Title 5. Special Types of Corporations — Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-301 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–301LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Church” means any church, religious society, or congregation of any sect, order, or denomination.
(c)
“Plan” includes any plan, agreement, or regulation adopted under § 5-302 of this subtitle.
(d)
“Record book” means the book in which the proceedings of the religious corporation are recorded.
(e)
“Trustees” means:
(1)
As to a religious corporation subject to Part II of this subtitle, the corporators appointed or elected as provided in that part; and
(2)
As to a religious corporation subject to Part V, Part VI, or Part VII of this subtitle, the members of the vestry.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-301.1 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–301.1LinkCopy Citation
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle or in any other provision of law, this part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by any church.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-302 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–302LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The adult members of a church may form a religious corporation as provided in this part.
(b)
The members shall:
(1)
Elect at least four individuals to act as trustees in the name of and on behalf of the church; and
(2)
Prepare a plan of the church.
(c)
The plan shall include:
(1)
The purposes for which the religious corporation is formed;
(2)
The name of the religious corporation and the church;
(3)
The time and manner for election and succession of trustees; and
(4)
The exact qualifications of individuals eligible:
(i)
To vote at elections; and
(ii)
To be elected to office.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-303 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–303LinkCopy Citation
The plan shall be:
(1)
Entered in the record book required by § 5-307 of this subtitle; and
(2)
Acknowledged by a majority of the trustees.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-304 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–304LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The trustees shall file articles of incorporation for record with the Department.
(b)
The articles of incorporation shall contain:
(1)
The plan of the church;
(2)
The address of the principal place of worship of the church; and
(3)
The name and address of the resident agent of the church.
(c)
When the Department accepts the articles of incorporation for record, the trustees become a body corporate under the name stated in the articles.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-305 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–305LinkCopy Citation
If a church forms a religious corporation, any assets held in trust for the church by any person shall be conveyed immediately to the religious corporation.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-306 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–306LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The trustees have the power to:
(1)
Have perpetual existence under the name of the religious corporation;
(2)
Purchase, take, or acquire by gift, bequest, or in any other manner and hold any interest in any assets in the State;
(3)
Use, lease, mortgage, sell, or convey the assets in the manner that the trustees consider most conducive to the interest of the religious corporation;
(4)
Generally manage any assets of the religious corporation; and
(5)
Adopt rules and ordinances for conducting their affairs as necessary and convenient to accomplish the purpose of the religious corporation, including:
(i)
Appointing the time and place of a meeting of its members; and
(ii)
Determining the number of members necessary to constitute a quorum.
(b)
The provisions of this section do not authorize any sale, mortgage, or other disposition of any asset of the religious corporation which is held under an instrument prohibiting that sale, mortgage, or other disposition.
(c)
By resolution, the trustees may authorize one or more of their members to:
(1)
Execute any instrument required to be executed by the trustees, including any deed, mortgage, or other conveyance of assets which are to be sold, transferred, or encumbered; and
(2)
Attest and affix to the instrument the corporate seal, if any.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-307 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–307LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The trustees shall:
(1)
Keep an accurate record book;
(2)
Allow inspection of the record book by members of the religious corporation; and
(3)
Allow the proceedings recorded in the record book to be presented before a public meeting, if required by five or more members of the religious corporation.
(b)
Unless the plan provides otherwise, the trustees shall be elected and their successors continued at the time and place ordinarily used for public meetings of the church, by the individuals who, according to the custom and usage of the church, have a voice in the management and direction of congregational or temporal affairs.
(c)
Unless the plan permits otherwise, the minister of the church or, if there is more than one minister, the senior minister shall be a trustee of the religious corporation, in addition to the trustees required by § 5-302(b)(1) of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-308 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–308LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A religious corporation may amend its plan or charter as provided in this section.
(b)
A majority of the trustees of a religious corporation proposing to amend its plan or charter shall:
(1)
Adopt a resolution which declares that the amendment is advisable; and
(2)
Call a meeting of the adult members of the religious corporation to vote on the amendment.
(c)
Ten days written notice of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting shall be given to each adult member of the religious corporation by:
(1)
Delivering it to him in person;
(2)
Leaving it at his residence or usual place of business; or
(3)
Mailing it to him at his address as it appears in the record book.
