NationStates Jolt Archive

"Welcome back to the Senatus Populusque News Network with Marcia Postuma and Furius Nero"

"Thank you and welcome, tonight's top story... Heresy in the Rathani Orthodox Church! Valerius Cornutus is at the Cathedral of Saint Alexander with the details."

"Thank you Marcia, the College of Bishops of the Rathani Orthodox Church offically condemned their collegue Bishop Tuccius Catulus for preaching doctrine contrary to the doctrine of the church. While the Patriarch has yet to release an offical statement, the College of Bishops released their charges against Catulus in a ten page document to the Patriarch of the Church. Thier charges include:

1. Preaching of works based salvation

2. Denying the virgin birth of Christ

3. Denying the presence of Christ in communion

4. Denying that the Bible is the true and inspired word of God

5. Condoning several sinful lifestyles that are also contrary to law

6. Engaging in sexual misconduct for clergy

As well as several other charges. The document goes on to cite the basis of their charges. While again, the Patriarch has not released an offical statement, it is believed that an Inquisition will conviene soon."

"Did Holy Consul Severus or the Senate make any statements regarding this issue, Valerius?"

"Yes, Furius, the Holy Consul and the Senate released a statement condemning Bishop Catulus and they pray that Patriarch Avitus will wisely deal with any heresy within the Church."

"Thank you, Valerius.. When we return, the Senate considers expanding the education department."

* * *

Holy Consul Tiberius Lucius Severus flipped off the television. "Any word from Patriarch Avitus yet?" He asked one of his advisers.

"Nothing yet... He did secretly call for a meeting with the College of Cardinals, however." The adviser responded.

"Well, I suspect we should warn Minister Lepidus at the Ministry of Diplomacy because I think he might be busy soon." Severus groaned.

"I'm sure he's already ready, sir." The adviser remarked.

((This is an open rp in that your nation can weigh in on the issue and try to put pressure on the Rathani Orthodox Church not to execute the Bishop in question... You may NOT invade my country in any way, shape, or form... This is totally diplomatic.))

We would condemn your actions, but we are simply sick and tired of seeing pathetic nations advertising their hardcore religious... oh, forget it. We will just let our President taunt you this time.

ADDENDUM (President): You know what? The Bible is a piece of crap filled with crap. Human Parthenogenesis is bullshit. If you execute this man for something like this, we will lose all the respect we ever had in you. The fact that nations like you exist is proof of the non-existence of god.

To: Niraamaya

From: Q. Octavius Lepidus, Minister of Diplomacy Senate and People of Rathanan

If our nation is "proof" of the "non-existence of god" then your letter is proof of a lacking education system in Niraamaya. Honestly, did you write this note over a bottle of scotch, or are your president and diplomatic staff really that idiotic? It's hard to tell.

Regardless, the Senate of Rathanan scoffs at your pathetic country and hereby cuts any and all diplomatic ties... Any Niraamayian goods attempting to enter Rathani territory will be seized and burned. If you have an embassy, we strongly suggest you remove your staff.

In short, we don't deal with countries whose presidents act like teenagers.

ooc: I've read Niraamaya's last few posts and his/her posts all reflect the same level of rp. Welcome to my ignore list, Niraamaya. For Rathanan, think of Napoleon’s fate when reading my suggestion :)




Open Communiqué

http://myweb.cableone.net/bschott/dipcom.jpg

Office of The President
Presidential Palace
Zostar, Karshkovia





Greetings to Q. Octavius Lepidus, Minister of Diplomacy Senate and People of Rathanan


It is with honor that I converse with you today, Minister Lepidus. Christians from various sects in Karshkovia have watched events unfolding in the nation of Rathana, and have voiced their concerns to my administration. They have unanimously stated that they do not approve of your actions, and have asked me to convey their thoughts and prayers to you. While Bishop Tuccius Catulus may be guilty of these offenses, we ask that perhaps death is not the right punishment for his travesties. Is it not said that “forgiveness is divine”? Is it not said that "He who is without sin may cast the first stone"? If we may be so bold, the issue may be best resolved not by death - which Christ has said is only his domain - but by an ex-communication and then having the Bishop placed on house arrest on a secluded island where his profane teachings would not be heard by anyone.

We bid you good tidings and we believe it is every nation's right to grow and develop on their own without outside interference. To this end, the people of Karshkovia will not move militaristically against your country in any decision you make regarding the Bishop. We simply wish to show there may be other options that would keep Rathanan inline with Christ's teachings and remove the profane.


Signed in my hand,

http://myweb.cableone.net/bschott/vladsig.jpg

Vladimir Radchenko
President
Republic of Karshkovia

OOC:

I'm tempted to agree about Niraamaya.

IC:

Diplomatic Communication

Q. Octavius Lepidus,

Greetings,

It is with some concern that I contact you today regarding a bishop who has been accused of heretical activities in Rathanan.

Now, while I believe on most issues, a nation should be left to handle its own business, killing a man for differing religious views is a touchy issue. Really we have no problem with most religion, and we try not to have Church and State mix, since we adhere to the ideals of religious freedom.

May we suggest that as opposed to killing the bishop you excommunicate him instead and exile him to a foreign land where his preaching will not affect you?

Regards,
Imperial Diplomatic Representative Charles Goodman

To: President Vladimir Radchenko

From: Q. Octavius Lepidus, Minister of Diplomacy The Senate and People of Rathanan

Greetings and blessings to you, President Radchenko. The Rathani Ministry of Diplomacy thanks you for expressing your concern and I shall address it to the best of my ability.

The Patriarch has been meeting in secret with the College of Bishops. Heresy is something that hasn't happened in Rathanan since 1392 A.D., where the heretic was eventually burned at the stake. Since then, anyone found in heresy did so in ignorance and recanted as soon as the issue was brought to light, thus removing the issue. We realize that times have changed and our punishments have changed with it. Since precident clashes with modern expectations, it is not likely that Bishop Catulus will be excecuted.

