Clergy Discipline

This chapter examines the process of clergy discipline in the Church of England. It first considers the institutions and personnel responsible for implementing church discipline against priests or deacons, including the Clergy Discipline Commission, the president and registrar of tribunals, provincial panels, and disciplinary tribunals. It then discusses the issue of jurisdiction when it comes to hearing and determining disciplinary proceedings against a priest or deacon, the concept of misconduct, and time limits of disciplinary proceedings. It also explains the procedure to be followed in the case of complaints against priests and deacons, the suspension process, the conduct of disciplinary tribunals, penalties, proceedings in secular courts, appeals, costs and legal aid, and the archbishops' list of all clerks in Holy Orders. The chapter concludes with an overview of clergy offences involving ritual or ceremonial doctrine.