(d)
The proposed amendment shall be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the adult members present at the meeting.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-309 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–309LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If an amendment is adopted under § 5-308 of this subtitle, the religious corporation shall adopt articles of amendment which shall set forth the amendment and state that the amendment was advised by the trustees and approved by the members of the religious corporation.
(b)
The articles of amendment shall:
(1)
Be signed and acknowledged for the religious corporation by the trustees who declared the resolution advisable; and
(2)
Have the matters and facts contained in the articles verified under oath by the chairman or secretary of the meeting of members.
(c)
The trustees shall file the articles of amendment for record with the Department.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-310 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–310LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If any contest arises over the voting rights or the fair conduct of an election:
(1)
Each contending party shall appoint one individual from among the members of a neighboring church of the same religious persuasion or, if there is no such church, from among the members of any other church; and
(2)
The two appointed individuals shall select a third, similarly qualified, individual.
(b)
The arbitrators shall meet at the place where the contest arose and hear and determine the matter.
(c)
The judgment or award of a majority of the arbitrators, signed and acknowledged by them, is final.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-311 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–311LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Members of a church may separate from the church, form a house of worship, and employ a minister if:
(1)
They are of sufficient number to form a house of worship and maintain a minister; and
(2)
All debts and contracts incurred by them as members of the original church are discharged.
(b)
When incorporated, the new church is entitled to the benefits of this subtitle relating to religious corporations.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-312 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–312LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If any church organized since 1800 as a religious corporation under any law of the State did not file its plan or articles of incorporation for record in the proper office within the time required by law, but subsequently files its plan or articles of incorporation in the proper office:
(1)
The church is a lawful religious corporation;
(2)
The date of incorporation is the date of the plan or articles of incorporation; and
(3)
If otherwise lawful, every action of the church from the date of incorporation is valid.
(b)
There is a conclusive presumption in every court of the State that a plan or articles of incorporation of a religious corporation were properly filed for record in the appropriate office and that these records were lost or destroyed, if:
(1)
It appears from the record book of the religious corporation or from any other source that the church adopted a valid plan or articles of incorporation; and
(2)
There is no book or record in the appropriate office for recording the plan or the articles of incorporation of religious corporations.
(c)
Any plan or articles of incorporation entitled to the presumption under subsection (b) of this section, shall be filed with the Department and, if the original cannot be found, the Department may record the plan or articles of incorporation from the record book of the religious corporation.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-313 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–313LinkCopy Citation
A bill may not be introduced at the General Assembly to amend the charter of any religious corporation, whether or not previously incorporated by special act.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-314 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–314LinkCopy Citation
This part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by a congregation of the denomination of Christians known as the Roman Catholic Church.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-315 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–315LinkCopy Citation
The corporators of a religious corporation subject to this part shall be the following individuals, appointed or elected according to the discipline and government of the Roman Catholic Church:
(1)
The ordinary of the archdiocese;
(2)
The vicar-general of the archdiocese;
(3)
The pastor of the congregation; and
(4)
Any other individual appointed by the ordinary.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-316 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–316LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
The corporators shall sign articles of incorporation for the religious corporation. These articles shall contain the information required by Part I of this subtitle.
(2)
At least three of the corporators shall acknowledge the articles.
(b)
The corporators shall file the articles with the Department in the same manner and with the same effect as provided in Part I of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-317 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–317LinkCopy Citation
In addition to the requirements of § 5-305 of this subtitle, if a congregation forms a religious corporation under this part, any gift, devise, or bequest made to and intended to enure to the benefit of the congregation enures to the benefit of the religious corporation, whether or not the religious corporation was designated or described accurately in the gift, devise, or bequest.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-318 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–318LinkCopy Citation
Subject to the discipline and government of the Roman Catholic Church, a religious corporation formed under this part has:
(1)
To the extent that they are consistent with the general character of the religious corporation, the general powers set forth in § 2-103 of this article; and
(2)
The powers set forth in § 5-306 of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-319 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–319LinkCopy Citation
The corporators of a religious corporation formed under this part continue to constitute the religious corporation until, according to the discipline and government of the Roman Catholic Church, their respective successors are appointed or elected to act as corporators.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-320 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–320LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The corporators may amend the charter of a religious corporation formed under this part at any time they consider appropriate.
(b)
(1)
If an amendment is adopted under this section, the corporators shall adopt and sign articles of amendment for the religious corporation. These articles shall set forth the amendment and state that the amendment was approved by the corporators.
