ORDER OF DEEMSTERS


The Order of Deemsters is the ad judicatory  arm of the Correllian Tradition. The Order of Deemsters investigates and attempts to resolve allegations of wrongdoing within or involving the Tradition. The Order of Deemsters also serves related functions including investigating ways to improve systems and services to Correllians. Finally the Order of Deemsters also oversees the Tradition's Temple-making process.

Deemsters come in two kinds: 

Black Handed Deemsters
Black Handed Deemsters are appointed to investigate and advise regarding situations of concern, but do not have the authority to make final decisions in these matters.

Red Handed Deemsters
Red Handed Deemsters are empowered to make final decisions in matters they are investigating, and thus serve as the Tradition's judiciary.

  All Deemsters are ultimately appointed by and derive their authority solely from the First Priesthood via the Chancellor. The First Priesthood are each Paramount Deemsters of the Tradition, and jointly constitute the court of last appeal. The various branches of Deemstry answer ultimately to the First Priesthood, from whom they derive their ad judicatory imperium.  

Right: A Templar Deemsters' Court. L to R: Rev. Reanna Marie, HP, Rev. Don Lewis, and Rev. Karla Summers, HP. Lady Reanna and Lady Karla wear Deemster's tabards while Rev. Don wears  his Chancellor's robes.


 

Most Deemsters are appointed Ad Hoc for a specific purpose and a specific time period -such as the Temple Deeming ceremony. Having served as an Ad Hoc Deemster confers membership in the Order of Deemsters, but not a specific office as Deemster.

 

A Grand Deemster is one who is in charge of a specific Deeming process -For example the Templar Grand Deemstress who oversees the Temple making process, or the Auditory Grand Deemster who oversees investigation of alleged wrongdoing. 


Left: Rev. Virginia Powell, HP, in white and gold tabard as Deemsters' Herald
Correllian Deemstry is organized into several Deemstral colleges. These include:

Auditory Deemsters

The college of Auditory Deemsters is headed by Auditory Grand Deemster M. Rev. Donald Lewis, HP.

Auditory Deemsters investigate and adjudicate cases of Clerical and Outer Court misconduct. Auditory Deemsters oversee the following processes:

A) Allegations of Clerical misconduct involving:

        1) Clergy

        2) Temple Heads

        3) Arch Priesthood (Arch Priesthood may appeal for trial by Witan)

 

B) Allegations of misconduct in the Outer Court, notably:

        1) Attacks made against the Tradition

        2) Other relevant misconduct

 

C) Appellate Deemsters, who oversee:

        1) Appeals from Auditory and other Deeming courts
 

Templar Deemsters

The college of Templar Deemsters is headed by Grand Deemstress M. Rev. Krystel High-Correll, HP.

The Templar college is extremely important to the Tradition because it regulates the Tradition's Temples. Templar Deemsters oversee:

A) The Temple making process, by which groups move from Witan Shrine to Proto-Temple to Temple.

B) Temple disciplinary processes.
Investigative Deemsters

Investigative Deemsters can be appointed Ad Hoc as required to investigate situations and recommend appropriate action. In some cases Investigative Deemsters can be appointed with Red Handed powers, ie the ability to hand down a decision on the issue in question. Investigative Deemsters are often appointed to assist Auditory Deemsters, and the two sometimes overlap.

Interlocutory Deemsters

Interlocutory Deemsters can be appointed Ad Hoc to arbitrate disputes within or between Temples, or between major Clerics. Arbitration within a Temple would be among the duties of a Temple Head, though here too an Interlocutory Deemster could be appointed if it were to fall necessary. In some cases Interlocutory Deemsters could be appointed with Red Handed powers.

 Right: Members of a Templar Deemsters' Court in their Deemster's Tabards.
Legatine Deemsters

Legatine Deemsters can be appointed Ad Hoc to investigate and assess the specific needs of a given area or subset within the Tradition, and make recommendations on how these special needs might best be handled. A Legatine Deemster is normally a Black Handed position.