Information and Guidance for Matriarchs / Patriarchs

The following is for information only. The Patriarch of the Church no longer elects Matriarchs or Patriarchs. Future such appointments will be the responsibility of UCTAA once it chooses to take on the responsibility. UCTAA may set its own standards, which may be different from the details here.

[The Patriarch of the Church may resume this responsibility if formally requested to do so by UCTAA.org.]

The above does not affect the status of Matriarchs and Patriarchs elected prior to 11 January 2003.

Election as Matriarch / Patriarch

Unlike other levels, neither the rank nor the position as Matriarch or Patriarch are necessarily for life.

The appointment to a See may be revoked by the Patriarch of the Church or by majority vote of the Council of Elders. Normally, this sanction will be imposed for an extended period of no apparent performance of responsibilities. It may also be imposed for actions against the interests of the Church.

The Election to the rank of Matriarch or Patriarch may be reversed by a 75% majority in the Council of Elders. [ In the event of such a vote, the cleric retains the designation of Bishop.] This rare action would result from actions bringing dishonor upon the Church.

Functions of Patriarchs / Matriarchs

Patriarchs / Matriarchs have the all the functions of Clergy and those of Bishops.

In addition, they have the responsibility of seeking official recognition for the Church from the appropriate civil authority to enable clergy in their See to perform legal marriages. This is most important, and the PofC requests regular reports on your progress toward this goal.

Further, Patriarchs / Matriarchs should be prepared to provide guidance to ordained clergy and Bishops in their See. To this end, all Patriarchs / Matriarchs appointed after 1 Feb. 2001 must have contact information (usually an active e-mail address) published on this web site.

Patriarchs / Matriarchs are responsible to recommend clergy within their See to the PC for ordination as Bishops. Full authority to ordain Bishops will be granted to active Matriarchs / Patriarchs upon request

Patriarchs / Matriarchs are ex officio members of the Council of Elders, the governing body of the Church.

Degrees

Normally, the church provides a Masters degree from the International University of Nescience to ordained clergy and a Ph.D. to those ordained as Bishops. . If you wish to extend these degrees to those you ordain, request the degrees from the PofC specifying Name, Degree, and date of ordination. Preferably batch your requests.

In Sees where there is a high volume of degrees requested, the PofC in his position as Chancellor of IUN may issue a Charter for a local campus of the University so that Patriarchs / Matriarchs can issue their own degrees.

Reporting

The Patriarch of the Church would appreciate a brief report of your activities in support of the church e-mailed to him quarterly, but no less than annually. Periodically confirming you are out there promoting the Church would make it much less likely that your position be declared vacant.

Application to be a Matriarch / Patriarch

Those who have been ordained for a minimum of twenty-four months, at least twelve months of which must have been as a Bishop may request consideration for elevation to Patriarch or Matriarch. The request is to include an outline of achievements as Bishop, your contributions to UCTAA.org and ApatheticAgnostic.com, and your plans for the future.

Patriarch Adjunct / Matriarch Adjunct

The designation Patriarch Adjunct / Matriarch Adjunct provides a promotion path for meritorious Bishops where the position of Matriarch or Patriarch is filled in the applicable See. Appointment of worthy individuals to these positions is the sole prerogative of the Patriarch of the Church.

A Patriarch or a Matriarch of a See may recommend a worthy Bishop in his or her See to the Patriarch of the Church for appointment as Patriarch Adjunct or Matriarch Adjunct. This will permit a division of responsibilities functionally or regionally as the Patriarch or Matriarch sees fit.

Alternatively, where a Matriarch or Patriarch of a See is inactive or has lost contact with the church for an extended period, (but not long enough for the Patriarch of the Church to declare the position vacant, something he is excessively loth to do) the Patriarch of the Church may appoint a Patriarch Adjunct or Matriarch Adjunct to that See. After one year and the incumbent remaining inactive, the position of Matriarch or Patriarch will be declared vacant, and the Adjunct will be appointed to fill it.

Those who have been ordained for a minimum of twenty-four months, at least twelve months of which must have been as a Bishop may request consideration for Adjunct positions.