ARCHBISHOP: Let the authority for the Ordination be read.
The Mandate.
THE DECLARATION The Bishop-Elect makes the following declaration: In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I N….. chosen Bishop of the Anglican Church Worldwide solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God and contain all things necessary for salvation. I do solemnly promise to confirm to the doctrine of the Church of God and I do pledge myself to render obedience to the House of Bishops and their successors. So help me God.
ARCHBISHOP: All stand.
The Archbishop asks the response of the people.
ARCHBISHOP: Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, you have heard testimony that N….. has been duly and lay elected to be a Bishop of the Church of God to serve in the Anglican Church Worldwide. You have been assured suitability and that the Church has approved him for this sacred responsibility. Nevertheless, if any of you know any reason why we should not proceed, let it now be made known.ARCHBISHOP: If no objection is made, the Archbishop continues,
The Charge
ARCHBISHOP: Is it your will that we ordain N…… a Bishop?
People : We do.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you uphold N…..as a bishop?
People: We will. THE QUESTIONS (The Archbishop & others Appointed)
ARCHBISHOP: My brother N….. a Bishop is called to lead, in serving and caring for the people of God, and to work with them in the overseeing of the church, promoting its mission, proclaiming, Christ death and resurrection and working for justice and truth in the World As Chief Pastor you will share with your fellow Bishops a special responsibility to maintain and further the unity of the Church, to uphold its discipline, and to guard its faith. It will be your duty to watch over and pray for all those committed to your care, and to teach them, speaking in the name of God and interpreting the gospel of Christ; to govern the Church after the example of the Apostles, to know your people and be known by them; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the Sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons, and to join in ordaining Bishops; to guide those who serve with you and enable them to fulfill their ministry; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.
In order that we may know your mind and purpose, and that you may be strengthened in your resolve to fulfill your ministry, you must answer the questions we now put to you. Do you believe that God has called you to the office of a Bishop His Church?ANSWER: I believe that God has called me.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you accept this call and fulfill this trust in obedience to his Holy ChurchANSWER: I will obey Christ, and will serve in His name. ARCHBISHOP: Do you accept the Holy Scriptures as uniquely revealing the '" God and containing all things necessary for eternal salvation faith in Jesus Christ?
ANSWER: I do so accept them.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you teach and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God inaugurated by Jesus and declare its meaning to the world?ANSWER: By the help of God, I will. ARCHBISHOP: Will you devote yourself to prayer, to reading the Holy Scriptures and to such studies as may deepen your faith and increase your reverence and service of God.ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Do you believe the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ as taught in the Holy Scriptures, held by the undivided Church and declared in catholic creeds? : .ANSWER: I do.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you accept the discipline of this Church and faithfully exercise authority within it?
ANSWER: .By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you be faithful in ordaining and commissioning those whom you believe God has called, and will you constantly guide, support and encourage them and all others who minister in the Church?ANSWER: By the help of God, I will. ARCHBISHOP: Will you strive to fashion your own life and that of your family or household according to the way of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to all people?ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you promote unity, peace, justice and love among all people, and especially among those whom you serve?ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you for Christ's sake be merciful to all persons, especially the needy and the outcast, and defend those who have noANSWER: By the help of God, I will. ARCHBISHOP: Almighty God, who gives you the will to do all these things, grant you grace and power to perform them, that He may complete the good work He has begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. *The Litany of Ordination The Archbishop prays,
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ARCHBISHOP: I now commend our brother John to your prayers while we keep silence.
ARCHBISHOP: All stand.
The Archbishop ask the response of the people.
ARCHBISHOP: Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, you have heard testimony that N….. has been duly sworn and elected to be a Bishop of the Church of God to serve in the Anglican Church Worldwide. You have been assured suitability and that the Church has approved him for this sacred responsibility. Nevertheless, if any of you know any reason why we should not proceed, let it now be made known.
ARCHBISHOP: If no objection is made, the Archbishop continues,
The Charge
ARCHBISHOP: Is it your will that we ordain N…… a Bishop?
People : We do.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you uphold N…..as a bishop?
People: We will.
THE QUESTIONS (The Archbishop & Others Appointed)
ARCHBISHOP: My brother N….., a Bishop is called to lead, in serving and caring for the people of God, and to work with them in the overseeing of the church, promoting its mission, proclaiming, Christ death and resurrection and working for justice and truth in the World.
As Chief Pastor you will share with your fellow Bishops a special responsibility to maintain and further the unity of the Church, to uphold its discipline, and to guard its faith. It will be your duty to watch over and pray for all those committed to your care, and to teach them, speaking in the name of God and interpreting the gospel of Christ; to govern the Church after the example of the Apostles, to know your people and be known by them; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the Sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons, and to join in ordaining Bishops; to guide those who serve with you and enable them to fulfill their ministry; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.
In order that we may know your mind and purpose, and that you may be strengthened in your resolve to fulfill your ministry, you must answer the questions we now put to you.
Do you believe that God has called you to the office of a Bishop His Church?
ANSWER: I believe that God has called me.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you accept this call and fulfill this trust in obedience to his Holy Church
ANSWER: I will obey Christ, and will serve in His name.
ARCHBISHOP: Do you accept the Holy Scriptures as uniquely revealing the '" God and containing all things necessary for eternal salvation faith in Jesus Christ?
ANSWER: I do so accept them.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you teach and proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God inaugurated by Jesus and declare its meaning to the world?
ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you devote yourself to prayer, to reading the Holy Scriptures and to such studies as may deepen your faith and increase your reverence and service of God.
ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Do you believe the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ as taught in the Holy Scriptures, held by the undivided Church and declared in catholic creeds? : .
ANSWER: I do.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you accept the discipline of this Church and faithfully exercise authority within it?
ANSWER: .By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you be faithful in ordaining and commissioning those whom you believe God has called, and will you constantly guide, support and encourage them and all others who minister in the Church?
ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you strive to fashion your own life and that of your family or household according to the way of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to all people?
ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you promote unity, peace, justice and love among all people, and especially among those whom you serve?
ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Will you for Christ's sake be merciful to all persons, especially the needy and the outcast, and defend those who have no helper?
ANSWER: By the help of God, I will.
ARCHBISHOP: Almighty God, who gives you the will to do all these things, grant you grace and power to perform them, that He may complete the good work He has begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
*The Litany of Ordination
The Archbishop prays,
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
ARCHBISHOP: I now commend our Brother John to your prayers while we keep silence.
The Veni Creator or suitable hymn
The Ordination and Consecration
The Archbishop stands with those who Assist him; the Bishop-Elect kneels before him; he stretches out his hands towards him and says
The Bishop-Elect stands before the Archbishop and the people sit.
It is a Bishop's duty to pass judgment, to interpret, to consecrate, to ordain, to offer sacrifice to baptize and to confirm.
Let us pray beloved brethren that the goodness of almighty God providing for the well-being of his church may bestow upon this Bishop-Elect the abundance of his grace through Christ Our Lord Amen.
We praise and glorify you, Almighty Father, because you have formed through world a holy people for your own possession, a royal priesthood, a universal Church. We praise and glorify you because you have given us your only Son Jesus Christ to Apostle and High Priest of our faith, and the Shepherd of our souls. We praise and glorify you that by His death he has overcome death; and that, ascended into heaven, he has given His gifts abundantly to your people, making apostles; some, prophets; some, evangelists; some, pastors and teachers; to equip them to the work of ministry and to build up His body.
And now we give you thanks that you have called this your servant, whom we come in your name, to share this ministry entrusted to your Church.
Here the Archbishop and other Bishops & ministers lay their hands on the head of the Bishop and the Archbishop says;
Send down your Holy Spirit upon your servant whom we consecrated In name to the Christ to be Bishop of the Church.
The Archbishop then continues, with hands extended
Almighty Father, fill this your servant with the grace and power which you gave to apostles; that he may lead those committed to his charge in proclaiming the gospel of salvation. Through him increase your Church, renew its ministry, and unite its me in a holy fellowship of truth and love. Enable him as a true shepherd to feed your flock; make him wise as a teacher, and steadfast as a guardian of the faithful sacraments. Guide and direct him in presiding at the worship of your people. Give him humility that he may use his authority to heal, not to hurt; to build up, not to destroy. Deliver him from all evil, that, as a ruler over your household and an ambassador for Christ, he may stand before you blameless, and finally, with all your servants, enter your eternal joy; Accept our prayers, most merciful Father, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, belong glory and honor, worship and praise, now and forever.
PEOPLE: Amen.
The Archbishop addresses the new Bishop
N…. receive authority for the office and work of a Bishop in the Church of God, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Remember to stir up the grace of God which is within you, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The New Bishop is now vested
THE GIVING OF THE BIBLE
ARCHBISHOP: Receive the Holy Scriptures. Guard the faith of the Church, and feed by word and sacrament the flock of Christ committed to your care.
THE ANOINTING OF THE NEW BISHOP
ARCHBISHOP: May Christ the great High Priest by this Holy anointing pour on you the fullness of spiritual blessing.
People: Amen.
BLESSING AND GIVING OF THE PECTORAL CROSS
The Archbishop places the Pectoral Cross on the new Bishop saying:
Receive this Cross, the sign of Salvation, and may you never be ashamed to confirm the Faith of Christ Crucified, Risen, Ascended and Glorified.
People: Amen.
May these hands be anointed with hallowed oil with the chrisom that sanctifies, even as Samuel anointed David King and Prophet. So may these hands be anointed and consecrated.
The Archbishop presents the new Bishop Ring saying:
Take this ring; token of the pledge worthy, yours it is dired in unshakable fidelity, to preserve and guard in unblemished honor God’s bride Holy Church .
People: Amen.
THE BLESSING AND GIVING OF THE MITRE AND STAFF
Miter
ARCHBISHOP: Lord on the head of this Bishop and champion of thine, we place the helmet of defense and Salvation , that with forehead thus adorned he may appear fearsome to the enemies of truth .
People: Amen.
Staff
Receive this staff as a sign of your pastoral office; keep watch over the whole flock which the Holy Spirit has appointed you to shepherd the Church of God. Encourage faithful, restore the lost, build up the Body of Christ; that when the Chief Shepherd appear, you may receive the unfading crown of glory.
The Archbishop presents to the people the new Bishop, saying,
I present N… Bishop in the Church of God.
THE PEACE
The Offertory
The Offertory hymn
The Holy Eucharist (1928 Book of Common Prayer)
The Communion of the People
The Communion hymn
The Post Communion Prayer
The New Bishop Addresses blesses the people
The Dismissal
The Recessional Hymn
The Benediction by the New Bishop
