Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840

XLVII Chapters, or Visitors in their Default, to propose Alterations in their Statutes.

And be it enacted, That the Chapters of the several Cathedral and Collegiate Churches shall from Time to Time, of their own Accord, or upon being required by the Visitors of the said Churches respectively, propose to such Visitors such Alterations in the existing Statutes and Rules as shall provide for the Disposal of the Benefices in their Patronage, so as to meet the just Claims of the Minor Canons of such Churches, and as shall make them consistent with the Constitution and Duties of the Chapters respectively as altered under the Authority of this Act; and all such Alterations, if approved, may be confirmed by the Authority of such Visitor; and that in any Case in which such Alterations shall not be approved, or in which such Requisition shall not be complied with within Twelve Calendar Months after the making thereof, the Visitor shall be at liberty of himself to make the necessary Alterations ; and all such Statutes and Rules when so altered shall be submitted to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England, and may be confirmed by the Authority herein-after provided ; and that as to any Alteration made by a Visitor alone, the said Commissioners shall communicate a Draft thereof to the Chapter to be affected thereby, and shall, together with any Scheme to be prepared by them under the Authority herein-after contained, lay before Her Majesty in Council such Remarks as may within Three Months have been made thereon by such Chapter; and that out of the Proceeds of the suspended Canonries in any Chapter Provision may from Time to Time be made, by the Authority hereinafter provided, for relieving the present Canons of such Chapter from the Performance of any additional Duty by reason of such Suspension, by the Employment of Substitutes, to be approved by the respective Bishops: Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect any existing Right of Chapters with their Visitors to make Statutes.