Rules of Life. The Rule of Life and Constitution for each Religious Institute (including, under these Canons, other founding documents such as a customary, principles, declarations or bylaws) shall be developed, adopted, and amended when necessary by the Institute, and shall go to the Presiding Bishop for acknowledgement and ratification. The intention and determination of the Founders concerning the nature, purpose, spirit and character of the Institute thus ratified, as well as the wholesome traditions of the Institute, are to be faithfully observed by the Institute’s members. Moderators. Each Religious Institute shall have a Moderator who shall be responsible for all activities of the Institute. The Moderator shall be chosen by the Institute and ratified by the Presiding Bishop. Only for serious cause shall the Presiding Bishop refuse to ratify the election by the Institute’s members. Steps toward Permanent Vows. The Rule of each Religious Institute shall provide a graduated program in which applicants move through two or more steps prior to full and permanent Profession into the Religious Life. Membership in the Church. Religious Institutes may be designed to either be limited to members of the IECCI or to be ecumenical or interfaith in nature. The roles, duties, rights and obligations of Ecumenical Catholics, Christians of other denominations and non-Christian persons of faith shall be carefully delineated in the Rule or Constitution of the Institute. Clergy of other denominations shall obtain the permission of their ordinary ecclesiastical authority to join an Institute under these canons. Bishop Visitors or Protectors. Each Religious Institute shall have a Bishop Visitor or Protector, who may be any Bishop of this Church, or a Bishop of another church with the permission of the Presiding Bishop. The Bishop Visitor or Protector shall be the guardian of the Rule and Constitution of the Institute, and shall serve as an arbiter in matters which the Institute or its members cannot resolve through its normal processes. Dispensations. Any person under vows in a Religious Institute, having exhausted the normal processes of the Institute, may petition the Presiding Bishop for dispensation from those vows. The Presiding Bishop shall review the petition in consultation with the College of Bishops and/or senior Religious in the Church and shall rule thereon. The Presiding Bishop shall have the highest dispensing power for Religious Institutes and his or her ruling on the petition shall be final. Incorporation. Religious Institutes may incorporate as religious organisations. The Constitution of every Institute shall make provision for the legal ownership and administration of the temporal possessions of the Institute, and in the event of dissolution of the Institute, or should it otherwise cease to exist, shall provide for the disposition of its assets according to the laws governing non-profit (religious) organisations in the State wherein the Institute is incorporated.

ADVICE REGARDING CLERICAL DRESS  The Church encourages its clergy to wear clerical dress and to use appropriate vestments when celebrating the Sacraments and leading other liturgies. Clergy wear clerical dress not to indicate their status but as witness to their vocation. Wearing clerical dress is in itself a form of ministry. Those who wear clerical dress witness to the fact that they are citizens of the Dominion of Christ. Clerical dress signifies, to persons in need of assistance, that they may approach these clergy for pastoral help. At their ordination, clergy are set apart and aligned with Christ to serve the world. It is, therefore, logical that they are identifiable as people who stand in persona Christi. (The person of Christ) Ordinary clerical dress consists of a shirt and a clerical collar worn with other appropriate colors and clothing. In the Anglican tradition red purple and blue purple shirts are worn only by bishops. Bishops should wear a Zucchetto (Skull Cap) while they officiate at a service in a chapel or church. Bishops wear their Zucchetto under their Mitre when officiating at services where they also wear a Mitre (Usually Ordinations, Convocations, etc.). When celebrating the Eucharist, in normal circumstances, all clergy should wear an Alb. When a cleric wears an alb it symbolises the covering of themselves with the very person of Christ. They are serving as the representative of Christ in Word and Sacrament. Those in Religious Institutes, may with the approval of their bishop, wear their religious habit instead of an alb over their habit, when wearing Eucharistic Vestments. It is urged that deacons and priests wear a stole while officiating at all services of Word and Sacrament over their alb or habit. Deacon’s stoles are worn over the left shoulder. The stole is the symbol of the authority of the Priesthood and Diaconate. The color of the stole will normally match the color of the liturgical season. We understand that some of our clergy may not be able to afford clerical garb and/or vestments for the celebration of liturgical services. The Council of Bishops will endeavour to make sure every cleric in our church has at least an alb and one stole. Clergy of The Eastern Church always wear their most festive vestments and/or clerical garb when they do not own those in all the colors of the church year. At a later time, they may be given or obtain vestments in the colors of the seasons of the church year. The principal celebrant should wear a chasuble when celebrating the Eucharist and normally will wear an alb (or habit) with a stole. Some of our Franciscan Clergy will wear a surplice and stole over their habit for other sacramental services. Deacons may wear a dalmatic over their alb and stole. The color of the chasuble and dalmatic will usually match that of the liturgical season, if possible. When other sacraments are celebrated, in the context of the Eucharist, the Eucharistic vestments should always be worn at the altar and may or may not be worn at baptisms, weddings and funerals etc. In an emergency, the sacraments may be celebrated without vestments. Clergy are encouraged to wear, at least, a reconciliation stole over their clerical dress.

