NationStates Jolt Archive


Scandinvan Inquisition Sacks Parliamentary Leaders

The Scandinvans
01-04-2009, 07:07
Imperial News Network Report

“In response to reports of heretical activities by the Arbiter of Parliament (the most powerful position in the legislator), the Chief Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Master of Parliamentary Procedure, the head of the Foreign Trade Committee, the Seated Director of Immigration Laws, and an other thirty seven members of Parliament (out of a total of 1000 Parliament members) have been sacked from their posts by the Chief Magistrate of the Scandinvan Catholic Inquisition, who was given approval to do so by the Patriarch of the Scandinvan Catholic Church and the Emperor once the appropriate evidence had been gathered. The exact nature of their activities shall not be made public as of yet out of the need to protect said persons from attacks by angry mobs.

Though a good deal of controversy over the suddenness and scale of the sackings has been questioned it has been deemed necessary for the continued moral sanctity of the Empire.

The story will continue to be updated as reports indicate that the Inquisition shall soon release more date regarding the sackings of the members of Parliament and that these sackings might well be the mere beginning of a wider purification of the government by the holy Inquisition.

So good night and may God preserve the Empire.

Lady Erida out.”

OOC: Yes, this indeed the beginning of a wider campaign by me to repress political opponents of the Emperor. So feel free to rp within standard IC parameters.
The Scandinvans
01-04-2009, 19:34
Imperial News Network Update:

“In a shocking turn of events the Inquisition has seized key members of the Democracy Now movement after it was learned that they were in fact nothing more then heretical communists who sought to shatter our glorious and eternal Empire.

So far the Inquisition has arrested the Chairman of the Democracy Now party Micah Gresgy, all the provincial heads of the party, and various other key personal of the party in a move which will surely destroy the party. As well, the Inquisition has ordered all members of the Democracy Now party to report to a local Inquisitorial office for deprogramming of the rhetoric of the Democracy Now party, failure to do so will result in a possible fine.

Any further updates in the recent Inquisitorial sweep will be reported here on the Imperial News Network first.

So may God save the Empire.

Lady Erida out.”
Parilisa
01-04-2009, 19:51
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/ParilisaSeal-1.png

THE REPUBLIC OF PARILISA


TO: The Scandinvan Catholic Inquisition
FROM: Nathaniel Klein, Parilisa

Dear Sir/Madam,

That such extreme and preposterous views as yours have survived in the modern world is disgusting and beyond belief. You masquerade behind the thin veil of organised religion and from there strike out at anybody who will oppose your power hungry regime; you are not a tool of the church but a tool of bent politics. We ask you to cease these moronic activities, if not in the name of humanity or love then in the name of the preacher who said to do unto others as you wish to have done to yourselves.

Yours Sincerely,
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/Signature.jpg
President Nathaniel Klein
Shazbotdom
01-04-2009, 20:07
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/Shazbotdom/Government-Seal.gif
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MR. HENRICK D. RASTERSON (Second in Charge)
After watching the events unfold within our allies in the Scandinvan Empire, we are shocked at the happenings that are taking place. Under orders from the Supreme Emperor we are herby expressing our shock at the happenings that the Emperor of Scandivan himself has issued.

A Travel warning has been issued within the Shazbotdom Empire and it's territorial holdings as well as to all Shazbotdom Nationals within the Scandinvan Empire. Travel to Scandinvan must be done only in extreme emergencies and all Shazbotdom Nationals within Scandinvan are hearby asked to either go to the Shazbotdom Embassy within the Scandinvan Empire or to travel back to the Shazbotdom Empire or any of it's territorial land holdings.
The Scandinvans
01-04-2009, 22:14
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/ParilisaSeal-1.png

THE REPUBLIC OF PARILISA


TO: The Scandinvan Catholic Inquisition
FROM: Nathaniel Klein, Parilisa

Dear Sir/Madam,

That such extreme and preposterous views as yours have survived in the modern world is disgusting and beyond belief. You masquerade behind the thin veil of organised religion and from there strike out at anybody who will oppose your power hungry regime; you are not a tool of the church but a tool of bent politics. We ask you to cease these moronic activities, if not in the name of humanity or love then in the name of the preacher who said to do unto others as you wish to have done to yourselves.

