214

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 97

the vestry of any parish or separate congregation,
whether heretofore formed under the original Vestry Act
of 1798, Chapter 24, prior to the effective date of the
Constitution of 1851, or any separate congregation,
formed under the law regulating the formation of
religious corporations generally, from voluntarily
accepting the terms and provisions of this subheading,
and electing to be bound and governed by its provisions,
upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority vote of
the vestry of such parish or separate congregation,
approved by a majority of qualified voters at the next
annual or special congregational meeting called for the
purpose, notice of either of which said meetings shall be
given pursuant to the provisions of § 300 (a) of this
subheading.

(e) Rights of ecclesiastical authority as to
ecclesiastical affairs not impaired.

Nor shall this subheading be construed to impair    the

right of the ecclesiastical authority of the Diocese      of

Easton to act in all matters pertaining to the
ecclesiastical affairs of the diocese.

312. Applicability of original Vestry Act.

Except as to those parishes formed prior to the
effective date of the Constitution of 1851, and except as
to separate congregations heretofore incorporated which
do not voluntarily accept the terms and provisions of
this subheading and thus do not elect to be bound and
governed by its terms and provisions. Chapter 24 of the
Acts of the General Assembly of 1798 and all acts or
parts of acts amending said Chapter 24 shall hereafter
not apply to parishes and separate congregations of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Easton
within the nine Eastern Shore counties of Cecil, Kent,
Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico,
Somerset, and Worcester. Provided, however, that
nothing in this subheading shall affect the corporate
existence of, or the validity of any proceeding
heretofore taken by, or the title to any real or personal
property belonging to, any corporation formed or
organized under the provisions of said Chapter 24 of the
Acts of 1798, as amended from time to time; and further
provided, that nothing in this subheading shall affect
the corporate powers of the convention of the Diocese of
Easton granted by Chapter 23 of the Acts of the General
Assembly of 1870 and the amendments thereto.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1976.

Approved April 1, 1976.