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Constitution of the Australian Church of Antioch

 STATEMENT OF PURPOSES

The Church shall be known as THE AUSTRALIAN CHURCH OF ANTIOCH.

The Australian Church of Antioch has been formed to provide a church open to all humanity without question of sexism, race, colour, creed, or sexual persuasion, and includes the right to study all forms of spirituality and esoteric lore if they desire, as long as it does not contravene the rights of the individual and the laws of God, decency or the land.  The ACOA also endeavours to teach the truth of religion as near as possible to what our Lord taught, without the corruption of human intervention that has polluted religion over the years.   To this end ACOA clergy is open to all of humanity. as long as they be of good character and dedicated to God’s work.



NAME AND JURISDICTION

1   (a)  The  name of the church is THE AUSTRALIAN CHURCH OF ANTIOCH referred to hereafter as the church or simply ACOA.

     (b)   Corporation name (if necessary) may be held in the name of any of the top senior Bishops who form the synod.

2   (a) This church acknowledges its lineage from the Church of Antioch, Malabar rite in the U.S.A. and while we are  joined to and in full                      communion with them, we do not submit to the authority of them or any other body whatsoever, except to the laws of the land in which it            operates.

     (b)  While we accept the Matriarch or Patriarch of the Church of Antioch U.S.A.--- (whichever applies at the time) as the Spiritual head of the 
           A C O A, we in Australia while taking careful note of any proclamations or recommendations are not bound by any authority from that                  office.

    (c) The A C O A recognises its boundaries as all over Australia and any territory under Australian Control, including any Naval ships, any                    defence force bases or Australian Government embassies .

     (d)  The ACOA Synod reserves the right to authorise the existence of an overseas Diocese, providing that the authorised overseas diocese                  respects and follows the rules of this constitution and the law of the Land where that said diocese may reside within, providing such law              is in accordance with God’s law.

3.  (a)  The church shall exist for the purpose of providing  a church  open to all without distinction, and following the  basic Christian rites,                      administer the Holy Sacraments, and teach all  who wish to avail themselves of spiritual knowledge to the betterment of mankind.

     (b)   The church shall be run as a non profit organization.

4.  (a)   Membership of the church shall be by attending any service or function on a regular basis, or any church in full communion with the                     ACOA, but any person may apply to their Clergy to be placed upon the church roll which shall be approved or disapproved by the local               governing body of their member parish, and in no case need there be a (reason  given  for  any rejection  except to confirm the rejection             is not on the basis of sex, colour, race  or social standing, (this rejection does not  bar them from any or all the services).

      (b)   Any member may resign from the church if they give a letter of resignation in writing, or fail to re-register each year after several                         warning letters sent to them on their impending cancellation of membership, or incommunicado for a period of three months without                   prior notice.  
     
     (c)   Names  on  the roll shall be renewed each year  to  keep records  up  to  date, and members  not  re-registering  shall  be dropped from               the roll, unless by prior arrangement with the clergy of the concerned parish.  *

     (d)   Only  registered  members on the roll shall be  able  to become members of any committee with any authority in the church.   *

     (e)   Each  member parish shall keep an up to date as possible register  of  it's parishioners, which will be available to  their Bishop or the                   Synod upon request.

     (f)    No person under the age of 13 years shall be placed upon the church rolls if there is any objection by that person’s parent/s or Legal                     guardian.

THE SYNOD OF ARCHBISHOPS

5.  There  shall be a synod to govern, control and administer  the affairs of the church consisting of all the Archbishops of the church, excepting        certain bishops in separate orders within the church as per rule 86, in  active  duty or  retired,  excepting  those  who voluntarily  resign this        privilege upon retirement, or  those who are expelled for any  reason, and  this synod  will govern the affairs of the church with  the                    following powers.

      (a)  To  exercise all powers that the church has, to control  and manage the affairs of the church, subject to this constitution, and the law, for              the proper management and running of this church.

      (b)  To enthrone the presiding Archbishop

      (c)  To nominate and consecrate Bishops.

      (d)  To define provinces and dioceses and to install Bishops in said areas.

      (e)  To have the power to initiate and carry through proceedings for  the amendment or variations to this constitution, as per  the will of the                members as provided in rule 68.

      (f)  To act as a court of appeal on matters within the church.

      (g)  To authorise all liturgies used in the church as per rule 28.

      (h)  To  over-rule  any  decision  by  any  Archbishop or Bishop (including the presiding  Archbishop) if  deemed  in the best  interests  of                      the church.

