COLLEGIUM RELIGIONIS

Preamble

We, members of the Societas Via Romana, in order to further the love, study, and practice of Roman religion in all its aspects, do hereby under the eyes of the Di Romani found this Collegium ad maiorem Deorum gloriam.

Article I. Name and Affiliation

The official name of this Collegium shall be in Latin "Collegium Religionis Societatis Viae Romanae" and in English "The Collegium Religionis of the Societas Via Romana". The Collegium shall be an integral part of the Societas Via Romana and function under the guidance and protection of its gods, laws and magistratus.

Article II. Aims and Functions

1. The foremost goal of the Collegium Religionis shall be to provide the members of the Societas Via Romana with an organised body capable of  providing counsel and information on matters relating to Roman Religion in all its aspects (literature, art, poetry etc.)

2. Re-experiencing & practising the Pagan tradition of Roman civilisation in its different aspects, including the carrying out of bloodless rites and establishment of  virtual and concrete templa

3. Providing a place where members of the Societas Via Romana can exchange information, criticism and encouragement with respect to the study and recreation of the Roman pagan heritage

4. Generally encouraging and fostering the study and practice of the perennially living Religio Romana. The Collegium Religionis acknowledges the great importance of foreign influences (especially Greek and Italic) to Roman religion and philosophy and will thus not try to marginalize or suppress discussion or practice of other pagan traditions within the Collegium. The Collegium will try to uphold as much as possible the religious universalism and non-dogmatism that its spiritual ancestors of Rome cherished. Following the spirit of  Numa, it further disapproves of all blood sacrifice.  

5. In accordance with the Regula Fundamentalis SVR VIII.8, provision may be made for the establishment of Culti Deorum, as internet discussion subgroups and/or for geographic locales, with the Pontifices setting guidelines for forming said Culti Deorum. The Culti Deorum are intended for the recognition of sub-communities in affiliation with the Collegium Religionis that are concerned with a specific aspect of the religio romana and/or as a local community of practitioners of the religio romana."

5bis. Recognition of a Cultus Deorum as being in affiliation with the Collegium Religionis shall require approval by an absolute majority of the Pontifices.

Article III. Membership

1. Membership shall be open to all current members of the Societas Via Romana and those who have applied for membership and are awaiting official approval. It shall be automatically granted to all who apply in the manner to be determined by  the Pontifex Maximus (Rector) and Pontifices collegially and any by-laws relating thereto passed by the membership. The Collegium Religionis shall not discriminate in the granting of membership by age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality or country of residence. All references to officers in the masculine grammatical gender in this document are to be taken as referring equally to female incumbents or candidates.

2. Members of the Collegium Religionis will be in no way compelled to carry out or participate in any prayers, rituals, ceremonies etc. to the Roman Gods, either in a group or privately, against their will. We emphasise that members of the Collegium are entirely free to believe in and practice whatever religion/faith/philosophy different from the Religio Romana they wish. Only a sincere interest in and respect for the Religio Romana, its gods and its adherents is required as a conditio sine qua non for joining this Collegium.

3. The Pontifex Maximus (Rector) and Pontifices acting collegially may exceptionally approve non-members of the Societas Via Romana for membership at their discretion. Such members shall be referred to as ‘amici collegii’, and they shall correspond to the coadiutores provided for in the Regula of the Societas Via Romana. Members who are simultanwously members of the Societas shall also be eligible to vote and to run for the office of Pontifex  to administer the Collegium as described in this Regula

4. All potential members of the Collegium are assumed to understand that from a practical point of view they may not be able to take full part in the life of the group if their knowledge of Roman religion, mythology etc. has not reached a certain level. Those members are encouraged to do some research and study about the Religio Romana first, either on themselves before joining the Collegium, or in group while already being a member of the Collegium. The latter members shall be referred to as “discipuli religionis”, meaning “students of religion”, and they shall be assisted, encouraged and provided with study materials, suggestions, etc. by other members.

5. No fee may be required for membership in the Collegium Religionis

Article IV. Officers

The officers of the society shall be the Pontifices.  They shall be drawn from the members who are simultaneously members of the Societas Via romana, and number at least three, but no more than seven. Their administrative functions shall be as follows:

1. Pontifex Maximus (Rector). One of the Pontifices shall be elected by his peers to act as the titular head of the Collegium. He shall coördinate its activities and be its primary spokesman to the magistratus, Senatis and membership of the Societas Via Romana, and to other organisations.