Yours Sincerely,
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/Signature.jpg
President Nathaniel KleinDear heretical President of the vile Republic of Parilisa,

While your disgruntled pleas of fifth are heard by us, we shall not dignify your pitiful response with any truly thorough reply. Instead, we shall simply remind you that we follow the simple teachings of our Church truly and those we punish have earned the ere of the Lord Almighty. As well, any punishment we inflict we would gladly accept if we were guilty of the same exact crime. But since we are not, we suggest you silence your blasphemous tongue and learn to attend to your own nation's well being instead of threating over the spiritual affairs of the holy and glorious Scandinvan Empire.

Signed,
The Inquisitorial Council
Parilisa
02-04-2009, 10:23
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/ParilisaSeal-1.png

THE REPUBLIC OF PARILISA


TO: The Scandinvan Catholic Inquisition
FROM: Nathaniel Klein, Parilisa

Dear Sir/Madam,

What is a heresy? A heresy is a perversion of a faith not a refusal to believe in a faith. By your won flawed theological “logic” any other denomination of Christianity but Catholicism is a heresy, because it is a different manner of believing the same thing. A completely different faith, atheism for example, is not a heresy, because its adherents do not twist the words of your god, instead they simply deny them.

The greatest Christian “heresy” still alive in the modern world is your own Inquisition. I can see nothing in the scriptures of your prophets which argue for the destruction of infidels or for the persecution of innocents. I can see a lot about forgiving and saving the sinners, however. You yourselves have taken the image of a peaceful saviour and perverted it into that of a vengeful, heretic-smiter. You, my friends, are the greatest “heretics” of the modern age.

Yours Sincerely,
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/Signature.jpg
President Nathaniel Klein
The Scandinvans
03-04-2009, 05:56
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/Shazbotdom/Government-Seal.gif
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MR. HENRICK D. RASTERSON (Second in Charge)
After watching the events unfold within our allies in the Scandinvan Empire, we are shocked at the happenings that are taking place. Under orders from the Supreme Emperor we are herby expressing our shock at the happenings that the Emperor of Scandivan himself has issued.

A Travel warning has been issued within the Shazbotdom Empire and it's territorial holdings as well as to all Shazbotdom Nationals within the Scandinvan Empire. Travel to Scandinvan must be done only in extreme emergencies and all Shazbotdom Nationals within Scandinvan are hearby asked to either go to the Shazbotdom Embassy within the Scandinvan Empire or to travel back to the Shazbotdom Empire or any of it's territorial land holdings.To Minister Rasterson,

We shall simply protest your actions for the time being.

Signed,
Imperial Steward,
Lord Erida
Sovereign Theocracies
03-04-2009, 06:37
Lord Erida of Scandinvan
CC: Inquisitorial Council of the Scandinvan Empire, Office of His Majesty the Emperor of Scandinvan

My Lords

It is with concern, in love, that I pen these words to you. Word of the actions of the Scandinvan Holy Inquisition have reached me, and I am troubled. I am troubled by several things. I am troubled that the crimes you have detailed may be found so high up in the government of the Empire. I am troubled, perhaps more, by the fact that to those who do not hold to the authority of divine scripture, particularly in this instance (1 Tim 5:19) may fail to connect the actions you have undertaken with the righteousness of the Almighty (1 Cor 5:12), and instead (1 Cor 9:19-23) of winning men to the gospel which brings eternal life, cause another to stumble.

Temper your justice with mercy (Romans 11:11), we implore in the name of He who was merciful, and remember that we are all imperfect (James 3:2), and fall short of God's law. It is by grace we are saved (Eph 2:8), through faith in Him, and to grace and love we are called.

In Christ

Reverend Thomas English
Bishop-Errant
2nd Diocese, Angel's Rest
Prolmavidian Theocracy
Confederacy of Sovereign Theocracies
The Scandinvans
03-04-2009, 21:43
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/ParilisaSeal-1.png

THE REPUBLIC OF PARILISA


TO: The Scandinvan Catholic Inquisition
FROM: Nathaniel Klein, Parilisa

Dear Sir/Madam,

What is a heresy? A heresy is a perversion of a faith not a refusal to believe in a faith. By your won flawed theological “logic” any other denomination of Christianity but Catholicism is a heresy, because it is a different manner of believing the same thing. A completely different faith, atheism for example, is not a heresy, because its adherents do not twist the words of your god, instead they simply deny them.

