Brittanic Catholic Church

The Jerusalem Cross

## Information

The Brittanic Catholic Church, formally known as the Holy Brittanic Catholic Apostolic Church *(Latin: Sancti Brittanicae Catholicae Et Apostolicae Ecclasiae)* is the Catholic Church of EarthCraft 7; the sole Christian Denomination in the server. It is made up of 4 Archdioceses, which further split into 6 Dioceses; The most important one being the Diocese of Londinium *(Latin: Ex Londinium, Ad London)*. The beliefs and structure of the church as not very different from the real Catholic Church, making for an interesting scenario.

## Structure of the Church

The Structure of the church is nearly identical to the structure of the Roman Catholic Church, as it is explained bellow:

1. The Pope, Holy See, Supreme Pontiff, Archbishop of Brittania, Bishop of Londinium *(Latin: Papa, Sedis, Summi Pontificis, Archiepiscopus de Brittania, Episcopus de Londinium)*
2. Cardinals, Council of Cardinals to the Supreme Pontiff *(Latin: Cardinales, Concilium Cardinalium ad Summum Pontificem)*
3. Archbishops, Higher College of Archbishops, Bishop of Rome *(Latin: Archiepiscopos, Superior Collegii Archiepiscopos, Episcopum Romae)*
4. Auxiliary Archbishops, Advisors to the Archbishops *(Latin: Auxilia Archiepiscopos, Consiliarii ad Archiepiscopos)*
5. Bishops, College of Bishops, European Conference of Bishops *(Latin: Episcopus est, Collegium Episcoporum Conferentiae Episcoporum Europae)*
6. Priests *(Latin: Sacerdos)*
7. Deacons, Assistants to the Priests and Bishops *(Latin: Diaconi, Adiutores ad Sacerdotes et Episcopos).*

### The Pope

The Pope *(Latin: Papa)* is the Supreme Authority of the Brittanic Catholic Church. Alike the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is a Bishop, specifically, the Bishop of the Diocese of Londinium, which is a Diocese which makes part of the Archdiocese of Brittania. The Pope can also be referred as the Holy See or the Supreme Pontiff. In Catholic Theology, the Papacy extends from St. Peter the Apostle of Christ, all the way to current Pope Francis *(Check **Apostolic Succession** for more info).* This is possible by the Apostolic Succession doctrine, which itself is derived by another doctrine of the church. *(Check **Matthew 16:18** for more info).* One of the inconveniences that the text presents is that, we don't know what rock Jesus was referring to, Nor is there evidence of Jesus referring to Rome when he said this. Decades after Christ said this, St. Peter was executed in the famous Upside Down Cross *(Check **St. Peter's Cross** for more info)* what would soon become Vatican. Even though this would have been very unlikely, what if St. Peter was instead exiled and executed on the Roman Province of Brittania? It wouldn't interfere a lot with the succession of the clergy, and for gameplay purposes, it'd be a realistic yet good concept. Below the pope, there are Cardinals.

### Cardinals

The Cardinals *(Latin: Cardinales)* are the highest ranking members of the clergy in the Church, only behind the Supreme Pontiff. Contrary to popular belief, the rank of Cardinal is an additional title of an individual, though they tend to be only for Bishops and Archbishops. All the Cardinals make up an advisory for the Pope, known officially as the Council of Cardinals *(Latin: Concilium Cardinalium)*. The Council of Cardinals most famous yet rare duty is to elect a new Pope upon resignation or death. Cardinals can only be appointed by the Pope, and unlike the real church, the Pope doesn't have a limit on the amount of Cardinals he can appoint. Below the Cardinals (Depending on the Ranch after Cardinal) are the Bishops, most notably Archbishops.

### Bishops

#### Archbishops

The Archbishops *(Latin: Archiepiscopus)* are the highest-ranking bishops. The Archbishops are given the responsibility of administration of their respective Archdioceses *(Latin: Archidioecesi)*, which are church "provinces". The Archbishops, unlike the real church, get a special Council known as the Higher College of Archbishops *(Latin: Superioribus Collegio de Archiepiscopos)*, which functions similar to the Council of Cardinals with excluded functions such as the ability to vote on a new Pope upon resignation or death. Below the Archbishops, are Auxiliary Archbishops.

#### Auxiliary Archbishops

Auxiliary Archbishops *(Latin: Auxilia Archiepiscopus)* are the 2nd highest-ranking bishops. The Auxiliary Archbishops are given less responsabilities than Archbishops, but still remain important. Auxiliary Archbishops act as secretaries/advisors to the Archbishop of the specific Archdiocese, and are able to be appointed by both the Archbishop of the specific Archdiocese, or the Pope. The Auxiliary Archbishops get to be honorary members in the College of Bishops *(Latin: Collegio de Episcospos)*, but only get to be spectator members in the Higher College of Archbishops. Unlike ordinary Archbishops, the Auxiliary Archbishops cannot name a Bishop to a Specific Diocese *(Latin:Dioecesi)*. Below the Auxiliary Archbishops, are the Bishops.

#### Bishops

Bishops *(Latin: Episcopus)* are some of the most important individuals of the Church. The Bishops are appointed by either the Pope or Archbishops, and they get to oversee Dioceses, which are in a way church "districts". The Bishops get to be part of the College of Bishops, and can name both Priests *(Latin: Sacerdos)* and Deacons *(Latin: Diaconi)* within his Diocese. Bishops are most famous for overseeing the specific Diocese from what is known today as Cathedrals *(Latin: Cathedralis)*. Bishops when ordained are given many responsabilities such as baptising and preaching the word. Depending on the Diocese that a specific Bishop is from, they get higher honors which are below the Auxiliary Archbishop, but above Bishops. The Bishop of Rome gets a special place within the College of Bishops, as in real life, Rome has played an important political role within the Church. The only exception to this is the Bishop of Londinium, which is the Pope. Below the Bishops, there are Priests.

### Priests

Priests *(Latin: Sacerdos)* are the building blocks of the Church. They can be appointed by the Bishop, Auxiliary Archbishop, Archbishop or Pope, and they overee the Parishes *(Latin: Paroeciarum)* of the specific Diocese. Parishes are the ecclasestial territory a Church controls. Priests don't get to be part of a college/council, but can act as advisors to Bishops if needed. Below the Priests, are the Deacons.

### Deacons

Deacons *(Latin: Diaconi)* are the lowest members of the Church Clergy. They act as assistants to the Priests, and can be appointed by only the Priests.

## Church's Archdioceses/Dioceses

This is a list of all of the Archdioceses of the Brittanic Catholic Church. The list also includes Dioceses.

* **Archdiocese of Brittania**
* Diocese of Londinium
* Diocese of Edina
* Diocese of Isca
* **Archdiocese of Germania**
* Diocese of Landonburg
* **Archdiocese of Italia**
* Diocese of Rome
* **Archdiocese of Rus**
* Diocese of St. Petersburg

## Church's Clergy

This is the list of the Catholic Clergy:

* Pope, Supreme Pontiff, Archbishop of Brittania, Bishop of Londinium Julian
* Archbishop of Italia, Bishop of Rome Oofboi
* Archbishop of Germania, Bishop of Landonburg Landon
* Archbishop of Rus, Bishop of St. Petersburg Luis
* Bishop of Edina Dixie
* Bishop of Isca EXploit