2. Curator Sermonis. One of the Pontifices shall be elected by his peers for the maintenance of the official electronic mail list and for the maintenance of sedate and courteous debate by its users.

3. Curator Situs. One of the Pontifices will be elected by his peers to maintain all Internet pages directly under the control of the Collegium and not the responsibility of other authorities.

4. Rogator. One of the Pontifices shall be elected by his peers to be responsible for the organisation of voting and counting of votes.

Article V. Elections and Tenure in Office

1. Only full members of the Collegium Religionis shall be eligible to run for the offices of Pontifices. To be elected each Pontifex must receive a simple majority from among the membership voting in the election. Annual elections of the Pontifices shall take place during the ten days following the Ides of July, (16 July-25 July inclusive). The elected Pontifices shall take office on the Kalends of August, each holding a the term of office of one year. Prior to taking office on the Kalends of August, the newly elected Pontifices shall determine from among themselves which Pontifices will be responsible for the various administrative duties.

2. None of the Pontifices shall hold more than three of the aforementioned administrative functions or the positions of Pontifex Maximus (Rector) and Magister Sermonis simultaneously.

3. Other ad hoc administrative functions may be created by the Pontifices collegially, or by the membership. Additionally, flamines, sacerdotes and augures may be appointed by the Pontifices collegially to serve the gods and goddesses of Rome, maintain temples virtual or concrete, perform auguries, and provide pastoral services and religious education to members of the Religio Romana spiritual community. Standards shall be set by the Collegium, and educational programmes for candidates to these positions may be maintained. Moral integrity,  adequate scholarly attainment, a desire to serve the community, and a spiritual orientation shall be strictly required of those to receive such appointment.

Article VI. Voting

1. Decisions of the Collegium beyond the powers assigned to its officers must be taken by vote of the membership. Any member of the Pontifices may propose any matter within the competence of the Collegium and in furtherance of its aims, provided that it be in accordance with this Regula Fundamentalis. It shall put up for a vote on the official electronic mail list, and the votes received after ten days shall determine the matter.

2. Voting to amend this Regula Fundamentalis or remove an officer from power before the normal end of his tenure shall require twenty days before the end of discussion and voting and an absolute majority of the number of members present on the membership roll at the the time of vote counting to have cast votes.

3. The membership shall pass such additional by-laws as it sees fit to regulate voting.

Article VII. The Official Electronic Mail List

1. The Collegium shall maintain an official electronic mail list for the use of its membership. That one of the Pontifices acting as Magister Sermonis ("Magister") is responsible for this. He is also responsible for the civility and comity of the debates thereon. In case of the posting of ad hominem attacks, gross insults, or any defamatory statements directed against other members or the gods or goddesses of the Societas Via Romana, the Magister shall on his own initiative either warn the offenders or suspend them from the list for any period of time up to one year.

2. In case of inaction by the Magister, persons offended for themselves or others may petition him for action or appeal to the  Moderator. The Moderator acting on an appeal may also suspend offending list members for up to one year. He may not suspend persons except when appeal has been made to him on the public list and the Magister has been previously petitioned and not acted to the satisfaction of the plaintiff.

3. If a suspended list member feels his suspension to be unjust, he may appeal to the Pontifex Maximus (Rector). The Pontifex Maximus shall be the final judge during his tenure in office, and if appealed to, may dismiss, confirm, reduce or lengthen the previously handed-down suspension.

4. Any of the Pontifices of the Collegium suspended from the list for more than thirty days must resign his post.

5. In all cases of suspension from the list, the suspending officer shall publicly post on the list the exact reason for the suspension and its length for the public record.

6. Non-members of the Collegium may also join the list, subject to such by-laws as the membership may from time to time enact.

7. Any officer, including ad hoc officers, may create and host additional official electronic mail lists as needed. These will by default not be under the direct jurisdiction of the Magister Sermonis, and it is the responsibility of the list creator to maintain decorum thereupon, making use as necessary of his there absolute powers of suspension and banning. If he should fail to do so, offended parties may protest of abuse to the Magister Sermonis, who shall investigate and publish a public report, and this shall also be the case if any member should harass another off list.

Article VIII. Ratification

The Collegium Religionis shall be established under this Regula simultaneously with the Societas Via Romana and the initial Pontifices chosen by consensus.