04-19-2020, 04:56 PM
CONSTITUTION OF LAZARUS (MANDATE 10)
PREAMBLE
The nations, resident in the region formerly called the Humane Republic of Lazarus, hereby solemnly and mutually agree with each other, to form themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent body politic, or state by the name of "The Celestial Union of Lazarus".
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
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ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
-:- GENERAL TERMS
-:- LEGISLATURE
-:- EXECUTIVE
-:- JUDICIAL
ARTICLE II - FOREWORD
-:- ENACTMENT
-:- AMENDMENT
ARTICLE III - UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
-:- SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP IN THE COSMIC COUNCIL
-:- SECTION 2 - LIMITATIONS
-:- SECTION 3 - RIGHTS IN THE CELESTIAL UNION OF LAZARUS
ARTICLE IV - MANDATE ACT, 2017
-:- PREAMBLE
-:- SECTION 1 - PRELIMINARY
-:- SECTION 2 - UNION
-:- SECTION 3 - DIVINE POWER
-:- SECTION 4 - GUARDIANS
-:- SECTION 5 - EXECUTIVE POWER
-:- SECTION 6 - LEGISLATIVE POWER
-:- SECTION 7 - JUDICIAL POWER
-:- SECTION 8 - THE CELESTIAL ARMADA
ARTICLE V - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
-:- OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
-:- CONTINUANCE OF EXISTING LAWS, COURTS, AND OFFICERS
-:- APPOINTMENT OF NEW OFFICERS
-:- TREATY OBLIGATIONS
-:- AMENDMENTS
-:- HOLDING OF OFFICES
-:- SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF LAZARUS
-:- SPACE-COM FORUM ADDRESS
-:- REVISION OF TITLES AND POSITIONS
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
GENERAL TERMS:
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-:- Core World - Holds Citizenship in the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
-:- World - Non-Citizen or Resident Nation.
-:- Cosmic Government - The regional government; comprised of the Celestial Being, the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary.
-:- Lazarene Celestial Armada - The military of the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
-:- Paladin - A member of the Lazarene Celestial Armada.
-:- Order of Stars - The official religion of the Celestial Union. The Celestial Being is the head of the Order.
-:- Cosmarchy - Cosmic-monarchy; the Celestial Being functions as the monarch.
-:- Divine Mandate - The right of the Celestial Being to rule. It is (re)affirmed at an election.
-:- Uniterra - The name of the forum. It takes the appearance of the home world of the Celestial Union.
-:- Universal Cycle - A term of office, either of three months or four months.
-:- Universal Declaration of Rights - A list of fundamental rights.
-:- Removal of Celestial Being's Blessing - Ceases to be in effect, or in case of persons they cease to hold office.
-:- Humane Republic of Lazarus - A Chinese-Confucius theme, preceding the Celestial Union of Lazarus theme.
-:- People's Republic of Lazarus - A communist themed people's republic, preceding the Humane Republic of Lazarus.
LEGISLATURE:
View Terms
-:- Cosmic Council - The General Assembly of Lazarus.
-:- Convenor - The elected head of the legislature.
-:- Deputy Convenor - The deputy of the Convenor.
-:- Committee - Government department established by the Cosmic Council.
-:- Archbishop - Head of a Cosmic Council Committee.
-:- Bishop - Deputy of a Cosmic Council Committee.
-:- Cleric - Member of a Cosmic Council Committee.
-:- Majority - two-thirds of the vote.
-:- Simple Majority - 51 percent or more of the vote.
-:- Super Majority - three-quarters of the vote.
-:- Electoral vote - a vote of the Cosmic Council.
EXECUTIVE:
View Terms
-:- Celestial Being - Elected Monarch or Head of State, Head of Official Religion (Order of Stars)
-:- Sovereign - Head of the government/World Assembly Delegate.
-:- Defender of the Realm - Deputy Head of the Government/Vice-World Assembly Delegate.
-:- Grand Commandant - The commander-in-chief of the military.
-:- Guardian - A nation who is confirmed by the legislature and who has a high number of endorsements, to maintain regional security.
JUDICIAL:
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-:- Celestial Inquisitional Court - The Judiciary of the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
-:- Holy Prelate - Head of the Judiciary.
-:- Prelate - Judge of the Judiciary.
ARTICLE II - FOREWORD
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ENACTMENT
The Celestial Mandate Act, 2017 shall contain the text of the Celestial Mandate, as so provided by the Order of Stars, together with amendments which may be made by the governments of the Core Worlds, and done so in accordance with the divine teachings of the Order, thereafter. The Act contains the Universal Declaration of Rights and other provisions, including the procedure for amending the Celestial Mandate. The Act shall also contain a schedule of repeals of certain constitutional enactments. The new enactments shall be used in place of the former, but their former may be found in the schedule.
AMENDMENT
This Act may be amended by textual amendment; repeals, amendments, additions, or substitutions, which shall be the exclusive right of the Cosmic Council. The various classes of enactments modifying the Act may be dealt with as follows:
(1) Repeals: Repealed provisions (e.g. section 2) have been deleted from the text and quoted in a footnote.
(2) Amendments: Amended provisions (e.g. section 4) are reproduced in the text in their amended form, and the original provisions are quoted in a footnote.
(3) Additions: Added provisions (e.g. section 8) are included in the text.
(4) Substitutions: Substituted provisions (e.g. section 16) are included in the text, and the former provision is quoted in a footnote.
ARTICLE III - UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
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SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP IN THE COSMIC COUNCIL
(1) Any World or Nation may apply for citizenship on the regional forum, by providing their:
A. Current Nation in Lazarus.
B. Current World Assembly.
C. Sworn oath of citizenship established by law.
(2) Worlds or Nations may be considered a Core World and may exercise their voting rights, as long as they have:
A. Held a World Assembly nation in Lazarus for more than a year consecutively.
B. Endorsed the Sovereign.
C. Not been convicted of a crime.
(3) Any World or nation that held citizenship in the People's Republic of Lazarus upon its dissolution shall be considered a Core World.
SECTION 2 - LIMITATIONS
(1) The Sovereign may approve or reject applications for Core World status or citizenship on the forum unless:
A. The applicant has been declared a persona non grata by the Cosmic Council.
(2) The Sovereign must post an explanation for rejection immediately in the Cosmic Council:
A. The Cosmic Council may overturn such rejections with a two-thirds majority vote.
(3) If the applicant is a persona non grata at the time of their application, the decision goes to the Cosmic Council:
A. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary to approve such applications.
(4) Should the Sovereign be unable to process citizenship applications:
A. They may publicly designate a Core World with forum administrator privileges to do so.
B. Approvals by an appointed individual may also be overturned by the Cosmic Council with a two-thirds majority vote.
(5) Should neither the Sovereign nor a designated individual approve a citizenship application within four days, the Grand Assembly may approve it with a simple majority.
