Clergy Resources

Title IV: Ecclesiastical Discipline
The Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church

TITLE IV,  CANON 1: Of Accountability and Ecclesiastical Discipline

By virtue of Baptism, all members of the Church are called to holiness of life and accountability to one another. The Church and each Diocese shall support their members in their life in Christ and seek to resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected. This Title applies to Members of the Clergy, who have by their vows at ordination accepted additional responsibilities and accountabilities for doctrine, discipline, worship and obedience. 

The Diocese of Dallas

… supports its members in their lives in Christ and seeks to resolve conflicts by promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life, and reconciliation among all affected.

Clergy Complaint Process

If you believe a member of the clergy has failed to uphold vows made at ordination or the standard of conduct of clergy in the Diocese of Dallas, you may contact the Diocesan Intake Officer who will then shepherd you through the complaint process. Below are details which describe the standards of conduct.

Standards of Conduct

Clergy should:

  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Safeguard property and funds of the church
  • Conform to the canons of the Episcopal Church and the rubrics of The Book of Common Prayer
  • Abide by ordination vows
  • Obtain consent of the bishop before engaging in secular employment
  • Obtain consent of the bishop to be absent from the diocese for more than two years

Clergy should not:

  • Engage in sexual misconduct. This includes sexual behavior with: a member of the congregation; employee; volunteer; person in high school; person under 18 years of age; person legally incompetent; someone with whom the clergy has ever had a pastoral relationship.
  • Hold or teach any doctrine contrary to that held by the Episcopal Church
  • Commit criminal acts
  • Engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation
  • Habitually neglect public worship, Holy Communion
  • Engage in any conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy
Contacting the Intake Officer

The Intake Officer for the Diocese of Dallas: The Rev. Andrew Van Kirk

Email: 

Phone:  972-548-7990

 
The intake officer will:
  • Listen with respect
  • Offer pastoral care and response
  • Create a written report regarding the concern(s) presented
  • Answer questions about the process

Please note: Members of the clergy are required to report to the intake officer anything that may constitute an offense and to cooperate with the clergy disciplinary process.