3.8.1.1 Liturgical position in the divine service

The retirement of a minister takes place following the celebration of Holy Communion. If several acts are planned, they are to be performed in the following sequence:

• retirement, termination of an appointment or assignment bound to a ministry
• ordination, appointment, assignment, reinstatement
• termination of, or assignment to, a service that is not bound to a ministry
• engagement blessing, wedding blessing, wedding anniversary blessing

3.8.1.2 Execution

The retirement of a minister is usually performed by the Apostle or a minister in a priestly ministry designated by the Apostle.

Act

The officiating minister expresses thanks to the retiring minister in front of the altar for his or her service and commitment.

The officiant then shakes the minister’s hand and releases him or her (if applicable, by commission of the Apostle) from his or her ministerial mandate. In the process, the officiant points out that the ministerial authority remains intact.

This occurs with the following words:

“[By commission of the Apostle,] I hereby release you from your ministerial mandate. The ministerial authority you have received will remain intact.”