New Every Morning Anglican Fellowship
Rubrical Hierarchy · Canonical Quick Reference
Job Aid 8 · All Ministers · APCK Canons 10, 21, 24, 27
THE THREE-TIER CANONICAL HIERARCHY
TIER 1 — BCP "SHALL" RUBRICS (Canon 10.01 — MANDATORY)
Worship SHALL be according to the 1928 BCP. A "shall" rubric is a canonical obligation. Violation is a canonical offence — liable for presentment and trial [Canon 27.01(3)]. No minister, not even the bishop, may override a BCP "shall" rubric.
• "Then the Priest (if present) shall pronounce the Absolution." — mandatory; priest only
• "The Priest shall then offer…" — mandatory at the Consecration
• "[A]ll remaining consecrated elements shall be consumed…" — mandatory ablutions
• "The Holy Communion shall be celebrated on Sundays…" — mandatory when priest is available
• "Only the James Version shall be used in public worship." — Canon 10.05
TIER 2 — THE BISHOP'S JUS LITURGICUM (Canon 10.04)
Each Bishop is the liturgical authority in his diocese with the traditional right of jus liturgicum — the bishop's ancient canonical prerogative as chief liturgist. It fills the space between mandatory BCP rubrics and parish custom. The jus liturgicum operates WITHIN the BCP hierarchy; it cannot override a BCP "shall" rubric. BCP basis: rubrics deferring to the Ordinary.
The bishop's jus liturgicum governs:
• Whether the Anglican Missal or American Missal may be used (Canon 10.02 — MAY)
• Ceremonial direction: ad orientem, vestments, manual acts
• Filling rubrical silences with consistent diocesan practice
• Authorising or restricting specific devotional additions to the BCP
⚠ A priest who departs from the bishop's liturgical direction without permission violates Canon 10.04 and is liable under Canon 27.01(4) (violation of the Canons).
TIER 3 — PARISH CUSTOM (permitted by bishop's direction)
Custom is a practice not mandated by the BCP and not directed by the bishop, but observed consistently in a parish by reason of tradition. Custom cannot override a BCP "shall" rubric or the bishop's direction. When asked "why do we do this?" the answer is either "because the rubric requires it," "because the bishop directs it," or "because our tradition commends it" — never "because we always have."
BCP vs. ANGLICAN MISSAL [Canons 10.01 and 10.02]
• BCP Canon 10.01 — SHALL: the 1928 BCP is the mandatory standard
• Canon 10.02 — MAY: the Anglican Missal MAY be used as a supplement — provided it conforms to the BCP
• A missal rubric that CONFORMS to the BCP has derivative authority
• A missal rubric that DEPARTS from the BCP is custom only — Tier 3
• The missal cannot override a BCP "shall" rubric
"SHALL" vs. "MAY" — THE ESSENTIAL DISTINCTION [Lesson 2]
• "SHALL" — mandatory; no discretion; violation is a canonical offence
• "MAY" — permissive; legitimate to include or omit; requires pastoral reason to omit
• "Is to be said" / "is said" — presumptive; expected in ordinary circumstances
• SILENCE — neither permitting nor forbidding; requires tradition or pastoral reason; not self-authorising
THE ABSOLUTION — THREE LEVELS [BCP p. 6; Canon 21.03]
• PRIEST: pronounces the Absolution — "He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent…" [SHALL]
• DEACON: 1928 BCP omits — traditional APCK custom: Collect for Trinity 21 — a PRAYER, not a pronouncement
• LAY READER: Canon 21.03(1)(a) — omit the Absolution; make NO substitution — not even the Trinity 21 Collect
⚠ The "Declaration of Forgiveness" is not in the 1928 BCP. It belongs to the 1979 and 2019 BCPs. Do not use it in APCK services.
ACTS RESERVED TO THE PRIEST [BCP; Canon 13]
• Pronounce the Absolution (all forms)
• Consecrate the Eucharist
• Give the Blessing at the close of services
• Anoint the sick (sacramental unction)
• Lay on hands for healing (sacramental form)
• Consume the remaining consecrated elements
• Administer the Last Rites
• Preside at Holy Matrimony
CANONICAL OCCASIONS FOR COMMUNION [Canon 11.06(c)]
• At least THREE times per year: at CHRISTMASTIDE, EASTERTIDE, and WHITSUNTIDE
• All three seasons are canonically required — Easter alone is not sufficient
• APCK Canon 11.06(b): Communicants shall be present every Sunday at Holy Communion unless prevented by reasonable cause
© 2026 · The Reverend P. A. Ternahan, M.A. Hum. · The Continuing Anglican Tradition of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer