Resolutions submitted by the Committee on Constitution & Canons
to the 150th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Easton
Resolution 1
Amendment to Article V — Election of a Bishop
Purpose: add “Bishop Provisional,” prohibit nominations from the floor, and provide for a nomination by petition
Sec. 1. Special Convention – Time and Place.
The election of a Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, or Bishop Suffragan, or Bishop Provisional shall take place at a Special Convention called for the stated purpose by the Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, or by the Standing Committee if there be no Bishop. Such Convention shall be held at such time and place as the convener may appoint.
Sec. 2. Notice of Meeting.
The convener shall send, or cause to be sent, written notice of the time, place and purpose of the special Convention for the election of a Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor, or Bishop Suffragan, or Bishop Provisional at least sixty (60) days before the day of said meeting to all persons entitled to such notice under Article III, Sec. 2.
Sec. 3. Convention Procedure.
(a) Clergy and Laity to shall Vote by Orders.
The election of a Bishop, whether Diocesan, Coadjutor, or Suffragan, or Provisional, shall be made in open Convention by the concurrent vote of the clergy and laity, voting separately by ballot, the clergy first and then laity; and a concurrent majority of those present and entitled to vote in each order shall be necessary to a choice. for election.
(b) Limitation of Action.
No business other than the election of a Bishop and other relevant business pertaining thereto or to the Episcopate shall be transacted at a special Convention for such election.
(c) A nomination from the floor of Convention shall not be permitted, provided that a period of not less than seven (7) days has been allocated for a Nomination by Petition.
(d) A Nomination by Petition must be signed by at least fifteen (15) signatories including seven (7) diocesan clergy and eight (8) lay communicants in good standing in this Diocese. The Petition must also include valid signatures of clergy and communicants of the three Convocations of this Diocese. Petition candidates shall meet all of the requirements of the search for a Bishop and complete the same materials submitted by other Search Committee candidates. This Petition shall be submitted in a timely manner to the President of the Standing Committee.
Explanation
“Bishop Provisional” is added to Sections 1, 2, and 3(a). Extensive background checks are now an integral part of the screening process for all candidates for the office of Bishop [see Title III, Canon 11, Section 3(a)]. It is not possible to do this prior to the election for any person who may be nominated from the floor. Therefore, nominations from the floor of Convention are prohibited, provided that there is a process for “Nominations by Petition,” which is defined by Section 3(d); this is virtually identical to a statement issued by the Standing Committee on March 22, 2016.
This is the second reading; a vote by Orders is required. The Committee on Constitution and Canons recommends adoption.
Resolution 2
Article XIII — Parishes – Separate Congregations — Missions
Purpose: to revise and update the minimum requirements of Parish By-Laws
Resolved, That Article XIII, Section 4, of the Constitution be amended as follows:
Sec. 4. Concerning Parish By-Laws.
Each parish and separate congregation shall have authority to govern its internal affairs through By-Laws in accordance with the provisions of Maryland law. Parish By-Laws shall regulate the following aspects of parish operations:
(a) membership in the parish or separate congregation;
(b) the conduct of congregational meetings including the date, time and place of the meeting, the method of giving notice for the meeting, the numerical number of members required to form a quorum, the qualification of voters, the officers of the meeting, parliamentary procedure, and the purpose of the meeting (provided that a congregational meeting must be held a minimum of once each year); the Rector, Associate Rector, Assistant Rector, Priest-in-Charge, Interim Minister, or Vicar (in that order) shall preside; in the absence of any clergy on the staff, the Senior Warden shall preside; in the absence of any clergy and the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden shall preside; in the absence of any clergy and both Wardens, those gathered for a congregational meeting shall elect a Presiding Officer.
