A Condemnation Of Five Churches

[Azas]

​

Two days ago, the Conclave passed and issued forth a declaration of Holy War. These five Churches voted in favor of the war:

Imperial Orthodox Church
Imperial Church of the Holy Divine
Apostles of the Exalted Martyr
Church of Holy Redemption
Church of Solidarity​

Last night, every single one of these five Churches voted to revoke that declaration.

​

This reversal represents many things. It represents a lack of care for the Conclave's legitimacy, making a mockery of the assembly. It represents a lack of knowledge of the people of our Empire, for so few wanted a righteous conflict. It represents a carelessness for the lives, funds, and time of the regions under their religion - for they were perfectly happy to waste such in a Holy War. It represents a complete lack of zeal in their commitment, and their Faith.

To declare a Holy War is to declare a righteous enemy; one that you do not accept their terms in surrender, most certainly not a day after declaration. We are to be undivided in such a cause, yet many nobles have expressed surprise in the war's declaration, and even greater surprise at its revocation. This arbitrary decision-making represents a lack of foresight and the impulsiveness reminiscent of children, devoid of any foundation in diplomacy, reason, and intellect.

We cannot let this action stand with impunity.

To be clear, I praise the work of the Duke-Regent and our Chancellor in their efforts in diplomacy and in their interest in peace. I denounce the five Church leaders who have chosen to play the role of fatemaker, condemning Faithful two days ago to die in a Holy War, and yesterday deciding that they will let them live.

They might seek to claim the reasoning of saving countless Unionist lives. That reasoning is baseless behind a declaration of Holy War. That was the motivation for the votes originally AGAINST the Holy War. That is surely the motivation of the Duke-Regent, and the Chancellor. But those who declared a Holy War cannot claim that motivation.

They might claim that they believed all diplomatic options were exhausted, and that they believed this to be the only path forward. Yet, a day later the Chancellor and the ruler for the region under threat are so close to a deal. That tells me that proper research of diplomatic efforts was not even started by these Church leaders. But also consider that this declaration undermined and threatened diplomacy twofold. Not only did this threaten the deal prepared by the Chancellor and Duke-Regent, it drastically and dangerously escalated tensions without proper consultation with the powers that be. At the same time, these Heads of Church sought to bring other lands under their Faith, offering no warning of what was to come. As was seen, none of these states wanted any part of this Holy War, but if they had converted a matter of days earlier, they would have had no choice, and no consultation.

All current states under these Churches, and all future states considering joining, be warned; this is the failure for which you are signing up.

Authored by Astram Kade, First Reverend of the Holy Blood of Theomar
Co-signed by Evius Caroline Wright of the Bacchus Conclave
Co-signed by Sovereign Pontiff Stéphan Valeur of the People's Church of the Golden Eye

​

We would also recognize the four opposing votes to the declaration of Holy War:

Bacchus Conclave
The People's Church of the Golden Eye
Church of the Radiant Eye
Holy Blood of Theomar​

 

[Chapstxcks]

"Let's stand undivided by calling out and dragging our brothers in faith through the mud instead of discussing in conclave. What a joke of a paper." Commented Karp as he was going through a patrol and stopped to read the paper, continuing on after to do his job

 

[SomeRandomMan]

There he sat upon a high-end armchair. Velvet padded- only the best. The Sanguine perused the many pages of his new edition of The Regalian Times, smiling all the while. Even so, it was neither the holy conflict, nor the social warfare that entertained him. Theodor was tickled by the thought of pious men in pointy hats butting heads with one another.

"Frankly, the only method this can get any more enjoyable is if the reverends quite literally had each other in headlocks," mused the individual with quiet, yet childlike glee. He took a small sip of ichor from his wineglass.

"Wonder if the High Exarch is a man of Lecgaen."

​

 

[FireFan96]

In Defense of Rescindment
​

Ever since the revelation of the Tenth Creed, the Faith has faced many difficulties in this changing world. With the dissolution of the Sancella and consequently the Supreme Reverend office, regional churches have formed to shepherd the flock to the best of their ability. To act as a mediator as the Synod was before, so to should the Conclave.

And yet, the Conclave is unknowing. The members of each church are unknowing. It is only through information that a decision can be made. And yet not all information can be presented, either do to the sensitive nature of it, or by the inability to collect such in a timely manner. In such cases, those with authority must decide based on the given information. In this case, it was to declare holy war.

A day later, the bull for holy war was rescinded. While it is easy to point blame at jingoist fervor, I would argue that the call was made based on the information presented at the time. In the same light, I believe the rescindment was made due to the arrival of new information that was not present until after a decision was made. Being newly informed, the Conclave acknowledged that it lacked key points in their declaration, and made immediate steps to rectify it. It is not the first time that a significant decision has been rescinded so soon after publication, both in regards to the Church or the State.

In my writing of this defense, I am reminded of a section of the Ehrenhof code of the Viridian Order:
One must always be aware that following the virtues of Ehrenhof is never possible to the fullest extent. Failure will always occur. Failure will lead to growth. Failure must be recognized, but not be dwelled on. Admittance to failure should never lead to complacency, for acknowledging is not indulging. A Knight who seeks to excuse himself is a failure to the order and trueness to self. A Knight should acknowledge their own shortcomings, but not wallow in them.

While this pertains to the Viridian Code in the most literal sense, I would like to believe that this section can extend to all walks of life, including the Conclave. I can acknowledge that failure occurred, and that it was acknowledged.