(6) Core Worlds or citizens shall forfeit their membership if:
A. They voluntarily renounce it.
B. Their nation in Lazarus voluntarily leaves the region or ceases to exist,
C. The Celestial Inquisitional Court finds them guilty of a criminal offense and revokes their citizenship as punishment.
D. They applied for citizenship on the Lazarus forum and do not log into their account for twenty-eight days.
(7) Core Worlds or citizens may not lose their citizenship for any reason not enumerated in this article.
SECTION 3 - RIGHTS IN THE CELESTIAL UNION OF LAZARUS
(1) All worlds or nations are provided:
A. Equal protection under the law.
B. Freedom of speech, petition, peaceful association and assembly so long as their exercise does not violate the rules of NationStates or the Regional Forum's terms of use.
C. Access to the Regional Forum to the extent necessary to exercise their other rights.
D. Access to the Regional Forum that may not infringed except for violations of its terms of service or the law.
E. Right to fair representation in a criminal trial and may not be forced to incriminate themselves.
F. Freedom in their nations' domestic affairs, including World Assembly votes and endorsements.
G. Immunity from being tired for a crime by law or put on trial, retroactively.
(2) Worlds or nations will not be banned or ejected from the region unless they have:
A. Been publicly charged with a crime.
B. Violated the rules of NationStates Terms of Use.
C. Violated the policies of the Regional Message Board.
(3) Worlds or nations cannot be banned from the Regional Forum without being publicly charged with a crime unless:
A. They have violated the Regional Forum's terms of use.
(4) All worlds or nations shall be permitted to maintain the following endorsements counts:
A. 80 WA endorsement count for residents.
B. 100 WA endorsement count for nations endorsing the Sovereign.
C. 20 WA endorsements or more below Defender of the Realm for citizens by forum application or extended residency.
(5) The Cosmic Council may establish a higher cap or revert a cap to the following by simple majority vote:
A. In periods of transfer of the office of Defender of the Realm, this cap shall be calculated from the Guardian with the highest endorsement count.
(6) No World or Nation shall be considered necessarily deprived of any rights not enumerated here in this article.
ARTICLE IV - MANDATE ACT, 2017
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An Act for the universe of Lazarus; the Core Worlds, territories, sentinel beings, and the thereof; and for Purposes connected therewith
WHEREAS the Core Worlds and territories, within the Lazarene boundaries immortal, have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Celestial unit under the Divine guidance of the Celestial Being:
And whereas such a Union would conduce to the Welfare of Core Worlds and promote the Interests of all sentinel beings:
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Celestial Union of Lazarus, hereby institute this Mandate to affirm the divine powers of the Cosmarchy and to protect the rights and freedoms of all people within the Celestial Union under the divine guidance of the Order of Stars. The Celestial Union embraces and promotes universal peace, freedom, and prosperity for all, and do form this Holy Connection.
SECTION 1 - PRELIMINARY
Short title
This Act, the Celestial Mandate Act, 2017, may be cited as the Mandate Act, 2017.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUBSEQUENT PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT
(1) Unless it is otherwise expressed or implied:
A. Lazarus shall be taken to mean Lazarus as constituted under this Act.
B. Core World shall be taken to mean a nation in-game as constituted under this Act.
C. Sovereign and Defender of the Realm shall be taken to mean the Sovereign and/or the Defender of the Realm.
D. Renewal of the Universal Cycle shall be taken to mean; in reference to the Celestial Being, the eighth day of January, May, and September; and in reference to the Sovereign, Defender of the Realm, and Convenor, the eighth day of February, May, August, and November; and in reference to the Prelates and Guardians, the eighth day of March, July, and November.
E. Where it is used, the term Him may be substituted with Her where relevant.
SECTION 2 - UNION
DECLARATION OF UNION
(1) It shall be lawful for the Celestial Being, by and with the advice of her Divine Eminence’s most honorable Celestial Council, to declare by proclamation that, on and after a day therein appointed, not being more than one month after the passing of this Act, the universe of Lazarus, the Core Worlds, and territories, shall form and be one united holy body under the name of Lazarus and with the guidance of the Order and its teachings; and on and after that day those worlds shall form and be one Dominion under that name accordingly.
SECTION 3 - DIVINE POWER
DECLARATION OF SUPREME EXECUTIVE POWER IN THE CELESTIAL BEING
(1) The executive government and supreme authority of and over Lazarus are hereby declared to be vested in the Celestial Being.
(2) The Celestial Being is the Divine Representative of the Order of Stars, from whose teachings, life and the foundation of all societies, is derived from; and of whom must uphold, defend, and respect the Mandate as the supreme law of the Union.
POWERS OF THE CELESTIAL BEING
(3) The Celestial Being with his or her celestial assent may.
A. Refer a bill back to the Council for reconsideration of the Bill’s constitutionality.
B. Refer a bill to the Court for a decision on the Bill’s constitutionality.
C. Appoint the Sovereign, in accordance with the electoral vote.
D. Appoint Archbishops to committees on the advice of the Sovereign, in accordance with the electoral vote.
E. Appoint Prelates, in accordance with the electoral vote.
F. Appoint Guardians, in accordance with the electoral vote.
G. Appoint the Grand Commandant on the advice of the Sovereign, in accordance with the electoral vote.
H. Call for regional elections or a universal referendum.
I. Receive and recognize emissaries.
J. Appoint emissaries.
COMMAND OF THE CELESTIAL ARMADA TO BE VESTED IN THE SUPREME BEING
(4) The political, moral, and spiritual guide of the Lazarene Celestial Armada, and all offensive and defensive forces is hereby declared to be vested in the Celestial Being.
ELECTION OF THE SUPREME BEING
(5) Qualifications to stand for Celestial Being:
A. Must hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than six months.
B. Must not have been convicted of a crime.
C. Have held an elected cosmic government position for the continuous period of no less than three months.
(6) The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from among its membership, a member, on whom the Order shall confer the Divine Mandate to guide the universe.
TENURE
(7) The Celestial Being shall retain his Divine position so long as he is pious in the eyes of the Order, as affirmed by his Divine Mandate at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months.
(8) The Celestial Being shall serve no more than three consecutive Universal Cycles.
REMOVAL OF DIVINE MANDATE TO RULE
(9) The Celestial Being shall be considered to have been stripped of his Divine Mandate, as granted by the Order, if he or she:
A. Fails for three weeks to provide continued holy presence in Uniterra; or fails to, when advised, fulfill his celestial duties.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. If the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in Lazarus.
