Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church
	The Catholic Church on CivMC
	Coat of Arms of the Holy See
	Territories directly held by the Church as 'Territories of the Holy See'
General
Demonym	Catholic
Capital city	Vatican City
Settlements	Vatican City ; New Antioch (Bakhmut) ; Camp Jerusalem
Territories	The Papal States
Currency	Papal Lira (de jure) ; Iron (de facto)
Government
Government	Theocracy
Governing document	The Organizational Charter of the Catholic Church on CivMC
• Pope, Pontifex Maximus, Servus Servorum Dei	Papal Interregnum
• Cardinal Secretary of State	Realmichael
Formation
Foundation date	29 June 2023
Foundation document	Declaration of Intent to Establish the Catholic Church on CivMC
Preceded by	Batavian Kingdom (recognized predecessor); Early CivMC Catholic Church (organizationally)
Culture
Language	English (de facto); Latin (de jure)
Motto	"Pax Christi in Regno Christi"
Links
Discord	Link

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is a religious organization on CivMC that was established on the 29th of June, 2023, and is based off of its real-life counterpart. It was established on the summit of Mount Alexandria (in the territory of what is now the Papal States) by the first Cardinals of the Church and Pope Leo I -- Cardinal Realmichael, Cardinal DiamondVictor, and Cardinal Luminous15. These founding cardinals were soon joined by other founding members of the Church, including Cardinal Toomanyeggshells, Cardinal African_Warl0rd, and Cardinal Gamabhana1234.

The Catholic Church's headquarters is currently located in the Vatican City's 'Curial Hall' within the Papal States, which all consist as parts of the 'Territories of the Holy See' (a designation which includes all territories under the ultimate temporal jurisdiction of the Pope, including all Bishoprics and the Papal States proper). The Church is currently involved in a number of domestic and international evangelization and church-building projects, and plans to re-locate its governing building to the Basilica of St. Peter once it is complete.

As of July 4th, 2023, the Pope of the Catholic Church is Rxquiem4718 under the papal name of Leo I, and the Cardinal Secretary of State is Realmichael.

Organization and Leadership

The Catholic Church is organized as a theocratic episcopal polity, led by Bishops who are given formal jurisdictions of governance within the Church and posts of local (diocesan) leadership.

The Pope is the ultimate leader of the Holy See, the Catholic Church, and of the Territories of the Holy See, being the most senior bishop as Bishop of Rome (titular) and Bishop of New Rome (the Vatican). The Pope is the ultimate temporal political authority in both the Papal States and Holy See, as well as Supreme Commander of its forces (the Palatine Guard) and the foremost defender of Catholics everywhere on CivMC. He is also the highest judge within the Catholic Church, being the final recourse for appeal in any legal cases under the jurisdiction of the Church.

Diocesan Organization

The most basic level of organization within the Catholic Church is the humble parish, overseen by local parish priests (appointed by the Vatican or by their local Bishop). Parishes will generally be small, and subject wholly to organization and reorganization by their local diocese.

The diocese is the central and primary level of organization within the Catholic Church. Each diocese is ran by a Bishop (or Archbishop) appointed by the Vatican to serve until resignation, re-assignment, or removal. The Bishop is wholly responsible for the presence of the Catholic Church in their diocese, and their everyday duties involve evangelization, clerical organization, church maintenance, managing relations with the host government, and communication with the local population. When a Bishop has been appointed by the Pope (or by a more senior Bishop under the authority of the Pope), they are consecrated in a ceremony either in the Vatican or at their church, where they are awarded a Bishop's Ring and a Staff, symbolizing their new authority in representing the Pope as leaders of their home diocese.

Some bishops may be appointed without a specific diocese or territory, making them Titular Bishops, or bishops without a territory. This may be done to promote certain individuals who require the rank of bishop to serve in other positions, but do not have a territory to govern or cannot govern a territory.

