The Guardians of the Holy Conclave

The Guardians of the Holy Conclave is the sacred process by which the Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux elects its two Guardians of the Holy, the supreme stewards of The Holy State under the kingship of Jesus Christ. Convened immediately upon the death of a Guardian, the conclave unites the College of Cardinals and the Doves to appoint a successor within 3 holy days, equivalent to 5 normal days, ensuring swift and unified leadership. If no candidate is chosen, the living Guardian selects their co-Guardian, preserving the church’s theocratic mission to restore true Christianity.

The Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux is led by two Guardians of the Holy, elected by the College of Cardinals to serve as stewards under the supreme authority of Jesus Christ, proclaimed King of The Holy State. Only men may serve, preserving the historical apostolic tradition for this role. The Guardians hold absolute authority in governance and doctrine, but both must agree for a decision to become law, ensuring unity and balance, as "the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Their leadership honors the legacy of communal discernment established by James the Just, the first Bishop of Jerusalem.

Immediate Convening

Upon the death of a Guardian, the College of Cardinals convenes immediately to elect a successor, ensuring continuity in The Holy State’s leadership. The conclave, a sacred assembly, must appoint the new Guardian within 3 holy days, equivalent to 5 normal days, reflecting the urgency of maintaining divine governance.

Cardinals’ Vote

The College of Cardinals, comprising 100 members (75 appointed by the Guardians, 25 elected by ordained members), holds the primary voting authority. A candidate, who must be an ordained male citizen of The Holy State, requires 51% of cardinal votes to be elected Guardian. The cardinals, including men and women (priests, bishops, monks, nuns, aged 35 or older), deliberate to select a leader aligned with the church’s mission of purity and faith.

Doves’ Collective Vote

The Doves, a body of 45 elected citizens representing the faithful of The Holy State, participate in the conclave by collectively selecting one candidate, typically a local monk or bishop who embodies their communities’ values. Their unified vote is equivalent to 2 cardinal votes, amplifying the voice of the laity while respecting the cardinals’ authority. This collective process ensures communal representation, echoing the church’s commitment to "let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves" (Luke 22:26).

Three Holy Days Deadline

The conclave must appoint a successor within 3 holy days, or 5 normal days, to maintain stability. If no candidate achieves 51% of cardinal votes by this deadline, the living Guardian is empowered to select their co-Guardian from any ordained citizen of The Holy State, ensuring the leadership remains unbroken and aligned with Christ’s kingship.

The Guardians of the Holy Conclave is rooted in the legacy of James the Just, the "Brother of the Lord" (Galatians 1:19), who led the early Church with humility and discernment (Acts 15:13). In our church’s opinion, though not universally accepted, St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) is his spiritual successor, reforming monastic life and defending the faith with militant zeal, as seen in his De Laude Novae Militiae. The conclave reflects this tradition of communal discernment, ensuring The Holy State’s governance upholds pre-Vatican II Catholicism, enriched by Anglican reverence and Baptist commitment. By blending these traditions, the church restores the purity of early Christianity, as "the prayer of a righteous person has great power" (James 5:16), guiding The Holy State as a bastion of faith under Christ’s eternal reign.