(c) the organization, role, and authority of the vestry;
(d) the regulation of the vestry including the date, time and place of meetings, the method of giving notice of meetings, the number of members required to form a quorum, parliamentary procedure, the purpose of the meetings, order of business, and officers (provided that the vestry must meet a minimum of one time each year);
(e) the qualifications, number, oath of office, term, powers, and duties of vestry members, provided, however, that no person serve as a member of the Vestry for more than a total of 2 (two) consecutive terms;
(f) the election, re-election, removal, replacement, and continuance in office of vestry members;
(g) the election, re-election, removal, replacement, and continuance in the office of the parish officers including the senior warden, junior warden, treasurer, registrar, and such other officers as the By-Laws may permit, provided, however, that no person serve in said office for more than 5 (five) consecutive years unless an extension is granted by the Bishop;
(h) the qualifications, number, oath of office, term, powers, and duties of parish or congregational officers including the senior warden, junior warden, treasurer, registrar, and such other officers as the By-Laws may permit;
(i) the election, calling, removal, compensation, powers, duties, and obligations of the Rector and other clergy, provided the relevant By-Law provisions comply with the constitution and canons of the Episcopal Church and of this Diocese;
(j) the control, reporting on, and regulation of property, assets, and investments; the Annual Parochial Report shall be approved by the Vestry prior to its submission.
(k) prior to their adoption, all proposed By-Laws shall be reviewed by the Diocesan Committee on Constitution and Canons.
Explanation
Summary of proposed changes:
- a) specify an actual number required for a quorum and the Presiding Officer for congregational meetings
- b) require a term limit (no more than two consecutive terms) for Vestry members
- c) require a term limit (no more than five consecutive years) for Parish Officers unless an extension is granted by the Bishop
- d) require (as per the national Canons) that the Vestry formally approve the Annual Parochial Report
The By-Laws of almost all Parishes currently include term limits for Vestry members. This proposal simply extends that same principle to apply to Vestry Officers unless an extension is granted by the Bishop. The purpose is to encourage current Vestry Officers to prepare and train others to serve the local church in these important ministries. This is simply good stewardship of our human resources and incarnates the wisdom of total ministry.
This is the second reading; a vote by Orders is required. The Committee on Constitution and Canons recommends adoption.
Resolution 3
Article XIII — Parishes – Separate Congregations — Missions
Purpose: to simplify the process of closing a Parish, Mission, or Separate Congregation, and to add a requirement that adequate provisions be made for the perpetual care of any memorials, graves, and/or cemeteries.
Resolved, That Article XIII, Sec. 7 of the Constitution be amended as follows:
(c) The ecclesiastical authority shall confirm that each parish, separate congregation and mission holds a monthly celebration of the Eucharist.
(d) Sixty (60) days prior to the meeting of the Convention, the ecclesiastical authority shall deliver to the secretary of convention a report stating which parishes, separate congregations, and missions the ecclesiastical authority deems to be nonfunctioning. In addition, independent written reports from the Standing Committee, the Diocesan Council, and the Committee on Listening shall also be submitted to the Convention pertaining to the possible designation of a parish, separate congregation, or mission as nonfunctioning. this report shall be updated on the first day of the meeting of convention.
(e) During the annual meeting of the Convention, the Secretary shall lay before the Convention the four reports described in section 7(d). After due consideration of these reports, Convention shall accept, reject, or amend the reports as it deems appropriate.
(f) Should Convention accept the ecclesiastical authority’s report that any parish, separate congregation, or mission is nonfunctioning, the convention will deal with the nonfunctioning body in one of the ways set forth below proceed as follows:
(i) In the case of a nonfunctioning parish or separate congregation, the Convention shall remove the officers and vestry of the nonfunctioning parish or separate congregation, rescind the By-Laws of the nonfunctioning parish or separate congregation, and declare said parish or separate congregation to be closed; adopt new bylaws for the nonfunctioning parish providing for its governance by a three (3) member board of conservators, and elect a three (3) member board of conservators to dissolve the parish or separate congregation. Immediately upon its dissolution, the nonfunctioning parish or separate congregation shall become a mission.
(ii) In the case of a nonfunctioning mission, the convention shall dissolve the mission and direct the ecclesiastical authority to transfer its property and other assets to an adjoining parish. The Convention shall appoint a Conservator nominated by the Bishop. The Conservator shall close out the affairs of said parish or separate congregation, making adequate provisions for the perpetual care of any memorials, graves, and/or cemeteries.
(iii) The Bishop, in consultation with the Conservator, shall transfer the property and other assets to an adjoining Parish, provided that the Vestry of said adjoining Parish agrees. If no adjoining parish agrees to accept the assets, the Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, shall sell the real property and transfer all assets to the Diocesan Fund for Church Initiatives.