In particularly large dioceses, or in dioceses where a bishop cannot be present, a auxiliary bishop may be appointed to carry out some or all of the duties of the primary bishop. Although auxiliary bishops are full bishops, and are generally equal in rank to their primary counterparts, they are still subordinate to the wishes of the primary bishop in the affairs of their local diocese.

All bishops are ex officio members of the Synod of Bishops, which may be called by the Pope or his lawful representative to discuss the general affairs and direction of the Church, or for other purposes.

Bishoprics

Some Bishops and Archbishops, in addition to their usual diocese-level responsibilities, will be assigned to rule over a Territory of the Holy See in the name of the Pope, independent of all other sovereign nations and ultimately subject only to the temporal authority of the Holy See. These quasi-states are not independent of Church authority, but are not a part of the Papal States proper, instead constituting their own 'papal state' still ultimately subject to the Pope and College of Cardinals as Territories of the Holy See.

Cathedrals in other independent states will not constitute Bishoprics, as the territory that those cathedrals exists in is still subject to the temporal authority of a sovereign state. Bishoprics are independent from all temporal authorities other than those of the Holy See, and are subject to the laws and decrees of only the Holy See.

The College of Cardinals

The College of Cardinals is the highest ranking body within the Catholic Church, and serves as the primary organ through which the authority of the pope is exercised, as well as the Pope's primary advisory body. It is comprised of Cardinals, senior Archbishops or Bishops which have been chosen by the Pope or his lawful representative to serve in the College of Cardinals. Cardinals serve until death, retirement, or removal, but retain the title (if not the powers) for life (so long as they have not been defrocked).

Individual Cardinals are understood to represent and hold the authority of the Pope in general matters, but bishops are not obligated to follow orders from most Cardinals that they deem unreasonable or illegal.

Cardinals are empowered to hold 'prefect offices' within the Church, giving them authority over certain matters and affairs and the responsibility to direct Church activities in their sector. Each Prefect is leader of a Congregation or Pontifical Council, which effectively act as ministries of the Holy See.

As of July 4th, 2023, the Congregations and Pontifical Councils of the Holy See are as follows:

The Congregation for the Defense of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and for Clerical Affairs
The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (with additional responsibility over foreign affairs)
The Pontifical Council for Infrastructure and Development
The Pontifical Council for Finance, Technology, and Advancement

As a body, the College of Cardinals (and/or Synod of Bishops) may vote on binding decrees and resolutions within the Church when prompted by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Dean of the College of Cardinals, or the Pope. All Cardinals, by virtue of their office, have the right to sit in any ecumenical council called by the Pope.

The Dean of the College of Cardinals is the longest serving Cardinal who wishes to serve in that office and is the first among equals within the College of Cardinals. In Papal Elections, the Dean of the College of Cardinals presides over debate and counts the ballots, ultimately declaring the new Pope.

Other Pontifical Organizations

Other pontifical organizations exist, either under or alongside the five primary 'ministries' of the Holy See, to fill other roles needed by the Church.

The Santa Alleanza, the intelligence office of the Church.
The Episcopal Inquisition, the domestic security office of the Church.
The Pontifical Commission for Domestic Security, responsible for signals intelligence, snitch placements, and surveillance within Church borders. All senior members of the Inquisition and Santa Allenaza sit on the PCDS.
The Pontifical Commission for Historical Preservation and Artifacts, responsible for chronicling history, preserving artifacts, and managing the Vatican Libraries and Archives.
The Palatine Guard, the primary military organization of the Church, dedicated to the defense of it and its faithful.
The Pontifical Commission for the Papal States, the primary organization responsible for the management of the Papal States and Vatican City.
The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Supreme Court of the Catholic Church.
The Secretariat of State, the personal administrative office of the Cardinal Secretary of State
The Vatican Press Office, the main communications organ of the Catholic Church, under the Secretariat of State

Holy Orders and Honors

There exist several Holy Orders within the jurisdiction of the Church, either functional or with membership awarded for feats of high distinction by the Vatican. Likewise, there are several distinctions and medals awarded by the Vatican for certain acts of duty and heroism. Holy Orders may be established with the blessing of the Pope, or in some cases, by the order of a Bishop.

