Church Order of the Christian Catholic Parish of Zurich

183.10 Christian Catholic Parish – Church Order

1 The Christian Catholic Parish is responsible within its territory for the tasks of ecclesiastical life and the development of community, as well as for the fulfilment of its public and social obligations.

2 It is particularly responsible for divine services, religious instruction, and pastoral care. It erects and maintains the necessary buildings and finances its administration, institutions, and projects. It supports diaspora and nationwide ecclesiastical activities and co-finances them.

3 It grants financial contributions, specifically for specialized pastoral care, youth and adult education, training and further education of church employees, social institutions, cultural projects, media, and ecclesiastical aid at home and abroad.

4 It strengthens unity within the Diocese through regular contact with the Bishop.

The Christian Catholic Parish promotes ecumenism and interreligious dialogue together with the ecclesiastical organs.

1 A member of the Old Catholic parish is considered to be

every person who

a. is a member of the Old Catholic Church,

b. resides in the Canton of Zurich, and

c. has not expressly declared their resignation from or non-membership in the

Church.

2 Declarations of resignation from or non-membership in the Church must

be submitted in writing to the Church Board.

3 The affiliation of children under 16 years of age is determined by

the holders of parental authority or, if such is lacking, by the guardian.

1 All members of the church congregation who have reached the age of 18 and are legally competent are entitled to vote and stand for election.

2 Any person who is entitled to vote and stand for election and who fulfills the other requirements of these church regulations (Arts. 22, 32, 40) is eligible for election to an authority.

II. Organization

1 The parish organizes itself autonomously within the framework

of cantonal law and in accordance with these church regulations.

2 Where the parish does not issue its own provisions, it applies state

law analogously as church-corporate law (§ 5 para. 3 KiG).

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Christian Catholic Parish – Church Regulations

183.10

Organs

The organs of the church parish are

a. the entirety of the voters assembled in the church parish meeting as the legislature,

b. the church board as the executive,

c. the Financial Audit Commission.

1. The Parish does not have an Appeals Commission.

2. The Parish and its organs are subject to the supervision of the Zurich District Council (§ 12 para. 3 KiG).

3. Supervisory law and legal remedies are governed by § 18 KiG and the Administrative Justice Act applicable thereunder. Cultic questions are excluded from assessment by state authorities and courts.

Legal Protection

1 Decisions regarding the early dismissal of members of the Church Council and the Auditing Committee are made by the District Council; decisions regarding the early dismissal of female and male priests, as well as delegates and substitute delegates for the National Synod of the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland, are made by the Church Council.

**2 The dismissed person remains in office until the successor takes up their position. The dismissing authority may order the departure at an earlier point in time.**

The Christian Catholic Parish of Zurich is an independent public law corporation in accordance with Art. 130 para. 1 lit. c of the Constitution of the Canton of Zurich of February 27, 2005 (KV), which contains elements of both a cantonal ecclesiastical corporation and elements of a parish within the meaning of §§ 10 et seq. of the Church Act of July 9, 2007 (KiG).

2 It has its seat in the City of Zurich.

1. Collection and processing of personal data are carried out on the basis of state data protection legislation. The Church Council designates a contact person responsible for data protection matters.

2. Pastors and persons commissioned by them are authorized, subject to individual blocking notices and while observing professional secrecy, to process or exchange data among themselves for the fulfillment of church tasks. This also applies to cooperation among the church bodies recognized by the cantonal constitution.

3. The Church Council regulates details in a data protection regulation. It may do so in consultation with the other cantonal church bodies.

1 Members of authorities, commissions and working groups, pastors, and employees, agents, and volunteers are, in respect of their activities for the parish, obliged to maintain confidentiality if there is a predominant public or private interest in maintaining secrecy within the meaning of the Act on Information and Data Protection, or if a special provision so stipulates.

2 This obligation remains in force after the termination of the official and service relationship and of voluntary collaboration.

3 For release from official secrecy for members of the Church Council and the Auditing Commission, the District Council is responsible; in all other cases, the Church Council is responsible.

1 Pastors and deacons shall keep secrets entrusted to them by virtue of their profession or that they perceive in the exercise thereof.

2 If they are supported by other persons, these persons shall be subject to the same duty of confidentiality.

3 The Church Board may, upon request of the person obligated to maintain professional secrecy, exceptionally release them from the duty of confidentiality, if predominant general, ecclesiastical, or private interests so require.

Data protection

Official secrecy

Professional secrecy

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Old Catholic Parish – Church Order

III. The Parish Assembly

183.10

Composition

The parish assembly is composed of all eligible voters of the parish. It constitutes its supreme body.

1 The Parish Assembly elects for a term of office: Tasks

a. the President of the Parish,

b. at least four other members of the Church Council,

c. three members of the Audit Committee,

d. the delegates and substitute delegates for the National Synod of the

Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland.

e. the parish priests.

2 The Parish Assembly decides on

a. the enactment and amendment of the Church Regulations,

b. the approval of the annual accounts,

c. the determination of the budget and the tax rate,

d. the approval of expenditures, insofar as these do not fall within the

competence of the Church Council,

e. the establishment of commissions,

f. the granting of unsecured loans and the provision of guarantees,

g. the acquisition and disposal of land, and the granting of purchase and

building rights to community-owned land,

h. the acquisition and granting of easements and land charges,

i. the authorization to raise loans,

k. matters that fall within the competence of the Church Council but are

submitted by it to the Parish Assembly for special reasons.

3 The Parish Assembly takes note of

a. the annual report of the Parish,

b. the annual report of the Parish Office,

c. the reports of any commissions.

The Parish Assembly is convened by the Church Council. At least eight days before the Assembly, the agenda is published in the Journal of the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland and, as a rule, in the local communal publication. The documents are available for inspection at the Parish Hall at least eight days before the Parish Assembly.

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183.10

Christian Catholic Parish – Church Order

Leadership

Elections and

Votes

Assembly

Office, Minutes

Initiative

The Parish Assembly shall be chaired by the President of the Parish Council or, in their absence, by the Vice-President or another member of the Church Council, whereby the provisions regarding the municipal assembly according to §§ 12 and 20–26 of the Municipal Act of April 20, 2015 (GG)6 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

1 Elections and votes shall be conducted openly,

**unless one quarter of the present voters demand a secret**

**election or vote. The secret parish election according to Art. 40 para. 2 remains reserved.**

**2 For votes, the absolute majority applies; for elections, the relative majority applies. The chairperson of the parish assembly does not vote in open elections and votes; in the event of a tie, he or she has the casting vote.**

**3 The election results and the resolutions of the parish assembly shall be published in the magazine of the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland and in the Official Gazette.**

The chairperson of the parish assembly and the secretary, together with the tellers, form the assembly committee. The assembly committee reviews and approves the minutes by signing them. The approved minutes are available for inspection at the parish community center.

1 Every eligible voter may submit an initiative concerning a matter falling within the competence of the municipal assembly.

2 The initiative must be submitted to the President of the Church Council in the form of a developed draft or a general suggestion. Initiatives for a total revision of the Church Order are only permissible in the form of a general suggestion.

3 For the processing, form, and legality of an initiative, the provisions of §§ 146–154 of the Law on Political Rights of September 1, 2003 (GPR)7 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

IV. The Church Council

Composition

The Church Board consists of at least five members of the parish, who are elected at the parish meeting for a term of office.

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Christian Catholic Parish – Church Regulations

183.10

The Church Council is the executive authority of the parish. As such, it advises on, decides, and executes the business. It conducts the administration and, together with the Bishop, oversees the conduct of the clergy's official duties as well as the fulfillment of tasks by employees, mandataries, and volunteers.

1 Incompatibility

Parsons, deacons, and employees of the parish who are in an employment

relationship with the parish cannot be members of the church board.

2 Clergy and the employee of the parish secretariat entrusted with

the minute-taking shall participate in the meetings with a consultative

vote. The church board may invite other persons with a consultative vote

to the meetings for individual matters.

1 With the exception of the President elected by the Church Assembly, the

Church Council constitutes itself. In particular, it elects from among its members a

Vice-President, the Estate Administrator, the Actuary, and the Archivist, each with their respective areas of responsibility.

2 The President or the Vice-President, together with the Actuary or the Estate Administrator, signs collectively by two. By resolution of the Church Council, further individuals authorized to sign collectively by two may be appointed.

1 The Church Board has the following duties and powers

a. Representation of the church parish externally,

b. Determination of the organization of the church parish, subject to

the competence of the Parish Assembly,

c. Enactment of regulations,

d. Preparation of the business of the Parish Assembly and

making proposals thereon,

e. Promotion of religious life and support of the clergy

in their activities,

f. Determination of the place and time of church services in consultation with

the Parish Office,

g. Implementation of the decisions and review of the recommendations of the Bishop,

Synodal Council, and National Synod,

h. Issuance of recommendations for members of the church parish who are to be

ordained to the independent diaconate,

i. Employment of staff such as deacon, temporary pastor, and vicar, catechist, verger, organist, conductor of a church choir, as well as staff of the church

parish secretariat, etc.,

k. Determination of the terms of employment for pastors

and other board members, male and female employees,

l. Administration of real estate and other assets

as well as planning of construction projects,

m. Administration of church registers and the archives,

n. Fulfillment of all other duties of the church parish that the

Church Order does not assign to another authority or the Parish

Assembly.