(iv) In the case of a nonfunctioning Mission, the Convention shall dissolve the Mission and authorize the Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, to transfer the Mission’s property and other assets to the Endowment Fund of the Diocese of Easton.
Explanation
The current process for closing a parish or separate congregation is complicated and convoluted, requiring action by two annual Conventions and an interim reclassification to a Diocesan Mission. If adopted, this proposed amendment will shorten the process to require action by only one Convention. It further requires that provisions be made for the adequate care of any memorials, graves, and/or cemeteries; there is no mention of this in the current text. In addition, reports from four different entities are required to be submitted to Convention prior to any action. The provision for the transfer “of property and other assets [of the closed church] to an adjoining parish” requires further explanation.
Adjoining Parish – the Doctrine of Cy Près
In 1692, the Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church, became the established church of the Province of Maryland through an Act of the General Assembly. Ten counties had been established in the colony, and those counties were divided into 30 parishes. After the American Revolutionary War, those parishes became part of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, which split off the Episcopal Diocese of Easton in 1868 and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington in 1895. Previous legislative acts, which defined the structure and legal standing of the Church of England but now had been succeeded by the Protestant Episcopal Church, were replaced by the Vestry Act of 1798. It is here that we first encounter the doctrine of cy près as that concept is applied to ecclesiastical affairs.
Cy près is a legal doctrine that first arose in courts of equity. This French term literally means “so near/close” and can be translated “as near as possible” or “as near as can be.” The doctrine originated in the law of charitable trusts. It appears in the Vestry Act of 1798 in the section pertaining to the disposal of the assets of an Episcopal Parish which had been closed. The application of the doctrine of cy près mandated a transfer of such assets to an “adjoining parish.” If Episcopal Church X closed, the next best use of those assets, i.e. a use as near as possible to their original purpose, was a transfer of those assets to an adjoining or nearby Episcopal Church, a church functioning in the same geographical area where, presumably, former members of the closed Parish would now worship.
When the Diocese of Easton came into being in 1868, the secular structure and powers of a Vestry were grandfathered in under the Vestry Act of 1798 as amended. In March 1957 the Maryland legislature updated the Vestry Act by specifically adding the substance of Chapter 24 of the Vestry Act of 1798 (see Article 23, Section 288M), while at the same time building in more flexibility for Vestries to manage the secular affairs of the Episcopal Church.
In 1999 the Convention of the Diocese of Easton, on a second reading, formally petitioned the Maryland Legislature to remove this Diocese from the Vestry Act of 1798 as subsequently amended. However, key provisions of the Vestry Act, including the legal doctrine of cy près, were preserved via the amendment of Article XIII to the Constitution of the Diocese of Easton.
Therefore, this provision for transferring the assets of a closed Parish or Separate Congregation to an adjoining Parish, originally stated in the Vestry Act of 1798 and subsequently and explicitly added to the Constitution of this Diocese, has been the policy of the Diocese of Easton for 150 years and remains unchanged in this proposed revision. In the opinion of the Committee on Constitution and Canons, “adjoining Parish” means any Parish which is geographically contiguous to the closed entity. In reality, “adjoining Parish” will mean whatever the Bishop at the time decides it means. Because this is a transfer of property, and therefore there is no sale of any property, the Bishop alone, in consultation with the Conservator, is authorized under the proposed revision to implement the transfer. (However, note that if a sale becomes necessary, the advice and consent of the Standing Committee will be required.) On the other hand, a Diocesan Mission is already owned by the Diocese; liquidating those assets will require a sale. Therefore, the approval of the Bishop with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee will be required (see the General Convention Canons I.7.3 & II.6.2).
This is the first reading; a vote by Orders is required. The Committee on Constitution and Canons recommends adoption.
Resolution 4
Purpose: to revise Canon 404 (as approved by the Board of Managers) so that a Diocesan Property Committee may be created and take full responsibility for all Diocesan-owned real property.