​THE HOLY SACRAMENTS Sacraments of the IECCI are the Seven Sacraments of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and are the outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace. The Holy Sacraments are Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Penance & Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick/Last Rites. Validly ordained ministers should never deny the Sacraments to those who ask for them. In the Sacrament of Baptism, people are born again by water and the Holy Spirit as children of God. They are welcomed into the Church as members of the Body of Christ. The officiant at Baptism is a bishop, priest or a deacon. Any baptized person, in the case of emergency, may baptize with water and with the words: “I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This baptism should be reported to the parish priest for recording as soon as possible. The Priest should record all baptisms in the Parish Register of Baptisms with the full names and date of birth of the baptized, the minister, the parents, the Godparents and the place and date of the baptism. Baptisms of children, in most countries, celebrated within two years of the person’s birth are considered to be as valid as a Certificate of Birth.​

The Holy Eucharist, which is the memorial of the death and resurrection of Christ, is the focus of our worship in our Christian life. The bishop or the priest is the representative of Christ who is the High Priest of every Eucharistic Celebration. The ordinary minister of the Sacrament of the Eucharist is a bishop or a priest. A deacon may officiate at a Service of Holy Communion (sometimes called a “Deacon’s Mass”). The Deacon uses consecrated elements, taken from the Reserved Blessed Sacrament, to commune those at the service. All Baptized people are to be invited to receive from Christ’s altar. This invitation is open to those from other Christian denominations. Anyone, who presents themselves with reverence to receive Holy Communion at the Eucharist, will to be communed. If guests continue to attend and wish to be communed, the minister may inquire about their joining our fellowship via baptism or profession of faith. The IECC also accepts dual church membership. The Sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist must be offered in bread, and in wine (grape juice or non-alcoholic wine with the permission of the bishop) to which a small quantity of water has been added. The Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church has always taught the Body of Christ is contained in each element. People may commune from only one element (those recovering from alcohol abuse, allergies to wheat products, medical or devotional reasons). ​

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the person confirms the promises made for them at their baptism by their sponsors (for infants) or made for themselves as a child or as an adult. The persons receiving Confirmation are enriched with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift assists them in being members of the local parish. The Sacrament of Confirmation is administered by anointing with chrism on the forehead and by the laying on of the hands by the confirming Bishop. The chrism (usually is blessed by a bishop at the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass each year) is given to clergy of the IECCI. Only Chrism blessed by a bishop will be used for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The celebrant for a Confirmation is usually a bishop. When it is not possible for a bishop to confirm, a priest may confirm the candidate (as a representative of the bishop). The representative priest uses chrism that was consecrated by a bishop.  Following the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation the full names of those confirmed (the parent’s names if the candidate is not of legal age), the celebrant, the place and date of the Confirmation shall be recorded in the Parish Register of Confirmations.

Marriage is a Sacrament where two persons are joined in Holy Matrimony with the Blessing of the Church. In the IECCI this sacrament is open to opposite or same sex couples. It is intended for life. All couples shall receive adequate instruction, counselling, and direction for their anticipated marriage. It is mandatory that couples receive pre-marital counseling. Clergy of our church may decide whether to officiate at the marriage of a prospective couple after the required counseling. The church does not sanction divorce except in very rare cases. If a divorced person seeks to be married again, the priest or deacon should counsel the new couple to see if this marriage seems to have a good foundation/reasoning to be blessed. The Holy Orders of Bishop, Priest and Deacon are conferred by the laying on of hands by Bishops in the Historic Episcopate. Clergy and laity may also participate in the laying on of hands. 

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is for those who confess their faults to a priest or bishop. They should resolve to amend their life and receive from God forgiveness, as confirmed only in the absolution given by a priest or bishop. A deacon or lay person may listen to confession (when no priest or bishop is available) and assure the penitential person of pardon via the Holy Scripture. (See James 5:16 and other scriptures.) The deacon or lay person should encourage the penitent to go to auricular confession, as soon as possible, with a priest or bishop for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Only a bishop or priest is the minister of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.