6.  The synod shall pass a resolution upon a majority of the vote from voting members, present or proxy, except for:-

      (a)   Voting the presiding Archbishop out of office, which shall be two thirds of the vote of the Synod.

      (b)   Any other exemptions to the majority vote within this constitution.

7.  A Quorum shall be no less than two thirds of the synod.

8.  The Presiding Archbishop may allow a vote to be conducted via email, phone or the normal mails, if said Archbishop believes it is the                  most expedient manner at the time.

PRESIDING ARCHBISHOP

9.   (a)  The  presiding  Archbishop shall be the supreme head of the ACOA within the Australian boundaries, and shall preside over the synod               of the church until his/her demise, resignation, or being voted out of office, which must be by no less than two thirds of the  vote of the                Synod. 

      (b)  Presiding Archbishop can only be voted out of office due to mental incapacitance, immoral behaviour, or some other conduct                               unbecoming to the church that may bring it into disrepute.       

     (c)  The Enthroned Presiding Archbishop shall have at least nine years within the Clergy of the ACOA, but in extreme emergency where there is no designated successor,a special meeting of the Synod (and Archpriests (monsignor/a s if the number is under six ) may vote for an exception of the nine years rule, by a majority of two thirds of the vote.

10.  Upon the office of the Presiding Archbishop becoming vacant for whatever reason, will a new Presiding Archbishop be installed as                        bequeathed by the previous Presiding Archbishop. 

 11.  If no designated successor has been named, and no suitable candidate is in the Archbishop's or Bishop's ranks, then a suitable candidate            can be chosen from the ranks of the priesthood and consecrated to the episcopate, but this priest must have at least  five years in the                    priesthood, but this should only  be  in dire emergency.

12.  (a). When the position of presiding Archbishop becomes vacant the Vicar General if there be one and if not the senior Archbishop will                       caretake the position, or appoint an Archbishop caretaker, until a new presiding Archbishop is enthroned, which shall be no more than                 three calendar months.

       (b)  The date for the enthronement of a new Presiding Archbishop shall be decided by the Synod, not the caretaker, and the caretaker shall                not have the power to delay this enthronement without the approval of the Synod, and this Synod shall be at least six members                           consisting of all the Archbishops, and if there are not enough Archbishops within the Synod, then the most senior Bishops and if                            necessary Priests shall take the number to six.

       (c)  If a new Presiding Archbishop is not enthroned within three months, the caretakerof the position will automatically become the new                    Presiding Archbishop.

13.   The Presiding Archbishop can over-rule all decisions made at any time, by any Bishop or committee (except the synod) in the ACOA if                   said Presiding Archbishop deems it in the churches best interest, or to correct any injustice.

14.  (a)  The Presiding Archbishop reserves the right to appoint any Bishop  of the church as a Vicar General of any area, or  province to exercise              any powers, for any length of time, and such powers and time will be designated by the Presiding Archbishop.

       (b)  The Presiding Archbishop reserves the right to appoint any Bishop of the Church to the level of Archbishop.

15.   The Presiding Archbishop reserves the right to consecrate all Archbishops and Bishops if such is his/her desire, or shall nominate the                   consecrating Archbishops to perform these consecrations.

ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS

16.  (a)  No person shall be consecrated Archbishop or Bishop without the consent of the Synod  and any Bishop who knowingly does so shall be             ex-communicated from the church along with the newly consecrated bishop who will not be recognised as a bishop within this church..

       (b)  If the church be with less than three Archbishops at any time then urgent steps must be taken to bring the number back to three

       (c)  No priest shall be consecrated to the post of Bishop without at least five years in the priesthood, except by special meeting and                            resolution of the Synod.  

17.   Any Bishop assigned to an area by the synod, will be with due regard for the churches best interests and the members of  said area.

18.   All Bishops within their own territories reserve the right to admit to Holy orders up to the level of Priest, any person they deem qualified and         fit, but subject to the laws of this constitution, the synod  and the church.

19.  (a)  All Bishops requested by a parish to supply a priest may recommend any priest member to that parish, but any recommendation shall                 be with due regard for all parties concerned,

       (b)  The parish members shall retain the right of non acceptance of the Bishop’s recommendation in this matter.

       (c)   Any Bishop  may  appoint a Priest to  be Bishop's Advocate, with  powers and time limits of such a position as designated by the                           Bishop and this constitution.

20.   All Bishops shall see that no person under their jurisdiction shall exceed their authority in any way to the detriment of the church.  

