Conscience of the Senate

The Conscience of the Senate is an Imperial title appointed by the Cardinal of the Assembly of the Way in the Imperial Synod. The Conscience is intended to observe Senate affairs; to speak on behalf of the virtuous; to keep the Senators focused on their duty to the citizens of the Empire rather than their own aggrandizement; and to represent the Synod in the Senate when needed.

The Conscience must be a lay-peson; this means that if the appointee has a congregation, they must give up their membership of their assembly and lose the ability to participate in the business of the Imperial Synod for as long as they serve.

Powers of the Conscience

The Conscience serves in the Imperial Senate.

Guiding the Senate

The Conscience may speak, vote and raise or second motions just as a Senator does. Some Consciences decline to use these powers, seeing their role as more ceremonial; others take full part in the business of the Senate, engaging in spirited debates with their fellow Senators.

Voice of Virtue

The Conscience may abstain from any vote in the Senate. They are also responsible for announcing the veto of the Imperial Synod. The conscience will often be called on to speak on matters relating to the Synod.

Appointment of the Conscience

The cardinal of the Assembly of The Way may appoint a layperson of virtue to be the Conscience. The cardinal may not appoint themselves to the post, and it is frowned upon to name a conscience from the same nation as the cardinal.

No person may hold the seat of the conscience more than once in a single lifetime.

Removing the Conscience

The conscience may hold the seat for no longer than a year, or until there is a new cardinal of the Way is appointed and chooses to name a replacement.