User Guide Chaplaincy constitution guidance
All Chaplaincies are required to have a Chaplaincy Constitution which covers the following matters:
- Confirming the Chaplaincy to be a part of the Diocese in Europe and is bounded by the requirements of the Church of England’s Canons and Measures (except where these are in conflict with local national law in which case an exception, which should be agreed with the Diocesan Registrar, is permissible for that matter alone); and that it is under the ordinary jurisdiction of the Diocesan Bishop
- Defining the name and the geographical boundaries of the Chaplaincy.
- Setting out any special governance arrangements in circumstances where the Chaplaincy is made up of two or more different places of worship/separate congregations.
- Setting out the broad roles and responsibilities of the Chaplain and Laity.
- Making provision for amendment of the Constitution. Proposed amendments must be first discussed and agreed with the Archdeacon before submitting them to an Annual or Special Meeting of the Chaplaincy for approval and implementation.
- Making provision for the dissolution of the Chaplaincy
A Model Constitution is available here in Word format.