VULTURIUS ECCLESIAE

[ReveredOwl 5639]

 

 

VULTURIUS ECCLESIAE

VULTURE OF THE CHURCH

8^th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1766

 

Dear Faithful Canonists,

            Blessed are we this day to finally receive a response to our grave concerns for our holy institution, though sad is this day that this response was not from his Holiness but from the very man who caused this division in the first place. In his reply he does little to address our grave concerns but divert away to petty and relevant topics. It is true that I am banished from Helena, this was due to my protests against how they dealt with issues, admittedly I could have handled this better and here we are, I am paying for my mistakes and continue to pray for GOD’s forgiveness on this daily. It is also true that I have been banished from my old diocese however cardinal Laurence does little to explain why and instead waves it around as a trophy of his victory. I will tell you here why I am banished from Kaedrin, cardinal Laurence, the Pruvian bloc and the Kaedreni government tried to bring me to court for failing in my duties as bishop of Kaedrin and vagrancy, something a secular court should never be able to punish over as it is up to his Holiness. This lawsuit threatened to tear the church into two. I never failed in my duties as bishop of Kaedrin and the ones who claim I did never lived there when I was administering there. I was not stripped from my position as bishop there because I failed in my duties there, his Holiness confirmed this to me personally. However his Holiness received a letter from cardinal Laurence and the Pruvian bloc demanding that I be defrocked if he wished to avoid a dangerous precedent being set. His Holiness, naturally, refused to acknowledge  their attempt at blackmail and told them they could not demand he do such. Rather than having the church torn into two, I agreed to a settlement that I was to be banished from Kaedrin and the court case dropped. I agreed to this settlement not due to guilt or fear of punishment, but in an attempt to mend the division that Laurence and his cronies had caused. Though I should make it abundantly clear, I never advocated for secular immunity for the clergy, it is as written in dogma that clergymen are subject to the laws of the land. What I actually said was

 

Every cardinal that has been stripped or stepped down in protest has been replaced by Laurence and the Pruvian bloc, they now control the majority of the Curia including the Vice-Chancellor. His Holiness promised me that no other clergymen would be stripped of their position as I was, without ever being told face to face and publicly humiliated. I was happy with this until cardinal Wilhelm was stripped of his position as Auditor, without ever being told, when I was reinstated into the Curia, due to this and a number of other reasons I resigned. I infact wrote an open letter to the Pontiff expressing my concerns and why I resigned but he has never dignified this with a response. Then the Vice-Chancellor was stripped of all of his position simply for signing an epistle that went against cardinal Laurence, an epistle Rodrigo believed to be true in nature and agreed with. As the snakes hiss and slither in the weeds, Laurence slinked his way over to Helena and schemed to have him stripped and one of his cronies to take his place, much like the bishop of Haense. 

 

I concede that there have been great clergymen in secular positions and now agree that this should be permitted to some degree, but not to the degree that is currently acceptable. I understand that the list of saints were drawn up by Jasper as Laurence lacks the knowledge of our past and our norms, but even the ones listed are not political positions. They are meager secular positions at best and not something that one can abuse their position as a clergyman in a way that the Pruvian bloc does. In his response to my open letter to you, the faithful canonist people, he claims that because the exalted were given expensive silks and white robes by GOD, that he is justified to live a life of luxury, pride, vice and riches, that is incorrect. The exalted did not live their lives as rich snobs looking down upon their fellow man, scheming and plotting against one's brothers and even if they had, they were the exalted, chosen by GOD. Now unless Laurence compares or proclaims himself to be a prophet from GOD, to which he is not, then his justification here is non-existent. If one is as pious and charitable as a clergyman should be, one should not need to hold a secular position to administer or act as shepherd over one's flock, such comes with the recognition of your good deeds in your diocese and if the only way for you to be noticed or recognised is through your secular position and not your clerical one, you are failing. I could go on and on about how the chuch has failed in many duties, such as the investigation into Pontian’s assassination.

 

Laurence claims that there is no good or bad in having a large swathe of riches and precious materials, and he is partially correct. Those who work hard to gain what they now earn deserve what they get however in most cases the rich believe themselves better than the common man and look down upon those in need, as cardinal Laurence does, it is even written in his publication regarding his diocese - homelessness and poverty is an alien concept on Kaedrin. I have written time and time again that I have found, on my journeys, that the poor, less fortunate or disfigured are the most faithful of people for they have endured hardships and yet GOD wills them to continue. That is why I believe that all members of the Holy Canonist Church must swear an oath of poverty, for clergymen need to be humble and poor to truly appreciate GOD and his teachings and to spread this to the rest of the realm. I did not state the common man should not swear vows of poverty, but men of the cloth. Why is it that I, a simple Wigbrechtian Friar, is able to swear such vows and stick to them and yet those in the curia are unable and outright refuse to do so. Is it because members of the curia depend on their wealth and riches to thrive and tower over all, clergymen have no need for material wealth. A clergyman should be rich in faith, not money or materials. This is not a heterodox view, but a simplistic one that would serve our church well.