21.   All Bishops will enforce the use of correct liturgy as nominated by the synod for use in the ACOA as per rule 28..

22.   In the event of the Bishop being indisposed, a Vicar general may be appointed by said Bishop or the regionary Archbishop until such                   time as the indisposed Bishop returns to duty, or a new Bishop is installed.

23.   In the event of sudden unforeseen circumstances and the office of any Bishop becomes vacant, the senior clergy shall become acting Vicar         General reporting the situation to the Archbishop, and assume office until the Archbishop appoints a new Bishop, or a new Vicar General.

24.   The Bishop may remove from office any Clergy member in their jurisdiction who disregards the obligation of canonical obedience, acts in a        manner not befitting a member of the church or clergy, or in any way harmful to the church; but this person retains the right to appeal to              higher office, and finally to the synod which is the highest court of appeal in the church.

 25.   Any Archbishop or Bishop may be suspended by the Presiding Archbishop, or completely removed from office by the synod in the event               of disregarding their vow of canonical obedience or doing any act  which can bring the Bishops and/or the church into low esteem.  

26.    Canonical obedience is understood to be obedience in all matters where the person concerned acts in representing the church, whether it           be in writing, speaking or conducting any function of the church, and where any connection to the church is made open to the public; but             they retain perfect freedom if they make it clear that they act as a private individual and not as a representative of the church.

CLERGY

27.  (a)  All of the clergy are under an obligation of canonical obedience to the cannon law of the church, but upon Cessation of being a member             of the clergy this obligation is no longer valid.

      (b)  If a clergy member wishes to resign from the Church then they shall have the right to expect a letter of excardination from their Bishop                 stating the that they have resigned, and if the following be true it shall also state that said member still remains in good and proper                     standing within the church and of good character.

      (c)  No one may be Clergy within the church if they are consuming any substance of addiction (tobacco excepted but not approved of), have               any prison record, history of violence,  or engaged in any illegal act of any sort.

      (d)  If any Clergy member after their ordination takes up any trait as described in the rule 27(c), then they shall be removed from their                         position of trust and judged before the Synod as to their suitability to remain as Clergy within the church.

      (e)  Any Clergy member found guilty of breaching rule 27(c, d) by the Synod shall be liable to be defrocked and expelled from the Clergy of               the ACOA.

      (f)  Medication prescribed by a legally qualified and recognised health practitioner (be they natural or orthodox)shall not come under the                   classification of  rules 27(c).

      (g)  In the case of predatory moral misbehaviour, by any Clergy member towards any person be they adults or minors, it shall be mandatory             and without exceptions that the Clergy member shall be defrocked and  expelled from the Clergy of the ACOA, and this shall also apply               if found that such behaviour occurred before their ordination.

      (h)  All Clergy shall be registered with the headquarters of the ACOA and a small fee, (the amount of which shall be set by the Synod), shall               be paid annually in re-registering clergy within the Church.

28.   Service Liturgy:-

      (a)   All Eucharistic services conducted shall be strictly conforming to the proper liturgy as authorised by the synod, but any other service than the Eucharistic service may be used at times if deemed proper and permitted by the local Bishop.

      (b)   Any form of Liturgy or service may be submitted to the Synod for approval to become  authorised for use within the church.

      (c)   Almost any form of service will be approved unless the Synod believes it contains material that is deemed harmful, against the Christian              belief, indecent or in any way unsavoury or leaning towards the black arts.          

29.   The Bishop of any diocese within and under the name of The Australian church of Antioch has the right to license the clergy of  that area,             and to have renewal of such every twelve months, and if such license is not renewed, then the affected Clergy may appeal to higher                    authority of the Synod.

CLERGY MEMBERSHIP AND POWERS

30.  (a)  Any clergy of another church is not entitled to be clergy in the ACOA, but if that Clergy person applies to the Bishop for recognition, that              Clergy person may be granted recognition and incardination if said Bishop and his Archbishop agree to do so but they cannot be higher              than Priest until they undergo consecration to the episcopate within the ACOA unless---------
       

                                  (I)  The Synod Grants a special exemption to this rule via a special meeting
         
         OR                   (II)  Another Church in its entirety is accepted under the jurisdiction of the A.C.O.A. and thus any or all of its                                                                  Clergy as decided by the Synod. 

       (b)  Holy orders in this clergy consists of six minor orders-- Cleric, Doorkeeper, Reader, Healer/Exorcist, Acolyte, Subdeacon; and three                        major orders---Deacon, Priest and Bishop, and varying degrees of the last three as designated by the Synod.

       (c)  Clergy orders shall be open to all regardless of gender, race, colour, creed, marital status or social standing and this will apply to all                    offices from the lowest position of Cleric, to the highest position of Presiding Archbishop within the ACOA structure.

