CODEX IURIS CANONICI DANIELUS PONTIFEX

[John Ivory 4546]

CODEX IURIS CANONICI DANIELUS PONTIFEX

CODEX OF ECCLESIASTICAL LAW OF THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE CANON

23rd of Harren’s Folly, 1735

 

AS PENNED AND COMPILED BY THE HANDS OF

THE RIGHT REV., MSGR. IDE HARACCUS, AUDITOR OF THE TRIBUNAL

 

AS PUBLISHED AND PROMULGATED WITH THE IMPRIMATUR OF

 

DANIEL VI

 

---

 

BOOK I. APPLICATION OF LAWS

BOOK II. THE PEOPLE OF GOD

BOOK III. THE SANCTIFYING FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

BOOK IV. SANCTIONS IN THE CHURCH

BOOK V. PROCESSES

BOOK VI. LEXICON

 

---

 

PREAMBLE

Exordium on the divine right of governance of the Holy Church of the Canon.

 

From the very beginning of the World, when God didst blow his breath into the Aenguls and Daemons (Prov. 4), did He create LAW. He bestowed upon His creation rules to follow, objectives to carry out, and bound them to obedience; and the law given unto the Aenguls and Daemons, which is unknown to us men, was the first institution of Divine Law. 

 

In his transgression of the law, Iblees made God exceeding wroth, as evidenced by His rebuke of the rebellious Daemon: “Why hast thou done that which I have forbidden?” (Prov. 7) God did demand Iblees’ repentance, to which the Daemon refused; and thus, the law was broken, and punishment delivered unto the transgressor.

 

It is by Divine Institutes, granted through the Exalted Prophets, that Mother Church is structured. By the will of God, a singular High Pontiff is chosen as His shepherd, provided with the sole instruction to guide His flock. Canon law is derived from these Divine Institutes, which teach the ecclesia how to govern the Church which they have given up their lives to.

 

Within time, the sun has risen over the zenith of empires, and set over their bloody destruction. Tyrants have abused and persecuted their people. Schismatics and the heathen hordes have clamored for the destruction of the Faithful; and yet, governed by Her laws, Mother Church has stood indivisible.

 

DEO GRATIAS.

High Pontiff Daniel VI

Helena, 1735

 

---

 

BOOK I. APPLICATION OF LAWS

The general application of laws

 

TITLE I. FOUNDATION OF LAW

 

§1 A divine law is established when it is promulgated by the pontiff.

§2 Laws provide for the future, and not the past, unless they expressly provide for it.

§3. The ecclesiastical laws of the Canon merely bind those that have been baptised by the Church of the Canon, have nonetheless been received into it, possesses full capacity of reason and have reached fourteen years of age - this being the age of majority.

§4 The laws of the Canon are universal, and bind all men for those they were issued.

§5 Ignorance of the law of the Canon by a subject of those laws is never assumed.

§6 Ecclesiastical laws must be understood in accord with their proper meaning; any doubt or obscurity must find recourse through parallel places in Canon law.

§7 Later laws must harmonise with the earlier, the revocation of a previous law is not presumed unless explicitly stated.

§8 All titles and chapters within this codex are Canon law.

 

TITLE II. ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICES

 

CHAPTER I. PROVISION OF ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICE.

 

§1 A ecclesiastical office within the church of the Canon cannot be acquired without provision of the church.

§2 The provision of the office is also the competency of the authority that the office holds.

§3 To hold an office within the church of the Canon, one must be in communion with the Church as well as deemed suitable spiritually and intellectually.

§4 The promise of an office holds no legal effect.

§5 It is for the diocesian bishop to provide offices within his own particular church.

§6 It is for the High Pontiff to provide offices within the church entire.

 

CHAPTER II. LOSS OF ECCLESIASTICAL OFFICE.

 

§1 Anyone responsible of himself and of sound mind may resign from office with just cause.

§2 A resignation made out of grave fear is not deemed valid.

§3 To be valid, the resignation must be made to a superior authority.

§4 The resignation may be revoked by the resigning party if it has not taken effect

§5 A person may be removed from office by decree of a superior authority.