**2 The Church Board may appoint commissions for specific subject areas and working groups to handle individual matters.** It defines their mandate and regulates their powers.

**3 The Church Board may delegate administrative tasks to a church parish secretariat.**

1 The Church Council decides on expenditures within the framework of the

budget and the special expenditure resolutions of the Church Assembly.

2 In its own competence, it decides on

a. expenditures that are a mandatory consequence of legal provisions or

resolutions of the Church Assembly,

b. expenditures not included in the budget, and on the

increase of already approved expenditures to the following extent

1. one-time expenditures in individual cases up to CHF 50,000, but

not exceeding CHF 200,000 annually in total,

2. annually recurring expenditures in individual cases up to CHF 10,000,

but not exceeding CHF 40,000 annually in total.

3 These rates shall change in accordance with changes in the

Swiss Consumer Price Index of the Federal Statistical Office.

1 The Church Council, through its President,

annually reports to the Parish Assembly on its activities and submits the annual financial statements and budget for approval.

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Financial Authority

Reporting

Christ Catholic Parish – Church Regulations

183.10

2 It handles reporting to the Canton, particularly regarding the use of cost contributions and revenues from church taxes on legal entities, as well as the effects and effectiveness of the implemented activity programs.

1. **Meetings**

The meetings of the Church Council are convened by the President, as needed or upon request by at least three members.

2. They are chaired by the President or, in case of their absence, by another member, with the provisions concerning the Parish Executive Board according to the Parish Act being applied mutatis mutandis.

## 1 Quorum and Decision-Making

1. The Church Council constitutes a quorum if the majority of its members are present. It makes decisions by a majority vote of those present.

2. Each member is obliged to cast a vote. The President votes as well. In the event of a tie, the President's vote is decisive.

3. Formal dispositions and dispositions that, while material in nature, are of minor importance or urgent, may be made between two meetings by the President or by circular resolution.

1 A record, protocol, of the deliberations of the Church Council shall be kept.

It shall contain all resolutions, presidential decrees, and, upon request, motions of individual members or minorities.

2 At each meeting, the minutes of the preceding meeting and of the presidential decrees and circulation resolutions made in the interim shall be presented for approval and then signed by the President and the minute-taker.

3 Generally binding resolutions of the Church Council shall be published in the journal of the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland and in the Official Gazette.

V. The Auditing Commission

The audit committee consists of three members of the parish, who are elected for a term of office at the parish assembly.

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183.10 Christ Catholic Parish – Church Regulations

Incompatibility

Constitution

Duties

Other

Audit bodies

Revenue

The members of the church board, the pastors, and the employees of the church parish cannot be members of the Auditing Commission.

The Auditing Commission constitutes itself.

It elects its Chair from among its members.

1 The Auditing Commission examines all proposals of financial scope to the Parish Assembly, namely the annual financial statements and the budget.

2 It reviews the financial lawfulness, the financial appropriateness, and the arithmetical accuracy. It submits a report and proposal thereon.

3 It controls the cash and accounting systems of the Parish.

1 The Church Council may, with the concurring decision of the Audit

Commission, transfer the financial audit to a private auditing body that

meets the requirements of §§ 145 and 146 GG and reports in accordance with

§ 147 GG.

2 Insofar as the private auditing body brings findings to the attention of the

Audit Commission, the Audit Commission may waive its own audit.

VI. Finances

The revenues of the parish consist of

a. the church taxes, which are levied on the basis of Art. 130 para. 3 lit. b KV and

§§ 201 ff. of the Tax Law of June 8, 1997 (StG)⁹ from its members and legal entities,

b. contributions,

c. donations and inheritances,

d. the return on assets.

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Christian Catholic Parish – Church Order

183.10

1. Church Taxes

The provisions of §§ 187–198 of the Tax Law apply *mutatis mutandis* to the assessment of church taxes.

2. The collection of church taxes is delegated to the municipal authorities.

3. Objections regarding the existence and extent of the obligation to pay church tax may be lodged with the church council in accordance with § 204 of the Tax Law. The decision on the objection may be appealed to the Tax Appeals Commission within 30 days of its delivery. For the procedure, cantonal law applies as the ecclesiastical corporate law.

Church offerings are generally accepted for social purposes. The Church Council decides on their use upon proposal by the Parish Office.

VII. The Parish Office

1 Eligibility and Election of Parish Priests

Every priest, male or female, is eligible to be elected as a parish priest, provided they possess proof of theoretical and practical training issued by an examination authority recognized by the Synodal Council of the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland. The activity of the parish priest may be full-time or part-time.

