Ecclesia hodie -Dominican Catholic Church News

[Papal States]

Marcus-Clemens II enters seventeenth year of his pontificate. Celebrations will take place in St.Peter and Paul in Dominici on Thursday.
The pope, born in Miedzymorze as Mieszko Krzyżewski-Matejko and uncle of the current King, was elected on 12 november 1992. He adopted the name of Marcus-Clemens I out of respect for the achievements of this pope.
Both Marcus-Clemens I and II were not-francophone, breaking a 300-year old tradition. They both had to deal with implementing the decisions of the Dominici II concilium, changing society and communism. Marcus-Clemens II has taken a more traditional and conservative position in church matters during the years.
The pope, now 84, is still in good health.

 

[Aquitania]

Your Holiness,

I send my most heartfelt regards to you on this seventeenth year as Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church.

Jean Reynard de Blanchard,
Grand Duke of Aquitania

 

[Beautancus]

On this most auspicious of dates, we offer thanks to Our Blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that He has seen fit to bestow upon us so just and wise a Vicar as His Holiness, Marcus-Clemens II. It is our most sincere hope that his Pontifical Reign shall continue for many more a year, and that he continue to see the true Will of Christ done here in the world, to defend and spread the Light of Christ, and to uphold the central tenants of the Dominican Catholic Church.

You have, and will always be an inspiration to me. May Christ guide you and keep you in His Grace always, Uncle.

His Most Catholic and Royal Majesty, Król Kazimierz V Krzyżewski-Matejko, Wielki Książę of Upper Sarmatia, Książę of Hrodino and Krzyżewski

 

[Papal States]

The pope has accepted the resignation of Cardinal François Lebocq, the Secretary of the Holy Office. Cardinal Lebocq has reached the age of 75, and all bishops and key figures of the Holy See are expected to resignate from their position. François Lebocq was born on 15.3.1934 in Sancta Felicitas, Papal States. He became secretary in 1995.

The position will be taken by Marc Leblanc, now working at the secretary. He was born in Belmont in 1946, became priest in 1961 and studied in Dominici till 1968. He is doctor in both laws and has experience in foreign affairs as assistant in the Congregation for External Affairs from 1968 till 1987. He was transferred to the Secretary and granted the title of bishop of Nicea. Marcus-Clemens II has now given him the purple cloths. Cardinal Leblanc will lead the office beginning at 12.11.2009, the start of the 17th year of the pope's pontificate.

 

[Papal States]

Marcus-Clemens II celebrates seventeenth year of pontificate

Today a special service was held ad St.-Peter and Paul in Dominici. The pope celebrated a mass, attented by the top of the Holy See and many other international guest on the front rows. The square before the basilica was crowded with pilgrims, even more as on a normal sunday celebration.

The pope, who was thaught to have a pontificate for only about ten years, is in good condition at 84. In his homilia he thank all cooperators in the world church. He especially mentioned the citizens of his homeland Miedzymorze.

Marcus-Clemens explained the church needs not only workers on the field, but as well 'constant prayers, reflection on the Bible and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to find the path to the devine mysterium'. He especially asked this year attention 'for the abbeys and cloisters, for the youth to find their way to a life serving God in the prayer'.

The service was concluded by a Te Deum laudamus and a sacred blessing in several languages. Especially noticed was the Swedish version of this blessing. This language was never before used by a pope in the St.-Peter and Paul.

A last blessing Pro pontifex nostro oremus -for the pope we pray- ended the celebrations, and an ad this point apperantly moved Marcus-Clemens marched trough the basilica, when people around expressed their comittement to His Holiness.

The priest from Miedzymorze became not only pope, but a respected and beloved leader of the Dominican Church.

 

[Papal States]

Holy See invites Orthodox leader to Dominici

The pope has send an official invitation to Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of the Orthodox Church. It is the wish of Marcus-Clemens II to celebrate an oecumenical service as expression of the partnership of the Dominican Catholic Church and the other Christians.

Relations between the Holy See and the Orthodox Church as wel between the Papal States and Talemantros haven't been without problems. There are still disagreements over several issues. But Dominici wants to create better relations between all partners.

The exchange of embassies between the Papal States and the Statsunionen is another step this week taken to set steps foreward. It seems the Pope wants to turn the 17th year of his pontificate into an oecumenical program.

