Alexandrian Nazarene conclave, 1752
For the OOC notes and instructions on this election, please see the meta page.
| Native name | Alexandrian: Conclave de l'Église Nazaréenne |
|---|---|
| Date | Scheduled to begin by 9.I.1752 AN |
| Venue | Basilica of St. Luis the Protector |
| Location |
 Geneva, Natopia |
| Type | Ecclesiastical election |
| Cause | Death of Archbishop Boniface VII |
| Organised by | Sacred College of the Autocephalous Nazarene Church |
| Participants | 107 cardinal electors |
| Outcome | Pending |
| Chamberlain of the See | Cardinal Philippe de Montreux |
| Votes needed | 72 (two-thirds majority) |
| Dean of the College | Cardinal Augusto Belmonte |
The Alexandrian Nazarene Conclave of 1752 is an upcoming ecclesiastical gathering of the Sacred College of the Autocephalous Nazarene Church to elect a new Archbishop of Geneva following the death of Archbishop Boniface VII on 24.XV.1751 AN.[1] The conclave will be held at the Basilica of St. Luis the Protector in Geneva, Natopia, and must convene within 15 days of the Archbishop's death according to the Ecclesiastical Constitution of 1652 AN.
The election will require a two-thirds majority of the 107 cardinal electors to select a successor, meaning 72 votes are needed. This will be the first conclave since 1729 AN, when Cardinal Manuel Horizonte was elected after seven ballots and took the regnal name Boniface VII. The outcome will determine the leadership of one of Micras' largest religious institutions, which claims approximately 978 million adherents across 312 dioceses worldwide.
Background
Archbishop Manuel Horizonte, who led the Autocephalous Nazarene Church of Alexandria for 22 years under the regnal name Boniface VII, died on 24.XV.1751 AN at the Holy See of St. Natsanet in Geneva. He was 82 years old. The Alexandrian Curia confirmed his passing at 4:47 AM local time, stating that the Archbishop died peacefully after a brief illness.
Horizonte's tenure was marked by institutional stability and significant achievements. He oversaw the reconstruction of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Storms and Sorrows in Dos Gardenias following a devastating earthquake in 1733 AN, personally raising NAX€340 million for the restoration. He established the Alexandrian Refugee Relief Foundation to continue the church's historical mission of serving displaced Alexandrian communities. His 1738 AN encyclical "On Common Ground" advanced ecumenical dialogue with other faith traditions, including the Melusinian Faith and various Nazarene denominations. He also introduced modest liturgical reforms, including expanded use of vernacular languages and simplified ceremonial practices, which drew both praise from progressives and criticism from traditionalists.
Upon the Archbishop's death, governance of the church passed temporarily to the College of Cardinals under the administration of the Chamberlain of the See, Cardinal Philippe de Montreux. The archiepiscopal see is now vacant until a successor is elected.
Procedures
The election procedures for the Archbishop of Geneva were codified in 1668 AN and subsequently revised in 1705 AN and 1723 AN. The process combines ancient ecclesiastical traditions with practical adaptations developed during the church's post-imperial reorganization.
Eligibility
Candidates for the office must meet several constitutional requirements. They must already hold the rank of Archbishop within the church hierarchy, demonstrating both theological acumen and administrative capability. The Ecclesiastical Constitution stipulates that nominees must be under 75 years of age at the time of election, though once elected, an Archbishop may serve until age 80. Candidates must also possess sufficient health to fulfill the demanding responsibilities of the office.
Voting process
The conclave must convene within 15 days of the previous Archbishop's death. All 107 cardinal electors are summoned to Geneva for the proceedings, which take place in the Basilica of St. Luis the Protector. Cardinals over the age of 80 are ineligible to vote but may participate in pre-conclave discussions.
Election requires a two-thirds majority, meaning 72 votes are needed for a candidate to be elected. Balloting continues until a candidate achieves this threshold. The 1729 AN conclave that elected Boniface VII required seven ballots before Cardinal Horizonte secured the necessary majority.
Following election, the new Archbishop selects a regnal name, reflecting the transformed identity associated with assuming the sacred office. The formal enthronement ceremony includes the bestowal of the pallium, a white woolen stole that symbolizes the office's jurisdiction and connection to the apostolic tradition.
