Definition : The dignitaries of the two Colleges of the Cuu-Trung-Dai are invested in the Temple of the Divine Alliance (Hiep-Thien-Dai), either through their own merit, or through designation by means of a medium (direct investiture), or through an organised election before the dignitaries of the Hiep-Thien-Dai, in order to avoid all fraud or partiality. What is more, with the assistance of these dignitaries it is permissible to consult the Spiritual Pope or Our Divine Master to know whether those elected are worthy of their rank.

Thus, before official notification, all dignitaries must be presented for the approval of the Pope or of our Divine Master.

Divine Text : The Cardinals are elected to the rank of Legislative Cardinals through the vote of their colleagues (the other two Cardinals).

Commentary : The three Cardinals who stand for election as Legislative Cardinals must come before the Holy See to take part in the vote of their colleagues, before the Assembly of the dignitaries of the Cuu-Trung-Dai and of the Hiep-Thien-Dai.

The Laws and religious Rules do not specify the way to elect Archbishops to the rank of Principal Archbishops. These latter are chosen by the Pope.

Divine Text : The Archbishops are elected to the rank of Cardinal by the vote of their thirty-six colleagues.

Commentary : For example, if there are two Cardinals missing, the Archbishops elected to this rank must gain votes equal to half of thirty-six, that is, eighteen votes, or more.

This election is carried out at the Holy See, before the Sacerdotal Council/ Hoi Thanh of the Cuu-Trung-Dai, in the presence of the higher dignitaries of the Hiep-Thien-Dai.

Divine Text : The Bishops are elected to the rank of Archbishop by the votes of their seventy-two colleagues.

Commentary : To be elected to the rank of Archbishop, the Bishops must gain a majority of votes as required by the ordinary rules.

The election is carried out at the Holy See before the Sacerdotal Council /Hoi Thanh of the Cuu-Trung-Dai, in the presence of the higher dignitaries of the Hiep-Thien-Dai.

Divine Text :The Priests are elected to the rank of Bishop by the vote of their three thousand colleagues.

Commentary : To become Bishops, Priests must be elected by the vote of their three thousand colleagues.

The number of votes is worked out according to the ordinary rules. The election is carried out at the Holy See before the Sacerdotal Council /Hoi Thanh of the Cuu-Trung-Dai, in the presence of the Legislative Body of the Hiep-Thien-Dai.

Divine Text : The Student-Priests are elected to the rank of Priest by the vote of all their colleagues.

Commentary : To be a candidate for the rank of Priest, the Student-Priests (or Deacons) must be elected by the vote of all their colleagues. (The number of Student-Priests is not defined).

The number of votes is worked out according to the ordinary rules. In case of equal votes, the most meritorious are chosen. The election is made at the Holy Seat, before the Priestly Body of the Cuu-Trung-Dai in the presence of the Legislative Body of the Hiep-Thien Dai.

Divine Text : Disciples who aspire to the rank of Student-Priest are elected by the vote of all the Faithful, except in the situation when dignitaries are chose by Divine Voice (direct investiture).

Commentary : Disciples chosen for the rank of Student-Priest must be chosen by the vote of all the others.

The number of votes is worked out according to the ordinary rules.

The election is carried out in the Oratories (Temples / Thanh-That) of the various centres. After the vote, the ones elected must go the Holy See to take part in the general gathering. If they are accepted by the agreement, they immediately begin their service; in case of any disagreement, they are eliminated! (Good!, Approval from the Spiritual Pope)

An exception is made in the case of Student-Priests who are chosen by Our Divine Master (direct investiture).

When the Ho-Phap asked the Pope Li-Tai-Pe about voting for the Chanh-Tri-Su, Pho-Tri-Su and Thong-Su, he received the following answer :

“The Chanh-Tri-Su are elected by the vote of the Pho-Tri-Su and Thong-Su, according to the ordinary rules, at the Oratory of the place, before the Head of the Parish, in the presence of the other Chanh-Tri-Su.

“The certificate for the Chanh-Tri-Su is signed by the Pope and the Ho-Phap.

“The Pho-Tri-Su are elected by the vote of the Adepts, according to the ordinary rules, at the Oratory of the place, before the Head of the Parish, in the presence of the Chanh-Tri-Su.

“The certificate for the Pho-Tri-Su is signed by the Pope.

“The Thong-Su are elected by the vote of the Adepts, according to the ordinary rules, at the Oratory of the place, before the Head of the Parish, in the presence of the Chanh-Tri-Su.

“The certificate for the Thong-Su is signed by the Ho-Phap.”

THE PAPAL THRONE AND ELECTION

Divine Text : The Papal Throne is in the power of the Legislative Cardinals and the Cardinals through the universal vote of the Adepts.

The Law can only confirm the situation where the One Chosen may be designated by the Heavenly Voice Itself. In the case of direct investiture there is no use in having a vote.

Commentary : The Pope's successor is to come from the ranks of the Legislative Cardinals or the Cardinals. Except in the situation where there is direct investiture, the Pope is to be chosen by universal vote, that is to say, after an election in which the entire body of Adepts is involved. The candidate must also obtain the unanimous consent of the dignitaries of the Sacerdotal Council / Hoi Thanh, [and] of the dignitaries of the Legislative Body. This election is always attended by the members of the Cuu-Trung-Dai and the Hiep-Thien-Dai.

The number of votes as with all elections is controlled at the Holy See by the Higher Council of the Dignitaries of the Administrative and Legislative Bodies. This Council is to include :

1. From the Cuu-Trung-Dai, dignitaries from the rank of Cardinal and up;

2. From the Hiep-Thien-Dai, those beginning with Thuong-Pham and Thuong-Sanh (Head of the Spiritual and Head of the Temporal).

These major dignitaries together form the Higher Council, an exception being made for those who stand as candidates.

The result of the election is conveyed to the Adepts. If there is an undecided outcome, it goes to a second scrutinising of the ballots or even a new election.

Then when the votes are ratified by the Higher Council, the Sacerdotal Council / Hoi Thanh will organize the Great Festival of the Enthronement of the Elected One.

All the dignitaries are to undergo this election law which is never set aside except in the case where the Supreme Being appears himself to choose his Elected One. This is the situation with direct investiture.