       (d)  Candidates cannot assume they have the right to automatically become a Priest upon completion of studies as this will depend entirely                upon results of studies, attitude, adherence to these rules, and have shown themselves to be honest and of reasonable and decent                        principles, and behaviour as determined by the Synod.

       (e)  Duties of all clergy up to and including Subdeacon  will be guided by the Minister, Priest or Deacon in charge at the time.

       (f)  Unless an exemption to this rule is granted by the Synod, or as under the rule 42 (c) (d) (e), all Clergy serve in a voluntary capacity and                 are not employees of the ACOA and therefore the ACOA has no duty to supervise clergy as an employer and is not responsible for their                 conduct, and the ACOA has no obligation to provide any form of insurance, or compensation of any sort.

      (g)   Freely given donations of appreciation may be given to Clergy, but any such gift/s must in no way be a condition by Clergy of any                        services rendered.

31. Deacons---

          (a)  Shall be 21 years of age or older unless by special decree of the Synod.

          (b) Can dispense the reserved sacrament, conduct morning and evening prayer, funerals, marriages if licensed to do so but not the Mass.

32.  Priests---

         (a) Shall be 25 years of age or older unless by special decree of the Synod

         (b)  Can  conduct the Mass, (ordinations to Acolyte level if archpriest) plus all a deacon can do, but not confirmations or consecrations.

         (c)   No priest shall have the right to enter a parish other than their own and conduct services without the permission of the priest of that                       parish, or the Diocese Bishop if the parish priest is indisposed by ill health or  any other such situation.

         (d)  Any performing of service in a parish by Clergy other than their parish priest or clergy under the tutelage or control of the parish priest,                may be challenged by the congregation of that parish if they consider said Clergy to be unsuitable for their needs, and this situation                      shall be brought to the attention of the Bishop who will then  do what needs to be done to rectify the situation.

        (e)  All priests shall endeavour to perform the Mass at least once a week.

33.   Bishops--

        (a)  Shall have attained the age of 33 years or older unless by special decree of the Synod.

        (b)   Bishops---can  conduct  confirmations, ordinations, the blessing  of  Holy oils, consecration of objects for  the  church. Only with                            approval  of the Synod can they also  co-consecrate bishops.

       (c)   The  Bishop  of  any  area can over  rule  any  and  all decisions, on all matters made in his/her area by any committee or member in                   the Church’s name if  said Bishop deems it necessary for the well being  of the church, or considers an injustice has been done, but an                 appeal can be lodged to the Archbishop.

       (d)  All Bishops shall endeavour to perform the Mass at least once a week.

34.   Archbishops----

       (a)   Are the direct representative of the Presiding Archbishop for the designated area, and (being mindful of their bishop's                                           recommendations) they have the power to  nominate recommendations   for  the  episcopate  to  the  synod, and   duly consecrate                       Bishops with the approval of the Presiding Archbishop.

       (b)  An Archbishop can over-rule all decisions made at any time by any member or committee in said Archbishop's jurisdiction if deemed in              the churches best interests or to correct any errors or injustices, but appeal can be made to the synod.

 FINANCE and LIABILITY

35.  (a)  All member parish churches shall donate a nominal amount to the Synod, but a maximum of one tenth of income is the highest limit, but this donation is subject to being waived partly or fully by the Bishop in charge of the diocese according  to  the situation  of  the parish  churches finances.

       (b)  Funds shall be from collections from church services and any other donations to the church, or  from  fetes, organised social  gatherings,              or  any other functions as sanctioned  by  the vestry of the  parish; providing  it is honourably obtained and does  not  contravene  these                rules, the law and the bounds of decency.

36.   The synod shall provide for their own expenses, and those of the Diocese Bishops from the income derived from the parishes, and from any         other donations submitted for that purpose.

37.   No  income of any part of the church shall be paid directly or  indirectly in any fashion at all, to any member or members  of the church,              excepting for agreed stipends with the approval of the Archbishop.  

38.  No member parish  shall have the authority to engage in any transaction   which  will  render  the  church  liable  to   any responsibility, and        no building or property owned by the church shall be used for  any form   of   security, in  any  venture, unless  with  the   written permission        of the Archbishop of the area, who will ensure it is the will of the majority of the parish members.

 39.   All  member  parishes  shall be responsible for  their  own finances, and for legal liability protection insurance,  which  shall be handled by         the elected  vestry  of  the parish  concerned, and the treasurer of this vestry will  keep sound  records  of all financial matters which shall           be open  for inspection at any time on demand by the Bishop, the parish  Priest or upon request of any  three members of the parish                     concerned.