Resolved, That Canon 404 (Of the Board of Managers of Trust Funds) be amended as follows:
Sec. 404.01 Powers
.011 The Board, except as otherwise provided, shall have full responsibility for all property, real and personal funds donated for the benefit or use of the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton, any function of the Diocese of Easton, or any parish, congregation or institution thereof, including property funds in trust, delivered to the Convention, Diocese, or the Board for investment or safekeeping. The Board shall have full power and authority to combine these various assets in one or more common funds, to invest and change the investments of principal and any undistributed income therefrom, including the power and authority to sell, grant, convey, assign and deliver the same, in their discretion, subject only to the limitations and conditions imposed by the Convention or by these Canons. The Board shall collect and receive the income from its investments and pay this income, after deducting all proper expenses incurred by the Board, to the several beneficiaries entitled to receive such income.
Explanation
With the adoption of a new Canon 410 creating a Diocesan Property Committee, the Board of Managers will be relieved of any responsibility for managing real property owned by the Diocese of Easton.
The Committee on Constitution and Canons recommends adoption.
Resolution 5
New Canon 410 — Of the Committee on Diocesan Property
Purpose: to define the canonical requirements for a Committee on Diocesan Property
Resolved, That Canon 410 be renumbered as Canon 412, and be it further
Resolved, That a new Canon 410 be adopted as follows:
Canon 410 — Of the Committee on Diocesan Property
Sec. 410.01 Composition
.011 The Committee on Diocesan Property shall consist of not less than six (6) members. At least two (2) members shall be clergy canonically resident in the Diocese. At all times each Convocation shall be represented. The Bishop of Easton shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Committee.
Sec. 410.02 Tenure
.021 At each Annual Convention the Bishop shall, with the advice and consent of Convention, appoint the members of the Committee, each of whom shall serve a term of three (3) years and until his or her respective successor shall be appointed. In his or her original appointment of members, however, the Bishop shall designate approximately one-third of the members for a one year (1) term, approximately one-third for a two (2) year term, and approximately one-third of the members for a three (3) year term in order to establish a rotation of membership on the Committee. No person, however, may serve more than six (6) consecutive years, but, after a one (1) year interval, that person will be again eligible for appointment.
Sec. 410.03 Vacancies.
.031 In the event of a vacancy for any reason, the Bishop may, with the advice and consent of the Committee, appoint to membership such person(s) who shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term(s).
Sec. 410.04 Function.
.041 The Committee shall be responsible for all real property owned by the Diocese of Easton
which is neither occupied nor used regularly by a Parish, Mission, Camp, Cathedral, or other canonically recognized ministry of this Diocese. It shall be the duty of the Committee to protect same from loss or damage, provide continuing care, maintenance, and insurance, and authorize such capital improvements as it deems necessary.
.042 The Committee shall periodically review the condition of Diocesan-owned properties which are occupied and used regularly and evaluate the insurance policies covering these properties.
.043 All bank accounts and other financial resources associated with property owned by this
Diocese, except for those properties occupied or used regularly by a Parish, Mission, Camp, Cathedral, or other canonically recognized ministry of this Diocese, shall be transferred to the Treasurer of Convention and be made available to the Committee for ongoing expenses and improvements.
Sec. 410.05 Organization.
.051 The Bishop shall select the chairperson (or co-chairs) of the Committee who shall serve at the pleasure of the Bishop. The chairperson (or co-chairs) shall appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer, neither of whom need be a member of the Committee. The Committee may establish an Executive Committee and such other sub-committees as it deems desirable, and may assign thereto such responsibilities and authority it deems proper. At least one (1) member of each sub-committee shall be a member of the Diocesan Property Committee.
Sec. 410.06 Finances.
.061 The Committee shall submit each year a proposed budget of its revenues and disbursements for its projected operations and capital requirements to the Diocesan Council. Such budget shall be reviewed by the Department of Finance and shall be submitted to the Diocesan Council for approval and, if necessary, funding. All funds shall be received and disbursed by the Treasurer of Convention.
Sec. 410.07 Annual Report
.071 The Committee shall submit a full annual report on the previous calendar year which shall include a financial report and a report of all financial assets associated with each
property to the Diocesan Council and to each annual meeting of the Convention.
Sec. 410.08 Sale, Transfer, or Encumbrance
.081 Any proposal to sell, transfer ownership, or encumber any real property owned by the Diocese of Easton shall be referred to the Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee,
and the Bishop for concurrent action.