I see events unfolding as follows:

1. Patriarch Avitus will call for an Inquisition to deal with the matter

2. The Inquisition will review the evidence and allow for testimony to be brought forward from the prosecution and defense.

3. If Bishop Catulus is found guilty, he will be excommunicated, any and all heretical works of his will be banned and burned, Catulus will be given a lengthy prison sentence, and then after the prison sentence, Catulus will have his citizenship revoked and he will be expelled from the country since he is no longer a member of the Rathani Orthodox Church.

4. If Bishop Catulus recants and repents, his Bishop status will be revoked and he will be sent to a Monestary (since one of his charges was sexual misconduct) where he will live the rest of his days as a Monk. (If sexual misconduct wasn't involved, he would be reduced to a priest instead and the Church would send him to a location where they can best watch him, but the idea is to remove temptation to avoid continued violations by sending him to a Monestary instead.)

As I said before, execution is doubtful but we'll wait and see.

God Bless to you and all of Karshkovia!

OOC:

I'm tempted to agree about Niraamaya.

IC:

Diplomatic Communication

Q. Octavius Lepidus,

Greetings,

It is with some concern that I contact you today regarding a bishop who has been accused of heretical activities in Rathanan.

Now, while I believe on most issues, a nation should be left to handle its own business, killing a man for differing religious views is a touchy issue. Really we have no problem with most religion, and we try not to have Church and State mix, since we adhere to the ideals of religious freedom.

May we suggest that as opposed to killing the bishop you excommunicate him instead and exile him to a foreign land where his preaching will not affect you?

Regards,
Imperial Diplomatic Representative Charles Goodman

To: Imperial Diplomatic Representative Charles Goodman, Romandeos

From: Q. Octavius Lepidus, Minister of Diplomacy; The Senate and People of Rathanan

Salve Mr. Goodman! We thank you for expressing your concern on the issue concerning Bishop Catulus. Despite the fact that that our government has not recieved any information from the Church at this time, I will answer your concerns as best as I can.

Precident states that herestics who do not recant and repent are to be burned at the stake. Unfortunately, precident means going back to 1392, as that was the last time a heretic was executed by an Inquisition in Rathanan (others recanted and the matter was concluded quickly). We realize that times have changed since 1392 and our punishments have changed with the times. Despite the fact that our nation recently established a Republic, the Senate and People of Rathanan desired to maintain laws establishing the Rathani Orthodox Church as the only acceptable form of religion for a citizen of Rathanan... Therefore, we do not have freedom of religion. That being said, Bishop Catulus will be delt with harshly, but he most likely won't be put to death or tortured (as I said, punishment modernized with the times... We still have the death penalty, but only for homicide, pedophilia, and treason).

I see events unfolding as follows (again, I am an agent of the State, not the Church, so I can only speculate):

1. Patriarch Avitus will call for an Inquisition to deal with the matter

2. The Inquisition will review the evidence and allow for testimony to be brought forward from the prosecution and defense.

3. If Bishop Catulus is found guilty, he will be excommunicated, any and all heretical works of his will be banned and burned, Catulus will be given a lengthy prison sentence, and then after the prison sentence, Catulus will have his citizenship revoked and he will be expelled from the country since he is no longer a member of the Rathani Orthodox Church.

4. If Bishop Catulus recants and repents, his Bishop status will be revoked and he will be sent to a Monestary (since one of his charges was sexual misconduct) where he will live the rest of his days as a Monk. (If sexual misconduct wasn't involved, he would be reduced to a priest instead and the Church would send him to a location where they can best watch him, but the idea is to remove temptation to avoid continued violations by sending him to a Monestary instead.)

Time will tell if I am accurate, but I believe my theory is pretty solid.

God bless you and all of Romandeos!

Senate Building - Saint Alexander City, Rathanan

"All rise!" The moderator ordered.

As the Senators rose from their seats, Holy Consul Tiberius Lucius Severus entered the room, flanked by Minister of Diplomacy Quintus Octavius Lepidus, a bishop, and two Praetorian Guards. Severus stood in front of his seat and folded his hands.

"Bishop Crispinus will offer prayer." The moderater said as he too bowed his head.

After the Bishop completed his prayer, the Senate sat down and the moderator began reading off the agenda for the day. Midway through, the doors to the Senate chamber opened and the Patriarch of the Rathani Orthodox Church entered, flanked by the College of Bishops.

Holy Consul Severus eyed the entourage for a minute and rose. "Patriarch Avitus, this is a most welcome surprise... I trust you're here to fill us in on this heresy matter?" Severus asked with a smirk.

"Yes, Holy Consul Severus, that is so." The Patriarch responded as he stood before the Senate.

"In that case, I move to allow visitors speaking priviliges." Severus stated to the moderator.

"The motion on the floor is to allow visitors speaking privilges, is there objection?" The moderator asked as he scanned the room. "Without objection, speak Holiness."

"I decided I should come to the Senate and Holy Consul of Rathanan before going to the press... I have decided that there is more than enough evidence to call for an Inquisition." The Patriarch stated. "Rest assured, we shall attempt to deal with this matter in a way that does not shed a less favorable light upon Rathanan without sacrificing our ancient traditions." He added. "That is all for the moment."

As he began to file out, the Senate exploded into questions.

"ORDER!! ORDER!!!" The moderator bellowed into the microphone. "WE SHALL HAVE ORDER!"

After several minutes of yelling back and forth, the Senate finally settled down and continued to the business of the day.

Holy Consul Severus grinned. Alea iacta est. He though to himself as he listened to the Senate debate a bill to increase education funds.