#teefics

Some countries have no archdiocese. Instead, they house a handful of dioceses, or simply just one. In that case, the dioceses are not part of any larger provinces and report directly to the Unholy See, rather than to a metropolitan archbishop [reference/explanation of how that could work].

In certain regions, such as the Bible Belt, it's not unusual for local members of the UCoG to form village-/town-communes, self-sufficient and providing a bit of a cultural bubble for local Satanists to be able to (more or less) safely function in. That does, however, make it easier for the Ministry to indoctrinate these communities, providing them with their own radio stations and newspapers (crediting @textsfromhannibal for this idea because the portrayal of a multigenerational conservative Satanic family in one of her fics has sparked Many Thoughts In My Brain <33).

different approaches, inner conflicts, heresies

The Church's diversity means that some of its branches don't have much in common — besides general devil-worship, clerical hierarchy, universal rites and laws. This tends to result in religious discourse, infighting, forming of opposing political circles and schools of thought.

It's not unusual for some or the more charismatic/recognisable leaders to gain in popularity, their interpretations of the catechism attracting their own followers.

There have been multiple attempts at fracturing in the past. Sects being banished or splitting off on their own; self-declared prophets disavowing papal authority; rogue bishops openly challenging the Ministry's decisions, etc.

It's the duty of the main branch and Papa's closest circle to deal with these problems, recognising genuine blessings from the Pit in contrast with manmade delusions. It's still part of the political play, partly, but at the same the Ministry does have some genuine prophets/Satan's mouthpieces (canon as far as we're concerned — Sister Imperator has been mentioned multiple times to have visions and be able to directly communicate with the devil).

As is the case with any major religious organisation, the UCoG laws and regulations remain ever-changing to make managing the branches easier and to ensure that they function more or less in sync with one another.

common vs local characteristics

Some of the shared aspects of the Ministry (enforced globally) include: major holidays/celebrations, sacraments, the traditional cardinal make-up, basic mass formula, consistent clerical hierarchy, the expectation for all clergy to have at least a basic grasp on ecclesiastical Latin (as you can imagine the fluency levels differ depending on rank), some common phrasing (usually in Latin and used amidst the clergy).

The colours attributed to each clergy group remain largely consistent, though the Ministry is not against giving the uniform a personal spin (within reason), so for example the way the mozzetta of a Romanian bishop is decorated will probably differ from that of a Mexican bishop.

Other differences that are permitted include: regional rites and local observances that have been given the Infernal See's official approval + local symbols that don't directly mirror the "traditional" Satanic ones (example: the Milanese branch doesn’t just have a serpent for its patron, but the city's own biscione instead).

general church politics/some loose ideas

The Church's visibility in a given region is largely dependent on local culture and political scene, hence why many branches operate from behind a façade.

Some of the abbeys, regular churches and episcopal sees are located in regular religious buildings, more often deserted and refurbished by the Ministry rather than built from scratch — but many have made their home in abandoned and repurposed townhouses, hotels, libraries, cinemas, operas and school buildings.

For example: in the wonderful fic by @anamelessfool, the Cracovian Diocese is registered as a hotel in order to evade the local government's restrictions (I love that idea and will yap about it at any given opportunity).

In my own fic, Campania doesn’t even have its own diocese because of how much of a hold Catholicism has had on the region's cultural identity. Despite many previous attempts, something would always get in the way of the Ministry establishing a more solid presence in the region, and so instead of having its own branch, Campania (along with Abruzzo and Molise) has to answer to Lazio/the Roman branch.

There are conservative factions within the Ghurch. It is what it is. (You'd be surprised how regressive many famous roots of modern day Satanism are!)

For the cult's own safety, it takes a little more than just signing up at your local convent/abbey/diocese in order to join the clergy. Depending on the branch, you may even have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

WOMEN AND AFAB PEOPLE ARE ABSOLUTELY PERMITTED TO PURSUE PRIESTHOOD. In theory. In practice, not every branch is equally enthusiastic about it, lol.

𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔰

⸸ <3 (The Luckiest) (gn!reader, +18)

⸸ An Ascot, You Ass (gn!reader)

⸸ Some Bright Morning (v-day fic, gn!reader)

𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔠𝔞𝔫𝔬𝔫𝔰

⸸ caring for a partner with awful cramps

⸸ eldritch-leaning/creature-ish headcanons

⸸ mark of the beast

⸸ miscellaneous

⸸ miscellaneous #2

⸸ romantic relationship dynamics (gn!reader)

── .✦ ex-catholic headcanons:

⸸ clerical manipulation

⸸ ex-catholic priest

⸸ ex-catholic priest #2

⸸ his rosary & favourite relics

𝔱𝔦𝔡𝔟𝔦𝔱𝔰

⸸ his approach to the papal duties, the laity and the clergy (char. study + headcanons + some scenes)

⸸ excerpts

⸸ quotes

⸸ quotes #2

⸸ quotes #3

𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔰

⸸ Project It / Predict It

‧₊˚🕷‧₊˚ 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔢 𝔱𝔬 𝔠𝔬𝔪𝔢!

⸸ some Terzopolitus rambles

⸸ Ghurch headcanons #1 (administration, inner conflicts, common vs local traditions)

⸸ Valentine’s Day within the Ghurch