§6 A person may be deemed removed from office if they are of the following;

1. A person who has lost the clerical state.
2. A person who has broken their vows.
3. A person who has publicly defected from the church.
4. A cleric who has attempted marriage.

 

---

 

 

BOOK II. THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Rights and obligations of laypeople and clergy. Hierarchy of the mother church.

 

TITLE I. Obligations of the laity.

 

§1 The faithful, through every manner of acting, must retain communion with the church.

§2 The faithful must direct all efforts to lead a holy life and promote the growth of the Canon and its teachings.

§3 It is the duty of the faithful to work so the message of virtuous salvation can reach every age and land.

§4 The faithful are free to make known their needs and desires, spiritual or otherwise, to their bishop.

§5 Those people bound in a marital state are to build up their family in worship of the Canon and its teachings.

§6 Lay-men who are deemed capable and qualified are allowed to assist with ecclesiastical offices.

§7 Men who possess the age of 12 and are of sound mind can be admitted to be an acolyte of the church. 

§8 Men who possess the age of 16 and are of sound mind can be ordained to be a priest of the church. 

 

TITLE II. Obligations of the clergy.

 

§1 Clerics are bound to show reverence and obedience to the High Pontiff and their own ordinary.

§2 Clerics are united through the brotherhood of working for the divine purpose of the growth and teaching of the church, so thus must strive for cooperation.

§3 Where the practice of common life exists for clerics, it is to be practiced and preserved as far as possible.

§4 Clerics are to foster simplicity of life and to not exhibit vanity.

§5 Clerics are forbidden to assume public offices when entail an exercise and participation in civil power.

§6 Clerics may not spill the blood of another Canonist.

§7 It is the duty of a Cleric to foster peace and justice in accordance to the principles of the Canon.

§8 When a clergyman flees ecclesiastical authority he loses his rights to be tried by a Canonist Court.

 

TITLE III. Hierarchical constitution of the church.

 

CHAPTER I. Rights and Obligations of the Pontiff.

 

§1 By virtue of his office, the Pontiff of the Church of the Canon possesses full, supreme and immediate power in the church and it his divine right to exercise this with freedom.

§2 A person elected to the office of pontiff assumes this power at the moment of appointment. If the person elected lacks a bishopric, he is to be elected one immediately. 

§3 The Pontiff not only retains supreme power over the church, but over the particular churches and the subsequent groups of them.

§4 No appeal is allowed against a decree or judgement by the pontiff; it is the word of GOD.

§5 Nothing is to be altered in the church should the seat of pontiff be left vacant.

 

CHAPTER II. Rights and Obligations of the Curia.

 

§1 The pontiff executes his office through the Curia. The Curia consists of the vice-chancellor, the auditor of the tribunal, the high magistrate of the auditor, the secretariat to the holiness, the pontifical chamberlain and the prelate of the priesthood.

 

CHAPTER III. Rights and Obligations of the College of Cardinals.

 

§1 The cardinals constitute a college which provides for the election of a Pontiff. The cardinals further assist the Pontiff in matters of major importance or through their subsequent offices within the mother church.

§2 The Pontiff assigns each cardinal his own title within the church.

§3 The Pontiff freely selects men to be promoted as cardinals, these being pious men of outstanding prudence, character and morals.

§4 From the moment of announcement of appointment the cardinal is bound by the duties of office.

 

CHAPTER V. Bishops.

 

§1 Bishops are constituted pastors of the church.

§2 Bishops receive the function of sanctifying, teaching and governing within their diocese.

§3 In order to be suitable for episcopacy, the candidate must have the following;

1/ Reached the age of majority

2/ Received ordination to the priesthood

§4 A bishop holds all power which is required for him to exercise his pastoral function.

§5 In the function of a pastor, a bishop must show himself concerned for all of the faithful within his care, whatever age, nationality or condition they are in.

 

TITLE IV. The groupings of particular churches.

 

CHAPTER I. Ecclesiastical provinces and regions.

 

§1 Neighbouring churches are to be brought into ecclesiastical provinces limited to certain territory. These districts of pastoral care under a bishop are referred to as the dioceses of the church.