Curial Administration

Serving as head of government of the Papal States and the Holy See is the Cardinal Secretary of State, appointed by the Pope. The Cardinal Secretary of State manages general, political, and international affairs for the Holy See, Catholic Church, and Papal States, and oversees the leaders of the various pontifical organizations under the purview of the Pope. Ex officio, the Cardinal Secretary State is the President of the Pontifical Commission for the Papal States, Vice Commander of the Palatine Guard, and President of the Pontifical Commission for Historical Preservation. The Cardinal Secretary of State also oversees the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, although they do not sit as its President.

Military command, in times of war, will generally be exercised by the Pope through the Cardinal Secretary of State.

In a period of interregnum or papal absence, the Cardinal Secretary of State fulfils the responsibilities of the Pope, and they are the foremost representative of the Pope's authority within the Catholic Church.

Clerical Retirement

Upon the retirement of a clerical officials, they are freed of their responsibilities but retain their title so long as they remain within good standing with the Church. They may also be awarded a pension or stipend, depending on clerical policy.

The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Hearings of Great Misconduct, and Defrocking

The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the judiciary of the Holy See, with jurisdiction over the whole Church in the name of the Pope. It is led by the Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, and comprises any Bishops or Cardinals designated by the Pope or his lawful representative to hear cases and mediate disputes under the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church. Generally, positions on the Tribunal will not be permanent, with membership rotating among eligible candidates.

Should a Cardinal or Bishop be accused of major wrongdoing, they may be called upon to stand trial in a Hearing of Great Misconduct convened in the Vatican. Should they then be found guilty by a majority of the Supreme Tribunal, they may then be defrocked and removed from office. Only in Hearings of Great Misconduct, trials designated as major by the Curia, or in cases regarding organizational law will the whole tribunal convene. Generally, a single Tribune will be appointed by the Pope, Cardinal Secretary of State, or Tribune Prefect to hear a case, and generally, Tribunes will be permitted to take cases of their own initiative, so long as they do not have conflicting interest.

For the defrocking of a Cardinal currently serving as Cardinal Secretary of State or as Prefect of a Congregation or Pontifical Council to be finalized, either the Pope or his lawful representative must accede, unless they cannot be compelled to make a decision.

History

The Early Church

The Catholic Church on CivMC was first realized in its earliest form on the 28th of June, 2023, when Rxquiem4718 (the future Pope), Realmichael, and Luminous15 entered the server and later jointly determined their intent to establish a Christian Church on CivMC. Although the intention was at first for the three to establish a small state with the Church as a subordinate organ, the three later agreed to prioritize the dealings of the Church and forsake their state claims in favor of establishing and focusing on the to-be-established Catholic Church exclusively. It was then when the three decided that the Church should be established as a mirror of the real life Catholic Church. Rxquiem4718 was to take on the mantle as Pope Leo I, the head of the church. Realmichael was to take on the office of Cardinal Secretary of State, with oversight over political and bureaucratic affairs. And Luminous15 was to take on the office of Prefect for Evangelization, working to turn hearts and minds to the Catholic cause. It was also there determined there that this new 'CivMC Catholic Church' should work to promote the core Christian values of charity, compassion, and respect. It was after these deliberations that a fourth citizen, Edd, began his journey to the new Church territories.

From there onwards, the three men embarked on the 'Great Pilgrimage' to the abandoned territories of the Batavian Kingdom, seeking to establish a new state for their Church. Upon their arrival, they made the final decision to settle in the region and establish the capital of the Church there among the mountains and hills, and after a series of explorations (and the establishment of a agricultural settlement), Pope Leo I began the writing of the Chronicles, detailing the story of the Church's formation. The 'Early Church' Period ended with the official election of Leo I as Pope and the establishment of the Church by the College of Cardinals on the 29th of June, 2023.

