Part 5

Contents and effect of pastoral schemes and orders

Changes in benefices, parishes, extra-parochial places, archdeaconries and deaneries

Holding of benefices in plurality
32
1
A pastoral scheme may provide for the holding in plurality of any two or more benefices subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the scheme.
2
The provisions of a pastoral scheme for the holding of benefices in plurality shall, unless the scheme otherwise provides, continue in force notwithstanding the occurrence of any vacancy:
Provided that, when the bishop gives notice of any vacancy or impending vacancy under section 7 of the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (1986 No. 3) those provisions may be terminated either by the bishop or by one of the interested parochial church councils, as follows:
a
the bishop may state in the notice that the provisions are to be terminated and shall in that case serve the notice on all the persons who are or, on the termination, become the patrons of the benefices concerned and on the Commissioners and the said provisions shall cease to have effect on the vacancy or the service of the notice, whichever is the later; or
b
any interested parochial church council may, within 28 days after the service of the notice, pass a resolution that the provisions are to be terminated, and shall forthwith notify the bishop of the resolution, and the bishop shall notify the other interested parochial church councils, the Commissioners and all the persons who are or, on the termination, become, the patrons of the benefices concerned, and the provisions shall cease to have effect on the vacancy or the service of the notice, whichever is the later, and the bishop shall serve a fresh notice under section 7 of that Measure on all the councils and patrons concerned, which shall have effect in substitution for the previous notice.
3
The termination of the provisions under subsection (2) shall be without prejudice to any provisions relating to the future exercise of the rights of patronage of the benefices concerned in the event of a renewal of the plurality.
4
Except with the leave of the bishop, an incumbent of two or more benefices held in plurality may not resign any of those benefices without resigning the other or others; and, if leave is granted for the resignation and there are at least two other benefices, the resignation shall not affect the holding in plurality of those other benefices, but the Commissioners may by instrument make such consequential amendments of the pastoral scheme which provided for the holding of the benefices in plurality as they think necessary.
S. 32 in force at 1.7.2012 by S.I. 2012/1, art. 2