§2 It is the duty of an archbishop, if so appointed, to preside over multiple dioceses, with his power not extending beyond his archdiocese.

§3 It is only the authority of the church to establish or alter ecclesiastical provinces. 

 

CHAPTER II. Metropolitans.

 

§1 A metropolitan is an archbishop providing over the ecclesiastical province of a major city.

 

TITLE V. The internal structuring of churches.

 

CHAPTER I. Vicars

 

§1 A diocesian bishop may appoint a vicar to assist him in the governance of the diocese.

§2 Only one vicar is to be appointed unless other circumstances or factors necessitate otherwise.

§3 The function of a vicar cannot be entrusted to blood relatives of the bishop to a fourth degree.

§4 A vicar is never to act contrary to the mind or intention of their bishop.

 

CHAPTER II. Chaplains

 

§1 A chaplain is those who are entrusted with a pastoral care of Canonist faithful beyond that of a church, often found at sea or in military groups.

§2 A chaplain must be provided with all provisions necessary to provide this care.

§3 A chaplain must be appointed by a bishop or a further superior.

 

 

---

 

 

BOOK III. THE SANCTIFYING FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

Ordainment; acts of worship; sacraments, places of worship; etc.

 

TITLE I. Ordainment

 

§1 Those being ordained must be of the age of majority.

§2 Those being ordained as a priest must be a baptized Canonist.

§3 The priest must undergo a vow of celibacy.

§4 The priest must undergo a vow of obedience.

 

TITLE II. Baptism.

 

§1 Baptism is the gateway to the seven skies and necessary for all those who deem themselves following the Canon. Through baptism, men are freed from sin and evoke the prophethood gained by the exalted in the holy waters of Gamesh.

 

CHAPTER I. The celebration of baptism.

 

§1 Baptism is administered by a member of the Canon unto another to conduct them into it.

§2 Baptism is to be conferred through immersion, pouring, or sprinkling; any such action that acts as a simulacra of the prophethood gained by the exalted in the holy waters of Gamesh.

 

CHAPTER II. Those to be baptised.

 

§1 Every person yet to be baptised is capable of baptism.

 

TITLE III. The sacrament of penance.

 

CHAPTER I. The Penitent.

 

§1 A faithful adherent to the Canon is obliged to repent for any sins committed since baptism.

§2 Members of the laity and clergy alike must return to facing God and reject any sins they may have committed.

 

CHAPTER II. Confession.

 

§1 Each member of the faith is obliged to confess his or her sins at least one time per year.

§2 A person must also confess venial sins.

§3 No-one is prohibited from confession.

§4 A follower of the church is free to confess their sins to an approved confessor of his or her choice.

 

TITLE IV. The sacrament of anointing the sick.

 

§1 Anointing the sick is encouraged for those who are dangerously ill so they may receive spiritual relief.

§2 Anointing is practiced through the anointing of oil and the uttering of a prayer.

§3 Any priest and priests alone may anoint the sick.

§4 Any priest is permitted to carry cruets of blessed oil on his person as to anoint the sick.

§5 Those who persevere in grave sin even in the face of illness and death may not be anointed until they sufficiently repent or confess their sin.

 

TITLE V. The sacrament of anointing the dead.

 

§1 Anointing the sick is encouraged for those who are dead so they may receive spiritual relief.

§2 Anointing is practiced through the anointing of oil and the uttering of a prayer.

§3 Any priest and priests alone may anoint the dead.

§4 Any priest is permitted to carry cruets of blessed oil on his person as to anoint the dead prior to burial.

§5 Those who persevered in grave sin.

 

TITLE VI. Funerary Rites.

 

§1 All members of the faith are entitled to a funeral.

§2 This funeral is to take place in their parish church.

§3 Any member of the familiar of the deceased may choose another church for the funeral proceedings should the church consent to it.

§4 The funeral of a member of the clergy is to be officiated by their superior, or if deemed impossible, the chaplain of their church.

§5 After a funeral, they are to be buried in the cemetery or crypt of the church should there be one, unless constricted by ancient rite to instalment in specific cemeteries or crypts - such as the dragonsbloods.