Role of the Chamberlain
During the vacancy, Cardinal Philippe de Montreux serves as Chamberlain of the See, responsible for administering the church and organizing the conclave. The Chamberlain verifies the death of the Archbishop, seals the deceased's private apartments, and oversees funeral arrangements. He also manages communications with secular governments and coordinates the arrival of cardinal electors from across Micras.
The Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Augusto Belmonte, presides over the pre-conclave meetings where cardinals discuss the state of the church and the qualities needed in the next Archbishop.
Cardinal electors
Distribution by nation
The 107 cardinal electors represent dioceses across multiple nations, reflecting the global reach of the Alexandrian Nazarene faith. The distribution of cardinals is based on each nation's Alexandrian Nazarene population and historical significance.
| Nation | Cardinals | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Natopia |
49 | Largest bloc; includes the Holy See in Geneva |
 Nouvelle Alexandrie |
28 | State patron of the church; fastest-growing communities |
 Constancia |
7 | Historic Alexandrian diaspora presence |
| Alexandrian Curia | 5 | Cardinals serving in curial administration |
 Aerla |
4 | Aerlan Nazarene Church; sui iuris church in full communion |
 Oportia |
4 | Established dioceses in the region |
 Ransenar |
3 | Small but active community |
 Hurmu |
1 | Diocese of Hurmu |
 Lac Glacei |
1 | Anglien heritage community |
 Zeed |
1 | Diaspora representation |
 Sanama |
1 | Community in Gogledd Cybwl |
 Senya |
1 | Church and See of Saint Christopher |
 Mercury |
1 | Diaspora representation |
 Sanpantul |
1 | Curial seat for diaspora congregation in Dabajuro |
| Total | 107 | 72 needed to elect |
The concentration of cardinals in Natopia (49) and Nouvelle Alexandrie (28) reflects the demographic reality of the Alexandrian Nazarene faithful, with these two nations accounting for approximately 72% of the total electorate. The Aerlan Nazarene Church, a sui iuris church in full communion with the Holy See of St. Natsanet, contributes four cardinal electors representing its approximately 13 million faithful in Aerla.
Factional alignments
Cardinals are not a monolithic bloc. Based on voting patterns in recent Sacred College deliberations and public statements, observers estimate the following ideological distribution among the electors:
| Alignment | Estimated Cardinals | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | ~38 | Favor traditional liturgy, cautious on ecumenism, support strong House of Carrillo ties |
| Undecided | ~29 | Have not declared or hold mixed views; many are pastoral pragmatists focused on institutional stability rather than ideology |
| Centrist | ~26 | Balance tradition with adaptation, prioritize church unity, open to reform within limits |
| Progressive | ~14 | Support continued liturgical reform, expanded ecumenical dialogue, engagement with contemporary issues |
No single faction commands the 72 votes necessary for election, making coalition-building essential. The undecided cardinals represent a potential kingmaker bloc, and their preferences may ultimately determine the outcome.
Issues facing the church
The next Archbishop inherits a church at a crossroads. Several unresolved questions will define his tenure.
The Neridian Schism
The Neridian Church split from the autocephalous church in 1654 AN, rejecting the post-imperial reorganization. The Neridians believe ecclesiastical authority should remain tied to the Emperor rather than an independent Sacred College. After 98 years apart, approximately 25 million Neridians remain in schism, making them the largest schismatic body in the Alexandrian Nazarene tradition.
Recent dialogue under Neridian Patriarch Gregorius IV has raised hopes for reunion, but reconciliation would require resolving fundamental disagreements about church governance and the role of the House of Carrillo. The potential reunion of 25 million faithful would represent the most significant ecclesiastical reconciliation in Alexandrian Nazarene history.
The Imperial Restoration problem
The Church of the Imperial Restoration teaches that Edgard III, the Titular Emperor of the Alexandrians and Co-Emperor of Western Natopia, is a messianic figure destined to restore the Alexandrian Empire. The autocephalous church has formally condemned this teaching as heresy.