(10) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in the Celestial Being as being worthy to represent the Order through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the Divine Mandate shall be withdrawn from the Celestial Being by the Order of Stars by a majority vote of two-thirds.
ABSENCE OF THE SUPREME BEING
(11) In the case of an absence of the Celestial Being, by the loss of his Divine Mandate, resignation, or otherwise:
A. The Cosmic Council shall elect from among its membership, a new Celestial Being.
SECTION 4 - GUARDIANS
(1) The security and sanctity of the universe, as embodied through the World Assembly Delegacy, shall be safeguarded by Guardians, as so blessed by the Celestial Being.
QUALIFICATIONS OF GUARDIANS
(2) Guardians must:
A. Hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three months.
B. Not have been convicted of a crime.
C. Hold the status of World Assembly member.
APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS
(3) The Celestial Being shall at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, select on the advice of the Sovereign, from among the membership of the Cosmic Council, Guardian-nominees.
(4) The Cosmic Council shall, at their discretion, confirm these nominees; and at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months, shall vote to reaffirm Guardians.
REMOVAL OF THE CELESTIAL BEING'S BLESSING
(5) A Guardian shall be considered to have been stripped of his blessing, as granted by the Celestial Being if the Guardian:
A. Fails for three weeks to forewarn of, or indicate continued presence in Uniterra.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
F. No longer holds World Assembly membership.
MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE
(6) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in a Guardian as being worthy of safeguarding the World Assembly Delegacy in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Guardian by the Celestial Being.
SECTION 5 - EXECUTIVE POWER
DECLARATION OF EXECUTIVE POWER IN THE SOVEREIGN
(1) The executive power of the Union is vested in the Celestial Being and is exercisable by the Sovereign as the Celestial Being’s representative, and extends to the execution and maintenance of this Mandate, and of the laws of the Union.
POWER OF THE SOVEREIGN AND THE DEFENDER OF THE REALM
(2) The Sovereign shall, subject to this Mandate:
A. Have the power to administer the business of, and to make policy for the peace, order, and good government of the Union.
B. Hold the World Assembly Delegacy of Lazarus. The Defender of the Realm shall hold the Vice-World Assembly Delegacy of Lazarus.
C. The Sovereign may approve or reject applications for Core World status or citizenship on the forum.
QUALIFICATIONS OF SOVEREIGN AND DEFENDER OF THE REALM
(3) The Sovereign or Defender of the Realm is required to:
A. Hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three months.
B. Not have been convicted of a crime.
C. Hold the status of World Assembly member.
ELECTION OF THE SOVEREIGN AND DEFENDER OF THE REALM
(3) The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from amongst its membership, a nominee for Sovereign and a nominee for the Defender of the Realm.
(4) The Celestial Being shall, at his discretion, grant these nominees through blessing, power to form a government in his name and with his celestial authority.
(5) If a special election has occurred less than a month prior to the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, the elections for that Renewal shall not be held.
TENURE
(5) The Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm shall retain the authority to govern in the Celestial Being’s name, so long as they have the confidence of the Cosmic Council and the blessing of the Celestial Being, as shall be affirmed at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every three months.
(6) The Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm shall serve no more than two consecutive Universal Cycles.
REMOVAL OF THE CELESTIAL BEING'S BLESSING
(7) The Sovereign or the Defender of the Realm shall be considered to have been stripped of blessing if he or she:
A. Fails for three weeks to forewarn of, or indicate continued presence in Uniterra.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
F. No longer holds World Assembly membership.
MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE
(8) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm as being worthy to govern in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence with a majority, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm by the Celestial Being.
ABSENCE OF THE SOVEREIGN
(9) In the case of an absence of the Sovereign, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Defender of the Realm may receive the Celestial Being’s blessing, at his discretion, to ascend to the Sovereign and govern in his name.
(10) In the case of an absence of the Defender of the Realm, by the loss of his blessing, ascension to the Sovereign, resignation or otherwise, the Cosmic Council shall elect from among its membership, a new Defender of the Realm.
ARCHBISHOPS
(11) The Celestial Being may, on the advice of the Sovereign, appoint and elevate a cleric to Archbishop; to administer the respective Archdiocese:
A.The Archbishop shall hold office during the pleasure of the Celestial Being, on the advice of the Sovereign.
COMMAND OF THE CELESTIAL ARMADA
(12) The commander-in-chief of the Lazarene Celestial Armada is vested in the Grand Commandant as the Celestial Being’s representative:
A.The Grand Commandant shall hold office during the pleasure of the Celestial Being, on the advice of the Sovereign.
SECTION 6 - LEGISLATIVE POWER
CONSTITUTION OF THE COSMIC COUNCIL OF LAZARUS
(1) There shall be a Cosmic Council for Lazarus, consisting of the Celestial Being, and a body of representatives.
POWERS OF THE COSMIC COUNCIL
(2) The Council shall, subject to this Mandate, have the exclusive power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Union with respect to:
A. Naturalization and aliens.
B. Space districting.
C. Taxation.
D. Banking, currency, coinage, and legal tender.
E. Relations with alternate universes.
F. Establishment of Archdioceses.
G. the Celestial Armada.
NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS
(3) The Council shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and any thereafter, consist of a representative from each of the Core Worlds, who shall be styled Councillors, and hereafter, shall be taken to refer to the world they represent.
QUALIFICATIONS OF COUNCILLORS
(4) Councillors shall be a subjects of the Celestial Being, naturalized by obtaining citizenship as a Core World.
TENURE OF PLACE IN THE COUNCIL
(5) A Councillor shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold his place in the Council for life.
DISQUALIFICATION OF COUNCILLORS
(6) The place of a Councillor shall become vacant in any of the following instances, if he or she:
A. For a period of 28 days fails to vote or participate in any business in the Council;
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
ELECTION OF THE CONVENOR
(7) The Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from among its membership by a simple majority, a Convenor; and shall do so every three months.
VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CONVENOR
(8) In the case of a vacancy happening in the office of the Convenor, by the loss of Core World status, resignation, or otherwise, the Council shall elect from among its membership, a new Convenor.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONVENOR
(9) The Convenor shall preside over all business of the Council.
DEPUTY TO THE CONVENOR
(10) Until the Council otherwise provides, the Convenor may appoint a Councillor(s) to deputise for him, wherein he may be granted the powers, privileges, and duties of Convenor, to the discretion of the Convenor.
VOTING IN THE COSMIC COUNCIL
(11) Voting arising in the Council shall be decided by a simple majority, unless a higher threshold is required for passage.
CELESTIAL ASSENT TO BILLS
(12) Where a Bill has passed the Council, it shall be presented to the Celestial Being for celestial assent, and he shall declare if he assents thereto.