40.   At  the  parish annual general meeting all books  shall  be available  for  the inspection of all members, according to the law of the land,             and they  shall  be presented with an auditors report, or audited by a capable panel of the parish members elected by members prior to the        meeting, but preferably not  members  who  are  on  the  vestry, unless  no  one  else  is available.

41.   In the synod, parish vestry or any other committee under the churches  name, all cheques, drafts, bills  of  exchange, promissory notes and          other negotiable instruments shall require at least two signatures   out   of  three  appointed signatories, and   these signatories  shall  be            the treasurer and any other two  committee members  elected  by the committee(but in the event of  a  parish vestry not the Priest).

 PARISH COMMITTEES AND POWERS

42.   (a)  Each member parish retains the right to pray, believe and follow their own path to God and retain the right to do this in any manner                    they desire providing they are within the bounds of Christian ethics, the law, the bounds of decency and this constitution.

        (b)  Each member parish has the right to select its own priest if for any reason this office becomes vacant, and this shall be by a majority vote of all the members of the concerned parish, but this priest must be a member of the ACOA or prepared to be incardinated into this Church.

         (c)  Any Priest brought into the parish with full approval of the members of the parish, by a majority vote, shall not be able to be removed                  without the approval of another majority vote of all members of that parish.

         (d)  Any parish vestry has (with the approval of the members of that parish by a majority vote) the power to grant their priest a stipend, but                 that priest shall not be classed as an employee of the Australian Church of Antioch, but of the parish concerned, and the parish shall be               responsible for their conduct.

         (e)  Such a stipend as per rule 42 (d) shall be classed by the Australian Church of Antioch as an honourable method of finding one’s own                    living. 

43.   (a)  Each   member  parish  shall have an elected vestry  of  six members  of  the  laity   plus  the  parish  Priest  forming  the governing                      vestry of seven members for that parish.

       (b)  The vestry  officers  shall  be  President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President.

      (c)  No person shall be part of any committee or vestry bearing the name of the Australian Church of Antioch if they are consuming or                         addicted to any substances deemed unsuitable by the Synod.

      (d)  Medication prescribed by a legally qualified and recognised health practitioner (natural or orthodox) for any member shall  not be                       included  under rule 43(c).

44.   The  parish Priest shall not bear the office of Treasurer or Secretaryon the vestry,  but may bear either of the other two offices.

45.  (a)  The vestry will govern for twelve months when a new vestry will be elected at the annual general meeting.

      (b)  There is no limit to how many times a person may be re-elected to the vestry, providing they remain in good standing within the Church.

46.   The  parish  vestry  will  have the  powers  to  make  all decisions necessary to carry out the normal running of the parish according to these rules, and the law of the land.

47. (a)  In the event of a sudden vacancy in the vestry, the vestry members  may appoint a parish member to fill the vacancy, provided  there is                no objection upon the announcement of this, or for a period of seven days after.

      (b).  In  the event of objection as in rule 47 (a).the matter can be decided by a vote of the parish members, or use the area Bishop as judge if              the matter is still unresolved.

      (c)  Any vestry member removed from office cannot object to the appointment of a new member in their stead.

48.   A vestry member may be removed from office by a majority vote(which will be by secret ballot)by the vestry, but said  member has the right        of appeal to the members of the parish.

 49. (a)  In the event of any question of unethical behaviour, or any accusation against any vestry member, or any other abnormality in any parish or order bearing the name of Australian Church of Antioch, the Bishop may (if he/she thinks it necessary)freeze all powers or over-rule any decision, and then govern the parish until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the parish members, and this can be resolved according to the desires of the parish members -- in one of two ways

By the Bishop acting as a magistrate or mediator.                   

By convening a meeting of all members of the parish and voting  on  the issue, and then applying to the Bishop  for  the freeze to be lifted. 

      (b)   Any parties having a dispute between themselves or between a member and the church shall do their utmost to resolve it, but if they cannot resolve it within 14 days then the rule 49 (a) shall come into effect, carefully noting the following:-

  .    (I)     All parties must be given a chance to be heard or to submit evidence of any
                kind.

       (II)   All concerned parties shall attend the meeting, which shall be held within 14 days of notification that the problem cannot be resolved by other means.

The time and place of the meeting shall be convened by the bishop with due regard for all those needing to attend the meeting.

Any person failing to attend the meeting without good and valid reason as determined by the Bishop presiding over the matter shall forfeit their chance of being heard at the hearing.