§6 Unless they show sign of repentance prior to death, the following should be denied church funerals;

1. Apostates and schismatics.
2. Heretics.
3. Manifest sinners.

 

TITLE VII. Holy Orders.

 

§1 There exist associations and orders that exist specifically for the furthering of the tenets of Canonism.

§2 It is encouraged for members of the laity to join these organisations and orders.

§3 All orders that profess to have this status without the direct mandate and consent of the Pontiff are deemed heretical.

 

TITLE VIII. Marriage.

 

CHAPTER I. Impediments to marriage.

 

§1 Before a marriage may be celebrated, it must be proven that nothing stands to impede it sanctity and performance.

§2 An impediment to marriage renders a person unable to perform marriage.

§3 All faithful are obliged to confess an impediments to their pastor before the celebration of marriage.

§4 Pastors are to forbid the marriage prior to the age of majority and must not conduct the celebration.

§5 A person who has notoriously rejected the Canonist faith may not celebrate nor partake in a Canonist marriage.

 

CHAPTER II. Matrimonial consent.

 

§1 The following are incapable of contracting to marriage.

Those who suffer a grave defect that reduce their ability to reach sufficient judgement

Those who are under the age of majority.

Those who are not of the Canonist faith.

§2 Those who do not understand the permanent nature of the bond between man and woman can not contract to marriage.

§3 Error concerning the identity of the person renders the marriage invalid.

 

CHAPTER III. The form of the celebration.

 

§1 Marriage is officiated by the bishop of the resident diocese of the persons contracting to the marriage.

§2 The bishop may delegate the officiation of marriage to their vicar.

§3 Marriage is between a capable Canonist male and a Canonist female.

 

CHAPTER IV. The dissolution of the bond.

 

§1 A marriage that is celebrated and consummated cannot be dissolved by any force except for death.

§2 Only the Pontiff may dissolve marriages following extreme just cause, even if the other party is unwilling.

 

TITLE IX. Coronation.

 

CHAPTER I. Those to be coronated.

 

§1 Those to be coronated must be Canonist.

§2 Those to be coronated must be deserving of their station, as decided by the discrimination of the pontificate.

 

CHAPTER II. The form of the coronation.

 

§1 The coronation begins in a cathedral church of a diocese.

§2 The king to be coronated is ritually baptized, with the High Pontiff - or rarely, a delegated diocesian bishop or cardinal - giving mass to the crowd.

§3 The subjects of the now-baptized king are ritually baptized.

§4 The party processes to the throne-room.

§5 The king is given a crown representing Ex. Horen, sword representing Ex. Owyn, scepter representing Ex. Godfrey, orb representing Ex. Sigismund.

 

TITLE X. Sanctification.

 

CHAPTER I. Those to be canonised.

 

§1 Those to be canonised are those beatified who are declared to be saints, having performed miracles and lived lives in devotion to GOD.

§2 Those canonised are permitted to be publically venerated.

§3 Those to be canonised must be dead.

 

CHAPTER II. The form of canonisation.

 

§1 Three quarters of the synod must agree that this person is to be canonised.

§2 This person must be a Canonist, or proven to be so after death.

§3 This person must have lived a holy life and have been previously beatified.

§4 This person must have two verified miracles attributed to their intercession.

§5 The High Pontiff then confirms this person is canonized.

§6 The honorific for somebody blessed by the church is “Saint”, abbreviated to “St.”

 

CHAPTER III. Those to be beatified.

 

§1 Those beatified are those agreed to be resting in a state of bliss following death.

§2 Those to be beatified must be dead.

 

CHAPTER IV. The form of beatification

 

§1 One half of the synod must agree that this person is to be beatified.

§2 This person must be a Canonist, or proven to be so after death.

§3 This person must have lived a holy life.

§4 This person must have one verified miracle attributed to their intercession.

§5 The High Pontiff then confirms this person is blessed.

§6 The honorific for somebody blessed by the church is “Blessed”, abbreviated to “Bl.”

 

TITLE XI. Sacred objects

 

CHAPTER I. The Cross

 

§1 The holy cross is to be either a one-barred Teutonic cross, two-barred Lorraine cross, three-barred Hussariya cross, or four-barred Kaedreni cross.

