From LanceaSanctum

Drafted during the month of October, 2007, by the society's current members. The dialectic was established in October, 2006, and operated for one year under a provisional charter outlined by society founder Bishop J.W.Ghoren on October 14 of 2006. During that year, Bishop Ghoren served as the society's rector. As the society enters its second year, a new rector and various Deans shall oversee the implementation of this charter once it is approved by the society.

The Charter of the Diocesan Dialectic

Preamble The Diocesan Dialectic was founded as an informal association of Sanctified Pastors, come together to discuss pastoral technique, to develop pastoral resources, and to promote cooperation between parishes of the Lancea Sanctum. It exists to serve all Pastors and would-be Pastors of the church, and does not discriminate based on standing within the covenant, creed or position.

I. Mission

To Promote the Inter-Diocesan Cooperation

The Dialectic shall promote and shall create opportunities for the Sanctified to come together across Dioceses and Parishes world-wide for the mutual exchange of experience, scholarship and counsel. The society shall provide fora for clergy of the Lancea Sanctum to consult and collaborate on issues and projects of mutual concern, and for clergy facing pastoral challenges to find advice and aid for meeting the same.

To Provide Digital and Physical Fora for Such Dialogues

Toward its first goal, the Diocesan Dialectic shall provide digital fora to facilitate such cooperation. The society shall host live sessions of Dialectic to promote the sharing of wisdom and information between Sanctified leaders when they gather.

To Cooperatively Increase the Body of Sanctified Knowledge

Through the dialogue and collective work of its members, the Dialectic shall develop further the Ritae, Theology and general scholarship of the Sanctified. The society shall provide its developments to the church as a whole, and shall provide opportunities for all to contribute to the wider body of Sanctified scholarship.

To Provide for Perpetual Storage and Dissemination of Such Knowledge

The Diocesan Dialectic shall maintain the works it develops and collects in perpetuity, and shall provide for their dissemination to all Sanctified for future use. This it shall do through partnerships with other Sanctified institutions and through maintenance of a secure digital storehouse for said information.

II. Organization

Membership in the Society

All Sanctified may join the Dialectic who either presently serve in a Pastoral role, or who seek to learn about pastorship that they may take it up when ready.

Pastors and Pastors-In-Training

"Serving a Pastoral role," within the Diocesan Dialectic, shall refer to Sanctified who fulfill any of the following offices:

• Clerical Deacon
• Priest
• Bishop
• Archbishop
• Cardinal

The Dialectic was created to serve those who serve these roles, but maintains also a commitment to helping younger Sanctified into new clerical roles, and as such welcomes all Pastors in training to join as well. For those who are not Pastors, membership shall require a stated or demonstrated will to step into a role of leadership in the Sanctum.

Recognition of a Curatae within the Dialectic

Members of the Dialectic who serve the society with distinction shall be recognized with the honorary title of Curatus, in honor of the special "care of souls" they provide through demonstrated commitment to the institution of the Diocese or Parish. Requirements for recognition as a Curatus shall be:

• Contribution of works to the Dialectic's collection
• One season's active participation on Dialectic fora, and
• Prior or present service in a pastoral office.

Within the society, Curatae shall have the following sole privilege: the recognition of new Curatae. When a society member is recommended for the recognition, and is found to have met the conditions laid out above, he or she shall be confirmed as a Curatus by the consent of those currently so-titled, or shall be denied such recognition at that time if even a single Curate should object. If a Curate fails to continue his or her work for the betterment of Diocesan cooperation, he or she may be stripped of the title by agreement of a majority of other Curatae, or by the sitting Rector of the society.

Leadership within the Dialectic

No member or members "lead" the Dialectic, though several offices shall provide focus to the efforts of the membership. Those who serve in these roles shall coordinate efforts, and shall promote the society's goals that fall within its purview, but they have no power or authority over the society's other members.

Deans of the Dialectic

The various areas of work within the Diocesan Dialectic shall be coordinated by Deans, to be selected or reaffirmed no less than once per year by the consent of the membership. While the following offices may be considered "standing" Deanships, the Rector may, as needed and with the society's consent, create additional offices to handle society affairs. The current Deans shall be:

• The Dean of Seminars shall be responsible for organizing and executing events held by the Dialectic. He or she shall facilitate regular gatherings for Dialectic as well as facilitating cooperative seminars with other Sanctified institutions, such as the Novitiate in Halen, Belgium.
• The Dean of Research shall be responsible for overseeing and coordinating special projects undertaken by the society. He or she shall provide aid and help to maintain the focus of members undertaking work for the society. Finally, he or she shall be a central source for sharing information as needed in the development of such works.
• The Dean of Resources shall be responsible for maintaining and updating the Dialectic Database of past discussions, Dialectic-generated ritae and other religious resources. He or she shall also seek out and maintain partnerships with other notable Sanctified theological collections and institutions.

Rector of the Dialectic

The society shall be administered by a Rector, who shall coordinate between the Deans, oversee society discussions, maintain the roll of members and Curatae, arrange for Anointing of Deans and Curatae as needed and stand forth as the public face of the Diocesan Dialectic. He or she shall preside over the selection of new Deans as necessary. The Rector shall be selected or re-affirmed by consent of the membership no less than every six months; no Damned shall serve the office more than twice consecutively.

Selection and Anointing of Dialectic Officers

Beginning in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand Eight, the offices of Deans of the Dialectic shall require re-selection or re-affirmation by the last day of the Ninth Month of each year. Beginning in the same year, the office of Rector shall require re-selection or re-affirmation by the last day of the Fourth and Tenth Months of each year.

For all offices, the current Rector shall ask for interested members to state their offer of service. If but one Damned wishes to serve in any office, that Damned's name shall be put to the membership for said service, and he or she shall take office upon receiving the consent of the society. Consent shall be gained by a period given for objections of not less than four nights, and shall be assumed upon the close of the fourth night with no objections received. If an objection is received, the position shall be discussed by the society and put to vote.

If two or more Damned wish to serve in the same office, they shall work out between them who shall serve and the matter shall proceed to the Consent stage outlined above. If agreement cannot be so reached, both names shall be put to the society for consent, and he or she who receives no objection shall serve. If neither candidate receives objection from the membership within the allotted time, the Rector shall conduct a simple, private vote, by which the candidate receiving the most support shall serve.

Deans of the Dialectic, once affirmed by consent or vote, shall be Anointed to their roles in timely fashion by any Curatus of the Dialectic. The Rector of the Society, once affirmed by consent or vote, shall be Anointed by the Curate who is most highly respected by his or her brethren.

III. Services and Partnerships

Practices of the Dialectic

Services of the Dialectic

Partnerships with Other Sanctified Institutions

IV. Prayer for Strength of Mission and Signatories

A Prayer for Dialectic

Ratification of the Charter

This charter for the Diocesan Dialectic was ratified on _______________. Those members of the Society signing the document are:

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