National church Episcopal Church (United States)

the national cathedral seat of presiding bishop of episcopal church bishop of episcopal diocese of washington.

the cathedral church of saint peter , saint paul in city , diocese of washington, located in washington, d.c., operated under more familiar name of washington national cathedral.

the highest legislative body of episcopal church triennial general convention, consisting of house of deputies , house of bishops. active (whether diocesan, coadjutor, suffragan, or assistant) , retired bishops make on 300 members of house of bishops. diocesan conventions elect on 800 representatives (each diocese elects 4 laity , 4 clergy) house of deputies. house of deputies elects president , vice-president preside @ meetings. general convention enacts 2 types of legislation. first type rules church governed contained in constitution , canons; second type broad guidelines on church policy called resolutions. either house may propose legislation. house of deputies meets full body once every 3 years; however, house of bishops meets regularly throughout triennium between conventions.

the real work of general convention done interim bodies, powerful being executive council, oversees work of national church during triennium. council has 40 members; 20 directly elected general convention, 18 elected 9 provinces, , presiding bishop , president of house of deputies ex officio members. other interim bodies include number of standing commissions study , draft policy proposals consideration , report general convention. each standing commission consists of 3 bishops, 3 priests or deacons, , 6 laypersons. bishops appointed presiding bishop while other clergy , laypersons appointed president of house of deputies.

the presiding bishop elected , house of bishops , confirmed house of deputies nine-year term. presiding bishop chief pastor , primate of episcopal church , charged providing leadership in development of church s program speaking on behalf of church. presiding bishop not possess territorial see; since 1970s, however, presiding bishop has enjoyed extraordinary jurisdiction (metropolitical authority) , has authority visit dioceses sacramental , preaching ministry, consulting bishops, , related purposes. presiding bishop chairs house of bishops executive council of general convention. in addition, presiding bishop directs episcopal church center, national administrative headquarters of denomination. located @ 815 second avenue, new york city, new york, center referred episcopalians 815 .

a system of ecclesiastical courts provided under title iv of canons of general convention. these courts empowered discipline , depose deacons, priests, , bishops.