The greatest Christian “heresy” still alive in the modern world is your own Inquisition. I can see nothing in the scriptures of your prophets which argue for the destruction of infidels or for the persecution of innocents. I can see a lot about forgiving and saving the sinners, however. You yourselves have taken the image of a peaceful saviour and perverted it into that of a vengeful, heretic-smiter. You, my friends, are the greatest “heretics” of the modern age.

Yours Sincerely,
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/Signature.jpg
President Nathaniel KleinDear blasphemous and filthy president of Parilisa,

Once again you do not grasp the depth of your heresy, anyone who denies the faith in the Almighty are guilty of heresy. In that heresy is when one contradicts our glorious and truthful faith.

As well, our faith does give us strong cause to punish those who deny the Lord.

"Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel." (Deuteronomy 17:12 NLT)

"Yes," she replied, "that was the price." And Peter said, "How could the two of you even think of doing a thing like this – conspiring together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Just outside that door are the young men who buried your husband, and they will carry you out, too." Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the entire church and all others who heard what had happened. (Acts 5:1-11 NLT)

"They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul; and everyone who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman." (2 Chronicles 15:12-13 NAB)

Signed,
The Inquisitorial Council
Taledonia
03-04-2009, 21:59
To: The Slave Master of Scandinvans whom you call Emperor and his executioners within his Inquisition

The Taledonian government completely condemns the actions you are taking. We do not care about your reasons, nor do we submit ourselves to your faith. Our chief concern is the blatant oppression you exert upon the people within your territorial boundaries; people who, under different circumstances, could prove incredibly talented workers and businessmen. It is in the interests of preserving the individuals rights that we demand the release of all prisoners and that your government re-evaluate your position within the workings of Scandinvan society, else we shall force you out.

With fond regards.
Parilisa
03-04-2009, 22:05
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/ParilisaSeal-1.png

THE REPUBLIC OF PARILISA


TO: The Scandinvan Catholic Inquisition
FROM: Nathaniel Klein, Parilisa

Dear Sirs,

I have attempted to reason with you using logic, but the depth of yor spectacular ignorance astounds me.

I can say simply that you are morons, and that your idiocy will cost lives.

Yours Sincerely,
http://i423.photobucket.com/albums/pp312/The_Republic_of_Parilisa/Signature.jpg
President Nathaniel Klein
The Scandinvans
03-04-2009, 22:40
Lord Erida of Scandinvan
CC: Inquisitorial Council of the Scandinvan Empire, Office of His Majesty the Emperor of Scandinvan

My Lords

It is with concern, in love, that I pen these words to you. Word of the actions of the Scandinvan Holy Inquisition have reached me, and I am troubled. I am troubled by several things. I am troubled that the crimes you have detailed may be found so high up in the government of the Empire. I am troubled, perhaps more, by the fact that to those who do not hold to the authority of divine scripture, particularly in this instance (1 Tim 5:19) may fail to connect the actions you have undertaken with the righteousness of the Almighty (1 Cor 5:12), and instead (1 Cor 9:19-23) of winning men to the gospel which brings eternal life, cause another to stumble.

Temper your justice with mercy (Romans 11:11), we implore in the name of He who was merciful, and remember that we are all imperfect (James 3:2), and fall short of God's law. It is by grace we are saved (Eph 2:8), through faith in Him, and to grace and love we are called.

In Christ

Reverend Thomas English
Bishop-Errant
2nd Diocese, Angel's Rest
Prolmavidian Theocracy
Confederacy of Sovereign TheocraciesReverend Thomas English,

We find your lack of knowledge of the laws of the Lord disturbing. To remedy this we suggest that you consult the laws of the Almighty as set forth in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Until then, we bid you adieu.

Signed,
The Inquisitorial Council
Shazbotdom
03-04-2009, 22:47
To Minister Rasterson,

We shall simply protest your actions for the time being.

