(1)At a time and place to be appointed by the bishop annually, being on a date not later than [F131st August] in each year, each person chosen for the office of churchwarden shall appear before the bishop or his substitute duly appointed, and be admitted to the office of churchwarden after—
(a)making a declaration, in the presence of the bishop or his substitute, that he will faithfully and diligently perform the duties of his office; and
(b)subscribing a declaration to that effect and also that he is not disqualified under section 2(1), [F2(1A), ] (2) or (3) above.
No person chosen for the office of churchwarden shall become churchwarden until such time as he shall have been admitted to office in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2)Subject to the provisions of this Measure the term of office of the churchwardens so chosen and admitted as aforesaid shall continue until a date determined as follows, that is to say—
(a)in the case of a person who is chosen again as churchwarden at the next annual meeting of the parishioners—
(i)if so admitted for the next term of office by [F331st August] in the year in question, the date of the admission; or
(ii)if not so admitted for the next term of office by [F331st August] in the year in question, that date;
(b)in the case of a person who is not chosen again as churchwarden at the next annual meeting of the parishioners—
(i)if that person’s successor in office is so admitted for the next term of office by [F331st August] in the year in question, the date of the admission; or
(ii)if that person’s successor in office is not so admitted for the next term of office by [F331st August] in the year in question, that date.
In the application of paragraph (b) above to any person, where there is doubt as to which of the new churchwardens is that person’s successor in office the bishop may designate one of the new churchwardens as that person’s successor for the purposes of that paragraph.
(3)Where any person ceases to hold the office of churchwarden at the end of [F4August] in any year by virtue of paragraph (a)(ii) or (b)(ii) above a casual vacancy in that office shall be deemed to have arisen.
(4)In relation to the filling of a casual vacancy the reference in subsection (1) above to the [F531st August] shall be construed as a reference to a date three months after the person who is to fill the vacancy is chosen or the date of the next annual meeting of the parishioners to elect churchwardens, whichever is the earlier.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 6(1) substituted (1.1.2020) by Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 (No. 1), s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 24(a); S.I. 2019/1460, art. 2
F2Word in s. 6(1)(b) inserted (1.1.2017) by Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (No. 1), ss. 2(5), 12(3); S.I. 2016/1213, art. 2
F3Words in s. 6(2) substituted (1.1.2020) by Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 (No. 1), s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 24(a); S.I. 2019/1460, art. 2
F4Word in s. 6(3) substituted (1.1.2020) by Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 (No. 1), s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 24(b); S.I. 2019/1460, art. 2
F5Words in s. 6(4) substituted (1.1.2020) by Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019 (No. 1), s. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 24(a); S.I. 2019/1460, art. 2