Nova Calabria
16-04-2005, 18:16
Here is my "Church" plan (It might be confusing in major and minor areas, so dont be afraid to ask questions and make suggestions):
The Charter of the Order of Sanctuary
Article I: Code of the Order of Sanctuary
1. The Order of Sanctuary is an order, not a religion, which promotes privilege for all & justice.
2. The Order of Sanctuary, as an order, follows the teachings of academic and religious texts for political, moral, and ethic guidance.
3. The Order of Sanctuary, following the teachings of the texts, wishes to teach others.
4. The Order of Sanctuary, with wishes to teach, has no agenda other than that of enlightenment, both spiritual and academic.
Article II: Mission of the Order of Sanctuary
1. The Order of Sanctuary wishes to teach others as, using academic and religious texts as reference, by bringing religious involvement to citizens.
Article III: Seat of the Order of Sanctuary
1. The Ecumenical Patriarchate shall serve as the seat of the Order of Sanctuary, and as the primary meeting place of the laity and clergy of the Order of Sanctuary.
Article IV: The Laity
1. One who has been accepted into the Order of Sanctuary by any Cleric shall hold Lay status.
2. A Layman may only cease to hold Lay status of his/her own volition.
3. Membership is open to anyone; regardless of beliefs.
4. The Laity are freely welcomed to take-part in discussions in their own Diocese, or with all Sanctuary members. Sanctuary membership is open to everyone, there are no fees or dues. The only requirement is that the person respects others, and contributes as a member by following study and discussion.
Article V: The Clergy
1. One who has been ordained shall hold Clerical status.
2. One may be ordained to three degrees, namely the Holy Episcopate (Bishops), the Holy Presbyterate (Priests), and the Holy Deaconate (Deacons).
a. One may be ordained to the Holy Episcopate by the Patriarch.
b. One may be ordained to the Holy Presbyterate or the Holy Deaconate by any Bishop.
3. A Cleric may only cease to hold Clerical status of his/her own volition.
4. All Clerics may deliver sermons to the Laity.
5. All shall take the following oath: I make this promise that I will do my all to uphold the integrity of The Order of Sanctuary, and that I will serve with pure intentions: not with a selfish heart. I will remember this promise, and remember that I may be called upon to justify my actions should I forget this vow.
Article VI: Ranks of Episcopacy
1. The Ecumenical Patriarch ("Patriarch") shall lead the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
a. The Patriarch shall be enthroned by the Synod.
b. The Patriarch may be deposed only by death or resignation.
c. The Patriarch shall be the highest authority on matters of protocol and decorum.
d. The Patriarch may issue encyclical letters, which shall be distributed to all members of the Order of Sanctuary.
e. The Patriarch shall be elected by the Ecumenical Synod by a 2/3 majority.
2. An Archbishop shall lead an Archdiocese.
a. Archbishops shall be enthroned by the Patriarch.
b. Archbishops may be deposed by the Patriarch.
c. Archbishops shall be responsible for the enforcement of Synodal and Patriarchal actions within their Archdiocese, and for the actions of clergy serving in their Archdiocese.
3. A Bishop shall lead a Diocese.
a. Bishops shall be enthroned by the Patriarch.
b. Bishops may be deposed by the Patriarch.
c. Bishops shall be responsible for the enforcement of Synodal and Patriarchal actions within their Diocese, and for the actions of clergy serving in their Diocese.
4. An Exarch shall lead an Exarchate.
a. Exarchs shall be enthroned by the Patriarch.
b. Exarchs may be deposed by the Patriarch.
c. Exarchs shall be the highest doctrinal authority within their Exarchate.
Article VII: Ranks of the Prebyterate and Deaconate
1. Priests shall teach and encourage the spiritual growth of the Laity.
a. Priests shall be ordained by the Patriarch, or by any Bishop.
b. Priests ordained by the Patriarch shall be Ecumenical Priests, and may serve in any Diocese.
c. Priests ordained by Bishops may serve only in the Diocese of their ordination, unless the Patriarch elevates them to an Ecumenical Priest.
d. Priests shall serve until they retire, unless unseated by the Patriarch or a 3/4 majority vote of the Synod.
2. Deacons shall assist Priests and Bishops in their duties, inasmuch as the Clerics to which they are assigned see fit.
a. Deacons shall be ordained by the Patriarch or by any Bishop.
b. Deacons shall serve until they retire, unless unseated by the Patriarch or the Cleric whom they serve.