**2** The Church Council determines the number of pastoral positions to be filled. The re-filling of pastoral positions occurs, in consultation with the Bishop, through the process of calling. The Church Council may decide to advertise the position. The new election and confirmation election of a parish priest, male or female, takes place by the Parish Assembly in a secret ballot for a term of office.

1 The priestesses and priests as well as deaconesses and church deacons

deacons of the parish perform spiritual functions on behalf of the Bishop and the parish.

parish.

2 The specific duties of the spiritual persons are namely

the celebration of the Eucharist and the administration of the sacraments according to

their mandate and the guidelines of the National Synod.

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183.10

Old Catholic Parish – Church Order

Duties of

Rectors

and Priests

Rectors' Conference

Gratuitousness

The duties of the pastors are, in particular

a. Shaping of worship services and sermons,

b. Catechesis,

c. Pastoral care,

d. Cultivation of ecumenical relations,

e. Support of the members of the parish in the areas assigned to them,

f. Administrative tasks.

2 The pastors carry out their activities in cooperation with the Church Council, in whose meetings they participate with an advisory vote.

1 The priests and priestesses, as well as deacons and deaconesses, consult with each other and make decisions regarding their duties within the pastoral convention (Pfarrkonvent).

2 They determine, either in a freely chosen rotation or at the beginning of each term of office, who will chair the convention.

3 The chair of the pastoral convention is primarily responsible for the orderly cooperation with the church council (Kirchenpflege) and the superior ecclesiastical authorities.

4 The pastoral convention may invite other persons with an advisory vote to its meetings.

The services of the clergy are generally free of charge.

VIII. Transitional and Final Provisions

Entry into force

1. The Church Order shall enter into force on April 3, 2019, following its adoption by the

Parish Assembly and approval by the Government Council and the Synodal Council of the

Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland.

2. It replaces the Church Order of June 30, 2009, and was revised by resolution of the

Parish Assembly of June 21, 2018.

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Christian Catholic Parish – Church Order

183.10

The elected members of the authorities remain in office until the expiry of their term of office according to previous law. The term of office of the members of the parish office ends at the time of the entry into force of the Church Law (§ 33 ChL). The Church Council determines the time of the renewal elections.

1 OS 77, 318.

2 Entry into force: April 3, 2019 (ABI 2022-05-20).

3 Approved by the Synodal Council of the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland on November 2, 2018.

4 Approved by the Government Council on April 3, 2019.

5 LS 101.

6 LS 131.1.

7 LS 161.

8 LS 180.1.

9 LS 631.1.

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The election of the church-corporate authorities as well as elections of pastors falls within the remit of the church assembly.

2 The election is for a term of office of four years, and in the case of by-elections, for the remainder of the term of office. The term of office begins with the constitution of the newly elected authority and ends with the commencement of the term of office of the renewed authority. In the case of pastoral elections, the term of office begins on July 1 of the year of the general renewal.

3 Re-election is possible. There is no compulsory acceptance of office.

4 In the election, a balance should be sought regarding the proportion of women and men, as well as the representation of urban and rural areas.

Der Bezirksrat kann Mitglieder der Kirchenpflege und Einstellung

der Rechnungsprüfungskommission längstens bis zum Ablauf ihrer im Amt und

Amtsdauer im Amt einstellen, wenn sie ihre amtlichen oder behörd- Abberufung

lichen Obliegenheiten in schwerwiegender Weise vernachlässigen, in

anderer Weise die rechtlichen Vorschriften missachten oder in eine Straf-

untersuchung gezogen sind.

2 Diese Befugnis steht der Kirchenpflege in Absprache mit dem

Bischof auch gegenüber gewählten Pfarrerinnen und Pfarrern zu.

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183.10 Christkatholische Kirchgemeinde – Kirchenordnung

3 Die Kirchenpflege kann ausserdem in Absprache mit dem Bischof

Pfarrerinnen und Pfarrer sowie andere mit pfarramtlichen Funktionen

betraute Personen abberufen, die sich zur Weiterführung ihres Amtes als

unfähig oder unwürdig erweisen oder deren Verhalten Ursache schwerer

Missstände in der Kirchgemeinde ist.

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The District Council may, at the latest until the expiry of their term of office, suspend and

remove members of the Church Council and the Audit Commission from office if they seriously neglect their official or administrative duties, otherwise disregard legal provisions, or are subject to a criminal investigation.

2 This power also applies to elected pastors, exercised by the Church Council in consultation with the Bishop.

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183.10 Christian Catholic Parish – Church Order

3 Furthermore, the Church Council, in consultation with the Bishop, may recall pastors and other persons entrusted with pastoral functions who prove themselves incapable or unworthy of continuing their office, or whose conduct is the cause of serious grievances within the parish.