The Anointing of the Sick is conferred by anointing the person, in need of healing, with Holy Oil. (See James 5:13-15.) This sacrament may usually be done by a deacon, priest or bishop. Licensed Eucharistic Ministers of the church may (with education and permission of their parish priest) visit, pray for, and anoint the sick by using ‘Blessed Oil for Anointing the Sick.’ Such blessed oil is usually consecrated by a bishop. In case of emergency, any priest may bless the oil. 

REGULATIONS REGARDING THE ELECTION OF BISHOPS When the pastoral need for a bishop is determined by the Council of Bishops, the local clergy will be asked to nominate a candidate who meets the criteria of eligibility for Episcopal Consecration. If the nomination is accepted by the candidate, the local clergy will present the name of the chosen candidate to the Presiding Bishop. When the Presiding Bishop determines that the nominee is acceptable, a recommendation for consecration is made to the Council of Bishops. Once approved by the Council of Bishops by a majority vote. Then, normally, at least three IECCI bishops will consecrate the bishop-elect at the next annual Synod. If there are not three IECCI bishops available, other bishops maybe invited from other Independent Catholic jurisdictions to participate in the consecration of the elected bishop. The bishop elect may request, with the approval of the Presiding Bishop, that the consecration may take place in their local diocese or parish. The Council of Bishops must approve the participation of a bishop of another church in an Episcopal ordination ceremony for a bishop of the IECCI. The Presiding Bishop will approve the final selection of participating bishops for the consecration of any bishop for the IECCI. When a bishop from another denomination seeks incardination as a bishop in the IECCI, the bishop will be approved by the Council of Bishops under the guidance of the Presiding Bishop. The Presiding Bishop will make a final statement of findings to the Council of Bishops which will vote on the incardination request. A majority of the Council of Bishops is required for the incardination of the candidate. Once approved, the Presiding Bishop, will preside at an Incardination Ceremony to officially welcome the new bishop to the IECCI, as soon as possible. If the incardinated bishop brings a number of clergy and laity with him/her to the IECCI, such clergy and laity must apply individually for membership in the church. The Council of Bishops, led by the Presiding Bishop, may decide the need for establishing a new diocese and appointing a bishop as its Diocesan Bishop. A cleric must have been functioning as a priest in good standing within the IECCI for at least five years before she/he can be nominated by the local clergy as a bishop candidate. Any exception to the five year rule must be based strictly on the need of the Church as recommended by the Presiding Bishop and approved by the council of bishops.

THE SYNOD The Synod of the IECCI shall be called at a date and time determined by the Presiding Bishop in consultation with the Council of Bishops. A major Synod should take place every three years. However, owing to numbers of current personnel available, a synod may take place via e-mail or Skype. When the number of clergy reaches at least 50 and laity at least 50, Synod will meet every three years in a different city or location of the IECCI. The Synod is the appropriate body to move and ratify amendments to these canons with the consent of the Council of Bishops and the approval of the Presiding Bishop. There should be constant on-going consultation between the Presiding Bishop and the clergy. Communication may be done via telecommunication, e-mail or in person at least every three months. This rule is so no one will feel “cut off” in any way from their brothers and sisters in ministry. The Laity is encouraged, as a very important order of the IECCI, to be in communication with their clergy. Attendance at Synod. All clerics in major orders are required to attend the Synod unless specifically excused: for matters of health or other grave circumstances, by the Presiding Bishop. Members of the laity should also be invited to attend a Synod. Each parish or congregation shall elect two official representatives to attend. Any member of the Church may attend worship services at a Synod. They are also welcome to observe all legislative sessions of Synod. Voting at Synod. All registered Synod participants who are active members of the IECCI are entitled to one vote in all Synod elections. The vote must be presented in person. Proxy voting is not allowed at Synod.

