This is something I want to pull out into its own post, because it didn't fit within the comment section where it began. I want to make something absolutely clear about what I think regarding authority within Liber XV. I understand people might get upset by this, but please know that that is not my intent. I simply think there is some misunderstand about my position, and I want to set the record straight. If anyone still is angry with me, at least it will be about what I actually think. Furthermore, I put out the disclaimer that while I am an ordained Priest of six years, I am not a Bishop. However, the framework of my opinions has been accepted as accurate by my own supervising Bishop.

I firmly believe that the authority to celebrate the Gnostic Mass is embodied in the officers, namely the Priest and the Priestess. That authority derives from either being an ordained Bishop, or from acting under the direct, formal supervision of a Bishop. The Bishop's authority comes from the national Primate. His authority comes from the Patriarch of the E.G.C. There is no other authority when it comes to any discrete celebration of the Mass---not the community, not the Lodge Master, not other Bishops (except, for the latter two, insofar as they feel compelled to enforce Grand Lodge policy and in the rare occasion when the sanctity of the local body is endangered, say with the presence of a 15-year-old without guardian approval).

So, to put it bluntly, as long as policy is adhered to with reasonable good faith, the Mass team is in charge during any given Liber XV celebration. The Priest and the Priestess are essentially acting with the authority of the Patricarch (in our current case, Frater Superior Hymenaeus Beta) and through his Primate in the U.S. (in our case, T. Apiryon, the Supreme and Holy King, Sabazius), who delegates his authority through his Bishops. During the celebration of the Mass, the Deacon and Children operate under the authority of the Priest and Priestess team. An ordained Deacon is actually oath-bound to assist in this way, who agrees to "abide by the policies of Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica, and that you will faithfully fulfill the functions of a Deacon, ever in service to your congregation, and under the direction of your Priest and Priestess?"

Now then, a wise Mass team will take into consideration local traditions and social mores. However, that consideration does not take precedence over their own take on the ritual. This includes the actions of the People, who are, in essence, the sixth officer of Liber XV. It is the Deacon's job to instruct and lead the People in the particulars of the ceremony, as she is the conduit or viceroy representing the Mass team to the congregation.

Now that I've laid the foundation of my position, I want to clear up some things. I do indeed want to bring how SWL does Mass to Thelema Lodge. But what do I mean by that? By that, I do NOT refer to the playing of music, how the Deacon marshals the People or where the Priest resides during Communication, how the Priestess does her spiral dance, where the Children stand, whether or not the Priestess is touched, if Grady is mentioned in the Saints Collect, the pattern of sitting and standing, how many times the bell is rung, or even the oyez chant which I so dislike. No, I do not refer to any of these things.

When I say I want to bring an SWL "way of doing things," what I mean is a respect for the authority of the Mass team, and a celebration of the fact that they will do things differently from each other. At SWL, every Mass team is different, and even when a team does something unexpected or strange, members do not complain that "this isn't the way WE do Mass" (unless someone does something obviously outside the scope of the ritual or policy). This is because the members have become accustomed to a certain degree of variation, and it works very very well.

To give an example, if I am doing Mass as Priest (and assuming the Priestess agrees with me), I want my Deacon to prep the People, because (1) I believe that this is a vital way that the Deacon can be "in service to [her] congregation," (2) I or the Priestess might have particular instruction to give that a non-officer will not be privy to, and (3) the Deacon is the connection between the Priest/ess and the People, and is therefore the natural officer to represent the Mass team thru instruction of the ritual particulars. While I recognize that this is not traditionally how it is done at Thelema Lodge, I believe my reasons trump tradition, and that I have a right to do so when acting as Priest. Moreover, I believe the community should respect that right.

HOWEVER, this is as far as my insistance goes. As far as my example goes, Liber XV does not state anything about prepping the People beforehand. Therefore, I would NEVER insist that any other team MUST do what I do. I might offer my opinion for them to consider, but if the town mayor is tapped to instruct me as a congregant, then I will take that instruction with enthusiasm. The key element here is that--within the scope of policy, the literal script, and the sanctity of the body--the Mass team has full authority to decide how optional elements will be performed, assuming that they have been in communication with their supervising Bishops.

I will continue to lobby for this cultural change for two main reasons: (1) I believe this is the way the Church is actually set up, and (2) it helps prevent stagnation and "right way" thinking while promoting tolerance of differences. In my experience, it also promotes critical thinking and an openness to trying out new ways to celebrate the ritual, because exploration is far more acceptable. As an example of this kind of benefit, various Priestesses have different personal stances on touching during communication, from heavy hugs, to hand holding, to hands off. In a culture where the community expects to be instructed in such areas, a priestess can be confident that her boundaries will be respected, especially if the Deacon is allowed to articulate her requirements to the congregation beforehand. Finally, another important benefit is that it places the responsibility of ritual quality squarely where it belongs: the Mass team.

And just to make myself crystal clear, I would be happy to include local traditions wherever possible when acting as Priest. For example, I would be fine with adding Grady to the Saints list and to allow the People to communicate in a circle. But I would also have everyone sit during the Collects (until Death) and ask that Oyeses be uttered silently. This isn't the "SWL way" of doing Mass; it is the "Ash way" of doing Mass, and anyone who doesn't understand this difference doesn't understand my position at all.

As anyone in TL should know, I have not performed as Priest there. I have little desire to, in fact, because I believe my doing so would cause consternation and disharmony, rather than joy and celebration. Given a choice between that or giving in to local custom where it violates my sense of the ritual leaves me with no choice at all. Perhaps if I can inspire local members to consider my take on authority within Liber XV, the situation might change, and I will be invited to share my passion and enjoyment of Liber XV with the Thelema Lodge community. Until that time comes, I will continue to attend as a congregant when possible, where I will joyfully accept the direction of the Mass team, and Communicate as a Star among Stars.

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