on the Protestant Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud (LEERV) - Scope of Application (LEERV)

1. This law establishes the main rules for the organization and administration of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud (hereinafter: EERV).

1. The identity of the EERV and the quality of membership are defined by the "Constitutive Principles," which are an integral part of its general organizational regulations.

1. The EERV is an institution of public law with legal personality (Art. 170, para. 1 Cst-VD [B]).

1. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the EERV (Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud) shall freely organize itself, respecting the legal order and denominational peace.

2. The EERV shall align its organization and modes of operation with the presbyterian-synodal tradition of the Reformed Churches.

3. The parishes shall have legal personality.

1. At the cantonal level, the organs of the EERV are

a. the Synod (deliberative body);

b. the Synodal Council elected by the Synod (executive body);

c. the financial control body appointed by the Synod.

1. When appointing an ordinary or associate professor in the department of theology at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Lausanne, the appointment or appeal committee shall include a member of the Synodal Council.

1. The State is represented within the Synod and the Consecration Commission.

2. The Council of State appoints its delegates who have the status of full members. Their number is three for the Synod and up to four for the Consecration Commission.

1. A delegation from the Council of State participates in the ordination and induction of ministers. Along with the president of the Synod, it administers the oath-taking of candidates.

1. Parish ministers must establish residence in the parish where they hold a position. The Synodal Council may grant an exemption.

2. In parishes with one or more vicarages, the Synodal Council decides in which cases a minister is required to reside there. For vicarages owned by the State, the latter is consulted.

1. Upon the entry into force of this law, the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud (EERV) assumes the employment contracts of all individuals employed by the State of Vaud to work within the Evangelical Reformed Church.

2. The individuals mentioned in the first paragraph shall not suffer any detriment, particularly in terms of salary, as a result of the transfer of their employment contracts to the EERV.

3. During a transitional period of two years following the entry into force of this law, the law on the personnel of the State of Vaud [B] shall apply by analogy, with the exception of Articles 17, 18, 20, 28, 29, 36 to 39, 43, 44, 48, 49, 51, paragraphs 2 and 3, 58. The ecclesiastical regulations of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud [C] shall also remain applicable to the employment relationships between the EERV and the individuals mentioned in the first paragraph.

4. During this transitional period, the individuals mentioned in the first paragraph shall remain affiliated with the Pension Fund of the State of Vaud.

5. For the transitional period, the Synodal Council shall represent the employer in dealings with the staff of the EERV.

1. The Law on the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Vaud of November 2, 1999, is repealed.

1. This law shall enter into force on January 1, 2007.

1. The Council of State is responsible for the execution of the present law. It shall publish the text in accordance with Article 84, paragraph 1, letter a) of the Cantonal Constitution and shall bring it into force, by decree, in accordance with Article 12 above.