 

Cardinal Laurence speaks fondly of the bond between church and state, and I agree that there should be some bond, but he is only focussed on his bond with the imperials of Helena and not the rest of the empire. Such is evident in his writings and preaching in which, without an investigation, he states categorically that Krisztian was assassinated by the Haenseti government, an outright lie. It has gotten to a point where his Holiness has had to send a letter to all clergymen to stop making these outrageous accusations as it was unbecoming of a cardinal to do such when the investigation was not concluded. But regardless of this letter, Laurence ignores the Pontiffs demands and continues to claim such, first in his publication regarding his archdiocese (it was quickly removed after Haense had noticed it) and rather recently when Laurence renamed a tree the ‘Karoly Tree’, claiming that he had been killed by Haense. So not once, but twice we have cardinal Laurence disobeying and ignoring the Pontiff’s demands and yet he claims that I attempt to usurp the authority of the Pontiff.

 

Do not mistake my intentions in these letters, noble canonists of the realm, despite what Laurence proclaims, I do not seek to usurp the authority of the Pontiff, I simply seek a better church where our holy institution is not used for political gain and clergymen are once again humble and pious. I would argue that the only people attempting to usurp the power of the Pontiff are the ones constantly whispering conspiracies and plots into his ear so he cannot do as he chooses. The curia should not be and can not be trusted with the power of rebukement in its current state, it allows the curia to blackmail the Pontiff to do as he wish or deceive the Pontiff to filling the curia with their friends and to inevitably depose him. I pray to GOD that his Holiness recognises the truth to these matters before it is too late. 

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to make it very clear, our concerns regarding the state of the church have nothing to do with the empire, they are not what have caused our issues. We have no desire to ‘tear down the state’ as cardinal Laurence had implied, many of the friars travel to orenian settlements and beyond distributing alms, teaching the confused and spreading the word of GOD. I admit, I personally have had my challenges with the imperial state and I said things that I probably should not have said or done. However I have no desire to bring discourse or chaos to the empire as Laurence has brought to the church, I do not wish for a return to the days of the pertinaxi. I simply wish for a better church and if that comes to be, we would have a more pious and faithful empire too.

 

I am truly shocked that cardinal Laurence would have the audacity to compare those that share theses simply, hopeful views as twinned with Darfeyism. Our concerns have been made abundantly clear to the world and the church and yet the curia fails to do anything about it and instead ignores them in hopes people will stop talking about it. We desire for the church to return to its state under the High Pontiff of Daniel VI, one where clergymen were humble, charitable and did not fight for control and influence, is that such a great thing to ask? We can not let these vultures pick apart what makes our holy church so great, our very ideals of charity, piety, teaching and guiding. We are GOD’s servants, it is our job to assist you, educate you and help you whenever you need, it is not our job to act as career-politicians using this most holy office to further our own ambitions. Our own well-being is second to the safety and piety of our faithful flock.

 

[VIROS 2915]

The High Pontiff receives a copy of the missive while engaged in a Synod meeting. He presents it the Curia, with the comment “Friar Boniface’s doctrinal arguments have been disproved, and yet he persists. He claims that any man who has any amount of wealth lives a life of luxury and vice. By this, he slanders the majority of the clergy and the entirety of the Orenian nobility. The Holy Scrolls record men who have personal possessions and yet live virtuous lives. Voluntary poverty is commendable, but the belief that it is mandatory is simply heterodox. Many of the saints of our faith were priests who held civil positions and possessed golden symbols of office, yet did their duty to GOD in charity. This much was addressed in the recent response. Mandatory asceticism is nothing less than heresy. What is to be done?” He awaits their counsel.

 

[Juststan147 277]

A faithful man by the name of Rickard would be ashamed by the state of the church “This Laurence is corrupt to the bone  and together with his weak Keadrin allies tear the church apart, shame on them” 

[CrownedLime747 162]

Lajos shakes his head at the nonsense that Boniface is saying. “This is getting ridiculous” he says to himself.

