Purpose and Role of the College of Clergy
The College of Clergy is entrusted with advising the Archpriest, developing the tradition and community of the Nemeton, serving as a support body for all members of the College in a sense of familial companionship, overseeing clergy development both pre- and post-ordination/consecration. The archpriest is entrusted with administering the day-to-day affairs of the Nemeton of the Ways with the assistance of the vice-archpriest and the College. All members of the College of Clergy are expected to participate in the sacramental life of the Nemeton of the Ways with respect being given to their unique gifts and ministries. The Office of the Archpriest serves as a point of sacramental unity for the ministry of the Nemeton of the Ways; therefore the archpriest will preside as chief consecrator for all ordinations to the priesthood of the Nemeton of the Ways unless there is a pressing reason to delegate the task to another qualified Priest of the Nemeton. Otherwise, all duly ordained and consecrated Priests of the Nemeton are equal in sacramental power and are therefore endowed with the power to officiate rites of passage (baby sainings, coming of age rites, matrimony, funerary rites), High Day rituals and other feasts, lunar celebrations, general blessings, healing rites, and so on according to the tradition of the Nemeton of the Ways and the needs of the Gods, the Folk, and the Land. It is for
the College of Clergy to see to the general well being and mission of The Nemeton of the Ways.
The College of Clergy exercises power over the whole of the Nemeton of the Ways in a solemn manner when joined in an ordinary Convocation or other legally convened ecumenical council. The College exercises the same power through the united action of the Priests of the Nemeton dispersed in the world, which action has been inaugurated by the Archpriest so that a truly collegial act results. It is for the Archpriest, in keeping with the needs of the Nemeton, to select and promote the ways by which the College of Clergy is to exercise collegiality in its functioning regarding the whole of the Nemeton.
the College of Clergy to see to the general well being and mission of The Nemeton of the Ways.
The College of Clergy exercises power over the whole of the Nemeton of the Ways in a solemn manner when joined in an ordinary Convocation or other legally convened ecumenical council. The College exercises the same power through the united action of the Priests of the Nemeton dispersed in the world, which action has been inaugurated by the Archpriest so that a truly collegial act results. It is for the Archpriest, in keeping with the needs of the Nemeton, to select and promote the ways by which the College of Clergy is to exercise collegiality in its functioning regarding the whole of the Nemeton.