(13) A Bill shall not have any force as an Act of the Council until it receives assent, by celestial proclamation.
(14) The Celestial Being can be required to provide assent after a majority vote of two-thirds in the Council.
ARCHDIOCESES
(15) The Council shall, so often as it deems it necessary, organise itself into committees, henceforth referred to as Archdiocese, and assign these Archdioceses power, privileges and duties of a cosmic government department.
(16) An Archdiocese can be established or removed by a simple majority vote by the Council.
CLERICS
(17) Until the Council otherwise provides, a member of an Archdiocese shall be referenced henceforth as a cleric.
SECTION 7 - JUDICIAL POWER
DECLARATION OF JUDICIAL POWER IN THE CELESTIAL INQUISITORIAL COURT
(1) The judicial power of the Union is vested in the Celestial Inquisitorial Court.
POWER OF THE COURT
(2) The Court shall have sole jurisdiction to hear and determine matters arising under:
A. This Mandate, or involving its interpretation.
B. Any laws or treaties made by the Cosmic Council.
(3) The judgement of the Court in all such cases shall be final and conclusive.
QUALIFICATIONS OF A PRELATE
(4) Prelates are required to:
A. Hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three
months.
B. To have not been convicted of a crime.
NUMBER OF PRELATES
(5) The Court shall consist of a Holy Prelate, and Prelates, numbering no less than two, as the Cosmic Council prescribes.
APPOINTMENT
(6) The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from among its membership, Prelate-nominees.
(7) The Celestial Being shall, at his discretion, grant these nominees through blessing, power to adjudicate with his celestial authority.
SELECTION OF THE HOLY PRELATE
(8) The Court shall, at no longer than a week into the Universal Cycle, select from among its membership, a Holy Prelate.
VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY PRELATE
(9) In the case of a vacancy happening in the office of the Holy Prelate, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Court shall select from among its membership, a new Holy Prelate.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY PRELATE
(10) The Holy Prelate shall preside over all business of the Court.
TENURE
(11) A Prelate shall retain the authority to adjudicate in the Celestial Being’s name, so long as they have the confidence of the Cosmic Council and the blessing of the Celestial Being, as shall be affirmed at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months.
(12) A Prelate shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold his place on the Court for life.
Removal of the Celestial Being’s blessing
(13) A Prelate shall be considered to have been stripped of his blessing, as granted by the Celestial Being if he or she:
A. For three weeks to forewarn of, or indicate continued presence in Uniterra.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE
(14) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in Prelate as being worthy to adjudicate in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Prelate by the Celestial Being.
ABSENCE OF A PRELATE
(15) In the case of an absence of a Prelate, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Cosmic Council shall elect from amongst its membership, a Prelate-nominee.
SECTION 8 - THE CELESTIAL ARMADA
(1) The Lazarene Celestial Armada shall be the sole military organization based in Lazarus.
(2) Citizens of Lazarus are permitted to serve in foreign military organizations provided:
A. They are not currently in a state of war against the region.
B. The Celestial Armada may decide to exclude further foreign military organizations from its ranks.
(3) The Grand Commandant shall be the operational commander of the Lazarene Celestial Armada.
LIMITATIONS
(4) Loss of citizenship shall result in dismissal from the Celestial Armada and forfeiture of an officer commission.
(5) Lazarus shall enter a state of war with a foreign region or organization following a simply majority vote in the Cosmic Council or a declaration of war being received by the Sovereign.
POWERS OF THE GRAND COMMANDANT
(7) The Grand Commandant must be:
A. An active duty officer in the Celestial Armada
B. Unless no officers are willing to serve or have passed confirmation by the Cosmic Council.
(8) The Lazarene Celestial Armada shall have:
A. Two classes of ranks. These shall be Officers and enlisted personnel (Paladins).
(9) The Grand Commandant may :
A. Dismiss any member of the Lazarene Celestial Armada. This may be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote of existing officers at the time of dismissal.
B. Accept applications to join the Celestial Armada as an enlisted member.
POWERS OF OFFICERS
(10) Officers may:
A. Establish further ranks within either class by simple majority vote.
B. Determine the method of reaching each rank and of promotion to officer status.
(11) Votes among officers shall be tallied based on the number of officers voting.
REVISION OF TITLES AND POSITIONS
(12) The Lazarene Celestial Armada title and positions wherein can be renamed or re-organized by the Council through an Act passed with a simple majority vote.
ARTICLE V - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
(1) Every member of the government and the military shall before taking residency in Uniterra and receiving his commission therein take and subscribe before the Celestial Being or some person authorized by him, the oath of allegiance:
A. From this time forward, [ me ], voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion, pledge my loyalty to Lazarus and her people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.
CONTINUANCE OF EXISTING LAWS, COURTS, AND OFFICERS
(2) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, all laws in force in the Humane Republic of Lazarus, all authorities and responsibilities of all government and military officers, existing therein at the time of the Union, shall continue in the Celestial Union of Lazarus, as if the Union had not been made.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW OFFICERS
(3) On the day of, or at a maximum of several days after, the passage of this act, that the necessary arrangements are made to fulfill the vacancies in positions so warranted in this Act.
TREATY OBLIGATIONS
(4) The Celestial Union of Lazarus shall have all power necessary or proper for performing the Obligations of the Humane Republic of Lazarus, arising under treaties between the Humane Republic and other universes.
AMENDMENTS
(5) This Act may be amended by the Cosmic Council through a referendum:
A. A referendum to amend this Act must achieve a majority, defined as two-thirds of the vote.
HOLDING OF OFFICES
(6) No Core World in the office of the Celestial Being, the Sovereign, the Defender of the Realm, an Archbishop, a Bishop, the Convenor, a Deputy to the Convenor, the Holy Prelate, or a Prelate, may at any one time, occupy his own office and that of another.
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF LAZARUS
(7) The seat of government of Lazarus shall be the world, Uniterra.
SPACE-COM FORUM ADDRESS
(8) The forum shall be located at the address of ‘http://s15.zetaboards.com/NSLazarus/index/.’
REVISION OF TITLES AND POSITIONS
(9) The titles and positions in this mandate can be renamed by the Council through an Act passed with a simple majority vote.
The Celestial Mandate Act was passed on January 22nd, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on February 1st, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on February 17th, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on May 3rd, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on May 10th, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on June 26th, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on June 30th, 2017
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/lazarus_...0-t36.html
PREAMBLE
The nations, resident in the region formerly called the Humane Republic of Lazarus, hereby solemnly and mutually agree with each other, to form themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent body politic, or state by the name of "The Celestial Union of Lazarus".
