The Church Is Not a Crown

[HeyitsNano 1582]

 

On Temporal Authority and Kingship

 

IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2023

 

“O James, pious son of the Lord, I have seen the glory of God in your heart and His word on your tongue. You will be my high priest, as in the days of Evaristus and Clement. I name you pontifex, for you are a builder of bridges.”

— Scroll of the Gospel, Book of Godfrey

 

THUS UNTO THE SCHOLASTIC

 

The altar is not a throne, nor should the throne be mistaken for the altar. Exalted Godfrey girded James with the laurel to build bridges between crown and clergy. The bridge is not a battlement.

 

I have read the works of our greatly beloved Cardinal Rhosmark, and having spent many years away in my youth studying the roles of the laurel and the crown, I seek to further his ideas—and rather than rebuke them, offer an alternative path. Cardinal Rhosmark suggests that the Church's temporal governance should be enshrined because it is finally free, that the Pontifical States, Ravenmire among them, ought to remain in ecclesiastical dominion indefinitely, retaining sovereignty yet bound in temporal oversight. This, we must question.

 

I do not question the Church's authority. I question the assumption that dominion must be lasting simply because it is presently necessary. To rule in crisis is prudent; to make that rule eternal is to invite decay. The Church is not the four-walled kingdom, but the sanctifier of kings—the tabernacle of GOD among men. Even Exalted Godfrey, anointed by Eshtael and robed in His Will, forgoing the prominence of his station and the power to defend the faith with his own sword, did not declare himself Pontifex. That role, he entrusted to James.

 

Today, Ravenmire has sent martyrs against heresy and anathema. Such is obedience. We thrive by the investiture of the High Priest, the Vicar of the Almighty. His call, we will forever heed, as is the call of the righteous. Insofar as a Pontifical State of His Holiness, His temporal authority is a true dominion that has sheltered us like babes. Yet, scholar foremost, I must put into writing thoughts before theories become fact. We look at our brothers in Alba and Ivoria led by righteous men, and upon Tiberias van Aert who has won us this war. 

 

The staff of the shepherd, juxtaposed against the sceptre of the king, holds qualities vast; as when Owyn spoke to the Jorenites, strict in their arms but lax in their prayers, we must not mistake martial prowess and safety for spiritual health. We must not trade vigilance of soul for permanence of rule. Faith without a fortress is naive, to pride itself unto this assumes a Crown rather than a Laurel. The Divine Mandate calls upon the Canonist Prince and King that he may be deserving, and in his deserving nature, crowned and coronated according to what is right. We must remember that when clergy announce both mitre and diadem, though they may mingle for a time, yet as a necessary pair under a palace’s roof we may find ourselves in Saul’s court once again. We must make every effort to prevent it.

 

Such is willed by the Grand Prince.

 

 

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Owyn I, Crown Prince of Ravenmire, Defender of Dumacracy, Protector of the Smallfolk, and Acting Patriarch of the House Rostova

 

[Phoebe202 1057]

"Meh... I'd say the church and the crown are more like a married couple." A princess spoke, making an "eh" hand gesture "Sometimes they're happy together, sometime they hate each other's guts! Either way, they're both important and separate entities."

[Navigator 4260]

Owyn Hector snickered lightly, scratching his chin and shrugging. "Are the Pontifical States gaining class consciense now? You fought under a laurel that claimed to seek no crown, and yet, upon the surrender of the Covenant, the first thing they did? Demanded the dismantling of the Novellen crown, and seeks to establish an Empire." He laid back on his chair, rubbing his hand over his face. "Oh well. This other Owyn is right; question them. Seek your answers, Rostova, and be enlightened that the laurel does not want any crown to challenge it."

[Malins Welcome 1519]

Beloved Prince,

 

You appear to be saying that, since there is no need for the Church to secure her independence at the moment, that she ought to cast away the implements she used to acquire and defend that freedom. During a time of peace you may advise your soldiers to set aside their weapons and command that the gates be left open, but you would not advise your soldiers to melt down their swords, or order the city walls torn down. Even if you were assured of peace in your lifetime you would not do so. I am assured that the Church will be free to carry out her ministry in your lifetime and even in the lifetime of your sons, my perspective leaves me unable to ignore the lack of assurance I have in the days of the sons of your sons' sons' sons.

 

Do not think that I confuse the Pontifical States with the Church. Far be it from me to confuse a man for his armor. And armor it is indeed, not an integral part of the Church herself but a necessary apparatus for her defense.

 

If I did not believe in the virtue of the current leaders of the Pontifical States I would not be in politics at all. I am assured of your piety and the piety of the Curia, of my cabinet, of Tar Anorhill, and of Holy Marshal Van Aert, and above all the Harrentzedek. To speak plainly, any one of them would serve as a just and righteous emperor of humanity, but only during their lifetimes. And it is for that reason that I desire to pass into the future not a Church that dominates the world, but a Church endowed with sufficient strength to withstand the world's enroachments.

 

As an ancient bard wrote: "The evil men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones."