Decretum de ratione pontificum collegii (Nova Roma)

DECRETUM DE RATIONE PONTIFICUM COLLEGII

In accordance with paragraph VI.1. of the Constitution of Nova Roma, the Decretum De Ratione Pontificum Collegii is hereby enacted to set forth the rules and procedures for discussion and the taking of votes in the collegium pontificum.

I. Seniority within the Collegium Pontificum respects the following decreasing order:

a) The rex and regina sacrorum, the flamen maiores, the pontifex maximus, the other pontifices,the sacerdotes vestales, and the flamen minores (in that order);

b) Ties in seniority shall be decided in favor of those who have served in their position the longest;

c) Further ties in seniority shall be decided in favor of those who are older.

II. Any member of the collegium pontificum may, at his discretion, introduce a topic for discussion by sharing it with the rest of the collegium. Such discussion is to be encouraged, but should not be mistaken for the formal process of calling for a vote on a given issue, which may only be done after the collegium has been convened for such a purpose, and by procedures as described below.

III. Any member of the collegium pontificum may convene the collegium pontificum. Convening the collegium pontificum is done by informing all of the members of the collegium no less than twenty- four hours prior to the session being formally opened.

A. The pontifex who convened the collegium pontificum then formally opens the session presenting one or more matters for the consideration of all members.

B. Once the matters for discussion have been presented, each of the members of the collegium may, in turn, offer their opinions thereon. The debate shall be limited to the members of the collegium. The limit on the length of discussion shall be defined by the pontifex who convened the collegium.

1. A pontifex who is unable to vote may give his proxy to another pontifex,as long as such is done openly and before the voting starts.

2. When debate is being conducted via means that allow real-time communication (such as Internet chat, teleconferencing, or live meeting), each member of the collegium shall be given the opportunity to speak in order of seniority.

IV. Once each member of the collegium has been given the opportunity to state his position on the issues under discussion, the pontifex who convened the collegium pontificum shall call the issue to a vote. Voting shall be done openly before those privy to the debate, and shall be decided by majority vote unless otherwise mandated. Only pontifices (including the pontifex maximus) may vote. The method of voting depends on the mode of communication:

A. When voting is being conducted via electronic mail, each pontifex shall have forty-eight hours to cast his vote. Should that time elapse, the pontiff shall be assumed to have abrogated his right to vote on the issues at hand.

B. When voting is being conducted via means that allow real-time communication, voting shall be done by oral statement for the pontifices present in the session, or by writing on a tablet or letter for those who are unable to speak or are absent. Each pontifex shall be given the opportunity to vote in order of seniority. In the case of letters and tablets, the pontifex who convened the collegium pontificum will reads their content respecting the order of seniority in the same way.

V. Once voting on the matters at hand is complete, the majority of votes will decide the issue. The pontifex maximus shall inform the SPQR about the outcome of the vote in the following form: "QVOD BONVM FAVSTVM FELIX FORTVNATVMQVE SIT POPVLO ROMANO QUIRITIBVS The Collegium Pontificum having met in order to XXXXX, the decision was that YYYYYY."