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
View Contents
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
-:- GENERAL TERMS
-:- LEGISLATURE
-:- EXECUTIVE
-:- JUDICIAL
ARTICLE II - FOREWORD
-:- ENACTMENT
-:- AMENDMENT
ARTICLE III - UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
-:- SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP IN THE COSMIC COUNCIL
-:- SECTION 2 - LIMITATIONS
-:- SECTION 3 - RIGHTS IN THE CELESTIAL UNION OF LAZARUS
ARTICLE IV - MANDATE ACT, 2017
-:- PREAMBLE
-:- SECTION 1 - PRELIMINARY
-:- SECTION 2 - UNION
-:- SECTION 3 - DIVINE POWER
-:- SECTION 4 - GUARDIANS
-:- SECTION 5 - EXECUTIVE POWER
-:- SECTION 6 - LEGISLATIVE POWER
-:- SECTION 7 - JUDICIAL POWER
-:- SECTION 8 - THE CELESTIAL ARMADA
ARTICLE V - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
-:- OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
-:- CONTINUANCE OF EXISTING LAWS, COURTS, AND OFFICERS
-:- APPOINTMENT OF NEW OFFICERS
-:- TREATY OBLIGATIONS
-:- AMENDMENTS
-:- HOLDING OF OFFICES
-:- SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF LAZARUS
-:- SPACE-COM FORUM ADDRESS
-:- REVISION OF TITLES AND POSITIONS
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
GENERAL TERMS:
View Terms
-:- Core World - Holds Citizenship in the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
-:- World - Non-Citizen or Resident Nation.
-:- Cosmic Government - The regional government; comprised of the Celestial Being, the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary.
-:- Lazarene Celestial Armada - The military of the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
-:- Paladin - A member of the Lazarene Celestial Armada.
-:- Order of Stars - The official religion of the Celestial Union. The Celestial Being is the head of the Order.
-:- Cosmarchy - Cosmic-monarchy; the Celestial Being functions as the monarch.
-:- Divine Mandate - The right of the Celestial Being to rule. It is (re)affirmed at an election.
-:- Uniterra - The name of the forum. It takes the appearance of the home world of the Celestial Union.
-:- Universal Cycle - A term of office, either of three months or four months.
-:- Universal Declaration of Rights - A list of fundamental rights.
-:- Removal of Celestial Being's Blessing - Ceases to be in effect, or in case of persons they cease to hold office.
-:- Humane Republic of Lazarus - A Chinese-Confucius theme, preceding the Celestial Union of Lazarus theme.
-:- People's Republic of Lazarus - A communist themed people's republic, preceding the Humane Republic of Lazarus.
LEGISLATURE:
View Terms
-:- Cosmic Council - The General Assembly of Lazarus.
-:- Convenor - The elected head of the legislature.
-:- Deputy Convenor - The deputy of the Convenor.
-:- Committee - Government department established by the Cosmic Council.
-:- Archbishop - Head of a Cosmic Council Committee.
-:- Bishop - Deputy of a Cosmic Council Committee.
-:- Cleric - Member of a Cosmic Council Committee.
-:- Majority - two-thirds of the vote.
-:- Simple Majority - 51 percent or more of the vote.
-:- Super Majority - three-quarters of the vote.
-:- Electoral vote - a vote of the Cosmic Council.
EXECUTIVE:
View Terms
-:- Celestial Being - Elected Monarch or Head of State, Head of Official Religion (Order of Stars)
-:- Sovereign - Head of the government/World Assembly Delegate.
-:- Defender of the Realm - Deputy Head of the Government/Vice-World Assembly Delegate.
-:- Grand Commandant - The commander-in-chief of the military.
-:- Guardian - A nation who is confirmed by the legislature and who has a high number of endorsements, to maintain regional security.
JUDICIAL:
View Terms
-:- Celestial Inquisitional Court - The Judiciary of the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
-:- Holy Prelate - Head of the Judiciary.
-:- Prelate - Judge of the Judiciary.
ARTICLE II - FOREWORD
View Article
ENACTMENT
The Celestial Mandate Act, 2017 shall contain the text of the Celestial Mandate, as so provided by the Order of Stars, together with amendments which may be made by the governments of the Core Worlds, and done so in accordance with the divine teachings of the Order, thereafter. The Act contains the Universal Declaration of Rights and other provisions, including the procedure for amending the Celestial Mandate. The Act shall also contain a schedule of repeals of certain constitutional enactments. The new enactments shall be used in place of the former, but their former may be found in the schedule.
AMENDMENT
This Act may be amended by textual amendment; repeals, amendments, additions, or substitutions, which shall be the exclusive right of the Cosmic Council. The various classes of enactments modifying the Act may be dealt with as follows:
(1) Repeals: Repealed provisions (e.g. section 2) have been deleted from the text and quoted in a footnote.
(2) Amendments: Amended provisions (e.g. section 4) are reproduced in the text in their amended form, and the original provisions are quoted in a footnote.
(3) Additions: Added provisions (e.g. section 8) are included in the text.
(4) Substitutions: Substituted provisions (e.g. section 16) are included in the text, and the former provision is quoted in a footnote.
ARTICLE III - UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
View Article
SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP IN THE COSMIC COUNCIL
(1) Any World or Nation may apply for citizenship on the regional forum, by providing their:
A. Current Nation in Lazarus.
B. Current World Assembly.
C. Sworn oath of citizenship established by law.
(2) Worlds or Nations may be considered a Core World and may exercise their voting rights, as long as they have:
A. Held a World Assembly nation in Lazarus for more than a year consecutively.
B. Endorsed the Sovereign.
C. Not been convicted of a crime.
(3) Any World or nation that held citizenship in the People's Republic of Lazarus upon its dissolution shall be considered a Core World.
SECTION 2 - LIMITATIONS
(1) The Sovereign may approve or reject applications for Core World status or citizenship on the forum unless:
A. The applicant has been declared a persona non grata by the Cosmic Council.
(2) The Sovereign must post an explanation for rejection immediately in the Cosmic Council:
A. The Cosmic Council may overturn such rejections with a two-thirds majority vote.
(3) If the applicant is a persona non grata at the time of their application, the decision goes to the Cosmic Council:
A. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary to approve such applications.
(4) Should the Sovereign be unable to process citizenship applications:
A. They may publicly designate a Core World with forum administrator privileges to do so.
B. Approvals by an appointed individual may also be overturned by the Cosmic Council with a two-thirds majority vote.
(5) Should neither the Sovereign nor a designated individual approve a citizenship application within four days, the Grand Assembly may approve it with a simple majority.
(6) Core Worlds or citizens shall forfeit their membership if:
A. They voluntarily renounce it.
B. Their nation in Lazarus voluntarily leaves the region or ceases to exist,
C. The Celestial Inquisitional Court finds them guilty of a criminal offense and revokes their citizenship as punishment.
