The Sabbat Clergy
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Overview
Religion and rites of the Sabbat are sacred to its members; it falls to the clergy of the sect to oversee and perform these traditions. Below, you will find the positions within the Sabbat that make up the Clergy of the sect. They are the ones to perform and create new Ritae. They are the ones who help guide those on to the Sabbat Paths of Enlightenment. And while many members of the Sect are religious themselves in the Sect's doctrine, it is the Clergy who make up the body of those Sabbat who guide all.
Positions
The Regent
The Regent of the Sabbat is the supreme leader of the sect in all matter political, martial, and religious. His word could change the Sabbat as a whole, if he so willed it. Technically, all Sabbat serve the Regent. In practice, however, the Regent often does not act so boldly. Indeed, in many ways the Regent is akin to the Popes of the Catholic Church of old.
The Consistory
The Consistory is the leading body of the highest priests of the Sect (Prisci, Cardinals, and the Seraphim) who advise the Regent in all matters. These elders are the movers and shakers of the Sabbat. They, along with the Regent, decide sect policy and direction.
Cardinals
The Cardinals appoint the Archbishops of the Sabbat and are expected to lead large areas of the world. Many even oversee entire countries or regions. Often in an area, they are the highest authority a member of the Sabbat might hope to appeal to in matters of the Sect.
Priscus
The Prisci are the Elders of the Sect who have been alive at least 200 years. The role of the Prisci is that of advisors. The Prsici advise the Sabbat leadership of cities and regions, as need be. They are often viewed as religiously higher than a Cardinal, though politically less powerful. The truth lies in which Cardinal or Priscus one is talking about. Regardless, each Sabbat city can expect to have at least one Priscus helping advise those of the sect in charge of that city.
Archbishops
The Archbishop rules over a city; they are appointed by the Cardinal of the region, to oversee the welfare of a city where an individual who is more experienced could be in charge or where a council of Bishops has not excelled at. They are always promoted from the rank of Bishop.
Bishops
They preside over the Sabbat of a smaller metropolitan area or an area that the Sabbat does not feel warrants the importance to promote a Bishop to Archbishop.
Pack Priests
Where the Ductus or Pack Leader guides the body, the Pack Priest is in charge of guiding the souls of their packmates. They also help set the tones for the pack's values and priorities.
Role of the Clergy
Religion and rites of the Sabbat are sacred to its members. It falls to the clergy of the sect to oversee and perform these traditions. They are the ones to perform and create new Ritae. They are the ones who help guide those on to the Sabbat paths of Enlightenment. While many members of the Sect are religious themselves in the Sect's doctrine, it is the Clergy who make up the body of those Sabbat who guide all.
Ecumenical Council
Much like the Catholic Council of the same name, this is a conference of the highest ranking Clergy to discuss and settle matters of Sabbat doctrine and practice. They go over promoting Ritae, which Paths of Enlightenment are acceptable, what new Ritae should be included, among various other topics.
Once a year, the Clergy will gather at a sacred Sabbat location and convene for an entire week. During that week, Cardinals, Members of the Consistory, Prisci, Archbishops, Bishops, and Pack Priests will arrive to begin discussions; sometimes even the Regent himself makes his presence known. Though all Sabbat are welcome to observe the talks and debates, only those of the clergy are allowed to have a true voice in the discussions. Each year, this council gathers to discuss the Ritae, the Paths of Enlightenment, and all Religious matters of the Sword of Caine. Priests bring new Paths and Ritae forward for acknowledgment, or discuss the idea of elevating some of the older Ignoblis Ritae to the status of Auctoritas. Indeed, the council even decides which paths are considered heretical in the Sabbat and it is not even unheard of for them to discuss things such as adding new articles to the Code of Milan. Sabbat Religion is so engraved into its own politics, few are surprised by the turnout that arrives for the council, not just of the clergy.
Famous sites for the Ecumenical Council are Montreal, the Black Monastery, and the Sao Paulo Cathedral in Brazil. Each Year the Regent will announce the location of the coming year's council, so that the widest array of Sabbat may prepare and travel to the event.
Additionally, on a smaller scale, Cardinals have the ability to call a Regional Ecumenical Councils for pressing religious issues of the Sabbat for their Region. A Sect wide Ecumenical Council may only be called by the Regent himself, or should the Regency be vacant the Consistory.
See Also
Part of the Sabbat Genre Guide Return to The Sabbat Clergy.