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, 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.