Clergy of the Holy Light

Link to the more navigable Google Doc





Written for the Clergy of the Holy Light.
1st Edition. Updated 1/12/2017





Table of Contents

Officership
Chief Shepherd
Apostle
Superior
Membership
Canon Major
Benefactor
Canon Regular
Introductory Membership
Neophyte
Limited Membership
Dignitary
Alt/Away/OOC
Additional Notes
In regards to title prefixes
In regards to postnominal suffixes





Officership
Officership within the Clergy is not a privilege to the long-serving, but a vehicle for productivity for the guild, within and without. Officers are unique in that they are given specific tasks, whether broad or specific, which they are expected to


Chief Shepherd
Address: Holy Father ; Your/His Holiness

The Chief Shepherd is the guiding rock of the Clergy of the Holy Light. Traditionally, the Archbishop of the Church has maintained this post. The Chief Shepherd is the representation of the Light to the Clergy. The Chief Shepherd’s word is always final, though he takes consultation from all members, from the lowest ranks to the highest.

There is but one Chief Shepherd. The Chief Shepherd is subject to the Light alone.


Apostle
Address: (Mother/Father/Lord/Lady/Brother/Sister) Apostle ; Your/His Reverence

An Apostle is the highest officer of the Clergy, he who stands with the Chief Shepherd in partnership, sharing in his good works. Above all, the Apostle is a teacher, ensuring that members are trained and mentored on how to lead a fulfilling life in the Clergy. This role is called an Apostolate

Example Roles
Guild Story Manager
Co-Guild Master
Duty Head Prior
Marshal of Paladins
Communications Director

2-4 estimated ideal count.

Only the Chief Shepherd can initiate or remove an Apostle of his own impulse.

Apostles are accountable only to the Chief Shepherd and their Fellow Apostles collectively.

Prefect

Address: (Mother/Father/Lord/Lady/Sister/Brother);  Most Reverend Prefect

The Prefect is a senior officer of the Clergy. Prefects, just as Apostles, are hand-selected by the Chief Shepherd (with the advice of his Apostles). When the Prefect is elected by the Shepherd, she has been chosen to complete a specific task laid out for her for the benefit of the whole Clergy. This role is called a Prefecture.

Example Roles
Deputy to Head Priest
Deputy to Head Paladin
Commandant of the Noble Guard
Charity and Outreach Leaders
Recruitment Leaders

3-6 estimated ideal count.

Only the Chief Shepherd can initiate or remove a Prefect with the consultation of the Apostles.

Prefects are subject directly to the Apostles.

Superior
Address: (Mother/Father/Lord/Lady/Sister/Brother) Superior; Most Reverend Superior

The Superior is a specialist officer whose role is to maintain a Care, or an assignment usually related directly to personnel management of smaller groups, such as an Inquisition, a Free Clinic, or even lower management of priests and paladins in general. This Care is bestowed on them by the higher officers with an official commission with the seal of the Chief Shepherd with the details of their duty.

Example Roles
High Priest
Master Paladin
Inquisitor Superior

3-8 estimated ideal count.

An Apostle or the Chief Shepherd may initiate a Superior; however, they may only be removed by the Chief Shepherd with the consultation of the Apostles.

Superiors are subject to the Prefects directly.

Membership
Canon Major
Address: (Father/Mother/Sir/Dame/Brother/Sister), Very Reverend Canon
Canons Major are advanced members of the Faithful, given the charter to perform the most sacred mysteries and

Example Roles
Priest (Mother/Father)
Knight (Sir/Dame)
Inquisitor
Halberdier

An Apostle, a Prefect, or the Chief Shepherd may initiate a Canon Major, granted that the ritual requirements for ordination have been met.

Canons Major are subject to the Superiors directly.

7+ ideal count.

Benefactor
Address: (Mr./Ms.), Noble Benefactor (with exception to the ordained)

Benefactors are the auxiliary members of the Clergy. Despite their status as auxiliary, these members have essential purposes within the order. Pilgrim priests and paladins, who, though not yet initiated in the ways of the Clergy, have been ordained through other means may be placed at this rank to learn and eventually prove themselves.

Example Roles
House Physician
Cathedral Sexton
Court Wizard
Foreign Delegation
Pilgrim Priest/Paladin

Benefactors do not usually progress from the ranks of Neophyte or Canon Regular, nor will they usually be promoted to Canon Major (pilgrim priest/paladins excepting). Some Benefactors may join the officership.

Benefactors are generally subject to the officership, starting at Superiors, directly.

Anybody can join the Clergy with the intention of becoming a Benefactor, but only an officer can make the final decision.

Unlimited ideal count.

Canon Regular
Address:  Reverend Canon

Canons Regular are full members of the Clergy. Canons Regular are equipped to fulfill a role in the Clergy. As they assist in the matters of the Clergy, their skills will be honed in their ongoing search for the Light. Training continues through a series Mysteries (Priests) or Trials (Paladins).

Example Roles:
Deacon (Priest-in-Training)
Templar/Crusader (Paladin-in-Training)
Inquisitor Acolyte
Cadet (Guard-in-Training)

Canons Regular are raised from the rank of Neophyte after receiving the First Mystery, Orientation. This is often celebrated with a brief ceremony after orientation. The leader of the First Mystery performs the initiation.

5-20 active ideal count.




Introductory Membership
Neophyte
Address: (Brother/Sister), Neophyte

Neophytes are trial members who have yet to go through Orientation. Once Neophytes have been initiated through Orientation, the leader of the Orientation completes initiation with a ritual.

Neophytes are subject to Canon Regulars and above, excluding Benefactors.


5-15 active ideal count.