(Enacted by dictatorial edictum 7/30/99 with the force and authority of a decretum.)
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. 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.
II. Any pontiff (including the pontifex maximus) may convene the collegium. This is done by informing all of the members of the collegium no less than twenty-four hours prior to the collegium being formally convened. During that interval, the right of nuntiatio may be exercised by those constitutionally empowered to do so.
A. The pontiff who convened the collegium may then present one or more matters for their consideration.
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 pontifex maximus shall keep the citizens informed as to the progress and content of the debate. There shall be no limit on the length of the opinions rendered, but the time frame shall differ depending on the mode of communication:
1. When debate is being conducted via electronic mail, each member of the collegium shall have ninety-six hours to issue his opinion. Should that time elapse, the member of the collegium shall be assumed to have abbrogated his right to speak on the issues at hand (but such shall not be considered a waiver of the right to vote thereon). A pontiff who is unable to vote may, during the debate, give his proxy to another pontiff, as long as such is done openly and within the prescribed period of debate.
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, according to the following formula:
a) The rex and regina sacrorum, the pontifex maximus, the pontifices, the sacerdotes vestales, the flamen maiores, 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.
III. Once each member of the collegium has been given the opportunity to state his position on the issues under discussion, the pontifex maximus 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 pontiff shall have forty-eight hours to cast his vote. Should that time elapse, the pontiff shall be assumed to have abbrogated 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 a show of hands.
IV. Once voting on the matters at hand is complete, the pontifex maximus shall inform the people of the outcome of the vote and shall officially end the meeting of the collegium.