The Church

The Church of Kelyea is the institution representing the religion, A'eri. A’eri is formally led by the Archbishop of Hanalei, who serves as the Head of God’s Church, and as the religion’s spiritual leader. The Archbishop of Hanalei is said to be the main voice and representative of God on Earth. The Church is a hierarchy, and runs a strong top-down system. The Church is based out of the Hanalei Citadel, a walled compound located next to Hanalei with many elegant buildings such as the Archbishop’s Cathedral, Holy Basilica, as well as official residences of Church officials.

The Archbishop of Hanalei presides over the Church Council, which is the formal governing body of the institution and religion (since they both are tied together). All the Bishops sit on the Church Council, and all are afforded equal votes, however the Archbishop can dismiss or overrule the votes, unless if they are unanimous. The one say the Archbishop does get is what things are brought before the Church Council to be voted; otherwise all administration is run through the Holy Seat of the Archbishop.

The Church is organised and divided by diocese, with a bishop presiding over each of these territories. Generally the Archbishop names the Bishops, but cannot remove a Bishop once they have been named, nor can an Archbishop remove a Bishop appointed by a previous Archbishop. Likewise, Bishops cannot remove an Archbishop. All are servants decided by divine providence in the moment of their appointment. Dioceses are made up of parishes each with a Church and priest.

The Archbishop usually controls those below through Holy Decree, and legislation passed by majority on the Church Council. Bishops exercise administration over their official diocese they represent, and they can more directly rule on religious matters in their domain. Some regions, while represented in the Church, have lower congregations and so those regions are assigned to a Bishop to oversee.

Official Dioceses

Archdiocese of Hanalei – Archbishop

Diocese of Hoei – Bishop of Hoei

Diocese of Atae – Bishop of Atae

Diocese of South Fexlund – Bishop of South Fexlund

Diocese of Huntingdon – Bishop of Huntingdon


Other Regional Responsibilities:

Rodan – Assigned to an official Bishop (above)

Aknatar – Assigned to an official Bishop (above)

North Fexlund – Assigned to Bishop of Huntingdon (above)

**The Church of Kelyea currently does not have an Archbishop of Hanalei, and so is overseen by the Church Council. Bishop Leopold currently is the presiding official on the Church Council, as he hold's the longest appointment as a Bishop.