Dyelli Beybi
02-09-2007, 15:15
"So Gentlemen, what can I do for you today?" Alexia ap Adam asked, smiling vaguely at the assembled throng of clergymen.
Of course she knew, they all knew, but she had to go through the paces. The Council of Bishops had been founded 10 years ago; at that time the Dyellian population had been exploding, and with a growing percentage adhering to Catholicism, it had been found necessary to form a council to talk of matters of the faith. There were mutters about the room, very irregular, woman in the chambers. She bore them, with the same smile. It made people think she was detached, not really switched on. She wasn't.
It was the Cardinal of Saint Guineford's who finally stood, causing the assembled bishops to fall silent, "What I think my brother Bishops are trying to say your Highness is that we have a problem."
"Oh, you do?" it sounded like this was news to the Tzarina, although the very fact that one of the laity was in the council implied as much.
"Yes." the Cardinal shot her a sharp glance, "As I am sure you are aware, there has been disatisfaction as of late with certain Vatican teachings."
"You mean you've run out of Priests, you're getting less and less each year, but more and more congregation, meaning new churches and no priests to go in them?" the Tzarina asked, making it sound like a question, although in truth it was simply a statement of what everyone knew was happening.
"Yes." the Cardinal replied simply, "And we're a Latin Rite Church, which means we can't have married, let alone female Priests. Both of which we really need."
"Have you considered changing the Rite?" she asked. The Council was a simple round room, with benches as seats, but no desks to lean on. Apparently the clergy didn't see writing as important in these meetings...
"Yes. And that would be very unpopular." the Cardinal replied simply, "This leads us to a somewhat unfortunate decision, it has been voted on, and if you are willing to help us out, we will do it."
"You want me to play King Henry?" this time it was deduction, nobody had told her this.
"I'd say more Elizabeth." the Cardinal shrugged, "Now is the perfect time. We're at war, people are feeling Nationalistic, you are unbelievably popular, and this was done before by your Father. There are still people following the Church of Cyro, you just need to get rid of that idiotic antipope running the show and put yourself in charge. I firmly believe this is the course God wishes for us to take. We have prayed over it."
Lots of nodding heads, "And you." this was the Metropolitan of Christchurch, a dark little Benjian, "Unlike your Father are a pillar of holliness and piety."
"So a marriage between Church and State." the Tzarina bowed her head, "I can only say it is an honour that you would choose to make me your symbolic head, although I hope that you would have an actual member of the clergy to oversee the spiritual needs of the Nation?"
A particularly old bishop cleared his throat, the Bishop of Bath and Welles Alexia thought... "This council would meet, although the Arch-Bishop of Saint Guineford's would act as primer inter equalis in that regard."
Of course she knew, they all knew, but she had to go through the paces. The Council of Bishops had been founded 10 years ago; at that time the Dyellian population had been exploding, and with a growing percentage adhering to Catholicism, it had been found necessary to form a council to talk of matters of the faith. There were mutters about the room, very irregular, woman in the chambers. She bore them, with the same smile. It made people think she was detached, not really switched on. She wasn't.
It was the Cardinal of Saint Guineford's who finally stood, causing the assembled bishops to fall silent, "What I think my brother Bishops are trying to say your Highness is that we have a problem."
"Oh, you do?" it sounded like this was news to the Tzarina, although the very fact that one of the laity was in the council implied as much.
"Yes." the Cardinal shot her a sharp glance, "As I am sure you are aware, there has been disatisfaction as of late with certain Vatican teachings."
"You mean you've run out of Priests, you're getting less and less each year, but more and more congregation, meaning new churches and no priests to go in them?" the Tzarina asked, making it sound like a question, although in truth it was simply a statement of what everyone knew was happening.
"Yes." the Cardinal replied simply, "And we're a Latin Rite Church, which means we can't have married, let alone female Priests. Both of which we really need."
"Have you considered changing the Rite?" she asked. The Council was a simple round room, with benches as seats, but no desks to lean on. Apparently the clergy didn't see writing as important in these meetings...
"Yes. And that would be very unpopular." the Cardinal replied simply, "This leads us to a somewhat unfortunate decision, it has been voted on, and if you are willing to help us out, we will do it."
"You want me to play King Henry?" this time it was deduction, nobody had told her this.
"I'd say more Elizabeth." the Cardinal shrugged, "Now is the perfect time. We're at war, people are feeling Nationalistic, you are unbelievably popular, and this was done before by your Father. There are still people following the Church of Cyro, you just need to get rid of that idiotic antipope running the show and put yourself in charge. I firmly believe this is the course God wishes for us to take. We have prayed over it."
Lots of nodding heads, "And you." this was the Metropolitan of Christchurch, a dark little Benjian, "Unlike your Father are a pillar of holliness and piety."
"So a marriage between Church and State." the Tzarina bowed her head, "I can only say it is an honour that you would choose to make me your symbolic head, although I hope that you would have an actual member of the clergy to oversee the spiritual needs of the Nation?"
A particularly old bishop cleared his throat, the Bishop of Bath and Welles Alexia thought... "This council would meet, although the Arch-Bishop of Saint Guineford's would act as primer inter equalis in that regard."