INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH
The Church of Light, also called the brotherhood of Luminarias,
is a religious group much resembling the real-life Roman Catholic Church.
It is a dominating religious group in our fictional RP world, and also the one of the
only few that has a grudge against demons that are from the Darkness.
The political government and the Church are quite collaborative.
Politicians are usually not so religious themselves (who would've guessed?), though
the Church remains a giant body of power and is given place in law-making,
law enforcement and correctional institutions. As a result, they do act
as the local police at times, enthusiastically devoting themselves
to rid the world of evils and general deviance.
Their high offices are now in the Pesso state of Mondeamos on the northen map
of the Collected States of Pesso. Their influence occupies the whole of Pesso,
and stretches across the continents of the world.
They operate very much like the real-life Roman Catholic Church.
There are Sunday Masses for those who seek illumination, holiday events,
public preaching, church confessionals, and general church service for all.
PREACHING OF THE CHURCH
The Church claimed to have established itself since the growth of mankind,
according to their teachings.
The Church preaches the good:
wisdom, enlightenment, fine morale and the regulation of life;
to pick the fruits of one's labour, to love and to share generously the light of one's life,
and to condemn the darkness that preys upon our shadows.
STRUCTURE & HIERARCHY IN THE CHURCH
To begin with, one becomes a priest of the Church by first completing the
sophomore year of his high school education; he then may decide to enter a
7-years seminary education, poetically dubbed the "Seven Winters Towards Light"
by some less forgiving seminary professors.
During the seven years, seminary students may be approached by
superiors and tested for exorcism abilities. It is said that when a man
with light in his hands near the black wine, a demonic substance,
the heavy liquid would quiver in fear. Once found to be capable of such
abilities, the student will be taken under the wings of their exorcism
superiors, and study from them to act as the first soldiers
against demonic activities.
After graduating from the seminar, all students become deacons
of the Church. They may serve the Church for an undecided length of time
until they have made oaths and are ordained their
priesthood by their high priests.
As a side note, female priests (or priestesses) do exist,
although they often become nuns (deacons) and devote themselves to
education instead, given their mothering nature. Although unsaid by most,
they are also considered prone to attracting darkness.
Now for the hierarchy of the Church,
from the top---the Holy Father, to the Deacons:
THE HOLY FATHER OF LIGHT: The Bringer of Light to mankind, and the holiest man of the Church of Light. The beacon of faith, goodwill and the mortal reincarnation of the original Holy Father of Light. Can be referred to as the Pope, the Holy Father and His Holiness.
THE CARDINALS: A small council of selected High Priests that are chosen to, when the time requires, vote for the next Holy Father of Light.
COUNCIL OF OVERSEERS: A council of selected priests and high priests that remain anonymous as overseers and conscience of the Church to watch over (or more bluntly, to spy upon) their fellow holy brothers, in order to keep demons at bar from the Church.
COUNCIL OF LIGHTKEEPERS: A council of selected priests and high priests whom have the Gift of Light, are able to perform the magic of exorcising demons and chasing away darkness. They are responsible for eliminating their local/regional demonic activities.
HIGH PRIESTS (or BISHOPS): The regional officials and overseers. Can be referred to as His Grace or His Excellency.
ARCHPRIESTS: The overseers of other priests and a number of local churches. Can be referred to as the Reverend Father.
PRIESTS: The local officials. Can be referred to as Father.
DEACONS: The goodmen and servants of the Church, can be referred to as Mister, Reverend or Father. They may teach and serve but they cannot bless.
