ENCYCLICAL LETTER - ON IDLE HANDS

[Balthasar 2093]

MANUS INANUS

ON IDLE HANDS

 

ENCYCLICAL OF HIGH PONTIFF

PONTIAN IV

 

13TH OF HARREN’S FOLLY, 1905

 

TO THE VENERABLE BRETHREN, THE ARCHBISHOPS, THE BISHOPS, 

AND OTHER LOCAL ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION 

WITH THE AEGISIAN SEE

 

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Venerable Brethren, Health and Pontifical Benediction.

 

Often do We think about our youth, how We spent time in the imperial capital, escaping from Our mother’s grasp to explore the Orenian countryside, completely alone and learning of Oren’s past. We truly believe these experiences made Us the man We are today. We explored the remnants of Esbec, where once Our family had housed itself. We had a calling for the unknown, the old. It was around the same time We met Cardinal Fiodor, a man We much admired and who mentored Us in Our youth. Not long after meeting the Father We found the Church calling Our name, why exactly We came to this conclusion We have never quite been able to answer, but in the end We are delighted to serve God and His Church.

 

Not long after becoming the acolyte of the Father Fiodor, he ascended the Immaculate Throne and became known as High Pontiff Tylos II, later to be enrolled into the list of the Blessed in the Seven Skies. Quickly after We completed our studies and joined Providentia, our superior clergyman being Venerable Father Francis. It was here We found a mission for Ourselves, something to do that furthered the goals of the Church. The Emperor of Oren, Philip III had been excommunicated, and this act did not make it easy for a young clergyman in Oren; the Church of the Canon was seen as hostile and most Orenians did not approve of the Church’s actions, at the time We did not understand the whys and hows, yet in hindsight, it was the best choice Our predecessors could have made. 

 

We busied Ourselves, attempting to preach to those who would listen and celebrate the sacred ceremonies that only a select few approached Us to perform, gladly too We did. The prefecture of Providence had also decided to lock a few of the interior doors to the Basilica, disallowing the clergy from using the entire temple. Realizing this We dispatched letters to the diocesan coadjutor, Henry Herring, a government official appointed to oversee church affairs in Oren. Our communications to the man went well and he seemed all too eager for us to cooperate, but alas he disappeared and all progress seemed lost. Around the same time We too were elevated, but to become Archbishop and Cardinal of Albarosa, happily We accepted, but with the Metropolitanate empty, as Cardinal Francis had passed from disease some time earlier (God bless his venerable soul), it left Us to handle both dioceses until a replacement for the good Father Francis was found. We made a survey of the Albarosan territories, speaking to the nobles and people that would listen to us, so We could gauge how Canonism was received in the region. It went better than expected.

 

With the disappearance of this diocesan coadjutor We soon replaced him on the Prefectural Committee of New Providence, permitting Us to open the doors to the Basilica for all the Canonist faithful once more.

 

We did not want to tell Our life story within this letter, but it felt vital to impart some of Our own experiences to better tell you, Venerable Brethren, of Our concerns. We fear that Our brothers have become idle without a mission of their own. Furthermore, We believe that this is because Our Ordinaries believe that they cannot commit themselves to the community they shepherd.

 

We believe this unwise and an unwarranted assumption from the past. Clergymen should and must be involved in the affairs of the secular, to a balanced degree. One should not have the aspirations for secular titles, but instead to help the Virtuous in one's community and further Canonist goals. We have once served in the New Providence prefecture and in a similar manner and as a result believe that Our ordinaries should become a cog in the greater machine of the secular. Not for the sake of ambition or glory for oneself, but for the glory of God. 

 

We are not implying that the Venerable Brethren must become members of municipal governments, but rather that they need to make use of their hands; open a store, learn new arts, go on adventure, and most importantly take the time to teach their flock of His Virtue as is right.

 

We write this because, though We fear not for the future of the Holy Mother Church, which has Our Lord as its stalwart protector and shall undoubtedly withstand the test of time as it has many times over, We do have the belief that the presence of active clergy within their communities will see the Holy Mother Church, and the Canonist Flock, to a better future in the many days ahead. 
 

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FIDES RESTITUENDA
FAITH MUST BE RESTORED

 

Spoiler

TLDR: Priests have more freedom to do more than just church stuff

 

[Crevel 4727]

Although Petyr would not be a priest, he would be literate enough to be able to read most of what was written to understand the gist of the letter posted on the board of a nearby chapel. He thinks to himself, wondering when the right time would be to reach out and learn as an acolyte under the Church of the Canon to further his own knowledge of his faith. Perhaps, he may be able to find some inner calling doing the Lord's work as one of His faithful servants.

[Kingdom of Balian 498]

A missive from the royal chamber of Balian is sent to the Curia on the 22nd of the Amber Cold, 109 SA, penned by the Office of the Principal Secretary.

 

"To His Holiness,

 

Your encyclical letter is received well in our country. The Cardinal Teodosio has been a force in revitalizing civilian life in our capital city of Atrus through his sermons and religious festivities. For some time, we have been deliberating raising him to our royal chamber given his ample talent but we instead cautioned, respecting your dictates.

 

Now, in good conscience, we can begin the motion to raise him to the royal office of Agent-General of the Clergy. He may now officially help our government strengthen its ties with the faith and will possess the royal prerogative in instilling piety in our country. We hope this news brings joy to your Curia, as your missive has brought joy in ours.

 

His Excellency,

The Principal Secretary of Balian"

Edited January 3, 2023 by Kingdom of Balian