Aurora:Holy Catholic Church

Holy Catholic Church Ecclesia Catholica Information Classification Christian Scripture Bible Theology Comprehensive Christian theology Polity Episcopal Dioceses Archdioceses: 6 Dioceses: 12 Parishes 120 approx. Region Worldwide Language Ecclesiastical Latin and native languages Liturgy Adapted Founded February 10th, 2020 Members 450 (5/8/24) Leadership Pope Pius XIII Cardinals BernardAlbani, PerseusV, Awuzup, Quarox777, Kuzok Laws Canon Law https://shorturl.at/nKLU4

The Catholic Church, also referred to as the Holy Catholic Church, is the largest organized church on EarthMC with over 450 faithful Christians across the server. Established on February 10th, 2020, the Holy Catholic Church is the oldest global institution on the server. The Church houses Christians from all denominations including Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant players. These players combine to form 18 dioceses and roughly 120 parishes that actively contribute to their communities by harboring new players and combatting toxicity.

The Holy Catholic Church is led by the Roman Pontiff, or Pope, who serves as the Bishop of Rome and the supreme sovereign of the Papal States.

The Diocese of Rome, otherwise referred to as the Holy See, serves as the central governing authority for the Church. Within the Holy See, the Roman Curia oversees the administrative functions of the Church through its numerous congregations and dicasteries. The specific rules and guidelines for the Church’s operations are outlined in the Holy Canonical Law.

Mission

The core spiritual beliefs of the Holy Catholic Church on EarthMC are based on the real Roman Catholic Church with recognition and accommodation given to the differing beliefs held by those of other Christian denominations. The Holy Catholic Church does not assume any real spiritual authority. In EMC Canon Law, the mission of Holy Catholic Church is described as follows:

1. The Holy Catholic Church on EarthMC does not exist to function as a roleplay group, but rather to serve as a welcoming community for the Christian playerbase of the server.

2. The Holy Catholic Church shall provide refuge to all players who find themselves in a state of mental distress in an effort to give guidance to vulnerable players in what is sometimes seen as an apathetic community.

3. The Holy Catholic Church shall assist players on EarthMC who find themselves without the necessary materials to provide for themselves on the server.

4. The Holy Catholic Church shall inspire the greater EarthMC community to adopt the values of Christianity.

5. The Holy Catholic Church shall strive to achieve peace in all regions of the server and ensure proper justice is served to those who wish to create unwarranted conflict.

6. The Holy Catholic Church on EarthMC shall remind the Christian players of the server of their real life and that, even in virtual communities, Christians must abide by the teachings of Christ and His Church. Love and compassion trump hate and wrath. The Christians of EarthMC should speak out against heresy on the server in defense of their faith and spread the gospel of Christ, but the Church does not intend to preach the real canonical religious stances or laws of the Roman Catholic Church.

Organization

The hierarchy and structure of the Holy Catholic Church is based on that of the real Roman Catholic Church with adaptations made to fit the needs of the player base on EarthMC. The clergy on EarthMC has been simplified down to two levels: the episcopate, composed of bishops who hold jurisdiction over a geographic area called a diocese; and the presbyterate, composed of priests ordained by bishops and who work in local dioceses or religious orders. The Church is led by the Pope, or the bishop of Rome, whose jurisdiction is called the Holy See. There are many other holy orders, martial orders, and religious institutes under the Church which collectively provide the faithful members of the Church with the opportunities to pursue diverse playstyles on the server and serve to advance the Church in her mission on the server.

Papacy

The Pope, also referred to as the supreme pontiff, is the bishop of Rome and leader of the global Holy Catholic Church on EarthMC.

No.	Image	Name	World	Term
1		Pope Alexander IX (†)	Terra Nova	10 February 2020 - 3 March 2020 (1 month)
2		Pope Benedict XVII (†)	Terra Nova & Terra Aurora	11 April 2020 - 4 July 2022 (2 years)
3		Pope Clement XV	Terra Aurora	10 July 2022 - 16 July 2023 (1 year)
4		Pope Pius XIII	Terra Aurora	27 July 2023 - present