Episcopal Services

Services in which a bishop presides. A bishop presides at Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation (BCP, p. 413), and a bishop may preside or officiate at any service. A section of the BCP is designated Episcopal Services. This section includes Ordination of a Bishop (p. 512), a Priest (p. 525), or a Deacon (p. 537), with the Litany for Ordinations (p. 548); Celebration of a New Ministry (p. 559); and Consecration of a Church or Chapel (p. 567). It also provides a format for a Letter of Institution of a Minister by the bishop (p. 557). Although a bishop normally presides at a Celebration of a New Ministry, the priest being inducted may serve as chief celebrant in the bishop's absence (p. 558). A bishop must preside at all the other episcopal services in the BCP. The BOS also has a section of episcopal services, including Consecration of Chrism apart from Baptism, with a Proper for the Consecration of Chrism; Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows (which may also be used for Reception of a Priest into this Communion, and Restoration of a Deposed Priest or Deacon); Recognition and Investiture of a Diocesan Bishop; Welcoming and Seating of a Bishop in the Cathedral; and Setting Apart for a Special Vocation. A bishop must preside at all the episcopal services listed in the BOS. The dedication of altars, fonts, and bells is also reserved to the bishop, and the dedication of chalices and patens is traditionally reserved to the bishop. The BOS provides forms for these dedications.