(2)
At least three of the corporators shall acknowledge the articles and verify under oath the matters and facts contained in the articles.
(3)
The corporators shall file the articles of amendment for record with the Department.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-321 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–321LinkCopy Citation
This part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by a Methodist Church that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-322 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–322LinkCopy Citation
A religious corporation subject to this part may be incorporated only in conformity with the discipline of the United Methodist Church, as authorized and declared by the general conference of that church.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-323 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–323LinkCopy Citation
The members of a religious corporation formed by a church under this part are the members of the charge conference of that church.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-324 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–324LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The trustees of a Methodist Church, whether or not it is incorporated, shall be elected by its charge conference in accordance with the discipline of the United Methodist Church, as authorized and declared by the general conference of that church.
(b)
As to a religious corporation subject to this part, the trustees of the church shall be the directors of the religious corporation.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-325 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–325LinkCopy Citation
The bylaws of a religious corporation subject to this part:
(1)
Shall include, by reference or otherwise, the discipline of the United Methodist Church as from time to time authorized and declared by the general conference of that church; and
(2)
May not be inconsistent with that discipline.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-326 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–326LinkCopy Citation
All assets owned by any Methodist Church, including any former Methodist Episcopal Church, Methodist Protestant Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, the Washington Methodist Conference, or Evangelical United Brethren Church, whether incorporated, unincorporated, or abandoned:
(1)
Shall be held by the trustees of the church in trust for the United Methodist Church; and
(2)
Are subject to the discipline, usage, and ministerial appointments of the United Methodist Church, as from time to time authorized and declared by the general conference of that church.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-327 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–327LinkCopy Citation
The absence of a trust clause in any deed or other conveyance executed before June 1, 1953, does not relieve or exclude a local church in any way from its Methodist connectional responsibilities or from the provisions of this part and does not absolve a local congregation or board of trustees of its responsibility to the United Methodist Church, if such an intent of the founders or the later congregations and boards of trustees is indicated by:
(1)
The conveyance of the assets to the trustees of the local church or any of its predecessors;
(2)
The use of the name, customs, and polity of the United Methodist Church in such a way as to be known to the community as part of this denomination; or
(3)
The acceptance of the pastorate of ministers appointed by a bishop of the United Methodist Church or employed by the superintendent of the district in which the local church is located.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-328 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–328LinkCopy Citation
As to any local church in Garrett County that was affiliated formerly with the Evangelical United Brethren Church and that withdraws from the West Virginia United Methodist Conference, this part does not prevent the local church from retaining title to any assets controlled by it.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-329 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–329LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by a Presbyterian Church that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
(b)
This part does not apply to any Presbyterian Church incorporated by special act of the General Assembly.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-330 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–330LinkCopy Citation
A religious corporation subject to this part may be incorporated only in conformity with the constitution of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and its successors.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-331 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–331LinkCopy Citation
(a)
To the extent not prohibited by the Constitution of the United States or of this State, the charter of each religious corporation subject to this part and incorporated before June 1, 1957, is deemed to be amended to conform to the constitution of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and its successors, as from time to time in effect.
(b)
The charter of a religious corporation subject to this part may not be amended in any way that conflicts with the constitution of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and its successors, as from time to time in effect.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-332 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–332LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The trustees of a religious corporation subject to this part shall be elected by the congregation of the religious corporation in accordance with its charter.
(b)
If a vacancy exists in the office of trustee and the charter of the religious corporation does not provide for filling the vacancy, the congregation of the religious corporation may fill the vacancy.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-333 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–333LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by a parish or separate congregation that is in union with or intending to apply for union with the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Maryland, as created by Chapter 67, Acts of 1840.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or otherwise in this part:
(i)
Part I of this subtitle applies to and regulates the corporate and temporal affairs of every religious corporation described in subsection (a) of this section, including those incorporated under Chapter 24, Acts of 1798, or by special act of the General Assembly; and
(ii)
To the extent not prohibited by the Constitution of the United States or of this State, the charter of each of them is deemed to be amended to conform to this subtitle until the charter otherwise is amended by the parish or separate congregation as provided in Part I of this subtitle.