Signed,
Imperial Steward,
Lord Erida


http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/Shazbotdom/Government-Seal.gif
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MR. HENRICK D. RASTERSON (Second in Charge)
I would technically be called the Under-Minister of Foreign Affairs as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Terrance is currently away from the office in a foreign nation discussing affairs of the Commonwealth of Independant Nations.

And we only make this announcment due to the fact of the contract signed between us for travel between our nation of tourists. As many people who call the Shazbotdom Empire home are of different religions that your empire would consider "undesireable", we wish to protect these people and not have them fall to prey under this Inquisition. We do not want any of our Citizentry becomming internned and jailed within a foreign nation that we feel is a close ally of ours.

Unless you can guarantee the saftey of the Shazbotdom Nationals within the Scandinvan Empire, and guarantee to us that they will not be arrested or tried for any crimes in afiliation with this Inquisition, the recall of our people will stand.

Can the Scandinvan Empire guarantee that they will not arrest, try and convict any Shazbotdom nationals within their empire in reguards to this Inquisition?
The Scandinvans
03-04-2009, 22:53
To: The Slave Master of Scandinvans whom you call Emperor and his executioners within his Inquisition

The Taledonian government completely condemns the actions you are taking. We do not care about your reasons, nor do we submit ourselves to your faith. Our chief concern is the blatant oppression you exert upon the people within your territorial boundaries; people who, under different circumstances, could prove incredibly talented workers and businessmen. It is in the interests of preserving the individuals rights that we demand the release of all prisoners and that your government re-evaluate your position within the workings of Scandinvan society, else we shall force you out.

With fond regards.To the aggressive, vile, heretical, blasphemous, uncivilized, savage, and Satanic government of Taldeonia,

May a pox be upon your unholy nation and may all your crops turn to dust this seasons so that that the Lord may punish your unclean folk for following such a evil and demented government.

We shall say it clearly and firmly, we are doing the Lord's work and maintaining the purity of our own folk alone. And if you desire to invade the Glorious and Holy Scandinvan Empire out of your flawed views you shall be meet with a folk determined to defend our sovereignty and our people will give up their lives by the millions to defend the sanctity of our proud nation.

Signed,
Imperial Steward,
Lord Erida
Fatatatutti
03-04-2009, 22:57
... our people will give up their lives by the millions to defend the sanctity of our proud nation.

The world will be a better place if they do that as soon as possible.
The Scandinvans
03-04-2009, 23:05
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/Shazbotdom/Government-Seal.gif
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
MR. HENRICK D. RASTERSON (Second in Charge)
I would technically be called the Under-Minister of Foreign Affairs as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Terrance is currently away from the office in a foreign nation discussing affairs of the Commonwealth of Independant Nations.

And we only make this announcment due to the fact of the contract signed between us for travel between our nation of tourists. As many people who call the Shazbotdom Empire home are of different religions that your empire would consider "undesireable", we wish to protect these people and not have them fall to prey under this Inquisition. We do not want any of our Citizentry becomming internned and jailed within a foreign nation that we feel is a close ally of ours.

Unless you can guarantee the saftey of the Shazbotdom Nationals within the Scandinvan Empire, and guarantee to us that they will not be arrested or tried for any crimes in afiliation with this Inquisition, the recall of our people will stand.

Can the Scandinvan Empire guarantee that they will not arrest, try and convict any Shazbotdom nationals within their empire in reguards to this Inquisition?

SIC:

Under-Minister of Foreign Affairs as the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Terrance,

At the behest of the Emperor of the Scandinvan Empire I have been to told to inform your government the true nature of the recent actions of the Inquisition.

While, it may seem nothing more then blind religious fanaticism on the part of my countrymen they are acting in order to prevent a possible coup by far left idealogical groups that seeks to violently overthrow the Imperial government. To counter, this the Inquisition was given the order to begin a wide scale sweep of known members of the rebel group and to render them unable to be of significant value to the rebel group, thus the reason why many persons were simply sacked instead of being arrested while only the more entrenched leaders were arrested instead.

The reasons why the public explanation was not given is due to the fact that the current Imperial government is trying to solidify control of segments of the population that might otherwise arise in revolt if they were leaders were accused of treason and thus executed. Further, due to the controversial state of our government we thought it better merely to sack or arrest there traitors instead of killing them, thus causing a much larger diplomatic crisis.