This denunciation however aims to dwell on the actions of a large portion of the Conclave, despite the seals of all churches affixed on the call for holy war. The church leaders which voted in the negative could have refused to seal the bull, yet they chose to do so, out of what I believe to be a desire of unity even when disagreements arise. I believe the Virdian Code speaks true, and the Conclave should look internally within its membership to air grievances, instead of through publications which harm the integrity of even the ones who sign such denunciations. For all nine seals were affixed on the bull, and so the blame must be shared equally between all nine. Show unity even when error has been made, to show the laity that the Conclave can accept responsibility.

I confess that I am a member of the Imperial Orthodox Church, and have faith that the Archbishop Henri made his decisions based on the information he was presented with at the time of voting. I also know that he changed his decision after being presented with new developments. I will continue to support him and the Orthodox Church, and respect the decisions of the Conclave, with the hope and faith that as time goes on, the church will grow from these actions, and provide a stable foundation to lead the laity in the faith.

Let us therefore continue on from this event, and leave these days as a meager footnote in the history of the Empire.

Signed,
His Grace Dietrich I
March-Elector of the Drachenwald Lordship
Lord Protector of Alexanderburgh
Field Marshal of the Regalian Army
Minister of War
In support of the Imperial Orthodox Church, and the collective Unionist Conclave​

 

[Anarchizm]

PROCLAMATION FROM THE HIGH PONTIFF REGARDING THE DENOUNCEMENT OF THE FIVE CHURCHES​

Let it be known that The Imperial Church of the Holy Divine never spoke ill or against any other Church or their leaders up until this point.

The following parchment is dedicated to the three churches who saw it fit to further divide the Conclave more than it was already divided. For using a called off crusade to bring the spotlight to their churches.

Allow me to present a few questions so that I might offer the spotlight that they so desired and yearned for.

​

Where have you all been? The people of Calemberg have been facing off against a foreign invader two times its size. All the while the State and the Lord Chancellor have been busying themselves trying to repair the ruin and mess caused by rebellions on two fronts.


What have you done? Allow me to answer the questions for you, brothers. You have done nothing. Sitting back idly and biding time while the Empire is in perrill and Unionist lives were being lost at Hadrian's wall. While brave men fought and died for their lands you three waited, slithering in the grass like a trio of vipers waiting to strike.

While you three slithered and slipped through the grass I did my part for this Great Empire and the Houses who so generously pledged themselves my Church. I've sent donations out to the state and Chancellor. Who can attest to this, mind you. Furthermore, I've sent funds to the location most affected by the war for burials. I even prepared an army to march to their aid until a better opportunity presented itself. I took the best interests of the Houses under my Church in mind and voted to recall the crusade I voted for to save lives in order to pursue a better option that would achieve the same goal in the end.

Can you say the same?

I was willing to take the blow after being pressured. Though, I do it admit. I didn't expect to have to deal with it from my own brother of the Conclave. Good on you, the denouncements been made, now what? Onto more productive things.

In closing, I would like to ask you, my brothers, to aid the people of Calemberg and offer funds to the State that are so dearly needed in these trying times. Let us not focus on bickering among each other and focus on something bigger. The future of our Empire.

Or.. would you rather continue to lay in the grass and take in the afternoon sun?​

Regards,
High Pontiff Julius the Redeemed
​

 

[Azas]

A clarification is published in response to the March-Elector,

In the Tenth Creed, it was outlined that there should not be a single Church, but many. These Churches should vary in interpretation to suit the needs of the people, and should disagree with one another. With the revelations of the Tenth Creed, it is a propitious moment to end any corruption within the Church; to hold these discussions outside of closed doors, for the people must see the differences in interpretation so that they may find their right home in Union.

I appreciate your wisdom in sharing the excerpt of the Viridian Code; I should clarify that I am not asking each Church leader to be unerring. But a holy war is the most absolute declaration available under the Faith. It is greater than a noble declaring war, for Holy War is compelling. It declared the forces of the Drixagghers to be enemies of the Unionist Faith. This is not a proclamation that can be undone by learning that we may be close to peace. This is not a question of the availability of information, it is a Spiritual decision. That is the core of why I am incensed by this matter.

As for my seal on the declaration, I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. I shall make sure my seal is not used without my permission in the future.

Regards,
Astram Kade
First Reverend
Holy Blood of Theomar​

A response is issued to the High Pontiff,

You are right, I do seek to divide the Conclave. Such is the way of the Tenth Creed - for we must be divided in our interpretations to best serve the people.

You are right, the Holy Blood of Theomar has not yet sent funds or men to the cause. In my records, the only Church to have done so is the Imperial Orthodox Church, which was also the only Church established after the Tenth Creed to begin with land. However, I do not let that head-start diminish their show of Faith.

Despite your posturing, you and I can both claim that we are working, but the people need results, not claims. You have no results - neither do I. The only things we can pin our names to are the lands already declared for our Faiths. and our votes, yours for Holy War and mine against.

You are right - I should have called for action. For reparations. I will rescind my condemnation of each Church listed upon an investment of 10,000 regals into every land under their state religion. For those unlanded Churches, I would call upon them to negotiate 10,000 to be donated to the Calemberg region in the name of their Church. May our differences bring us prosperity.

Astram Kade
First Reverend
Holy Blood of Theomar​