Reign of Pope Leo I (June 29 - July 7)

With the Church established on Mount Alexandria, a number of other Cardinals and Faithful Catholics began their journeys to the Church territories, including Toomanyeggshells, Gamabhana1234, African_Warl0rd, and TheIowanGod among others. Initial disagreements within the Church were quickly resolved through discussion and cooperation, and work immediately began on the construction of the Vatican. Realmichael and Luminous15 worked to establish diplomatic relations with various nations, and all members of the Faithful worked on infrastructure and new buildings for the newly-established Papal States.

On the Fifth of July, Papal representatives met with a unknown visitor to the lands of the Church, who quickly revealed himself to be the King of the long-dissolved Batavian Kingdom. After some cordial discussion, the King gave his blessing for the Catholic Church to establish their control over former Batavian land. The Church thus established the Batavian Honors, to be granted to any former Batavian citizen who was discovered on the lands of the Holy See, and granted King NivBarkie the title of 'Defender of the Faith.'

On the Sixth of July, tensions flared as Pope Leo I ordered the suspension of Cardinal Luminous15. Luminous15 then entered the city, was armed by elements within the College of Cardinals, and proceeded to capture the Pope - who was promptly freed through a intervention by Cardinal Secretary of State Realmichael. Fighting then continued, ultimately ending in Luminous15 going into temporary exile until Pope Leo I decided to retract his dismissal, allowing Cardinal Secretary of State Realmichael to restore Luminous15 to office, ending the crisis.

On the Seventh of July, domestic tensions hit a breaking point with the alleged robbery of supplies from the Curial Treasury by Bakhmut regional officials. Following a series of skirmishes between forces loyal to the provincial government and the Cardinal Secretary of State, the Bakhmut Government surrendered and returned all stolen property to the Curia following discussions at the First Vatican Summit. For their efforts at reconciliation, the Bakhmut Government was pardoned of their crimes, and the Papal States were once again united.

With the conclusion of the Bakhmut Crisis, Pope Leo I made the decision to resign following the First Vatican Summit, allowing new procedures for the service and election of new Popes to come into effect once approved by the College of Cardinals.

Papal Interregnum (July 7 - Present)

tbd

Popes of the Catholic Church

Name Reign	Duration of Reign	Portrait	Coat of Arms	Personal Motto	Previous Office and Original Name	Important Encyclicals, Documents, and Other Statements	Other Accomplishments / Notable Events
Leo I 'The Unifier' June 29th 2023 - July 7th 2023	8 days	Non-official Portrait	Non-Personal Coat of Arms	"Pax Christi in Regno Christ" (Non Personal Motto)	Pastor Rxquiem4718	TBD	ELECTED UNAMINOUSLY BY THE FOUNDING CARDINALS Established the Catholic Church on CivMC with his Cardinals on the 29th of June. Established the first Catholic agricultural settlements in what is now the Papal States. Was pearled between July 1st and July 3rd by the Icenian Government, released following successful negotiations following trial. Returned, and established the practice of Bishop's Rings and Staffs, and furthermore appointed the first Diocesan Bishop, TheIowanGod, to manage the Diocese of Icenia City. Participated in the Crisis of July 6, temporarily dismissing Luminous15 and directly participating in hostilities in a attempt to defend his dismissal of the Cardinal. Participated in the Bakhmut Crisis of July 8, resigning after his role in the First Vatican Summit and the pardon of the Bakhmut Government, leading to him being acclaimed as Leo I 'the Unifier' by the College of Cardinals. In his final statement, he expressed his sincerest wishes that the Holy Spirit aid in the election of the new Pope, and indicated his preference for either Cardinal Secretary of State Realmichael or Cardinal DiamondVictor to become the next Pontiff.