Article VIII: Ecclesiastical Regions
1. Ecclesiastical Regions shall be created by the Patriarch.
2. Ecclesiastical Regions may be dissolved by the Patriarch.
3. A Diocese shall be an Ecclesiastical Region composed of one region.
4. An Exarchate shall be a Diocese which holds doctrinal autonomy.
5. An Archdiocese shall be an Ecclesiastical Region composed of several Dioceses.
6. The Ecumenical Patriarchate shall be an Ecclesiastical Region encompassing the entirety of the Order of Sanctuary.
Article XI: The Episcopal Synod
1. The Episcopal Synod ("Synod") shall be composed of the Patriarch, all Archbishops, and Bishops appointed members by the Patriarch.
2. The Synod shall be the highest doctrinal authority in the Order of Sanctuary.
3. The Synod may revise this Code of Canon Law.
4. The Synod shall establish its own rules for all votes and other procedures.
Article XII: Protocol
1. Written Address (Only used in the first and third person.)
a. Bishop: "The Most Reverend X Y, Bishop of Z" or "His/Her Grace X Y, Bishop of Z".
b. Priest & Missionary: "The Right Reverend X Y".
c. Deacon: "The Reverend X Y".
2. Spoken Address (Only used in the second person.)
a. Bishop: "Your Grace".
b. Priest & Missionary: "Reverend Father".
c. Deacon: "Reverend Deacon".
3. Spoken Address (Informal) (Only used in the second person, usually only by clergy of the same or higher rank.)
a. Bishop: "Bishop X".
b. Priest & Missionary: "Father X".
c. Deacon: "Deacon X".
Article X: Missionary Functions
1. The Head of All Missions shall lead the Missionary activities of the Order of Sanctuary.
a. The Head of All Missions shall be appointed by the Patriarch.
b. The Head of All Missions may be deposed by the Patriarch.
2. Missions shall be groups of Clergy actively promoting the formation of new Dioceses.
a. Missions shall be formed by the Head of All Missions.
b. Missions may be dissolved by the Head of All Missions.
c. A Mission shall be led by a Missionary, who may be any Cleric.
Article XI: Amendment
1. This Charter may be amended by a 3/4 majority of the Synod.
The Charter of the Order of Sanctuary
Article I: Code of the Order of Sanctuary
1. The Order of Sanctuary is an order, not a religion, which promotes privilege for all & justice.
2. The Order of Sanctuary, as an order, follows the teachings of academic and religious texts for political, moral, and ethic guidance.
3. The Order of Sanctuary, following the teachings of the texts, wishes to teach others.
4. The Order of Sanctuary, with wishes to teach, has no agenda other than that of enlightenment, both spiritual and academic.
Article II: Mission of the Order of Sanctuary
1. The Order of Sanctuary wishes to teach others as, using academic and religious texts as reference, by bringing religious involvement to citizens.
Article III: Seat of the Order of Sanctuary
1. The Ecumenical Patriarchate shall serve as the seat of the Order of Sanctuary, and as the primary meeting place of the laity and clergy of the Order of Sanctuary.
Article IV: The Laity
1. One who has been accepted into the Order of Sanctuary by any Cleric shall hold Lay status.
2. A Layman may only cease to hold Lay status of his/her own volition.
3. Membership is open to anyone; regardless of beliefs.
4. The Laity are freely welcomed to take-part in discussions in their own Diocese, or with all Sanctuary members. Sanctuary membership is open to everyone, there are no fees or dues. The only requirement is that the person respects others, and contributes as a member by following study and discussion.
Article V: The Clergy
1. One who has been ordained shall hold Clerical status.
2. One may be ordained to three degrees, namely the Holy Episcopate (Bishops), the Holy Presbyterate (Priests), and the Holy Deaconate (Deacons).
a. One may be ordained to the Holy Episcopate by the Patriarch.
b. One may be ordained to the Holy Presbyterate or the Holy Deaconate by any Bishop.
3. A Cleric may only cease to hold Clerical status of his/her own volition.
4. All Clerics may deliver sermons to the Laity.
5. All shall take the following oath: I make this promise that I will do my all to uphold the integrity of The Order of Sanctuary, and that I will serve with pure intentions: not with a selfish heart. I will remember this promise, and remember that I may be called upon to justify my actions should I forget this vow.