[FlemishSupremacy 6115]

“Based Boniface.” Said Flemius, nodding in approval. “Maybe the church will actually be worth adhering to one day again...”

[seannie 7443]

Boniface’s letters are spread far and wide throughout the Kingdom of Haense, with the King publicly amassing support for the Friar’s fight against corruption. It is known throughout the Haeseni Realm that the politicization of the Church must end; order and sensibility must return now, or else be faced with the clear possibility of a Pruvian Pontificate. A Pruvian Church torn asunder by vain ambitions – the pious and diligent forced to the side as the majority of the Pontiff’s Synod pushed for an agenda of self-importance, the flaunting of wealth, and a clear disregard for the well being of the Canonist Flock. 

 

As a result of this current exchange, The King, notoriously known for his temper, was spurred into action once again, set furiously upon his tasks and duty – his current livelihood seemingly dominated by his desires to see the Church be returned to a respectable and admirable Institution it once used to be, from which it can effectively administer the millions strong Canonist Herd, and not the self serving ambitions of a select few. Mandated by God to rule His Peoples, Sigismund II takes upon himself an active role in these unfolding affairs within the Church, and seeks to assist the disfranchised administrators of the Church, hoping that one day, the Canonist world will free itself of its Pruvian shackles, no matter the cost, unfaltering in this endeavor.  

 

A dozen strong flight of birds are dispatched from the Haeseni Palace, an indication of things to come.

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

2 hours ago, seannie said:

Boniface’s letters are spread far and wide throughout the Kingdom of Haense, with the King publicly amassing support for the Friar’s fight against corruption. It is known throughout the Haeseni Realm that the politicization of the Church must end; order and sensibility must return now, or else be faced with the clear possibility of a Pruvian Pontificate. A Pruvian Church torn asunder by vain ambitions – the pious and diligent forced to the side as the majority of the Pontiff’s Synod pushed for an agenda of self-importance, the flaunting of wealth, and a clear disregard for the well being of the Canonist Flock. 

 

As a result of this current exchange, The King, notoriously known for his temper, was spurred into action once again, set furiously upon his tasks and duty – his current livelihood seemingly dominated by his desires to see the Church be returned to a respectable and admirable Institution it once used to be, from which it can effectively administer the millions strong Canonist Herd, and not the self serving ambitions of a select few. Mandated by God to rule His Peoples, Sigismund II takes upon himself an active role in these unfolding affairs within the Church, and seeks to assist the disfranchised administrators of the Church, hoping that one day, the Canonist world will free itself of its Pruvian shackles, no matter the cost, unfaltering in this endeavor.  

 

A dozen strong flight of birds are dispatched from the Haeseni Palace, an indication of things to come.

 

[!] A courier is swiftly dispatched by way of the Varoche Palace, to greet an attending page of Haense to be passed unto the King.

 

“Your Majesty, King Sigismund II,

 

I was worried upon receiving word  and writ of your displeasure with my family. Having served the Holy Orenian Empire since my youth, long before your own birth, this anger saddens me. I attended your wedding just this last saint’s day as well, for I had admired your mother, the late Queen Maya, greatly. If you should refer to shackles, they’re not Pruvian. Metal is metal, and I shan’t claim something for kin that simply cannot be. If you so  desire to slander my family relentlessly for the actions of my cousin, whom I have no qualms  of my own with, do keep to naming those who actually have involvement in aforementioned quarreling. My house is not entirely responsible for whatever ire the two parties have garnered for one another. If you so desire to speak over luncheon or  tea, I am happy to oblige. I only hope not to see swords raised against my children, let alone myself and my family.

 

If you take issue with the Church, please only take issue with the Church.

 

Best Regards and Congratulations on your new bride,”

Her Highness, Anna Maria Pruvia, Princess of Pruvia and Majordomo of Kaedrin

[thesmellypocket 1859]

"Fr. Boniface was raised up by great and holy men and served under the Pontificate of Blessed Daniel VI, of whose wonderful holiness our Church bears witness. There was never any issue there, nor has he changed in his manner or views since. And yet we are expected to believe that he is an heterodox scoundrel? I do not think it is this dear man of ours who has changed: rather, it is the hierarchy of the Church, who do but little to address the miasma of moral and doctrinal confusion pervading our modern world," comments Pius. "I admit some of his views are somewhat eccentric, but hardly heretical, and, even if they are, he is a material one at worst, not the obstinate sort seeking to undermine our Church, but a man truly desiring to submit to the truths Holy Mother Church gives him. Both sides need to stop this madness and seek a genuine understanding. God is CHARITY, so be charitable and you are like GOD!"