PAPAL INTERREGNUM (7/7/2023 - PRESENT) Duties and responsibilities of the Papacy held by the Papal Secretary of State.

Cardinal Secretaries of State of the Catholic Church

Name Reign	Duration of Office	Portrait	Coat of Arms	Personal Motto	Previous Office	Important Statements, Documents, and Writings	Other Accomplishments / Notable Events
Realmichael June 29th 2023 - Present	Current		"Dominus Est"	TBD	Pastor	TBD	APPOINTED BY POPE LEO I ON THE ADVICE OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS Worked within the Curia to codify and establish the organizational structure of the Church. Led the Pilgrimage to Mount Alexandria in what is now known as the Papal States, and was one of two Cardinals to initially establish the Church in Pope Leo I's name. Established the Vatican Courts and bureaucracy, also establishing the legal distinction between the Papal States and the Lands of the Holy See. Successfully led a number of negotiations with foreign powers, including the Negotiations of July 3rd. Worked with other Cardinals to properly establish the infrastructure necessary for the Congregations and Pontifical Councils. Established the Papal CCTV Network throughout the Papal States with African_Warl0rd. Primary mediator of the First Vatican Summit, and served as field commander of Curial Forces in the Bakhmut Crisis.

Bishops and Cardinals (Emeritus and Actively Serving) of the Catholic Church

Name and Date of Consecration / Office	Portrait	Coat of Arms	Dioceses of Residence	Important Statements, Documents, and Writings	Primary Titles, Awards, and Positions	Appointing Officer, Other Accomplishments / Notable Events
Rxquiem4718 June 29th 2023 - July 7th 2023	Non-Official Portrait	No personal Coat of Arms or Motto	AS BISHOP: Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Pope, Servo Sevorum Dei, Bishop of Rome, Bishop of New Rome	FOUNDING MEMBER Established the Catholic Church on CivMC with his Cardinals on the 29th of June. Established the first Catholic agricultural settlements in what is now the Papal States. Was pearled between July 1st and July 3rd by the Icenian Government, released following successful negotiations following trial. Returned, and established the practice of Bishop's Rings and Staffs, and furthermore appointed the first Diocesan Bishop, TheIowanGod, to manage the Diocese of Icenia City. Participated in the Crisis of July 6, temporarily dismissing Luminous15 and directly participating in hostilities in a attempt to defend his dismissal of the Cardinal. Participated in the Bakhmut Crisis of July 8, resigning after his role in the First Vatican Summit and the pardon of the Bakhmut Government, leading to him being acclaimed as Leo I 'the Unifier' by the College of Cardinals. In his final statement, he expressed his sincerest wishes that the Holy Spirit aid in the election of the new Pope, and indicated his preference for either Cardinal Secretary of State Realmichael or Cardinal DiamondVictor to become the next Pontiff.

Realmichael June 29th 2023 - Present		"Dominus Est"	AS AUXILIARY BISHOP: Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Cardinal Secretary of State	FOUNDING MEMBER Worked within the Curia to codify and establish the organizational structure of the Church. Led the Pilgrimage to Mount Alexandria in what is now known as the Papal States, and was one of two Cardinals to initially establish the Church in Pope Leo I's name. Established the Vatican Courts and bureaucracy, also establishing the legal distinction between the Papal States and the Lands of the Holy See. Successfully led a number of negotiations with foreign powers, including the Negotiations of July 3rd. Worked with other Cardinals to properly establish the infrastructure necessary for the Congregations and Pontifical Councils. Established the Papal CCTV Network throughout the Papal States with African_Warl0rd. Primary mediator of the First Vatican Summit, and served as field commander of Curial Forces in the Bakhmut Crisis.

DiamondVictor June 29th 2023 - Present		TBD	Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Prefect of the Congregation for the Defense of the Faith	FOUNDING MEMBER Led the Pilgrimage to Mount Alexandria in what is now known as the Papal States, and was one of two Cardinals to initially establish the Church there in Pope Leo I's name.

