ARCHDEACONS

Archdeacons are appointed by the Diocesan Bishop until the age of 70 years.

Canon C22 (4) states, “each archdeacon shall carry out his duties under the bishop and shall assist the bishop in his pastoral care and office.” This partnership of bishop and archdeacon reflects that of the New Testament; the bishops, in the ministerial tradition of the apostles, are called to be chief teachers and pastors, and as in Acts 6, the deacons are appointed to relieve the apostles of practical and organisational burdens. While such distinctions or boundaries help in understanding and effecting the work, it should be remembered that Paul, the Apostle, also cared for the churches and Stephen, the Deacon, also preached. It is required that archdeacons be priests and, as such, it behoves them to be making connections constantly between the gospel imperatives and the Church’s institutional arrangements. By their orders they are also called to exercise a priestly, pastoral and teaching ministry.

So archdeacons represent the bishop’s interests in the policy-making and business life of the diocese through ex-officio membership of the statutory, synodical and other major committees of the diocese. In relation to such committees they are always members, never officers, speaking for the bishop. Archdeacons go out from such committees with a task of communication and interpretation, working through visits, correspondence and telephone availability. Archdeacons are not intermediaries or in a line management role separating the bishop from an incumbent or priest in charge to whom the bishop has committed a cure, “both mine and yours”. In their work locally archdeacons seek to give incumbents and their fellow Christians encouragement, guidance and space to undertake the work of God in those parishes and sectors to which they are appointed.

Because the archdeacons are members of his staff, the Diocesan Bishop frequently uses them for ad hoc tasks or to carry portfolios on his behalf. Similarly, the Bishop has delegated to the archdeacons a share in conducting ministerial reviews.

Archdeacons have further specific tasks laid upon them by Statute and Canon; in these they act as the ordinary, that is one having intrinsic authority rather than acting by delegation from another. The Inspection of Churches Measure 1955 requires that the archdeacon be satisfied that churches have been inspected every five years in accordance with the Measure. The Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963 and the Incumbents (Vacation of Benefices) Measure 1977 each place responsibilities upon an archdeacon in respect of clergy discipline.

The Faculty Jurisdiction Measure 1964 and the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 charge the archdeacon with responsibilities and powers in respect of the care of consecrated buildings. It is essential that there be close liaison between archdeacons and incumbents with their parish officers if the Faculty Jurisdiction is to work effectively.

Further information on the office of archdeacon can be found in Canons C22, F17, F18 and in G5 and in Halsbury’s Ecclesiastical Law, General Synod Edition 1975, paragraphs 496-502.