 

CHAPTER II. Relics

 

§1 Reverence is permitted through public veneration only those servants of GOD who are deemed canonized or blessed.

§2 These saints are represented through icons of themselves, icons of their relics, or their icons directly.

§3 It is forbidden to sell sacred relics.

§4 He is to seek permission of the High Pontiff to repair any relic or holy image.

§5 Relics are to be displayed in appropriate number as to not promote idolatry nor confuse the worshippers of the purpose of their worship.

 

TITLE XII. Sacred places and objects.

 

CHAPTER I. Churches.

 

§1 A church is a sacred place defined as a house of worship for the faithful flock of the Canon.

§2 No church is to be built without the written consent of the bishop of its diocese.

§3 A newly constructed church is to be consecrated and blessed as soon as possible.

§4 Entry to a church is to be free and unlimited.

§5 All acts of worship may occur in a church that has been blessed.

§6 If a church later proves to be incapable of acting as a place of worship, the diocesian bishop may relegate it to profane use.

 

CHAPTER II. Oratories.

 

§1 An oratory is understood as a place of worship that may only be used by a specific community.

§2 An oratory may not be established without visiting the site of the oratory physically.

§3 No oratory is to be built without the written consent of the bishop of its diocese.

 

CHAPTER III. Shrines.

 

§1 A shrine is defined as a place of pilgrimage for members of the faith.

§2 Offerings at shrines are to be guarded securely.

 

CHAPTER IV. Altars.

 

§1 It is desirable to have a fixed altar in all churches.

§2 According to tradition, the altar is to be made of stone.

§3 A body is not to be buried under the altar.

§4 An altar is to be blessed on the consecration of a church.

 

CHAPTER V. Cemeteries.

 

§1 A church is to have its own cemetery, unless not possible.

§2 If it is impossible for a church to have a cemetery, it is the duty of the diocesian bishop to bless individual graves.

 

CHAPTER VI. Right of sanctuary.

 

§1 The right of sanctuary occurs if a criminal may enter a Church before they are arrested. He or she is safe for up to 3 days as to confess his sins in the church.

§2 Those pursuing the criminal must wait outside the Cathedral and may guard the Cathedral to ensure the accused does not escape. 

§3 A legal coroner must come to confiscate the criminal’s goods, and he will assign said criminal a port of exile which they may take exile for their crimes.

 

---

 

BOOK IV. SANCTIONS IN THE CHURCH

Crime and punishment.

 

TITLE I. The subjects of canon law.

 

§1 No one is punished lest they commit a breach of canon law.

§2 Those who habitually lack the use of region due to birth or injury shall not be held liable.

§3 A person who has not yet reached their twelfth year of age shall not be held liable.

§4 Those who breach the teachings and doctrine of the canon shall be held liable.

 

TITLE II. Crimes against the unity of the church.

 

§1 An apostate, schismatic or heretic incurs excommunication.

§2 A person participating in prohibited sacred rites is to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§3 The parents of a child baptised in a heretic or pagan religion are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§4 A person in public speech or published writing utters blasphemy, expresses insults or incites hatred or contempt for the church of the Canon is to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§5 A cleric who exists in concubinage is to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§6 Those individuals who intentionally reject the existence of God or the heavens, they shall be guilty of the crime of atheism. 

§7 The practice of magic is considered tolerated.

§8 The practice of dark magic is anathema.

§9 Those individuals whom intentionally and actively participates in the worship of demons and devils, evangelises the worship of demons and devils, or encourages the growth of devilic cults. Additionally when an individual partakes in any sort of dark magics, which especially includes when one converses or interacts with voidal horrors. They shall be guilty of the crime of devilry and are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§10 Those who break a sacred contract or celebrated and consummated rite are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

 

TITLE III. Crimes against ecclesiastical authorities.

 

§1 A person using excessive physical force against the Pontiff incurs excommunication. Members of the clergy may incur greater penalties depending on the severity of the crime.

