An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Canon 9 Clergy

” Priests and deacons ordained to serve in a particular location which is “small, isolated, remote, or distinct in respect of ethnic composition, language, or culture.” These locations cannot otherwise be provided sufficiently with the sacraments and pastoral ministrations of the Episcopal Church through ordained ministry. The term refers to the canon by which such “local priests and deacons” are ordained. The canonical requirements concerning standards of learning and other canonical requirements for ordination are relaxed or modified for those ordained under this canon. Canon 9 clergy are to be recognized as leaders in their congregation and firmly rooted in the local community. Such clergy are typically called by their congregation, although a person from another community may be called if necessary. It is the normal expectation that persons ordained under this canon will not move from the congregation for which they were ordained.

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.