Though the history of Daemun Sainthood is long and checkered with such names as Grovin XVII and Reece Da Soto, its traditions of bestowment upon only the most worthy of subjects has been the subject of contraversy for many centuries, especially with the most noteable of those being still alive. Among a civilizations history historical and legendary figures are most usually expected to age, die and the tales of their lives to live on without them for ages to come; but not so with the Daemun people, where even the greatest among them has been around since the very begining of their great Imperium.
This minor benifit of their technological expertise creates a minor disturbance in the field of its religious clergy and their blessed figures. While most galactic religious figures merely live a short pious life in the grand scheme of things, a Daemun figure must not only lead a life of examples, but maintain this lifestyle for an eternity. While the more dedicated among the mortal followers of the Universal Church might revel in their immortal saints, it has lead to a downtime in specific saint miracles.
It is to this end that the very first mortal and live holder of this great blessing has been chosen amongst the greatest of all non-Daemun people in the following of the word of Raktus. Chosen for not only his works in the Lords name, but his unwavering loyalty to the Daemun people General Grievious, Supreme Administrator of The Black Tion Sector, has been ceremoniously inducted into the Daemun palpacy by word of his Lordship, Himself. In a series of liturgical ceremonies conducted in the Highest Temple of The Mind, located on Dameo, the Supreme Administrator was initiated at distance with the prayers of the Pontifex Maximus of Dameo and Raktus' blessing to the position of Lord Protector of The Universal Daemun Church. In addition to his day to day duties of state, General Grevious has been designated with the most honorable duty to defend the faith, uphold the credo and to otherwise preserve and advance The Universal Daemun Church in all facets of being. In so being, The Lord Protector has been granted the following powers of clergy to further the clergy among the Imperium and all its peoples:
<b>Infallibility</b>
Basic religious theology asserts that the entire Daemun church is infallible (and therefore cannot err in matters of faith) when, from bishops to laity, it shows universal agreement in matters of faith and morals. The Lord Protector exercises an infallible teaching office only when (1) he speaks ex cathedra, that is, in his official capacity as pastor and teacher; (2) he speaks with the manifest intention of binding the entire Daemun church to acceptance; and (3) the matter pertains to faith or morals taught as a part of divine revelation handed down from The Lord, Himself. The Lord Protector is never considered infallible in his personal or private views. Infallibility is not regarded by its adherents as something miraculous or as a kind of clairvoyance. Rather, it is considered a grace, or divine gift, that is theologically grounded. They hold that the Daemun church derives this gift from Raktus, who alone is the ultimate source of infallibility. Infallibility is therefore seen as a gift that is to be exercised with the utmost care in the service of his word.
<b>Authority to Canonize</b>
Canonization, in the Daemun church, is an act by which the Lord Protector publicly proclaims the sanctity of a deceased person, whom he thereupon proposes for the veneration of the universal Daemun church. Canonization is usually the final act of a lengthy process that begins with beatification. The decree of beatification is an official declaration that a person lived a holy life and can be venerated as one of the “blessed”; canonization awards the full title of “saint.” Canonization, without a special dispensation, cannot be decreed until 50 years have elapsed since the claimant's death. The process that precedes the decree of canonization seeks to establish two characteristics of the claimant according to the testimony of competent witnesses: eminent virtues, technically referred to as virtues in a “heroic degree,” and the performance of at least two authentic miracles.
<b>Authority of Beatification</b>
An official declaration that a deceased person lived a holy life and is worthy of veneration. The beatified person receives the title “blessed.” The process leading to beatification involves an intensive examination of the life, writings, and reputation of the person under consideration. It is generally a step toward canonization.
<b>Power to grant Indulgences</b>
Indulgence, in modern practice, the full or partial remission before God of punishment for sins that have been forgiven. It is granted by the authority of the Lord Protector and is considered to be a special form of intercession made by the whole Daemun church through its liturgy and prayers for the reconciliation of one of its members, living or dead.
<b>Authority to make Canon Law</b>
Canon Law refers to the body of legislation of various Daemun churches dealing with matters of constitution or discipline. Although all religions have regulations, the term applies mainly to the formal systems of communions. It is distinguished from civil or secular law, but conflict can arise in areas of mutual concern (for example, marriage and divorce).
<b>Power to issuie an Interdict</b>
Interdict, in the Daemun church, is a penalty consisting of the withdrawal of the administration of the sacraments and of all public religious services. Interdicts apply to individuals or groups of persons, to single places or entire nations. They are imposed by the Lord Protector. A general interdict may be personal or local, that is, applied to all the persons of an area or to all the sacred institutions of an area. A particular interdict may be personal, affecting a named individual wherever he or she may be, or local, affecting a given place. The services suspended vary as well, and the ban may be lifted on certain holy days. It is lifted entirely after the offender expresses repentance.
<b>Power to Excommunicate</b>
Excommunication is defined as the ecclesiastical censure whereby a member of The Daemun church is deprived of the benefits and privileges of membership. Excommunication is the most serious ecclesiastical censure; it is intended, however, as a corrective rather than a vindictive form of punishment. Two degrees of excommunication, major and minor, are defined early by the Daemun church. Minor excommunication involves exclusion from the sacrament of the Eucharist and from the full privileges of the Daemun church.
Major excommunication is pronounced upon obstinate sinners, relapsed apostates, and heretics; its form is more solemn, and it is less easily revoked. The duration of the excommunication is decided by the Lord Protector. The absolution of lapsed individuals (those who in times of persecution had fallen away from their Daemun profession to other Gods or Faiths) were for the most part forbidden except at death. In the early Daemun church procedings no civil disabilities were connected with excommunication, but as governments became increasingly Daemun in their moralities, major excommunication is followed by loss of political rights and exclusion from public office. Excommunication directed against individuals in positions of power over others deprives them of their rights to govern and, therefore, absolved their subjects of allegiance to them; the Daemun church thus becames an important power.