§2 A person who further uses excessive force against a bishop or cardinal are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§3 Those who profess or teach a doctrine explicitly forbidden by the Pontiff are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§4 A person joining a group plotting against the church are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§5 A person who profanes a saint of the church are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§6 A person who profanes a relic of the church are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§7 Those who commit violence upon Clergy or violence within Clergy grounds as a violation of the right to Sanctuary, are guilty of the crime of Sacrilege and are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§8 Those guilty of preventing one from attending Church are also guilty of the crime of Sacrilege and are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§9 Those who see it fit to insult or threaten a member of the clergy. These individuals are guilty of the crime of indignity.

 

TITLE IV. Crimes of falsehood.

 

§1 Those who commit the falsification of miracles are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§2 Those who profess the possession of a holy relic are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§3 Those who promote false teachings and profess them to be of the Canon are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§4 A person conducting a marriage without holding the sufficient office is to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

 

TITLE V. Crimes against Canon life and freedom.

 

§1 A person who commits an abortion is to face excommunication.

§2 Those practicing carnal relations outside the bond of marriage are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

§3 Those practicing carnal relations outside their race are to face a just penalty as decided by an ecclesiastical court.

 

TITLE VI. Excommunication

 

§1 An excommunicated person is forbidden from any celebrations or ceremony of worship within the church.

§2 An excommunicated person is forbidden from entering a church.

§3 Those who aid, or otherwise shelter an individual excommunicated by the Church. They are to be guilty of the crime of Harbouring.

 

TITLE VII. Penances

 

§1 A penance is any act of charity or piety.

§2 Public piety is not to be imposed for any occult transgression.

 

---

 

BOOK V. PROCESSES

Procedural law; trials and tribunals; penal procedures

 

TITLE I. Trials

 

§1 The object of the trial is for the declaration or juridic facts and the imposition or declaration of penalties for transgressions of the faith.

§2 The church is to adjudicate all matters spiritual; violations of ecclesiastical law; matters in which there is a question of sin and the imposition of ecclesiastical penalties.

 

CHAPTER I. The Judge

 

§1 The judge of first instance, unless the prosecuted party is a member of the clergy, is the diocesian bishop.

§2 If the prosecuted party is a member of the clergy, the judge should therefore be his superior.

§3 In any trial, a judge may appoint assessors - including lay-men - to consult him on legal matters, procedure et al.

§4 A bishop can trust a case, if deemed necessary by the bishop or by the High Pontiff himself, to a committee of multiple other bishops.

§5 The judge of second instance, unless the prosecuted party is a member of the clergy, is an appointed cardinal.

§6 If the prosecuted party is a member of the clergy, the judge of second instance should therefore be the High Pontiff.

 

TITLE II. To be observed in trials

 

CHAPTER I. The duty of judges of trials.

 

§1 The seat of the High Pontiff is judged by no-one but GOD.

§2 It is the sole right of the High Pontiff to adjudge cases when necessary should the case involve members of his ecclesiastical government and those who hold the highest office in state, and other further cases he deems requiring his judgement. 

§3 It is the duty of the subjects of the Canon to resolve litigation as quickly as possible and to avoid whenever possible to avoid litigation among the faithful.

 

CHAPTER II. The place of the trial.

 

§1 Every trial is to take place in a building open during stated hours.

 

TITLE III. Parties.

 

CHAPTER I. The petitioner and respondent.

 

§1 Anyone, baptised or not, may bring a case to trial.

§2 Both petitioner and respondent are bound to be present at the trial, regardless as to whether or not they have appointed an advocate.

§3 The mentally diminished may only stand trial at the order of a judge.

 

CHAPTER II. Advocates.

 

§1 It is the choice of the party to appoint an advocate.

§2 An advocate must be present for penal trials.

§3 It is possible for the presiding bishop to suspend an advocate, and further possible for the bishop to remove them from office if necessary.

 

TITLE II. The Penal Process

 

CHAPTER I. Preliminary investigations.

 

§1 It is the duty of a member of the clergy to inquire personally should he deem ecclesiastical laws to have been broken.

§2 Those investigating must be careful as to not taint the good name of other members of the faith.

§3 The member of the clergy is to consult with two judges as to whether the issue necessitates bringing it forth to an ecclesiastical court.

