Sanctus – Luke VI, the 127th Patriarch of the Church of Sanctaria, has died in Cristi aged 83. A statement issued by the Church this evening confirmed the Patriarch “passed peacefully in his sleep at approximately 12 noon today”. It had not been disclosed that he had been suffering from any illnesses, though many commentators and observers had noted a deterioration in his health over the past 18 months. The statement by the Church this evening did not include a cause of death.
Luke VI, born Geoffrey Mandleson, was elected to the Patriarchy of the Church of Sanctaria (also called the Sanctarian Catholic Church) in September 2018, succeeding the late Simon XVI. A theological conservative, Luke VI was forceful in advancing the Church’s position on social, ethical, and moral affairs, and was a noted sparring partner on the airwaves for government ministers, as well as NGO representatives, throughout his pontificate. Immediately prior to his election as Patriarch of the Church of Sanctaria, and Archbishop of Sanctus, he served as Archbishop of Haven.
The Patriarch had been in Cristi since New Year’s Eve, and is believed to have been staying at the Abbey of St. Virgil just outside the city; Luke VI took personal time each year between Christmas and the end of January to “recuperate and recover from the toils and burdens of the previous year” and stayed at various abbeys, convents, or religious hospitals in this time. His last public appearance was at Christmas Day Mass in St. George’s Basilica and, despite appearing frail, there was no sign of mental incapacitation that seemed to occur on Christmas Day 2023.
The Church now enters a period of sede vacante, with the Chamberlain of the Sanctarian Catholic Church now acting as head of the body until a successor has been chosen by the Synod of Bishops; the Chamberlain is not permitted to execute any policies or announce new changes or directions, save the election and consecration of a new Archbishop of Sanctus who will become the 128th Patriarch. He is simply to act as an administrator.
The Synod of Bishops has been summoned, according to the Church’s press office, and will meet to attempt to elect a successor on 27 January of this year. The various bishops and archbishops will be spending the next few weeks engaging in backroom politicking and dealing to ensure either they, or their favourites, end up on top; the Patriarch has absolute power in and over the Church, and it is not a role any ideological wing of the Church will give up lightly.
EDWARD ALLENS, Religion Correspondent
