VI.   Institution

Hierarchy is the organizational structure within a particular Religion or Cult whereby it is clear the relationship, obligations and lines of authority between various Offices, Positions, Orders and Institutes.

A Hierarchy is not valid unless it conforms to these canons and the most sacred Covenant Pactum de Singularis Caelum.

All valid Hierarchies may be defined as a unique combination of Orders, Institutions, Offices and Positions:

(i) An Order is a sub branch of a Religion or Cult, distinct from other organs and institutions according to its instrument of formation, purpose, by-laws, geographic region and activities; and

(ii) An Institution is an aggregate, college or entity of a Religion or Cult, distinct from an Order, established at a particular location and dedicated to one primary purpose of service to members and the public at large including (but not limited to) education, aged care, health, palliative care, fitness and welfare, emergency housing, emergency relief and rehabilitation; and

(iii) An Office is a type of trust of responsibility holding certain ecclesiastical powers, obligations and authority within a Religion or Cult as defined by its by-laws; and

(iv) A Position is a specific instance of an Office conveyed within or outside of an Order or Institution so that each Position is Unique.

No Religion or Cult may keep its Hierarchy secret, nor fail to fully disclose the most senior members of the organization. A Religion or Cult that refuses to fully disclose its entire Hierarchy is by definition a Secret Organization and therefore subject to being banned, forbidden and stripped of any property and protection of the law.

No Religion or Cult may claim its Hierarchy to be greater or higher than any Hierarchy and structures defined by these canons. Therefore any claim by any religion or cult of a higher or greater hierarchy than these canons is automatically null and void from the beginning.

The extent of authority of a member or official of a Religion or Cult only extends to the limits of Jurisdiction of the Religion or Cult in accordance with these canons.