✠ Major Ecclesiastical Careers: an overview ✠

[Apateus]

[!] A bulletin is posted in front of the Grand Cathedral of Adelsburg, bearing the seal of the Vater.
A copy is also kept in the Temple Rules' Archive in the Vater's Palace [!]

An overview of the major ecclesiastical careers now available in the Hadrian Empire with their functions

7, Sunfall, 1542
The new Minor Celibacy rule for Erzbishops is introduced.​

Erzbishop

Requirements for the admission of future Erzbishops:

• You must be an Abbot, a Herold, a Scholar of the Temple or have 20 Years of service as a member of the clergy.
• You must be appointed by the Vater.
• Never been married.

Minor Celibacy:
Erzbishops who are not Herold must still respect the following rules:

• They cannot marry.
• They cannot have legitimate children.

Chastity is suggested for non-Herold Erzbishops although not enforced, adoption is always allowed.
This rule also includes the Vater.

For the current Erzbishops there are 6 months in which they can evaluate whether to decide they can comply with the new rules or resign.
This deadline expires 7 Newdawn 1543.

Apostle of the Holy Father:
The Erzbishops of the empire carry out the Vater's will across the empire and act both as Alder's will and fists against the ever-encroaching tides of Chaotic influence trying to steer Alder's children of the path of Order.

They have direct decision-making power in their Erzbisphoric, while always subjected to the laws of the Temple and the judgment of the Vater

Uniquenesses:
Erzbishops are stationed in each of the Empire's Grand Duchies where they are operating from their local headquarters at the temple. They answer only to the Vater himself and enact his will wherever they are. These are the three positions available as Erzbishop, each unique in its own way.

The Erzbishop of Veronia
He is responsible for supervising all cult and inquisition activities in Veronia and controlling the activities of the Black Abbey in accordance with what is legislated by the Vater. He assists and advises Veronia's Herzog.

The Erzbishop of Norburen
He is responsible for supervising all cult and inquisition activities in Norburen, where the tombs of the buried ancient Kings of Hadriana are, assists and advises the Herzog of Norburen.

The Erzbishop in Brandenhafen
The title does not indicate any type of particular duty, as the activities of the Temple regarding Adelsburg and the Grand Cathedral are under the direct control of the Vater.

However, the Erzbishop of Brandenhafen, better known as the Erzbishop of Adelsburg, is considered the person closest to the Vater, the one whom the Vater would deem a valid successor, even if he does not control the succession.

Head of the Imperial Inquisition:
Erzbishops can appoint Imperial Inquisitors below them that trace down any sign of unbelief within the Empire and have complete free reign to arrest, kill, and destroy any servant of the voidal powers and their possessions and as long as they are in service of the temple are on paper completely immune to any form of prosecution by Imperial states.

Only the Vater or the Erzbishop who commands them may take action against inquisitors if their actions are deemed to be against the temple. Erzbishops are assigned by the ruling Vater and are often selected from the previous bishop's inquisitorial ranks.

Grand Master of the Templar Paladins

Requirements for the admission of the future Grand Master:

• You must be an "High Templar", meaning both a Templar and an Herold.
• You must have great experience in combat and military tactics.
• You must be appointed by the Vater.

Duties:
The G.M. is the head of the Templar guard, under the direct orders of the Vater. He is responsible for planning the defense of the sacred places, for organizing any war operations assigned to the Templar Paladins should Hadriana enter a war.

The Grand Master of the Templar Paladins is also assigned to liaise with the Reichsarmee and the other military orders of Hadriana for the purpose of cooperation.

Signed Gregor von Volker, Vater of the Alderist Temple

 

[Agrhendaer]

[!] A missive would be delivered to the Vater and other members of the clergy.

​

Grütte to the clergy, and Vater Gregor von Volker in particular.

The Imperial Council has taken note of the major and minor ecclesiastical careers as they were described by your scribes in the recently released parchments. Though the Temple careers are not much of a concern of the Imperial Council there is a particular entry that worries us deeply.

"Erzbishops can appoint Imperial Inquisitors below them that trace down any sign of unbelief within the Empire and have complete free reign to arrest, kill, and destroy any servant of the voidal powers and their possessions and as long as they are in service of the temple are on paper completely immune to any form of prosecution by Imperial states.

Only the Vater or the Erzbishop who commands them may take action against inquisitors if their actions are deemed to be against the temple. Erzbishops are assigned by the ruling Vater and are often selected from the previous bishop's inquisitorial ranks."

Not only are you circumventing the Ministry of Magical Affairs and its witch hunters, but you are also appointing certain individuals to serve above the state and its laws. As for this particular entry, we would request to have it changed, in both documents, so it is in accordance with our judicial system.

"Erzbishops can appoint Imperial Inquisitors below them that trace down any sign of unbelief within the Empire and report these findings to the temple. These findings, if deemed problematic enough are to be shared with the Reichsarmee, so that they in close accordance with the inquisitors can make the right decisions going forward. A inquisitor does not hold the free reign to arrest, kill and destroy, and is never immune to any form of prosecution by Imperial states.

All governing bodies of the empire may take action against inquisitors if their actions are deemed to be against Imperial law."

It is also requested that you add a disclaimer to both documents, in which it is noted that all members of the Clergy, not limited to the Inquisition, should at all times adhere to Imperial Law.

If these requested changes do not find their way onto official Temple parchments within two saintsdays the inquisition, and all other described roles that circumvent Imperial law are deemed unlawful until it is voted upon in the Imperial Diet.

We hope you see the light of Alder and choose wisely, for Alder guides us, and our laws are there to assist in that guidance.