Vedek

From Hidden Frontier

A Vedek is a Bajoran spiritual leader who is not as high an authority as the Kai, but is still higher than a Ranjen. In ancient Terran religions, specifically Cathalocism, a Vedek would be similar to a Cardinal. Each Vedek represents a specific spiritual order on Bajor.

Vedek's select a group from within their ranks to form the Vedek Assembly, whose role is to aid the Kai in matters of the Spiritual leadership of the Bajoran people. Should the Kai abdicate his position, either by choice or other means, such as death, then the Vedek Assembly is charged with electing a new Kai from its membership.