Many Parts, One Body: How the Episcopal Church Works

The dioceses of San Joaquin, Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, and Quincy recently voted to secede from the Episcopal Church. The bishop of Pittsburgh was recently deposed for abandonment of communion, with several other bishops removed from ministry in the Episcopal Church after declaring their alignment with other provinces of the Anglican Communion. The diocese of Virginia is in the midst of protracted legal battles with parishes seeking to leave with property, with Virginia lower courts issuing rulings reflecting minority interpretation of The Episcopal Church governance.

What's going on, who's in charge, and what about real-property assets?

In order to determine the locus of authority within the Episcopal Church, political scientist James Dator carefully analyzed the three main styles of constitutional government —confederal, federal, and unitary — and applied them to the Episcopal Church in his 1959 dissertation. Now, working with religious journalist Jan Nunley, who added current legal cases and canonical updates, Dr. Dator’s research offers newfound currency and prescient applicability. Topics include a thorough examination of the Episcopal Church’s Constitution and Canons, 1782 to present, plus the structure, executive powers, and governing roles of its various parts.