Signed,
Imperial Steward,
Lord Erida

OOC: This is actually true, though they would have been suppressed regardless.
The Scandinvans
04-04-2009, 20:51
The world will be a better place if they do that as soon as possible.And the world would be better if your nation lay underneath the heel of the Scandinvan Empire!

Signed,
High Marshall of House Erida
United Earthlings
04-04-2009, 21:36
Official Communique from the Commonwealth Kingdom of United Earthlings to the The Glorious Empire of The Scandinvans

While our government is sadden to see the sacking and arrested of so many supporters for a more democratic Scandinvan all in the name of so called moral sanctity, we are not in the least surprised by such an action. We have been monitored the situation in Scandinvan Empire for some time and it was only a matter of time before those fighting for a more democratic Scandivan nation come to heads with those wishing to maintain a more autocratic Scandivan nation. We also found it worth noting that the reason for the sacking of the Parliamentarily leaders and the arrest of those in the Democracy Now party were not released to the public and the international world, but then the democratic traditions within Scandivan are northing more then an mirage of democracy, a shame to keep the illusion that others opinions matter.

Furthermore, while we are troubled by this so called Inquisition, as it is not our government's policy to interfere in a nation's domestic affairs unless our national sovereignty is directly threaten, we currently have no opinion one way or another on the goings on within The Glorious Empire of The Scandinvans. However, should this Inquisition and any possible backlash from it somehow cause an disruption of our trade shipments of crude oil from your nation, we may then be compelled to interfere to restore the situation to the status quo. Until such time, we wish the people of Scandinvan, Lady Erida, the Emperor and the Empire itself the best of luck in finding the peace and well-being that so richly deserve.

Sincerely, King Winston I and Chancellor Muller
The Scandinvans
05-04-2009, 02:40
Official Communique from the Commonwealth Kingdom of United Earthlings to the The Glorious Empire of The Scandinvans

While our government is sadden to see the sacking and arrested of so many supporters for a more democratic Scandinvan all in the name of so called moral sanctity, we are not in the least surprised by such an action. We have been monitored the situation in Scandinvan Empire for some time and it was only a matter of time before those fighting for a more democratic Scandivan nation come to heads with those wishing to maintain a more autocratic Scandivan nation. We also found it worth noting that the reason for the sacking of the Parliamentarily leaders and the arrest of those in the Democracy Now party were not released to the public and the international world, but then the democratic traditions within Scandivan are northing more then an mirage of democracy, a shame to keep the illusion that others opinions matters.

Furthermore, while we are troubled by this so called Inquisition, as it is not our government's policy to interfere in a nation's domestic affairs unless our national sovereignty is directly threaten, we currently have no opinion one way or another on the goings on within The Glorious Empire of The Scandinvans. However, should this Inquisition and any possible backlash from it somehow cause an disruption of our trade shipments of crude oil from your nation, we may then be compelled to interfere to restore the situation to the status quo. Until such time, we wish the people of Scandinvan, Lady Erida, the Emperor and the Empire itself the best of luck in finding the peace and well-being that so richly deserve.

Sincerely, King Winston I and Chancellor MullerSIC:

To His Majesty King Winston I, and to His Majesty's Chancellor, Mr. Miller;

To explain the suppression of the Democracy Now Party was indeed in order to prevent their movement from gaining further strength and from spreading heretical messages that told the God fearing people of the Empire that the Bible was nothing more then a series of lies created by a set of madmen in order to oppress the people. As well, the various leaders sacked, though none were arrested, was due to the fact they were performing immoral acts, such as adultery or accepting brides.

Regarding your oil, we assure you that as long as you keep your end of the bargain the oil shall flow.

Signed,
Imperial Steward,
Lord Erida
The Scandinvans
05-04-2009, 07:44
Imperial News Network Report:

"Due to a growing concern amongst slave holders that their Moslem slaves were performing blasphemous rituals and were planning a widespread rebellion against their masters, the Inquisition has begun a widespread investigation into the slave community by use of special interrogation methods and by the use of increased observation of key points of interest in the slave community.

Already two hundred slaves have been sentenced to work in the uranium mines ( a literal death sentence) for a total of five years each in order to send a message to the rest of the slaves that sacrilege and rebellion will not be tolerated.

