Consistorial Court of Discipline
The Consistorial Court of Discipline is the most powerful body in the Church, based at the College of St. Jerome in Geneva. It consists of a twelve-person board headed by a president. It is comparable to an Inquisition; this arm of the Magisterium investigates and punishes heretics. The Consistorial Court sends Father Gomez, their youngest member, to assassinate Lyra. Their oldest member is Father Makepwe.
Members
- President, Father Hugh MacPhail
- The Inquirer, not to be confused with the Enquirer, questions witnesses at court.
- Convener of the Secretariat, Brother Louis
- Father Makepwe
- Father Gomez
Nuns of the Order of St. Philomel, not full members of the court, are employed as scribes.
Fra Pavel is employed as an alethiometrist.
Preemptive absolution
The Consistorial Court maintains a policy of preemptive penance, allowing for a person to repent in advance for a future sin. Father Gomez (pale and trembling with zealotry) practises preemptive penance in preparation for his mission to assassinate Lyra.
