A Trivia Quiz for Episcopalians

(From Church Acts  March 2003 Issue)

TRUE OR FALSE ?

1. The Vestry, as a body, is the legal agent for the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and relations of the parish to the clergy.

2. No one shall be ordained priest until reaching the age of 21.

3. No one shall be ordained and consecrated bishop until the attainment of 30 years of age.

4. The Ministers of the church are all people over the age of 18.

5. No one but a priest or bishop can baptize.

6. A diocese may elect up to four Suffragan bishops.

7. There is no provision in the Book of Common Prayer for making a private confession to a priest.

8. The date for Easter in the year 2037 is April 5th.

9. It is perfectly appropriate that parents be included as godparents in a baptism.

10. The mandatory retirement age for clergy is 68.

To find out how well steeped you are in Episcopal tradition and governance,

check your answers below.

A Trivia Quiz for Episcopalians - Answers

1. TRUE - The vestry does serve as legal agent for the parish. (Title I, Canon 14, Sec.2)

2. FALSE - The youngest age at which a person can be ordained to the priesthood is 24. (Title III, Canon 7, Sec. 10)

3. TRUE - A person can be consecrated a bishop as early as age 30.

(Constitution, Art. II, Sec.2)

4. FALSE - "And a child will lead them" All baptized persons are ministers of the church.

(Book of Common Prayer, "Outline of the Faith", page 855. Also Title II, Canon I)

5. FALSE - In an emergency, any baptized person is authorized to perform a baptism.

(Book of Common Prayer, page 313)

6. FALSE - When it comes to Suffragan bishops, two is the limit unless special permission has been granted.

(Title III, Canon24, Sec. 3)

7. FALSE - Though the Eucharist includes a corporate prayer of confession, the Episcopal Church does offer Reconciliation of a Penitent, a private confession, to all who desire it.

(The Book of Common Prayer, page 446)

8. TRUE - The dates of Easter each year from 1900 to 2089 can be found in The Book of Common Prayer on pages 882 - 883.

9. TRUE - It is perfectly appropriate that parents be included as godparents in a baptism.

(The Book of Common Prayer, page 298)

10. FALSE - Clergy must retire on or before their 72nd birthday.

(Title III, Canon 16, Sec. 5)

If You Answered:

1 - 5 correctly - You're in the good company of many Episcopal souls.

6 - 7 correctly - You must have been born in an Episcopal cradle.

8 - 9 correctly - Get measured for a collar. You're on track for ordination!

All 10 correctly - Move over, Bishop Michael. You've got company!