Hong Kong Ordinances

CHURCH OF ENGLAND TRUST ORDINANCE - SECT 8

Boards of patronage

(1) Whenever a vacancy occurs or is expected to occur in any cure of souls the
trustees shall appoint a board of patronage, to be constituted as hereinafter
provided, which shall nominate a clergyman for institution to such cure when
vacant and shall return his name to the trustees together with the recommended
terms of appointment. The trustees shall before entering into any contract
with such clergyman obtain the written approval of the Bishop or in the case
of the incapacity of the Bishop of his commissary of such appointment. If no
notice of nomination be returned to the trustees and by them to the Bishop or
his commissary within six months after a vacancy in any cure it shall be
competent for the Bishop or his commissary to appoint. (Amended 33 of 1939;
G.N. 840 of 1940 Supp. Schedule; 61 of 1970 s. 6; L.N. 235 of 1996)

(2) Such board of patronage shall consist of the Bishop or his commissary, who
shall be chairman, one clerical representative one lay representative of the
trustees and four lay representatives of the church council concerned:
(Amended 61 of 1970 s. 6) Provided that-

   (a)  the incumbent of the church in which the vacancy is expected to occur
        shall not be a member of the board; and (Replaced 61 of 1970 s. 6)

   (b)  when a vacancy occurs or is expected to occur in the office of Dean
        two additional members (one clerical to represent the clergy and one
        lay to represent the laity) shall be appointed by the
        Diocesan Conference or in default of such appointment in such manner
        as the trustees for the time being may approve.

(3) The time and manner of the summoning and meeting of such board and the
mode of its procedure shall be determined by the board itself, subject to any
direction that may be given by the trustees. The Bishop or his commissary and
not less than three representatives of the church council concerned shall
constitute a quorum.

(4) The fixing of the salary of the clergyman in charge of any church shall be
determined by a sub-committee consisting of not more than six to be appointed
by the church council concerned which shall report to the board its decision,
but such decision shall be subject to the approval of the board.

(5) The question of the renewal or termination of the agreement of the
clergyman in charge of any church shall be decided by a board of patronage,
constituted as hereinbefore provided, to be appointed by the trustees ad hoc
which board shall report its decision to the trustees: Provided that no
termination except on the expiration of an agreement shall be valid without
the written approval of the Bishop or in the case of the incapacity of the
Bishop of his commissary. (Amended 61 of 1970 s. 6)

(6) Save with the consent of the trustees no amendment shall be made to the
agreement of the clergyman in charge of any church. (Added 61 of 1970 s. 6)