If the Bishop of the area normally attends and worships at the parish, and is involved in the dispute, then another  person shall be appointed by the Archbishop to preside over the matter. 

 50.   The   vestry  may  appoint, employ  workmen/women  or  other persons, or  remove said people as may be necessary for  the  well being of the parish.

51.     The  vestry  will  be  responsible  for  maintaining  all properties in use by their parish in good condition.

52.   The vestry may control and invest any moneys not required immediately by the parish, subject to the law.

ELECTION AND VACANCY OF OFFICERS OF PARISH

53. Nominations for vestry

      (a) Shall be in writing signed by two members of the parish.

      (b)  Shall be delivered to the secretary not less than 14 days before the date fixed for the annual general meeting.

     (c) The Candidates names together with the two proposers shall be posted on the notice board in the parish church at least seven days before the election.

      (d)   If   insufficient  nominations  are   received   further nominations can be received at the annual general meeting.

54.  (a) No person shall hold a position on any parish vestry unless their name  has been on the parish roll, and a reasonable attendance for a period of at least six months, except under the conditions of 54(b).

       (b The rule 54(a) may be waived if at the annual general Meeting a majority of the parishioners vote by a two third majority to do so.)

55.   The office of a member becomes vacant if the member

      (a) Becomes bankrupt.

      (b)  Becomes prohibited from being a director of any company under the legal act.

       (c)  Becomes of unsound mind or limited mental ability  that their affairs must be managed for them.

      (d) Resigns in writing to the secretary or president.

      (e)  Is  absent  for  more than  six  months  without  prior arrangement.

      (f) Holds any office of profit under the church.

      (g)  Has any connection with any contract with the church in any way whatsoever, unless such contract connection be made public to the parishioners at least 14 days prior to the signing of such a contract in which time any parishioner may object.

      (h)  If there is any objection via the rule 55(g), then such a contract must not be signed or go ahead until the matter is resolved by special meeting of the parishioners.

 PROCEEDINGS OF VESTRY/AND OR COMMITTEE

56.   The  vestry  shall meet at least four times each year at  a convenient time and place as the vestry shall determine.

57.   Special  meetings may be determined by any four members or the president  of the vestry, and only the business that  necessitated the special meeting shall be conducted.

58.   Any four of the members shall constitute a quorum.

59.    A  decision  shall  be made upon a  show  of  hands(unless otherwise determined by one of these rules or requested by a member)and unless otherwise stated in these rules a majority shall constitute the motion passed.

60.  If a stalemate is reached with even votes then the person presiding may then, and only then, cast a second vote.

61.   A  notice  of every normal meeting must be issued to  every member  of  the vestry a reasonable time before  the  meeting, and every  reasonable effort will be made to serve notice to  members in the event of a special meeting.

 SECRETARY

62.   The  secretary shall keep minutes of all that transpires at the  meetings  in books provided, and shall keep a record  of  all members present at such meetings.

63.  Unless otherwise provided in these rules, the secretary shall keep  in his/her custody or under control all books, documents and securities of the parish.

 TREASURER

64.  (a)  The  treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due  to the  parish, and  make all payments authorised by  the  parish, and shall keep sound records of all transactions.

       (b)  The  treasurer  shall be ready at all times to present  the books to the area Bishop should said Bishop, or parish Priest call upon them to do so at the behest ofany three members of the parish .

 REMOVAL FROM THE ROLL

65.    (a).   A  Bishop  may  expel a person from the  roll  if  said Bishop has evidence of misconduct.

           (b).    For  the parish to expel a member  there must be a two thirds  majority  vote  of members to pass the  resolution  at  a meeting  specially  convened  for the purpose  of deciding  this matter, where  the  member  or members facing expulsion  shall  be given every  chance  to  present  their  case  to  the   members present, who will then decide by secret ballot.

          (c).  No proxy votes will be taken at any meeting of expulsion as all voting  members  must hear any evidence  stated  by  all parties.

66.     Any member expelled from the roll will not be barred from any church service, but will be barred from taking part  in  any other activity within the church.   

 PROPERTIES

67.    (a) All  properties owned by the Central main church shall be in the control of  the Archdiocese Archbishop of the area that encompasses the property, and said Archbishop shall retain all deeds and titles in his/her keeping.

          (b)  Properties owned by a member parish shall remain in the control of the parish committee, unless the committee members wish otherwise and place the deeds in the hands of the local Archbishop.

          (c)   If a member parish places its property in the hands of the Archbishop, then the property shall not be available for release without the consent of the majority vote of all members of the parish at a special meeting called for that purpose.    

ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSES

68.     (a)These rules and objects may be amended, added to or varied by the synod with a three quarter majority vote of all synod members on  the church rolls, but at all times bearing in mind the  wishes of the ordinary people.

             (b) Any alteration to the Constitution shall be with due regard for any effect on separate orders under the ACOA, and consultation with the affected order shall take place on every alteration that affects that said order.

WINDING UP

69.    (a) In  the event of winding up the assets of this church shall be  donated  to  an organization having  similar  ideals  as  our own, and  this  organization shall be determined by the  remaining Bishops or senior Clergy.   

          (b) Separate orders may decide to  separate and become completely independent from  the Church in the event of the church closing down, and they shall retain this right to do so.

THE SEAL.

70.   (a). The seal of the church shall be kept in the custody of a member of the Synod who will be elected as custodian of the seal.

         (b).  The  common seal shall not be affixed to any instrument except  by the authority of the Synod, and the fixing of the  seal shall  be  witnessed  by the signatures of two members  of  said Synod.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

71.   Each  parish will every year as near as possible after  the financial  year, hold an annual general meeting, of which the exact date will be set by the vestry; with the proviso that it is within two months after the financial year.

72.    The  annual meeting shall be clearly listed as such on the notice of meeting, and shall include:-

         (a)   The reading of the minutes of the last general meeting (if any)and the last annual general meeting.

         (b)    The publishing and receiving of all reports from  all office holders and committees.

          (c)    The  election of vestry and officers for  the  coming year.

73.    No  meeting  shall  take the place of the  annual  general meeting.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

74.    All  other  general  meetings  shall  be  special  general meetings and shall be called only for special business, and by the following method:-

         (a).  By the vestry calling a special meeting at the request of not less than 5% of the total number of members.

          (b).   The  requisition for a special general meeting  shall state  the  objects  of the meeting, and shall be  signed  by  the members making the request and be sent to the secretary; and every sheet  of documents shall be signed by one of the members  making the requisition.

          (c)   If  the vestry does not call a special meeting  within one month after the date of the requisition being  dispatched, the members  may  apply to the diocese Bishop who will  if  necessary freeze all powers as per rule 49.

          (d)    The  vestry may convene a special general meeting  on its  own account if it deems it necessary for the members  to  be present for special business.

 NOTICE OF MEETING

75.   (a).   The  vestry shall notify all members of meetings, (14 days being deemed reasonable for special general meetings, and  21 days   for  the  annual  general meeting)stating  the  time  and place, and  the  nature  of the business to be transacted at  the meeting.

         (b).   No  business other than that set out in  the  notice convening the meeting shall be transacted at the meeting.

          (c).   A member desiring to bring business before a meeting must  give  notice  of such to the  vestry  secretary, who  shall include  said business in the agenda of the next annual  general meeting, or  if of a most urgent nature convene a special  general meeting if the full vestry thinks it necessary.

PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS

76.   (a).  All business transacted at any general meeting with the exception  of that specially referred to in these rules as  being ordinary  business of the annual general meeting shall be  deemed special business.

         (b).   No  business  shall  be conducted unless a  quorum  of members  entitled  under these rules to vote is present  at  the meeting.

         (c)     Five  members present and eligible to vote  shall  be considered a quorum for a general meeting.

        (d).    If  within half an hour after the appointed time  for the  commencement  of  the meeting, a quorum  is  not  present, the meeting  if  convened  upon the requisition of members  shall  be dissolved, and in any other case shall stand adjourned to the same day of the next week at the same time and place, (or another place and  time  as the chair announces as to be convenient), and if  at the  adjourned meeting the quorum is not present within  half  an hour  of  commencing  time, the members present if not  less  than three shall be a quorum.

77.    (a).   The  president  or  in  his/her  absence  the  vice president, shall preside as chairing member at each meeting.   

         (b).    If the president and the vice president are absent from  the  meeting, the members shall elect a member to chair  the meeting.

78.   (a). The chairman of a general meeting at which a quorum is present  may, with the consent of the meeting adjourn the  meeting from  time  to time and place to place, but no business  shall  be transacted  at an adjourned meeting other than the business  that was  left unfinished at the meeting at which the adjournment took place.

        (b).    Where  a  meeting is adjourned for 14 days or  more, a like  notice  of the adjourned meeting shall be given as  in  the case of the general meeting.

         (c)     If  the  adjournment  is under  14  days  it  is  not necessary to give notice of business to be transacted.

