(1)Where an archdeaconry is vacant or an archdeacon is unable by reason of illness or absence to carry out any or all of his functions, the bishop of the diocese in which the archdeaconry is may appoint by an instrument under his hand a person in priest’s orders to perform any or all of the archdeacon’s functions for a period specified in the instrument.
(2)A power of appointment under this section may be exercised by the appointment of two or more persons qualified for such appointment and by the division among them, whether territorially or otherwise, of their function or functions to be performed.
(3)A statement in a document issued in the performance of any such function that the person by whom the document is signed or executed has been duly appointed under this section to perform that function shall be conclusive evidence of that fact.
(4)Nothing in this section shall be taken to affect the power of the bishop under section 9(2) of the M1Faculty Jurisdiction Measure 1964 (power to appoint person to act in place of an archdeacon in a particular case) or section 2(2) of the M2Incumbents (Vacation of Benefices) Measure 1977 (power to appoint another archdeacon to act in a particular case where archdeaconry is vacant).