Archdiocese of Carmel
The Archdiocese of Carmel is, in effect, the whole Catholic Church of Cherry Ridge. The reigning Archbishop, by the Grace of God, His Most Eminent Lordship, Joseph Cardinal Marco, claims jurisdiction over all Catholic Churches in Cherry Ridge. Though technically an ordinary latin rite Catholic diocese, the Archbishop acts as a Patriarch within Cherry Ride, with all Catholic Churches falling under his jurisdiction, including Eastern Rite Churches, who are governed by an Episcopal Vicar, who reports directly to him. 94% of Cherry Ridge's citzens are Catholic.
Contents
Establishment
It is unknown when the Catholicism was first broguht to Cherry Ridge, with different ethnic groups claiming to have been the first to bring it to Cherry Ridge. The Irish claim that Saint Brenden, and his companions, first landed on the shores of Cherry Ridge, and converted the natives. This claim is the official claim of the Archdiocese, decreed by a Presbyterial Synod in the early 1600's.
Civil Powers
The Catholic Church is the strongest force within Cherry Ridge, with the most governmental influence. The Catholic Church runs all public schools [though the government fully subsidises schools for those of other faiths, so long as they remain on the same level as Public Schools]. In addition to having control over the school system, the majority of hospitals are Church run, as are most of the fine arts. The Cardinal Archbishop has his own Estate, and land, in the country area to the Northwest of Carmel, with the full powers of any other noble. The Archbishop also is the honorary President of the House of Lords [the higher house of the parliament- as opposed to the House of Commons], and has full power over parliament, minus dissolution, which is reserved to the King. The Archbishop is considered the most powerful man in the nation. he is also considered the Chief Adviser to the crown.
Controversy Within the Church
Many Eastern Rite Catholics protest having a Latin Bishop rule over their numerous churches, some going as far as to convert to Eastern Orthodoxy. This causes confrontations, sometimes violent, between Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, who claim that the Catholics stole their chruches in the late 1600's, when the King siezed all orthodox lands, and forced conversion. Many Eastern Catholics have stayed within the Church, and have sent letters asking for their own hierarchy, while Latin Rite Catholics claim that it is a symbol of Ridgian unity. Some members on both sides of the fence have called for a seperate Ridgian Rite, though no answer has been forthcoming from the Archbishop.
Patronage and Major Churches
The Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Carmel is Saint Mary Magdalen, with the Cathedral dedicated to him. There are also four other major churches throughout Cherry Ridge. These are:
The Cathedral of Mary Magdalen: destroyed partially by fire, restored in 1600's-1700s. Renovated in 1970's. Actual building dated to 1200's.
The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception: Second largest church in Cherry Ridge.
The Church of Saint Brenden the Navigator: Southwest of nation. Oldest standing Ridgian church.
The Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel: The Royal Chapel. Located within the Royal Manor, attached by a long corridor to the Palace.
Saint Meinrad's Oratory: First church in the bogs, formerly owned by the Monks of Saint Meinrad's archabbey, as an outpost for travelling missionaries. turned over to Archdiocese as a gift to Cardinal Marco.
Basilica of Saint John Berchman: Large building in the north of Berchman's Isle.
Church of Saint Pius X: Mountains of the Northwest, first established by missionaries to covnert the Americo-Indians living in that region.
Episcopal Palace
Built in the early 1600's, the Palace is considered an architectural masterpiece. The official name of the palace is The Episcopal Palace of Christ the King. The Palace Estate and Manor is entirely self-providing, in case of an emergency. Houses the Cardinal's Crypt, an underground chapel, which houses the bodies of the Archbishops, and also the body of Antonio Vivaldi. The altar is dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The two side altars are dedicated to Saint Stanislaus, and Saint Michael the Archangel. Two statues- one of Jesus and one of Mary flank the main altar, and Saint Joseph guards the entrance to the chapel. There are also three statues to the side, one of each of the Saint's the altar's are dedicated too. There is also rumoured to be an entrance to another chapel behind the tabernacle, where there is a single wooden altar- the table used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.
Other
Russian Orthodox Catholics in Communion with Rome make up the largest Eastern Rite group in hte Kingdom, followed by the Greeks, then the Maronites and Melkites.
The Archbishop granted a Universal Indult to all Archdicesan priests to celebrate the Tridentine Mass, hence, there are no schismatic traditionalist priests within the nation, except a few who completely reject the Second Vatican Council. Even among the most traditional Catholics, they are looked down on, except by a grand total of thirty adherants.
There are at least 50 anglican use churches in Cherry Ridge, created following the conversion of their anglican pastors.