Explanation
This proposed Canon will establish a Diocesan Property Committee which will manage real property owned by the Diocese of Easton.
The Committee on Constitution and Canons recommends adoption.
Resolution 6
Canon 411 — Of the Committee on Green Hill Church
Purpose: to add a new Canon 411 creating a Green Hill Church Committee responsible for the Green Hill Church in Quantico, MD, a property and church building (1733) owned by the Diocese of Easton.
Resolved, That a new Canon 411 be created as follows:
| Sec. 411.01
.011
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Composition
The Committee on Green Hill Church shall consist of five (5) members; all lay members shall be communicants in good standing in a parish in Wicomico County; at least one Committee member shall be a clergy person employed by a parish in Wicomico County.
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| Sec. 411.02
.021
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Tenure
At each annual Convention the Bishop, having received names of nominees from the Green Hill Church Committee and with the consent of Convention, shall appoint the members of the Committee, each of whom shall serve a term of three (3) years. In the original appointment of members, the Bishop shall designate one (1) member for a one (1) year term, two (2) members for a two (2) year term, and two (2) members for a three (3) year term, in order to establish a rotation of membership. No person may serve more than six (6) consecutive years; after a one (1) year interval that person will again be eligible for appointment.
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| Sec. 411.03
.031
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Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy for any reason, the Bishop, in consultation with the Green Hill Church Committee and with the consent of Convention, shall appoint a successor who shall serve the remainder of the vacant term.
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| Sec. 411.04
.041
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Function
The Committee shall carry out the mission of Green Hill Church: to preserve, maintain, and restore for occasional use and for posterity, Old Green Hill/St. Bartholomew’s Church and its grounds in Wicomico County, Maryland, held in trust by the Episcopal Diocese of Easton, to its original site-specific (1733) and historically accurate state according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation. The Committee shall establish and carry out policies for the use of Green Hill Church, approve and oversee maintenance and preservation projects, be responsible for the annual St. Bartholomew Day worship event and any other such events on the property, and shall provide an annual report to the Diocesan Property Committee and the Diocesan Convention of its activities over the previous year.
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| Sec. 411.05
.051
Sec. 411.06 .061
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Organization
The Committee shall choose its own Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Committee may establish subcommittees as it may deem desirable for its efficient functioning, and may assign thereto such responsibilities and authorities as it deems proper. The Committee, with the approval of the Diocesan Property Committee, may adopt By-laws to govern its actions. Any changes to the By-laws shall require the approval of the Property Committee.
Finances The Committee each year shall submit a budget of its revenues and disbursements for its projected operations and capital requirements to the Property Committee. All Green Hill Church funds shall be overseen by the Treasurer of Convention. The Treasurer of the Green Hill Church Committee may make deposits and withdrawals from these funds in accordance with the submitted budget. |
| Sec. 411.07
.071 |
Title and Authority
Because the Diocese of Easton owns the property, the preservation and use of Green Hill Church is a function of the Diocese. All authority not expressly granted hereby to the Committee on Green Hill Church with regard thereto is reserved to the Diocesan Convention and to the Diocesan Property Committee between Conventions. |
Explanation
Green Hill Church and grounds in Quantico, Maryland, is an important part of the heritage of the Diocese of Easton and the Episcopal Church. The mother church of the original Stepney Parish (circa. 1692), this original colonial church structure was built in 1733 with much of the original furnishings intact. It has been lovingly restored and taken care of by the Wicomico County parishes for many generations. Each year since the mid-19th century the parishes in the Wicomico Cluster have held a joint service there on St. Bartholomew’s Day. The church was deeded to the Diocese by the Vestry of St. Mary’s, Tyaskin, in 2016 because the parish, acting alone, did not have the resources to maintain it
In April 2017 the Bishop appointed a five person committee comprised of members from the parishes of Wicomico County who are enthusiastic about continuing to care for this historic site and eager to explore creating a local committee of Episcopalians drawn from the local parishes to manage this property. This resolution would create an ongoing Canonical Committee of the Diocese and it has the support of the parishes of Wicomico County. This is a wonderful example of the Diocese in action at the grassroots level and it is a product of the mission work of the Wicomico Cluster.