Further, the Inquisition has affirmed that their investigation is not yet complete and that more slaves will be arrested before the investigation is finally over.

Deus vult!

God save the Emperor!

Lady Erida out."
The Scandinvans
05-04-2009, 18:34
Le Bump
The Scandinvans
07-04-2009, 01:09
Bump
United Earthlings
09-04-2009, 22:28
SIC:

To His Majesty King Winston I, and to His Majesty's Chancellor, Mr. Miller;

To explain the suppression of the Democracy Now Party was indeed in order to prevent their movement from gaining further strength and from spreading heretical messages that told the God fearing people of the Empire that the Bible was nothing more then a series of lies created by a set of madmen in order to oppress the people. As well, the various leaders sacked, though none were arrested, was due to the fact they were performing immoral acts, such as adultery or accepting brides.

Regarding your oil, we assure you that as long as you keep your end of the bargain the oil shall flow.

Signed,
Imperial Steward,
Lord Erida

OCC: For future reference as Chancellor Muller is not royalty, it's just Chancellor Muller or Mr. Muller if you want. Also, it's Muller not Miller. However, as Winston the First is a king he is royalty so His Majesty is correct. A little confusing I know, but my nation's weird like that.

Lord Erida, we required nor needed an explanation on why the various leaders were sacked or detained, we were simply pointing out an observation of ours. As we said before, the internal affairs of your people and it's government is beyond our concern as long as our national sovereignty is not directly threaten. As, for your internal disturbances as they have so far not threaten our national sovereignty, we consider the overall matter nonchalant. Regarding the oil, then we are in agreement.

Sincerely, Chancellor Muller
New Chalcedon
10-04-2009, 02:38
From: His Holiness, Gennadius V, Patriarch of Constantinopolis Secundus, Apostolic Head of the Orthodox Church of Christ.
To: His Excellency, Lord Erida, Imperial Steward.
Re: Repressive actions.

Your Excellency, please circulate this missive to the leaders of your Church, as well as reading it yourself, if you so desire.

My fellow followers of Christ the Saviour and Redeemer:

Did Jesus implore His followers not to think? Of course not - "When I was a child, I spake as a child" - I Corinthians 13:11 - and yet, we are adults, and urged to use our powers of reason and intellect, and not speak as a child. And, indeed, "He that hath ears to hear, then let him hear" - Mark 4:9. Man is called upon to use his God-granted powers of thought and reason, for God never gives his creations gifts without intending their responsible use.

Regarding your utterly reprehensible taking of slaves, the Saviour Himself put it best, as He put all things: "Love one another, as I have loved you" - John 13:34. Jesus Himself puts it best - whatever your actions, they must not be motivated by hatred of your fellow man - but in love. And slavery is no expression of love, whilst the words of the Saviour Jesus Christ are far above those of a prophet of the Lord, however respected he may be.

Nor are your regime's acts of repression of political opponents motivated by love, either of your fellow man, or of the Saviour. Further, on the subject of extensive involvement of the Church in State affairs: "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's; render unto god that which is God's." - Matthew 22:21. The intent is clear - the Saviour wished His followers to follow Him, not get embroiled in politics and the attendant corruption and self-gratification.

I implore the Scandivan Catholic Church and its leaders: look through history. May times throughout history, and with the best and holiest of intentions, priests attempted to become rulers and politicians. What were the results? Corruption, misery, revolution and schism.

The lessons of the past should be clear: priests are not rulers - not of the body, nor of the soul. We are guides, not soldiers. We are teachers, not policemen. A man cannot be forced to embrace Christ, His truth, or His Word. He must, instead, be persuaded by gentle example, kind words, patience and an eye to compassion.

In your path toward self-aggrandisement, you risk becoming the precursors to a new Borgia era - leading, ultimately, to a reaction against excess and a dwindling of moral fibre, along with the discrediting of the Saviour's followers. I strongly urge the leadership of the Scandivan Catholic Church to reconsider their course of action, to meditate upon themselves the message of the Saviour, and to follow Christ's Word above all others.

With my most humble respects,

Gennadius V
Patriarch of New Constantinople
Apostolic Head of the Orthodox Church of Christ in New Chalcedon.