Luminous15 June 29th 2023 - Present		"Desidero Centum Offa Non Accipies"	Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples Benemerenti Medal (awarded for participation in the Negotiations of July 3rd)	FOUNDING MEMBER Established diplomatic relations with a number of countries, securing rights to construct diocesian facilities in Pavia and Icenia, among others.

Gamabhana1234 June 29th 2023 - Present	TBD	TBD	Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Prefect of the Pontifical Council for Finance, Technology, and Advancement	APPOINTED BY POPE LEO I ON THE ADVICE OF THE CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE REALMICHAEL Closed Administrative Censure issued on 7/4/2023. Pearled on the 1st of July in relation to alleged criminal acts in Icenia, by the Icenian government. Temporarily not serving.

Toomanyeggshells June 29th 2023 - Present		TBD "Share Thy Bread"	AS AUXILIARY BISHOP: Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Prefect of the Pontifical Council for Infrastructure and Development	APPOINTED BY POPE LEO I ON THE ADVICE OF THE CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE REALMICHAEL First Cardinal to arrive in the Holy See after DiamondVictor, Luminous15, and realmichael

African_Warl0rd June 30th 2023 - Present	TBD	TBD	Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and for Clerical Affairs	APPOINTED BY POPE LEO I ON THE ADVICE OF THE CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE REALMICHAEL Spearheaded Vatican construction and development, especially industrially, and constructed the first new buildings in the Vatican following the establishment of Catholic presence there. Established the National Highway System, first with I-85 and then with the General Buttnaked Freeway, linking the Vatican with its outlying territories and farms. Initially appointed as Titular Cardinal, but on July 3rd appointed by the Curia as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and for Clerical Affairs Temporarily assumed the responsibilities of the Prefect for Finance, Technology, and Advancement on July 4th with the extended pearling of Gamabhana1234.

TheIowanGod July 4th 2023 - Present	TBD	TBD	Nova Roma (Papal States) AS BISHOP: Diocese of Icenia City (Icenia)	TBD	Bishop of Icenia City	APPOINTED BY POPE LEO I Pearled (as a Seminarian) on July 1st for 'suspicious activity' by the Icenian government. Released following negotiations and trial on the 4th with a statement from the Secretariat of State declaring his innocence and eligibility for the office of Bishop. Consecrated by Pope Leo I as Bishop the same day, and appointed as Bishop of Icenia City following negotiations permitting Catholic construction of church facilities in the country. Appointed as Inquisitor on the 7th of November following his efforts to investigate possible dissidents.

SpectroElectro July 6th 2023 - Present		TBD	AS AUXILLARY BISHOP: The Vatican / Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Auxiliary Bishop of the Vatican	APPOINTED BY POPE LEO I ON THE ADVICE OF THE CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE REALMICHAEL Consecrated by Pope Leo I as a Bishop following his extraordinary efforts to advance the development of the Vatican. The final Bishop fully consecrated by Pope Leo I before his resignation on July 7th, 2023. Worked tirelessly to advance domestic development, especially in the farmlands and country lanes of the Papal States.

NivBarkie July 7th 2023 - Present		TBD	Nova Roma (Papal States)	TBD	Titular Bishop and Cardinal	APPOINTED BY CARDINAL SECRETARY OF STATE REALMICHAEL WHILE EXERCISING THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE PAPACY Original King of the Kingdom of Batavia, which inhabited the territories of the Papal States before the nation's dissolution. Declared it was the will of his former nation to allow its territories to be inhabited by the Papal States, and was declared a 'Defender of the Faith' for it. Announced his intent to rejoin CivMC and join the Catholic Church, becoming a citizen of the Vatican City on the 7th of July. He was then appointed as a Cardinal by the Cardinal Secretary of State under his right to exercise the powers and duties of the Papacy during a interregnum.