Submitted by the Rev. David Michaud and the Vestry of St. Peter’s Church, Salisbury.
The Committee on Constitution and Canons makes no recommendation on this resolution.
Resolution 7
Canon 505 — Of Separate Congregations
Purpose: to update Canon 505 (Canon 508 has been deleted) and provide a process under which a congregation, which has been classified as a Diocesan Mission under Canon 504.022, may regain Parish status.
Resolved, That Canon 505 be amended as follows:
Sec. 505.01 Procedure.
.011 Application. A group of confirmed persons having sufficient capacity to support and sustain of a church within an existing parish, and desiring to form a separate congregation may file an application with the Bishop to be received as a separate congregation into union with the Convention of the Diocese of Easton. The application shall set forth in detail (i) the reasons why such approval is desirable, (ii) a plan to become and maintain the functions of a separate congregation including financial viability (see Canon 508 Of Non-Functioning Parishes), and to meet the requirements of the laws of Maryland governing religious corporations, (iii) draft articles of incorporation as a Maryland religious corporation for acceptance and recording with the State of Maryland, (iv) draft by-laws, (v) consent of the parish within whose boundaries the applicant lies (Diocesan Constitution Article XIII, Sec. 2), and (vi) designate a Registrar.
.012 Preliminary Investigation. The Bishop shall review the application with the Department of Missions and lay it before the Committee on Admission of New Parishes. This Committee Department shall study the application in detail, especially the portions dealing with financial viability and maintaining the functions of a parish, and meeting the requirements of the Religious Corporations subtitle of the Annotated Code. The Committee shall make its report and recommendation to the next Convention.
.013 Action of Convention. Convention shall consider the application and the Committee Report. It may accept, reject, or tentatively accept with conditions, the application. The Secretary of Convention shall notify the Registrar of the Applicant of the action of Convention.
.014 Following Approval by Convention. Upon the approval of its application by Convention and receipt of the notification of such action, the applicant shall prior to the next annual Diocesan Convention:
.014(a) Comply with the conditions of any tentative acceptance of the Committee Report under Sec. 505.013 above.
.014(b) Comply with all requirements of the laws of Maryland pertaining to religious corporations.
.014(c) File articles of incorporation as a Maryland religious corporation for acceptance and recording with the State of Maryland, and obtain and maintain good standing as a Maryland religious corporation.
.014(d) Elect a Vestry and adopt by-laws.
.014(e) Complete any necessary transfer of property.
.014(f) The Registrar of the new Parish shall notify the Secretary of Convention that all of the above have been completed.
.014(f) The Registrar of the new Parish shall notify the Secretary of Convention that all of the above have been completed.
Sec. 505.02 Procedure for a Parish or Separate Congregation which has been reclassified as a Diocesan Mission under Canon 504.022 and now desires to regain Parish status
.021 The Bishop shall review the application with the Department of Missions. This Department shall study the application in detail, especially the portions dealing with financial viability and maintaining the functions of a parish. The Department shall make its report and recommendation to the next Convention.
.022 Convention shall consider the application and the Department of Missions’ Report. It may accept or reject the application. The Secretary of Convention shall notify the Registrar of the Applicant of the action of Convention.
Explanation
Canon 504.022 states: “When a Parish is without a Rector, the Wardens or other officers shall promptly notify the Ecclesiastical Authority in writing. If during the period of the previous three calendar years said Parish has failed to pay its full Diocesan asking in all three of those years, the Ecclesiastical authority shall designate said Parish as a Diocesan Mission. The Ecclesiastical Authority shall report the facts supporting this decision to the next Diocesan Convention. Said Parish shall continue to be and function as a corporate entity notwithstanding the requirements of Canon 504.021. The only sections of Canon 504 which will apply to said Parish are 504.011, 504.022, and 504.071.” [Section 504.022 was adopted in 2013 and took effect on January 1, 2015.]
This proposed revision of Canon 505 updates the text (Canon 508 was deleted in 2017 and the Committee on Admission of New Parishes does not exist) and establishes a process under which a congregation, reclassified as a Diocesan Mission under Canon 504.022, may regain status as a Parish of this Diocese.
The Committee on Constitution and Canons recommends adoption.