AN EPISTLE TO THE HEARTLANDERS, 1989

[AndrewTech 3334]

 

AN EPISTLE TO THE HEARTLANDERS

 

 

 

 

AN ECCLESIASTICAL LETTER UNTO THE

ALBAROSAN FLOCK

 

6th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1989

 

 

 

To the Flock of Albarosa,

 

It is no secret that these last few years have left disappointment, even discouragement, in the hearts of many, nor is it a secret that this archdiocese has been divided among itself more than it has ever been.

 

When the Canonist realms of Aaun and Petra set out on that bold and ambitious mission to become one, there was a sense of pride among the people of the heartlands. The actions of Queen Catherine of the Petra and King John of Aaun instilled within these lands an optimism for the future, and brought into our hearts a feeling of brotherhood that had eluded our people for nearly two centuries.

 

Unfortunately, recent events have led to was one flock, once emboldened by the spirit of unity, becoming two. Tempers among the downtrodden, and those who disagreed with this ultimate decision, led some to even take up arms. Even now, the feelings left by this separation continue to weigh heavily upon those involved in this great project, both in Petra and in Aaun.

 

The vacancy of the position of archbishop has left this matter to go spiritually unaddressed, being left to foster co-ethnic animosity in the aftermath of this great quarrel. I thusly write this epistle unto the people of the heartlands in the hope of offering up this simple message:

 

For every time, there is a season, and for every action, there is a reason under the heavens.

 

I would urge the Godwinite peoples to remember the legacy of our past, to understand the lessons of the scriptures that we might have hope in our hearts for a better tomorrow. To recognize that God has a plan for all things, and to understand that even setbacks can have purpose.

 

In antiquity, our ancestors in ancient Asulon and Anthos struggled even as we do now. After the death of Exalted Owyn, mankind became a scattered race and the heartlanders grew apart within the realms of Renatus, Salvus, and Seventis. And after the ascension of Exalted Godfrey, the Godwinites were similarly scattered across the realms of Salvus, Galahar, and Oren, worse than they had been even before the rise of Exalted Godfrey. This too had a purpose in God’s plan, that he might make a statement and teach our race an important lesson in regards to our future. In the end, His plan had purpose, and it manifested itself within the world accordingly.

 

But we have something that, in its modern form, they did not. Our Church binds us together, our common faith, which separates our realms from those of the godless and of the pagans. It does so by giving us purpose in our lives and instilling virtue within the hearts of men.

 

I would beseech my flock to remember that there is more than one form of unity. While political unity among men is to be lauded, spiritual unity among men is of even greater importance. We must strive to honor that unity and remember that even despite our worldly quarrels, we are brothers and sisters, more similar to one another than to anyone else in God's world. 

 

The boldness of Queen Catherine and King John should not be forgotten. They were brave enough to try to bring us closer together, to attempt what many have considered to be an insurmountable feat. But now, we must strive to achieve unity in other ways.

 

I therefore announce unto the peoples of the heartlands that in the coming years, I hope to venture across the many settlements within the Archdiocese of Albarosa to speak and minister unto all of its peoples. I shall go to Vallagne and to Whitespire, to Enswerp and to Chambery, to Casica and St. Godwin to preach sermons and offer a message of hope for the future. I shall then travel to Silasia and Brabant to discuss the growth of our faith within these fledgling lands under my purview.

 

I call for a spiritual revival in our faith among all the flocks that are under my charge, and in doing so, I would invite the Albarosan clergy to join me in this great crusade for the hearts of men.

 

For verily, as I once said in my sermon at the ruins of St. Edmond’s Abbey many years ago, the Deceiver delights when we are wayward. He rejoices when the faithful are at odds. He loves when that flame which resides within every heart is snuffed by our own hands. 

 

But when brought together as one, in the Faith, that light can never be undone. And even in darkness, there is light. 

 

 

Signed,

 

RHOSYN CARDINAL ALBAROSA

Archbishop of Albarosa, Cardinal-Chancellor of the Church of the Canon

[rep2k 3192]

“We should be one body in faith, at least.”, the Chancellor of Aaun remarks with a sigh, recalling his actions of the past and thinking about the future, “The more, the merrier. It was always like that. I hope that we all rejoice in the name of Dieu.”

[sergisala 3451]

In the Apostolic City, Father Marc would nod at the Archbishop's missive and deliver the following remarks to his colleagues:

 

"There is a lot of wisdom in Cardinal Albarosa's words. The Great Deceiver wants us to be politically divided and weakened in faith and spirit. Even though our heartlandic realms may now be divided we must not forget that our ancestors also struggled in a similar way as we do now and that they ended up overcoming, just as we will now endure as long as we remember the teachings of the Holy Scrolls of the Canon and the examples set forth by our Exalted Prophets. Rejoice, brothers and sisters, for there is hope in the Heartlands and in Humanity as a whole! Amen!"