D. They applied for citizenship on the Lazarus forum and do not log into their account for twenty-eight days.
(7) Core Worlds or citizens may not lose their citizenship for any reason not enumerated in this article.
SECTION 3 - RIGHTS IN THE CELESTIAL UNION OF LAZARUS
(1) All worlds or nations are provided:
A. Equal protection under the law.
B. Freedom of speech, petition, peaceful association and assembly so long as their exercise does not violate the rules of NationStates or the Regional Forum's terms of use.
C. Access to the Regional Forum to the extent necessary to exercise their other rights.
D. Access to the Regional Forum that may not infringed except for violations of its terms of service or the law.
E. Right to fair representation in a criminal trial and may not be forced to incriminate themselves.
F. Freedom in their nations' domestic affairs, including World Assembly votes and endorsements.
G. Immunity from being tired for a crime by law or put on trial, retroactively.
(2) Worlds or nations will not be banned or ejected from the region unless they have:
A. Been publicly charged with a crime.
B. Violated the rules of NationStates Terms of Use.
C. Violated the policies of the Regional Message Board.
(3) Worlds or nations cannot be banned from the Regional Forum without being publicly charged with a crime unless:
A. They have violated the Regional Forum's terms of use.
(4) All worlds or nations shall be permitted to maintain the following endorsements counts:
A. 80 WA endorsement count for residents.
B. 100 WA endorsement count for nations endorsing the Sovereign.
C. 20 WA endorsements or more below Defender of the Realm for citizens by forum application or extended residency.
(5) The Cosmic Council may establish a higher cap or revert a cap to the following by simple majority vote:
A. In periods of transfer of the office of Defender of the Realm, this cap shall be calculated from the Guardian with the highest endorsement count.
(6) No World or Nation shall be considered necessarily deprived of any rights not enumerated here in this article.
ARTICLE IV - MANDATE ACT, 2017
View Article
An Act for the universe of Lazarus; the Core Worlds, territories, sentinel beings, and the thereof; and for Purposes connected therewith
WHEREAS the Core Worlds and territories, within the Lazarene boundaries immortal, have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Celestial unit under the Divine guidance of the Celestial Being:
And whereas such a Union would conduce to the Welfare of Core Worlds and promote the Interests of all sentinel beings:
PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Celestial Union of Lazarus, hereby institute this Mandate to affirm the divine powers of the Cosmarchy and to protect the rights and freedoms of all people within the Celestial Union under the divine guidance of the Order of Stars. The Celestial Union embraces and promotes universal peace, freedom, and prosperity for all, and do form this Holy Connection.
SECTION 1 - PRELIMINARY
Short title
This Act, the Celestial Mandate Act, 2017, may be cited as the Mandate Act, 2017.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUBSEQUENT PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT
(1) Unless it is otherwise expressed or implied:
A. Lazarus shall be taken to mean Lazarus as constituted under this Act.
B. Core World shall be taken to mean a nation in-game as constituted under this Act.
C. Sovereign and Defender of the Realm shall be taken to mean the Sovereign and/or the Defender of the Realm.
D. Renewal of the Universal Cycle shall be taken to mean; in reference to the Celestial Being, the eighth day of January, May, and September; and in reference to the Sovereign, Defender of the Realm, and Convenor, the eighth day of February, May, August, and November; and in reference to the Prelates and Guardians, the eighth day of March, July, and November.
E. Where it is used, the term Him may be substituted with Her where relevant.
SECTION 2 - UNION
DECLARATION OF UNION
(1) It shall be lawful for the Celestial Being, by and with the advice of her Divine Eminence’s most honorable Celestial Council, to declare by proclamation that, on and after a day therein appointed, not being more than one month after the passing of this Act, the universe of Lazarus, the Core Worlds, and territories, shall form and be one united holy body under the name of Lazarus and with the guidance of the Order and its teachings; and on and after that day those worlds shall form and be one Dominion under that name accordingly.
SECTION 3 - DIVINE POWER
DECLARATION OF SUPREME EXECUTIVE POWER IN THE CELESTIAL BEING
(1) The executive government and supreme authority of and over Lazarus are hereby declared to be vested in the Celestial Being.
(2) The Celestial Being is the Divine Representative of the Order of Stars, from whose teachings, life and the foundation of all societies, is derived from; and of whom must uphold, defend, and respect the Mandate as the supreme law of the Union.
POWERS OF THE CELESTIAL BEING
(3) The Celestial Being with his or her celestial assent may.
A. Refer a bill back to the Council for reconsideration of the Bill’s constitutionality.
B. Refer a bill to the Court for a decision on the Bill’s constitutionality.
C. Appoint the Sovereign, in accordance with the electoral vote.
D. Appoint Archbishops to committees on the advice of the Sovereign, in accordance with the electoral vote.
E. Appoint Prelates, in accordance with the electoral vote.
F. Appoint Guardians, in accordance with the electoral vote.
G. Appoint the Grand Commandant on the advice of the Sovereign, in accordance with the electoral vote.
H. Call for regional elections or a universal referendum.
I. Receive and recognize emissaries.
J. Appoint emissaries.
COMMAND OF THE CELESTIAL ARMADA TO BE VESTED IN THE SUPREME BEING
(4) The political, moral, and spiritual guide of the Lazarene Celestial Armada, and all offensive and defensive forces is hereby declared to be vested in the Celestial Being.
ELECTION OF THE SUPREME BEING
(5) Qualifications to stand for Celestial Being:
A. Must hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than six months.
B. Must not have been convicted of a crime.
C. Have held an elected cosmic government position for the continuous period of no less than three months.
(6) The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from among its membership, a member, on whom the Order shall confer the Divine Mandate to guide the universe.
TENURE
(7) The Celestial Being shall retain his Divine position so long as he is pious in the eyes of the Order, as affirmed by his Divine Mandate at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months.
(8) The Celestial Being shall serve no more than three consecutive Universal Cycles.
REMOVAL OF DIVINE MANDATE TO RULE
(9) The Celestial Being shall be considered to have been stripped of his Divine Mandate, as granted by the Order, if he or she:
A. Fails for three weeks to provide continued holy presence in Uniterra; or fails to, when advised, fulfill his celestial duties.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. If the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in Lazarus.
(10) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in the Celestial Being as being worthy to represent the Order through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the Divine Mandate shall be withdrawn from the Celestial Being by the Order of Stars by a majority vote of two-thirds.
ABSENCE OF THE SUPREME BEING
(11) In the case of an absence of the Celestial Being, by the loss of his Divine Mandate, resignation, or otherwise:
A. The Cosmic Council shall elect from among its membership, a new Celestial Being.
SECTION 4 - GUARDIANS
(1) The security and sanctity of the universe, as embodied through the World Assembly Delegacy, shall be safeguarded by Guardians, as so blessed by the Celestial Being.