The movement has between 25,000 and 40,000 adherents, concentrated primarily among working-class Afro-Alexandrian communities in Natopia. Edgard III has never publicly addressed the church's claims about his person, though the House of Carrillo has officially distanced itself from the movement. The next Archbishop will need to determine how aggressively to confront this theology while avoiding alienating the faithful who have been drawn to it.
House of Carrillo relations
The House of Carrillo has historic ties to the church dating to the imperial period. Nouvelle Alexandrie holds formal patronage over the church through the Proclamation of Punta Santiago, while the Holy See of St. Natsanet sits in Geneva, Natopia, where Edgard III serves as Co-Emperor of Western Natopia.
This creates an inherent tension: Nouvelle Alexandrie provides institutional and financial support, but the church's spiritual center is in Natopian territory under Carrillo influence. The next Archbishop will need to navigate this delicate balance, determining whether to maintain, strengthen, or loosen ties with the imperial family.
Liturgical tradition vs. reform
The late Archbishop Boniface VII introduced modest liturgical reforms during his tenure, including expanded use of vernacular languages and simplified ceremonial practices. Conservatives argue these changes dilute Alexandrian Nazarene identity and have called for a return to classical forms. Progressives want further adaptation to contemporary contexts and broader accessibility.
The next Archbishop will need to decide whether to continue Boniface VII's reforms, reverse them, or hold the current line.
Ecumenical dialogue
The church maintains varying relationships with other religious bodies, from cautious engagement with the Dozan Bovic Church to outright condemnation of syncretic movements like the Alexandrian Nazarene Church of the Sun. Boniface VII's 1738 AN encyclical "On Common Ground" advanced interfaith dialogue, but some traditionalists have questioned how far such engagement should proceed.
The Holy See's location
The Holy See has been in Geneva since the imperial period. Some argue this is proper, given Geneva's status as the ancient capital of Alexandria. Others note that Nouvelle Alexandrie now holds formal patronage and has the largest concentration of faithful. While moving the Holy See is unlikely, the symbolic weight of its location shapes church politics and informs how cardinals view the Natopia versus Nouvelle Alexandrie dynamic in candidate selection.
Declining vocations
Several regions have reported declining numbers of men entering religious life, creating staffing challenges for parishes, schools, and charitable institutions. The 1734 AN census recorded approximately 212,000 active priests, but some dioceses report difficulty filling vacancies. The next Archbishop will need to address vocational recruitment while potentially restructuring ministry to function with fewer ordained clergy.
Leading candidates
Several cardinals have emerged as leading candidates in pre-conclave discussions.
Gregorio Aguilar
Cardinal Gregorio Aguilar (born 1682 AN), the 69-year-old Archbishop of Dos Gardenias, represents the traditionalist faction. Born in Geneva to a family with deep roots in the Alexandrian diaspora, Aguilar has been a vocal defender of classical liturgical practices and maintains close ties to the House of Carrillo.
His platform emphasizes preserving traditional liturgy, strengthening the church's relationship with the House of Carrillo, and affirming that the Holy See belongs in Geneva, the ancient capital of Alexandria. Aguilar is expected to draw strong support from conservative cardinals, particularly those from Natopia.
Philippe de Montreux
Cardinal Philippe de Montreux (born 1684 AN), the 67-year-old Chamberlain of the See, represents the moderate faction. Born in Punta Santiago to a prominent Alexandrian merchant family, de Montreux has administered the church during the sede vacante period.
His platform emphasizes institutional continuity, church unity, balance between tradition and pastoral adaptation, and respect for Nouvelle Alexandrie's patronage role. De Montreux is expected to draw support from centrist cardinals and those who prioritize stability during a transitional period.
Other potential candidates
Additional candidates may emerge from the Constancian, Sanaman, or Aerlan delegations during pre-conclave discussions. A progressive candidate could potentially unite the reformist minority with centrist support, though no such figure has yet declared.
See also
- Autocephalous Nazarene Church of Alexandria
- Archbishop of Geneva
- Holy See of St. Natsanet
- Sacred College of the Autocephalous Nazarene Church
- Boniface VII
- Gregorio Aguilar
- Philippe de Montreux
- Aerlan Nazarene Church
