[jason taylor]

Archbishop of Sylea:

During the Intersteller Wars the Roman Catholic Church was like many organizations forced to decentralize, placing a subsector Archbishop in each subsector. Following the Long Night the cut off in communications forced a split.

When the arising Third Imperium reached Terra the Intersteller Conclave of Terra was formed to standardize doctrine, organization and liturgy. Local ritual procedures were left to be for the most part so long as they had no doctrinal implications that were considered questionable. The result was the Imperial Catholic Church, the largest Christian sect in known space.

While the Archbishop of Terra and Baronet of Rome, still known to the old fashioned as the Pope(based on an ancient Terran title) remains high in influence as well as in social cachet, the head of the Imperial Catholic Church is the Archbishop of Sylea. He is appointed by election by the representatives of all the subsector Archbishops who in turn are appointed by the Subsector Cardinals.

By tradition the Archbishop of Sylea follows the most senior Maarist Kel ten Zon in precedence for religious leaders paying respect to the new Emperor at Coronation. This, according to tales is because of a casting of lots at the coronation of Cleon I. The Archbishop as a function of his office is granted the Imperial Noble title of Baron of Cathedral Square. This title is not meant to show favoritism; despite the name, the Imperial Catholic Church is not a state religion. Rather it is a common custom to give noble titles to prestigious religious leaders.

The Cathedral Square refers to the Cathedral of St Shana the Gifted, Imperial Patron Saint of Architects and Mathematicians. This fine work is said to be St Shana's masterpiece and indeed few see it without being impressed.