QUALIFICATIONS OF GUARDIANS
(2) Guardians must:
A. Hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three months.
B. Not have been convicted of a crime.
C. Hold the status of World Assembly member.
APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS
(3) The Celestial Being shall at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, select on the advice of the Sovereign, from among the membership of the Cosmic Council, Guardian-nominees.
(4) The Cosmic Council shall, at their discretion, confirm these nominees; and at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months, shall vote to reaffirm Guardians.
REMOVAL OF THE CELESTIAL BEING'S BLESSING
(5) A Guardian shall be considered to have been stripped of his blessing, as granted by the Celestial Being if the Guardian:
A. Fails for three weeks to forewarn of, or indicate continued presence in Uniterra.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
F. No longer holds World Assembly membership.
MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE
(6) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in a Guardian as being worthy of safeguarding the World Assembly Delegacy in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Guardian by the Celestial Being.
SECTION 5 - EXECUTIVE POWER
DECLARATION OF EXECUTIVE POWER IN THE SOVEREIGN
(1) The executive power of the Union is vested in the Celestial Being and is exercisable by the Sovereign as the Celestial Being’s representative, and extends to the execution and maintenance of this Mandate, and of the laws of the Union.
POWER OF THE SOVEREIGN AND THE DEFENDER OF THE REALM
(2) The Sovereign shall, subject to this Mandate:
A. Have the power to administer the business of, and to make policy for the peace, order, and good government of the Union.
B. Hold the World Assembly Delegacy of Lazarus. The Defender of the Realm shall hold the Vice-World Assembly Delegacy of Lazarus.
C. The Sovereign may approve or reject applications for Core World status or citizenship on the forum.
QUALIFICATIONS OF SOVEREIGN AND DEFENDER OF THE REALM
(3) The Sovereign or Defender of the Realm is required to:
A. Hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three months.
B. Not have been convicted of a crime.
C. Hold the status of World Assembly member.
ELECTION OF THE SOVEREIGN AND DEFENDER OF THE REALM
(3) The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from amongst its membership, a nominee for Sovereign and a nominee for the Defender of the Realm.
(4) The Celestial Being shall, at his discretion, grant these nominees through blessing, power to form a government in his name and with his celestial authority.
(5) If a special election has occurred less than a month prior to the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, the elections for that Renewal shall not be held.
TENURE
(5) The Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm shall retain the authority to govern in the Celestial Being’s name, so long as they have the confidence of the Cosmic Council and the blessing of the Celestial Being, as shall be affirmed at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every three months.
(6) The Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm shall serve no more than two consecutive Universal Cycles.
REMOVAL OF THE CELESTIAL BEING'S BLESSING
(7) The Sovereign or the Defender of the Realm shall be considered to have been stripped of blessing if he or she:
A. Fails for three weeks to forewarn of, or indicate continued presence in Uniterra.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
F. No longer holds World Assembly membership.
MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE
(8) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm as being worthy to govern in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence with a majority, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Sovereign and the Defender of the Realm by the Celestial Being.
ABSENCE OF THE SOVEREIGN
(9) In the case of an absence of the Sovereign, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Defender of the Realm may receive the Celestial Being’s blessing, at his discretion, to ascend to the Sovereign and govern in his name.
(10) In the case of an absence of the Defender of the Realm, by the loss of his blessing, ascension to the Sovereign, resignation or otherwise, the Cosmic Council shall elect from among its membership, a new Defender of the Realm.
ARCHBISHOPS
(11) The Celestial Being may, on the advice of the Sovereign, appoint and elevate a cleric to Archbishop; to administer the respective Archdiocese:
A.The Archbishop shall hold office during the pleasure of the Celestial Being, on the advice of the Sovereign.
COMMAND OF THE CELESTIAL ARMADA
(12) The commander-in-chief of the Lazarene Celestial Armada is vested in the Grand Commandant as the Celestial Being’s representative:
A.The Grand Commandant shall hold office during the pleasure of the Celestial Being, on the advice of the Sovereign.
SECTION 6 - LEGISLATIVE POWER
CONSTITUTION OF THE COSMIC COUNCIL OF LAZARUS
(1) There shall be a Cosmic Council for Lazarus, consisting of the Celestial Being, and a body of representatives.
POWERS OF THE COSMIC COUNCIL
(2) The Council shall, subject to this Mandate, have the exclusive power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the Union with respect to:
A. Naturalization and aliens.
B. Space districting.
C. Taxation.
D. Banking, currency, coinage, and legal tender.
E. Relations with alternate universes.
F. Establishment of Archdioceses.
G. the Celestial Armada.
NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS
(3) The Council shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and any thereafter, consist of a representative from each of the Core Worlds, who shall be styled Councillors, and hereafter, shall be taken to refer to the world they represent.
QUALIFICATIONS OF COUNCILLORS
(4) Councillors shall be a subjects of the Celestial Being, naturalized by obtaining citizenship as a Core World.
TENURE OF PLACE IN THE COUNCIL
(5) A Councillor shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold his place in the Council for life.
DISQUALIFICATION OF COUNCILLORS
(6) The place of a Councillor shall become vacant in any of the following instances, if he or she:
A. For a period of 28 days fails to vote or participate in any business in the Council;
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
ELECTION OF THE CONVENOR
(7) The Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from among its membership by a simple majority, a Convenor; and shall do so every three months.
VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CONVENOR
(8) In the case of a vacancy happening in the office of the Convenor, by the loss of Core World status, resignation, or otherwise, the Council shall elect from among its membership, a new Convenor.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONVENOR
(9) The Convenor shall preside over all business of the Council.
DEPUTY TO THE CONVENOR
(10) Until the Council otherwise provides, the Convenor may appoint a Councillor(s) to deputise for him, wherein he may be granted the powers, privileges, and duties of Convenor, to the discretion of the Convenor.
VOTING IN THE COSMIC COUNCIL
(11) Voting arising in the Council shall be decided by a simple majority, unless a higher threshold is required for passage.
CELESTIAL ASSENT TO BILLS
(12) Where a Bill has passed the Council, it shall be presented to the Celestial Being for celestial assent, and he shall declare if he assents thereto.
(13) A Bill shall not have any force as an Act of the Council until it receives assent, by celestial proclamation.
(14) The Celestial Being can be required to provide assent after a majority vote of two-thirds in the Council.
ARCHDIOCESES
(15) The Council shall, so often as it deems it necessary, organise itself into committees, henceforth referred to as Archdiocese, and assign these Archdioceses power, privileges and duties of a cosmic government department.
