New election law

The next time the bishop of the diocese of British Columbia resigns, the diocese may not elect a new one. At its biennial synod Mar. 6 to 7, the diocese changed its canon (church law). Now, the viability of the diocese must be determined before a bishop can be elected. If the diocese is not viable, a bishop from another diocese can be called to step in. “Is it possible to have a synod without a bishop?” asked the Rev. Ian Powell of Christ Church Cathedral before the new canon was passed. “Yes, it is, I believe so,” replied the diocesan bishop of B.C., James Cowan.