(2)
As to any parish or separate congregation that was incorporated before the effective date of the State Constitution of 1851 and, therefore, has an irrepealable charter, unless that parish or separate congregation accepts, uses, enjoys, or in any way avails itself of any right, privilege, or advantage granted or conferred by any statute enacted after November 3, 1891:
(i)
Part I of this subtitle does not apply to the parish or separate congregation; and
(ii)
The parish or separate congregation continues to be governed by the statute under which it was incorporated.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-334 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–334LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Each religious corporation subject to this part may adopt bylaws to govern its corporate and temporal affairs, including the qualifications of voters at congregational meetings and the establishment of a minimum voting age of not less than 16.
(2)
Bylaws may be adopted if approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting at a regular or special congregational meeting called for that purpose.
(b)
Each religious corporation subject to this part is subject at all times to:
(1)
The organization, government, and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America; and
(2)
The constitution and canons of that church and of the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Maryland.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-335 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–335LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This part does not affect the geographical boundaries of any parish, as distinguished from a separate congregation without prescribed geographical boundaries, in the Diocese of Maryland on July 1, 1973.
(b)
A parish may not be subdivided into a new parish or added in whole or in part to any existing parish unless approved by a majority vote of the vestry of each parish affected by the subdivision or addition.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-336 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–336LinkCopy Citation
This part does not diminish or impair in any way the corporate existence or the rights, powers, and privileges of any religious corporation that was incorporated before July 1, 1973, under Chapter 24, Acts of 1798, or by special act of the General Assembly.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-337 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–337LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by a parish or separate congregation that is in union with or intending to apply for union with the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton, as created by Chapter 23, Acts of 1870.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or otherwise in this part:
(i)
Part I of this subtitle applies to and regulates the corporate and temporal affairs of every religious corporation described in subsection (a) of this section, including those incorporated under Chapter 24, Acts of 1798, or by special act of the General Assembly; and
(ii)
To the extent not prohibited by the Constitution of the United States or of this State, the charter of each of them is deemed to be amended to conform to this subtitle until the charter otherwise is amended by the parish or separate congregation as provided in Part I of this subtitle.
(2)
As to any parish or separate congregation that was incorporated before the effective date of the Maryland Constitution of 1851 and, therefore, has an irrepealable charter, unless that parish or separate congregation accepts, uses, enjoys, or in any way avails itself of any right, privilege, or advantage granted or conferred by any statute enacted after November 3, 1891:
(i)
Part I of this subtitle does not apply to the parish or separate congregation; and
(ii)
The parish or separate congregation continues to be governed by the statute under which it was incorporated.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-338 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–338LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Each religious corporation subject to this part shall adopt bylaws to govern its corporate and temporal affairs.
(2)
Bylaws may be adopted by a majority of the qualified voters voting at a regular or special congregational meeting called for that purpose.
(b)
Each religious corporation subject to this part is subject at all times to the constitution and canons of the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton and of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-341 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–341LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This part applies to every religious corporation formed in this State by a parish or separate congregation that is in union with or intending to apply for union with the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Washington, as created by the Act of Congress approved March 16, 1896 (29 Stat. 58).
(b)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or otherwise in this part:
(i)
Part I of this subtitle applies to and regulates the corporate and temporal affairs of every religious corporation described in subsection (a) of this section, including those incorporated under Chapter 24 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1798, under Chapter 96 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1976, or by special Act of the General Assembly; and
(ii)
To the extent not prohibited by the Constitution of the United States or of this State, the charter of each of them is deemed to be amended to conform to this subtitle until the charter otherwise is amended by the parish or separate congregation as provided in Part I of this subtitle.
(2)
As to any parish or separate congregation that was incorporated before the effective date of the Maryland Constitution of 1851 and therefore has an irrepealable charter, unless that parish or separate congregation accepts, uses, enjoys, or in any way avails itself of any right, privilege, or advantage granted or conferred by any statute enacted after November 3, 1891:
(i)
Part I of this subtitle does not apply to the parish or separate congregation; and
(ii)
The parish or separate congregation continues to be governed by the statute under which it was incorporated.
Md. Code Ann., Corps. & Ass'ns § 5-342 (2026)
Title 5. Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 3. Religious Corporations
§ 5–342LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Each religious corporation subject to this part shall adopt bylaws to govern its corporate and temporal affairs.
(2)
Bylaws may be adopted by a majority of the qualified voters voting at a regular or special congregational meeting called for that purpose.
(b)
Each religious corporation subject to this part is subject at all times to the constitution and canons of the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Washington and of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.