(16) An Archdiocese can be established or removed by a simple majority vote by the Council.
CLERICS
(17) Until the Council otherwise provides, a member of an Archdiocese shall be referenced henceforth as a cleric.
SECTION 7 - JUDICIAL POWER
DECLARATION OF JUDICIAL POWER IN THE CELESTIAL INQUISITORIAL COURT
(1) The judicial power of the Union is vested in the Celestial Inquisitorial Court.
POWER OF THE COURT
(2) The Court shall have sole jurisdiction to hear and determine matters arising under:
A. This Mandate, or involving its interpretation.
B. Any laws or treaties made by the Cosmic Council.
(3) The judgement of the Court in all such cases shall be final and conclusive.
QUALIFICATIONS OF A PRELATE
(4) Prelates are required to:
A. Hold the status of Core World and have done so for the continuous period of no less than three
months.
B. To have not been convicted of a crime.
NUMBER OF PRELATES
(5) The Court shall consist of a Holy Prelate, and Prelates, numbering no less than two, as the Cosmic Council prescribes.
APPOINTMENT
(6) The Cosmic Council shall, at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, elect from among its membership, Prelate-nominees.
(7) The Celestial Being shall, at his discretion, grant these nominees through blessing, power to adjudicate with his celestial authority.
SELECTION OF THE HOLY PRELATE
(8) The Court shall, at no longer than a week into the Universal Cycle, select from among its membership, a Holy Prelate.
VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY PRELATE
(9) In the case of a vacancy happening in the office of the Holy Prelate, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Court shall select from among its membership, a new Holy Prelate.
THE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY PRELATE
(10) The Holy Prelate shall preside over all business of the Court.
TENURE
(11) A Prelate shall retain the authority to adjudicate in the Celestial Being’s name, so long as they have the confidence of the Cosmic Council and the blessing of the Celestial Being, as shall be affirmed at the Renewal of the Universal Cycle, to occur every four months.
(12) A Prelate shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, hold his place on the Court for life.
Removal of the Celestial Being’s blessing
(13) A Prelate shall be considered to have been stripped of his blessing, as granted by the Celestial Being if he or she:
A. For three weeks to forewarn of, or indicate continued presence in Uniterra.
B. Has taken or takes an oath or makes a declaration or an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience, or adherence to parties which Lazarus is in a state of war with.
C. Has been convicted (or is under charges of) treason against the Celestial Union of Lazarus.
E. Or the world or nation he represents, ceases to hold the status of Core World in the universe of Lazarus.
MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE
(14) Should the Cosmic Council, decide a question of confidence in Prelate as being worthy to adjudicate in the name of the Celestial Being through the passage of a motion of no confidence, the blessing shall be withdrawn from the Prelate by the Celestial Being.
ABSENCE OF A PRELATE
(15) In the case of an absence of a Prelate, by the loss of his blessing, resignation, or otherwise, the Cosmic Council shall elect from amongst its membership, a Prelate-nominee.
SECTION 8 - THE CELESTIAL ARMADA
(1) The Lazarene Celestial Armada shall be the sole military organization based in Lazarus.
(2) Citizens of Lazarus are permitted to serve in foreign military organizations provided:
A. They are not currently in a state of war against the region.
B. The Celestial Armada may decide to exclude further foreign military organizations from its ranks.
(3) The Grand Commandant shall be the operational commander of the Lazarene Celestial Armada.
LIMITATIONS
(4) Loss of citizenship shall result in dismissal from the Celestial Armada and forfeiture of an officer commission.
(5) Lazarus shall enter a state of war with a foreign region or organization following a simply majority vote in the Cosmic Council or a declaration of war being received by the Sovereign.
POWERS OF THE GRAND COMMANDANT
(7) The Grand Commandant must be:
A. An active duty officer in the Celestial Armada
B. Unless no officers are willing to serve or have passed confirmation by the Cosmic Council.
(8) The Lazarene Celestial Armada shall have:
A. Two classes of ranks. These shall be Officers and enlisted personnel (Paladins).
(9) The Grand Commandant may :
A. Dismiss any member of the Lazarene Celestial Armada. This may be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote of existing officers at the time of dismissal.
B. Accept applications to join the Celestial Armada as an enlisted member.
POWERS OF OFFICERS
(10) Officers may:
A. Establish further ranks within either class by simple majority vote.
B. Determine the method of reaching each rank and of promotion to officer status.
(11) Votes among officers shall be tallied based on the number of officers voting.
REVISION OF TITLES AND POSITIONS
(12) The Lazarene Celestial Armada title and positions wherein can be renamed or re-organized by the Council through an Act passed with a simple majority vote.
ARTICLE V - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
(1) Every member of the government and the military shall before taking residency in Uniterra and receiving his commission therein take and subscribe before the Celestial Being or some person authorized by him, the oath of allegiance:
A. From this time forward, [ me ], voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion, pledge my loyalty to Lazarus and her people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.
CONTINUANCE OF EXISTING LAWS, COURTS, AND OFFICERS
(2) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, all laws in force in the Humane Republic of Lazarus, all authorities and responsibilities of all government and military officers, existing therein at the time of the Union, shall continue in the Celestial Union of Lazarus, as if the Union had not been made.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW OFFICERS
(3) On the day of, or at a maximum of several days after, the passage of this act, that the necessary arrangements are made to fulfill the vacancies in positions so warranted in this Act.
TREATY OBLIGATIONS
(4) The Celestial Union of Lazarus shall have all power necessary or proper for performing the Obligations of the Humane Republic of Lazarus, arising under treaties between the Humane Republic and other universes.
AMENDMENTS
(5) This Act may be amended by the Cosmic Council through a referendum:
A. A referendum to amend this Act must achieve a majority, defined as two-thirds of the vote.
HOLDING OF OFFICES
(6) No Core World in the office of the Celestial Being, the Sovereign, the Defender of the Realm, an Archbishop, a Bishop, the Convenor, a Deputy to the Convenor, the Holy Prelate, or a Prelate, may at any one time, occupy his own office and that of another.
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF LAZARUS
(7) The seat of government of Lazarus shall be the world, Uniterra.
SPACE-COM FORUM ADDRESS
(8) The forum shall be located at the address of ‘http://s15.zetaboards.com/NSLazarus/index/.’
REVISION OF TITLES AND POSITIONS
(9) The titles and positions in this mandate can be renamed by the Council through an Act passed with a simple majority vote.
The Celestial Mandate Act was passed on January 22nd, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on February 1st, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on February 17th, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on May 3rd, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on May 10th, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on June 26th, 2017.
The Celestial Mandate Act was amended on June 30th, 2017
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