Archbishop Benham and Rev. Chapel celebrate a service together before the press conferenceIn a press conference today, Archbishop Benham and Rev. Chapel announced the end of their talks and the beginning of a new Bishopal church in Malivia. Although a majority of Malivians practice Bishopalism, there has never been an official Bishopal church with the Archbishop's approval and recognition in the nation. The new church created under the working name of
Church of Luthori in Malivia will operate as an independent province with it's own bishops and clergy.
While the church builds and continues to form, the Archbishop has pledged monetary and spiritual support for the new church, promising to allow Malivians to study in Luthori until the creation of seminaries in Malivia and is working on sending 150 ministers to Malivia to staff parishes until a native-born clergy is established.
Traditionally, Bishopalism in Malivia has been what is called "low church" and the Church of Luthori in Malivia follows this tradition. In terms of polity, each district (also called a diocese) (named after the consistency in which it is located) will be led by a superintendent. Instead of an archbishop, the superintendents will meet together with delegates from each district for church governance, with the superintendent with seniority serving as General Superintendent without metropolitan powers.
Rev. Chapel is expected to serve as the first General Superintendent and Superintendent of Bhulkhandra.