This minor benifit of their technological expertise creates a minor disturbance in the field of its religious clergy and their blessed figures. While most galactic religious figures merely live a short pious life in the grand scheme of things, a Daemun figure must not only lead a life of examples, but maintain this lifestyle for an eternity. While the more dedicated among the mortal followers of the Universal Church might revel in their immortal saints, it has lead to a downtime in specific saint miracles.
It is to this end that the very first mortal and live holder of this great blessing has been chosen amongst the greatest of all non-Daemun people in the following of the word of Raktus. Chosen for not only his works in the Lords name, but his unwavering loyalty to the Daemun people General Grievious, Supreme Administrator of The Black Tion Sector, has been ceremoniously inducted into the Daemun palpacy by word of his Lordship, Himself. In a series of liturgical ceremonies conducted in the Highest Temple of The Mind, located on Dameo, the Supreme Administrator was initiated at distance with the prayers of the Pontifex Maximus of Dameo and Raktus' blessing to the position of Lord Protector of The Universal Daemun Church. In addition to his day to day duties of state, General Grevious has been designated with the most honorable duty to defend the faith, uphold the credo and to otherwise preserve and advance The Universal Daemun Church in all facets of being. In so being, The Lord Protector has been granted the following powers of clergy to further the clergy among the Imperium and all its peoples:
<b>Infallibility</b>
Basic religious theology asserts that the entire Daemun church is infallible (and therefore cannot err in matters of faith) when, from bishops to laity, it shows universal agreement in matters of faith and morals. The Lord Protector exercises an infallible teaching office only when (1) he speaks ex cathedra, that is, in his official capacity as pastor and teacher; (2) he speaks with the manifest intention of binding the entire Daemun church to acceptance; and (3) the matter pertains to faith or morals taught as a part of divine revelation handed down from The Lord, Himself. The Lord Protector is never considered infallible in his personal or private views. Infallibility is not regarded by its adherents as something miraculous or as a kind of clairvoyance. Rather, it is considered a grace, or divine gift, that is theologically grounded. They hold that the Daemun church derives this gift from Raktus, who alone is the ultimate source of infallibility. Infallibility is therefore seen as a gift that is to be exercised with the utmost care in the service of his word.
<b>Authority to Canonize</b>
Canonization, in the Daemun church, is an act by which the Lord Protector publicly proclaims the sanctity of a deceased person, whom he thereupon proposes for the veneration of the universal Daemun church. Canonization is usually the final act of a lengthy process that begins with beatification. The decree of beatification is an official declaration that a person lived a holy life and can be venerated as one of the “blessed”; canonization awards the full title of “saint.” Canonization, without a special dispensation, cannot be decreed until 50 years have elapsed since the claimant's death. The process that precedes the decree of canonization seeks to establish two characteristics of the claimant according to the testimony of competent witnesses: eminent virtues, technically referred to as virtues in a “heroic degree,” and the performance of at least two authentic miracles.
<b>Authority of Beatification</b>
An official declaration that a deceased person lived a holy life and is worthy of veneration. The beatified person receives the title “blessed.” The process leading to beatification involves an intensive examination of the life, writings, and reputation of the person under consideration. It is generally a step toward canonization.
<b>Power to grant Indulgences</b>
Indulgence, in modern practice, the full or partial remission before God of punishment for sins that have been forgiven. It is granted by the authority of the Lord Protector and is considered to be a special form of intercession made by the whole Daemun church through its liturgy and prayers for the reconciliation of one of its members, living or dead.
<b>Authority to make Canon Law</b>
Canon Law refers to the body of legislation of various Daemun churches dealing with matters of constitution or discipline. Although all religions have regulations, the term applies mainly to the formal systems of communions. It is distinguished from civil or secular law, but conflict can arise in areas of mutual concern (for example, marriage and divorce).
<b>Power to issuie an Interdict</b>
Interdict, in the Daemun church, is a penalty consisting of the withdrawal of the administration of the sacraments and of all public religious services. Interdicts apply to individuals or groups of persons, to single places or entire nations. They are imposed by the Lord Protector. A general interdict may be personal or local, that is, applied to all the persons of an area or to all the sacred institutions of an area. A particular interdict may be personal, affecting a named individual wherever he or she may be, or local, affecting a given place. The services suspended vary as well, and the ban may be lifted on certain holy days. It is lifted entirely after the offender expresses repentance.
<b>Power to Excommunicate</b>
Excommunication is defined as the ecclesiastical censure whereby a member of The Daemun church is deprived of the benefits and privileges of membership. Excommunication is the most serious ecclesiastical censure; it is intended, however, as a corrective rather than a vindictive form of punishment. Two degrees of excommunication, major and minor, are defined early by the Daemun church. Minor excommunication involves exclusion from the sacrament of the Eucharist and from the full privileges of the Daemun church.
Major excommunication is pronounced upon obstinate sinners, relapsed apostates, and heretics; its form is more solemn, and it is less easily revoked. The duration of the excommunication is decided by the Lord Protector. The absolution of lapsed individuals (those who in times of persecution had fallen away from their Daemun profession to other Gods or Faiths) were for the most part forbidden except at death. In the early Daemun church procedings no civil disabilities were connected with excommunication, but as governments became increasingly Daemun in their moralities, major excommunication is followed by loss of political rights and exclusion from public office. Excommunication directed against individuals in positions of power over others deprives them of their rights to govern and, therefore, absolved their subjects of allegiance to them; the Daemun church thus becames an important power.