79.    A  vote at a general meeting shall be determined by a show of hands and unless before or on declaration of the show of hands a  poll is demanded, a declaration by the chair that a  resolution has, on  show  of hands, been carried unanimously or carried by  a particular  majority or lost, and an entry to that effect  in  the minute  book is evidence of the fact, without proof of the  number or  proportion of the votes recorded in favour of, or against, that resolution.

80.   (a).  Each member shall have only one vote per question.

        (b).   All  votes shall be given personally or by proxy (if the person is entitled to proxy vote).

        (c)     In  the  case  of  an  equality  of  voting  on   a question, the chair is entitled to cast a second vote.

81.    If  at a meeting a poll on any question is demanded by not less than three members, it shall be taken at that meeting in such a  manner  as the chair directs and the resolution  of  the  poll shall  be  deemed  to  be a resolution of that  meeting  on  that question.

82.   A member is not entitled to vote at any meeting unless they are on the church roll and in good standing.

83.   (a)     Each  member shall be entitled to  appoint  another member as his/her proxy by notice given to the secretary no later than 24 hours before the time of the meeting in respect of  which the  proxy is appointed; but no member shall be entitled to  proxy votes until they have been a member for one year.

          (b)  The notice for proxy shall be in the standard form set out by the corporate affairs office.

SEPARATE ORDERS WITHIN THE CHURCH.

84.  (a) Any separate order granted within the ACOA shall be answerable only to the Synod of the Church via the Presiding Archbishop’s office, or to the Bishop appointed by the Presiding Archbishop to represent him/her as the protector of all the religious orders.

         (b)   Any Bishop responsible for religious orders as in 84 (a) shall be deemed to be representing, or be in actual fact, the Bishop Protector of the orders.

         (c)   Any submission for approval to form religious order within the ACOA must be through the Bishop Protector for orders.

         (d)   Any order (if accepted by the Bishop Protectors office,) must obtain a letter or certificate of approval from the Presiding Archbishop’s office as proof of their acceptance by the ACOA before they can claim any rights under the name of the ACOA.

         (e) To comply with legal requirements, any order within the church shall place on its official stationary, a statement in readable size print that they are within the bounds of the ACOA.

        (f) Any Order applying (requesting) to be under the protection of ACOA MUST forward (send) a copy of their rule of life together with their application of protection, and this rule must be approved by the Presiding Archbishop and/or the Bishop Protector of Orders before the Synod of Bishops can accept the order under the AOCA. 

85.   (a)   Any separate order granted within the ACOA shall be exempted from the following rules  29, 30(b,c,d), 33(c),34(b), 37? 43(a,b), 44, 53(a,b,c,d), 54, 83(b), as they will be free to be self governing as long as they remain within the bounds of decency and the rest of this  constitution and the law of the land.

         (b)   Other exemptions to this constitution may be granted to an order by the vote of the Synod (which must be minimum of six sitting     members or made up to six by senior priests of the church), providing they are not mandatory by the Law of the land or outside the guidelines of Christian decency, and the situation is covered to the satisfaction of the Synod  by their own rules and laws.

        (c)   The Synod retains the right to revoke these exemptions if any order is found to :- 
 
                  
(I)    be using them to contravene the law, the rights of the people, or the bounds of decency.


                  (II)    Changing their own constitution to circumvent rules and regulations agreed to by the ACOA Synod and that order.

                  (III)   Failing to notify the ACOA Synod of any change in their constitution that may be relevant to the harmony of the order and the                               ACOA Synod.

 86.  Any separate order under the Name of The Australian Church of Antioch may carry one or more Bishops within their ranks, but only one     such Archbishop of any order can become a member of the Synod og the ACOA unless the Synod especially invites another Bishop of that order to join the ACOA Synod.   

RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

 87.    (a) Member on request may inspect free of charge:-

                  (I). The register of Members.

                  (II). The minutes of all general meetings.

                  (III). All documents relating to:-

                       1.      financial records,

                       2.       books,

                       3.      securities,

                       4.      minutes of meetings,

                       5.       any other document of the association, .

        (b).   The Committee retains the power to refuse inspection of confidential, personal, employment, commercial or legal matters if thought to be not in the best interests of the ACOA. or detrimental to any member.

        (c).  This Constitution of Rules shall be available to all member free of charge, but non-members may be charged a fee for printing.

        (d).  Members are entitled to a copy of any document covered by rule 87, but the ACOA retains the right to ask a fee covering the cost to print them.

        (e).  No member may obtain these copies more than three times in any given year.

The above rule 87 is to bring this constitution into line with legal requirements.


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