§4 It is a duty of a member of the clergy to inform those suspected if he fears that a sin or breach of ecclesiastical law will be committed.

 

CHAPTER II. Development.

 

§1 If it is to be elevated to ecclesiastical court, the investigating member is to inform the accused, as to give an opportunity for them to prepare a self-defense.

§2 He is to issue a decree calling forth the person to trial, setting forth the reasons of law in explicit and simple terms.

§3 The member of the clergy may prevent the accused from attending worship for the duration of the trial for the sake of preservation of the faith.

§4 The accused may hereafter appoint an advocate.

§5 The accused is not bound to confession.

 

CHAPTER III. Redress.

 

§1 The aggrieved party, if existent, may bring about remedy to repair damages caused.

§2 The judge further adjudicates any redress and resolution to the case, including punishment.

 

---

 

BOOK VI. LEXICON

 

SCHISMATIC - One who worships God and recognises the Scriptures, but does not submit to the authority of the Church.

HEATHEN - An individual who does not follow the Canonist faith. They claim to believe in different Gods.. It is forbidden for a human to be a heathen, but other races are permitted to practice their faith provided they do not proselytise Canonists.

ATHEISM - A practice in which one rejects the existence of any God. This is considered much more serious than simply claiming to follow a different God.

HERETIC - One who believes in and worships the God of the Holy Scrolls, but accepts false doctrines regarding His nature or the nature of His faith. All who worship the Creator exclusively but do not adhere to the dogma of the Church of the Canon are heretics.

APOSTATE - A member of the Canonist Church who has renounced his faith. Any person who has received the sacrament of baptism, even in infancy, is a member of the Canonist Church. Unrepentant apostasy is punishable by death, because apostasy is a violation of humanity’s covenant with God.

AGE OF MAJORITY - An age upon which an individual is considered fully responsible for themselves and no longer under the care of another. This is considered the sixteenth year of life.

SEPTARCHY - A body of hand-chosen individuals of any ranking within the ministry of the Church. This grouping, referred to as the College of Cardinals, or Septarchy, carry with them the authority of the High Pontiff, as well as being responsible for the grand task of electing a new High Pontiff.

DIOCESE - A district under the pastoral care of a bishop.

 

[Reckless Banzai Screamer 15456]

Cardinal St Robert smiles the sun’s smile in his bed, deathly sick with brain rot.

[helldiving 5793]

Carolus Magnus would read the codex from his cell – he’d stop right at the end, where the Lexicon was stated, his eyes darting between the intricate words that were unknown to the child “At least I can enjoy some reading while I’m here, right?” 

[frill 2277]

Enjoyment was written on the face of Msgr Haraccus: some articles of the codex were even favourites of his; and when he encountered these, he smiled, winked, and worked over each word with wordless movements of his mouth, till it seemed as though each inky letter might be read in his face, as his quill wrote out the drafts. The work finished, his nib dulled. Haraccus slept a long sleep that night.

[Mikes Rhino 451]

Hank begins to look over the document, his dull hazel eyes darting back and forth between the manuscript’s ravelled conventions and statutes. Later, finishing with a newfound confidence in the HOLY knowledge that had been bestowed upon him, he remarks; “Too long, didn’t read.”

[thesmellypocket 1859]

Brother Philip Pius Coppinger, the scholarly Acolyte, nerds out over this most excellent work. ‘Deo gratias! God save the Auditor!’ He then pens a quick note to the Auditor’s Office:

 

‘Your Excellency,

 

May the Grace of our Lord God be with thee always.

 

I wished to congratulate both thyself and the High Pontiff on the conclusion of this Horenian effort. I was wondering if some provision could be made for Deacons. I know permanent Deacons has never really ‘took off’ as a concept in the Church before, but, due to the general absence of clergy in many areas, certainly in those I minister to, I am afeared they may be necessary; that there be permanent Deacons with right to marry, instead of having the Vow of Celibacy – only Obedience would be necessary. 

 

I am thankful, however, that the abominable practice of married priests is now once-and-for-all irreversibly banished from Holy Mother Church.

 

Thy Humble Servant,

 

Philip Pius Coppinger, Seminarian.’