Diocesan Administration: structures, membership

The Bishop

Based in Grahamstown

The Cathedral Chapter

Chaired by the Diocesan Bishop. Membership: The Bishop, Cathedral Chancellor, all Archdeacons including the Dean (8) and Canons (4 clerical and 4 lay).
The clerical Canons are alternately elected by Chapter, and by a vote of all the licensed clergy of the Diocese.
The lay Canons are elected by Chapter from among persons nominated by the Parish Councils of the Diocese.
The Cathedral Chapter advises the Bishop on clergy deployment and pastoral care, and meets about four times a year

The Diocesan Office

The Diocesan Administrator and Bookkeeper handle the finances of the Diocese, including:

• Parish assessments
• Payment of clergy
• Loans to parishes
• Insurance
• Investments held by the Diocese on behalf of parishes.

The Executive of Diocesan Council

Chaired by the Bishop.
Membership: The Bishop, the Diocesan Administrator, and the Dean, plus four representatives elected by the Diocesan Council. The other Archdeacons also attend.
The Executive meets 3-4 times a year, between Diocesan Council meetings, carries out the decisions of Synod and Diocesan Council, and is responsible for the day-to-day financial running of the Diocese

The Diocesan Trusts Board

Membership: The Bishop, the Diocesan Administrator, the Diocesan Chancellor, the Diocesan Registrar, the Dean, plus two persons elected by the Diocesan Synod and two nominated by the Bishop. Archdeacons are encouraged to be in attendance at Trusts Board meetings, particularly when matters pertaining to their Archdeaconry are to be discussed, and from time to time certain officers of diocesan bodies or other persons may be invited to attend, when relevant. The Trusts Board is responsible for diocesan investments and all property, including parish property. It meets three to four times a year. In addition, the “core” members (i.e. without Archdeacons and other invitees) may be called together when necessary to make decisions, or to set agendas for subsequent meetings.

The Diocesan Chancellor, an Advocate, and the Diocesan Registrar, an Attorney, are two lawyers who give their services free to the diocese.

The Diocesan Synod

Membership: All licensed clergy, plus one (or two in the case of large parishes) lay representatives elected by each parish, and representatives from Diocesan Boards and organisations. Synod meets once every two or three years and is the main decision-making body of the Diocese.

The Diocesan Council

Membership: The Bishop, the Diocesan Chancellor, the Diocesan Registrar, the Dean, the Archdeacons, the Cathedral Chancellor, plus one clerical and one lay representative from each Archdeaconry, three persons elected by Diocesan Synod, who may be clergy or laity, and three persons nominated by the Bishop. The following are in attendance: the Diocesan Administrator, such executive officers of diocesan boards and departments as are nominated by them, a representative of the AWF, the MU, the CR, the Youth, lay members of Chapter and any other members of Diocesan Executive. Diocesan Council meets twice a year, and acts on behalf of the Diocesan Synod. This body receives reports from diocesan organisations, deals with diocesan budgets and is responsible for mission and ministry.