Article VI: Ranks of Episcopacy
1. The Ecumenical Patriarch ("Patriarch") shall lead the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
a. The Patriarch shall be enthroned by the Synod.
b. The Patriarch may be deposed only by death or resignation.
c. The Patriarch shall be the highest authority on matters of protocol and decorum.
d. The Patriarch may issue encyclical letters, which shall be distributed to all members of the Order of Sanctuary.
e. The Patriarch shall be elected by the Ecumenical Synod by a 2/3 majority.
2. An Archbishop shall lead an Archdiocese.
a. Archbishops shall be enthroned by the Patriarch.
b. Archbishops may be deposed by the Patriarch.
c. Archbishops shall be responsible for the enforcement of Synodal and Patriarchal actions within their Archdiocese, and for the actions of clergy serving in their Archdiocese.
3. A Bishop shall lead a Diocese.
a. Bishops shall be enthroned by the Patriarch.
b. Bishops may be deposed by the Patriarch.
c. Bishops shall be responsible for the enforcement of Synodal and Patriarchal actions within their Diocese, and for the actions of clergy serving in their Diocese.
4. An Exarch shall lead an Exarchate.
a. Exarchs shall be enthroned by the Patriarch.
b. Exarchs may be deposed by the Patriarch.
c. Exarchs shall be the highest doctrinal authority within their Exarchate.
Article VII: Ranks of the Prebyterate and Deaconate
1. Priests shall teach and encourage the spiritual growth of the Laity.
a. Priests shall be ordained by the Patriarch, or by any Bishop.
b. Priests ordained by the Patriarch shall be Ecumenical Priests, and may serve in any Diocese.
c. Priests ordained by Bishops may serve only in the Diocese of their ordination, unless the Patriarch elevates them to an Ecumenical Priest.
d. Priests shall serve until they retire, unless unseated by the Patriarch or a 3/4 majority vote of the Synod.
2. Deacons shall assist Priests and Bishops in their duties, inasmuch as the Clerics to which they are assigned see fit.
a. Deacons shall be ordained by the Patriarch or by any Bishop.
b. Deacons shall serve until they retire, unless unseated by the Patriarch or the Cleric whom they serve.
Article VIII: Ecclesiastical Regions
1. Ecclesiastical Regions shall be created by the Patriarch.
2. Ecclesiastical Regions may be dissolved by the Patriarch.
3. A Diocese shall be an Ecclesiastical Region composed of one region.
4. An Exarchate shall be a Diocese which holds doctrinal autonomy.
5. An Archdiocese shall be an Ecclesiastical Region composed of several Dioceses.
6. The Ecumenical Patriarchate shall be an Ecclesiastical Region encompassing the entirety of the Order of Sanctuary.
Article XI: The Episcopal Synod
1. The Episcopal Synod ("Synod") shall be composed of the Patriarch, all Archbishops, and Bishops appointed members by the Patriarch.
2. The Synod shall be the highest doctrinal authority in the Order of Sanctuary.
3. The Synod may revise this Code of Canon Law.
4. The Synod shall establish its own rules for all votes and other procedures.
Article XII: Protocol
1. Written Address (Only used in the first and third person.)
a. Bishop: "The Most Reverend X Y, Bishop of Z" or "His/Her Grace X Y, Bishop of Z".
b. Priest & Missionary: "The Right Reverend X Y".
c. Deacon: "The Reverend X Y".
2. Spoken Address (Only used in the second person.)
a. Bishop: "Your Grace".
b. Priest & Missionary: "Reverend Father".
c. Deacon: "Reverend Deacon".
3. Spoken Address (Informal) (Only used in the second person, usually only by clergy of the same or higher rank.)
a. Bishop: "Bishop X".
b. Priest & Missionary: "Father X".
c. Deacon: "Deacon X".
Article X: Missionary Functions
1. The Head of All Missions shall lead the Missionary activities of the Order of Sanctuary.
a. The Head of All Missions shall be appointed by the Patriarch.
b. The Head of All Missions may be deposed by the Patriarch.
2. Missions shall be groups of Clergy actively promoting the formation of new Dioceses.
a. Missions shall be formed by the Head of All Missions.
b. Missions may be dissolved by the Head of All Missions.
c. A Mission shall be led by a Missionary, who may be any Cleric.
Article XI: Amendment
1. This Charter may be amended by a 3/4 majority of the Synod.