RECEIVING CLERGY FROM OTHER CHRISTIAN BODIES
Non-Apostolic Succession. Clerics, who have been ordained by another Church and is not in apostolic succession, may apply to the IECCI for incardination. The Presiding Bishop and at least two priests shall interview the cleric. The cleric will be given consideration as to their application and practical pastoral experience. The prospective applicant shall submit all required documentation. The committee may ask for additional documentation, proof of education, and their years of service in their former church. When the applicant fulfils the requirements of the IECCI, their bishop may ordain the cleric to the office to which he/she is called. Those Ordained in Apostolic Succession. Any cleric, who has been validly ordained in apostolic succession, may apply to the IECCI to be incardinated. The Presiding Bishop and at least two clergy shall interview the prospective applicant. The Presiding Bishop will ascertain if the candidate is in fact in Apostolic Succession. Once the candidate fulfils all these requirements and gains the approval of Council of Bishops, then she/he shall be received into the clergy of the IECCI.
DUAL AFFILIATION All members of the IECCI (Clergy and Laity) may, if they so desire, hold affiliation with another church or denomination without fear of condemnation or reproach. Affiliation with another body shall not be seen as a barrier to membership with the IECCI and therefore should be disclosed.

GIFTS TO THE CHURCH Members of the IECCI shall attend church at least once a year and give an identifiable gift (monetary or service) to the church at some time in any calendar year. Each church body will keep a record of monetary and service donations to the church. This is a tax deduction record kept for gifts in jurisdictions where such recorded donation maybe required by their local or national government(s).

DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE WITHIN THE IECCI
All clerics and members of Religious Institutes shall observe the canons of the IECCI. Bishops are autonomous within their diocese or jurisdiction with regard to discipline and dismissal of clergy from their jurisdiction. All acts of discipline and dismissal within the IECCI may be appealed to the Presiding Bishop. The Council of Bishops is the final court of appeal. Application process: Any person submitting false, misleading or incomplete statements on any application in this Church for Incardination, Ordination or membership in a Religious Institute, shall be considered to be in violation of these Canons. Objective: The main points of Christian discipline are the removal of offences, the purpose of truth, the promotion of harmony within the IECCI, and the spiritual benefit of the offender. Forgiveness is a Christian virtue that the IECCI will maintain whenever possible. Exercise: Correction may be exercised with reference to either moral or spiritual situations or to ecclesiastical wrongdoings. Accusations which cannot be proved to be a violation of the regulations and canons of the IECCI may not be considered as a punishable offence. Private offences: In all cases of private offences, the individual shall be dealt with in accordance with the words of Christ Jesus, as prescribed in the Christian Testament, in St. Matthew 18: 15-17. Council of authority: The correction of deacons, priests and bishops shall be administered by the Bishops Council, This council is to be appointed or led by the Presiding Bishop in consultation with the local diocesan bishop or jurisdictional bishop. Grievances: Grievances shall also be heard by the authoritative counsel of the Presiding Bishop in consultation with the bishop closest to the situation. Such counsel with the Presiding Bishop may be appealed to the Council of Bishops. Excommunication: If the parish priest thinks a parishioner should be excommunicated they should notify their bishop in writing with all the reasons and circumstances requiring such an action. Only the bishop may excommunicate a parishioner. In rare circumstances, for severe reasons (given by their priest or two witnesses in writing) and with the counsel of the College of Bishops, a parishioner may be excommunicated. The bishop must respond to this request in 14 days. Method of appeal: All corrections and grievances may be appealed to the Presiding Bishop for consideration or dismissal. Appeals to her/his counsel may be heard by the Council of Bishops for the final decision.

AMENDMENTS TO THESE CANONS
These Canons may be amended by a special meeting convened by the Presiding Bishop in consultation with the bishops, clergy and laity of the IECCI until the Church is large enough to have a General Synod. Any considerations of possible additions or removals from these Canons should be sent to the Council of Bishops and/or the Presiding Bishop. This document should be a “living document” meaning it is subject to change, enlightenment, and direction from the People of God (Both Laity and Clergy).

CANONS AS A GUIDE 
It is our desire to lay down these canons as guides not rules. They become a road map to assist the IECCI and each member to navigate in the life of the church. Each of these canons should be interpreted in one’s own heart as the Holy Spirit guides each member of the IECCI into all truth! (John 16:13a)
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A FINAL THOUGHT Each one of us is called by Christ to serve each other regardless of race, color, religion, or social standing. When we serve our brothers and sisters we serve Christ. We all have come to serve and not to be served, as clearly stated in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapter 25: 35-40: I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you? And the Lord will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers or sisters, you did it to me. RATIFICATION These Canons were accepted and approved by the Presiding Bishop on January 8, 2016 at Church Central in Honolulu, Hawaii. May God, the Holy Spirit, bless and enlighten this document.                                                                                                                                                                                  +Jack  (Presiding Bishop of the Independent Ecumenical Catholic Church International                                                                                                            c/w wf aa bz /08/01/16