The Political Church

[FlemishSupremacy 4930]

The Political Church

[!] A missive pinned to a few of humanity's notice boards and to the doors of a few of the Northern churches.

I write this missive as a frustrated Canonist, to air my grievances and issues with the current state of our church. It is my opinion that the church spends too much time playing politics and too little on hosting masses and bringing the good word to the Cannonist people of Almaris. 

 

Cardinals and the Pontiff are present for weddings, but other than that, the lack of mass and ceremonies is certainly noticed. They make time to demand loyalty and obedience from rulers at their coronation, but have no time to host masses for the ordinary people. For those who truly need guidance, lest they be swayed to darker paths or fall to sin. Where are our priests, bishops and cardinals when we have need for this? I shall tell you.

 

All too present are they, when Acre attacked Balian, for they were keen to provide shelter to raiders in the church. All too present are they, when the kinslayer Frederick made power plays against Haense, to try and control the seas between us and our ally, Urguan. Cardinals rush to place the pontiff’s approval to the creation of the Kingdom of Aaun, and they take sides when such a move is opposed by those of Acre, who wish for independence from the rule of a King and his issue. 

While trying to mediate peace between the Canonists state is a noble goal, if you refuse to do so from a truly neutral stance, and rather pick sides, you diminish the value given to the Faith’s authority, for you are simply wielding it to steer worldly politics in a way you see fit. If the people see the clergy as merely politicians wearing frocks, then you have already lost.

 

Too busy to host masses, as they are busy declaring crusades against darkspawn, but not quite busy enough to see it through properly.  Too busy are they with going around and doing widespread testing against those who dark beings may have infiltrated our society, but not busy enough to actually catch a noteworthy number of them, if any. Mayhaps both these things have something to do with the loud proclamations and potbanging that precede these actions, giving all those who wish to evade the church ample time to do so. Perhaps it is more about showing the world that you are doing something, than about actually achieving results?

 

Stop focussing upon trying to achieve things that look good in the history books, and start focussing upon your actual purpose; spiritual guidance to GOD’s flock.  

Signed,
Ser Flemius

Spoiler

@Borin @Balthasar @MCVDK

 

[rep2k 2477]

Gustav Barclay says within his state of mind, "I strongly disagree. I shall pray now.", he says, going to the closest chapel known to him to pray to God.

[RaijenStars 966]

Jakob Vernhart let out a small chuckle reading the missive "Too bad he wasn't there to see a mere acolyte playing GOD trying to send a nation into a war with another just because they are not all canonists and call slave to anyone who disagrees with him."

[FlemishSupremacy 4930]

4 minutes ago, Raijen Stars said:

Jakob Vernhart let out a small chuckle reading the missive "Too bad he wasn't there to see a mere acolyte playing GOD trying to send a nation into a war with another just because they are not all canonists and call slave to anyone who disagrees with him."

He, infact, was there, but had forgotten to put this on his missive.

[argonian 12836]

"This guy's literally just mad a priest told his buddies to go away when they raided Aaun," says Stainmar.

[Greener 659]

Father Teodosio of Balain sighs upon visiting one of the Northern Chapels on his travels. "Clearly this man has not been South. I host Masses all the time in Balian! Maybe get out and about beyond the Northern Canonist nations," he grumbles.  "Heck if you want my schedule of what I've done in the past few years I will. Mass, Canonist School, pilgrimage, marriages, confessions... the list goes on!"

[Elite Snipes 3542]

Bakir Ireheart smiles as Ser Flemius speaks the truth, finishing his drink he’d quietly think to himself. “I hope the church one days sees sense.”

[sincerelyE 81]

A note/letter was pinned to the original missive.


"To the esteemed ser Flamius, 

Your faith is your own; no organisation or a strayed mortal soul can break that. Keep your local church tidy if it gathers dust, make sure to keep the water for passerbys clean and the bread - fresh.

There is no better perseverance for hallowed souls than action.

 

 

My best regards,
"

[GMRO 5245]

"I only ever receive private mass nowadays from my chaplain." Karl III said at a Congress, folding the paper over as he glanced towards his left, seeing the Pontiff at a political summit.

[Kaladin Stormblessed 614]

"Mediate peace by disallowing other Canonist nations to prevent the bloodshed of a civil war." Said a faithful Canonist with a sigh, furrowing his brows "The church shouldn't be corrupted by such favouritism due to Political interests" he concluded with a shake of his head