 

[Papal States]

Dominican Catholic Church celebrates last sunday of the ecclesiastical year. This sunday is known as Christus Rex - Christ the King. It concludes a year built around the life of the Lord, with the vision of the last day. 'I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end', says the lecture. Marcus-Clemens II expressed in his sermon the hope this creed will be heard in all countries. He praised the Catholics and Christians holding on to their faith in those nations were they are persecuted. He mentioned especially the 'brothers in the faith in totalitairian regimes, interfearing in the personal life of their citizens and putting at risk their own souls by their attempts to whipe out the Churches and religion in public life'.

Next sunday Advent starts, opening a new liturgical year in both hope and atonement.

 

[Papal States]

Pope to clearify position of the Church towards colonization

Marcus-Clemens II has issued a text about colonization. This text is seen as a summary of the official teaching of the Catholic Church about the subject. Titled ‘Pacem in terris’, peace on earth, it starts saying:

Peace on earth is a gift to mankind. In history, many have tried to achieve peace. Others have rejected peace and choose the path to power, wealth, honour. In doing so, they rejected the rights of others to the resources of this earth, given to all of us by the Lord Himself. Colonization has been part of this process.

The most important thought are:

- The colonisation period is to be seen in a particular time and within very particular politics. It has brought benefits and disadvantages to several parts of the world. Therefore colonisation is not to be seen as only “bad” or only “good”. It is a historical fact that brought the world closer together.

- The independence process was a justified one, except for the use of violence; on both sides victims were made to stop a historical inevitable process. But the independence was never possible when the original population wasn’t offered education and later on partly participation in power. Nations which have prepared their colonies for independence have judged right to do so.

- The colonisation was an important factor in the development of the wealth of today’s industrialised nations. That’s why this wealth has to be shared with the former colonies.

- The nations that have colonised parts of the world have a moral duty to support and develop their former colonies. They brought their civilisation and political, economic, philosophical and moral thinking to these colonies. The implementation of those systems and the incorporations of the native population in the local and world stage of these politics demands support from the former mother countries.

- A new form of colonization is born: the economical dependence. Ruthless developers invest in countries only to get the benefits without any moral obligation to make the population share in the wealth, without any signs of an improving life for those people used as cheap labourers. Industrialised countries can be dependent of the supply of energy, of food, of materials in a way the economical system becomes to much focussed on them, putting at risk the personal progression of the labourers.

- The Christians Churches, as to the example set by the Lord, must be important actors in bringing education, social aid and medical innovations to those parts of the world in need; mostly those parts are former colonies. Churches in countries with former colonies have a responsibility towards their brothers in the faith they once brought to them.

The pope said the issuing of this text has been his personal effort to show that the position of the formal colonies in this world and the economical injustice are important to the Church.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Pope to clearify position of the Church towards colonization

- The nations that have colonised parts of the world have a moral duty to support and develop their former colonies. They brought their civilisation and political, economic, philosophical and moral thinking to these colonies. The implementation of those systems and the incorporations of the native population in the local and world stage of these politics demands support from the former mother countries.

We have already approved a 11.5 Billion Joliet aid program to former eastern colonies. His Holiness, in his wisdom, again shows the world common sense. Though certain actions of colonization were indeed poor, we hope to bridge the rift that was dug between our peoples.

 

[Papal States]

Advent starts, bringing the whole Dominican Catholic community on the road towards Christmass. The pope has asked all Catholics 'to contemplate about what is important in life, to pray for the enlightment of this world, to accept the light into their lives in a most fundamental way'.

He asked to bring back the true values of Christmass, nowadays overpowered by commercialisme. 'Faith, sharing, accepting the word of the Lord, going to those who live in poverty or on the edge of society must be the leading path towards Christmass'.

He especially reffered to Pacem in terris, his statement about colonization. He announced the funding of a budget 'Papal Social Works' to support good works, after Wiese has proposed the same idea. 'The Church will always be a embassador for the poor, and in doing so this Church will take a unreplacable place on the world's barricades for justice and peace'. He preased countries as Marquette and Eiffeland for their efforts in these matters.

Then, surprisingly, he commented the abolition of gay marriage in Anglia. 'If indeed the marriage is between a man and a woman, a institution that is the cornerstone of society, we must accept not all people are born to be part of this. Not everyone is ment to marry and have children. If now someone is forced by nature or own thinking to commit himself to someone of the same sex, no one has the right to outlaw this person. Judging is not to us. But these persons must accept the civil and ecclesiastical marriage is something their way of life excludes. If there is need to any legality, it must and can be only arranged in civil law as a commitement contract'.

It is the first time the Dominican Church has called homosexuality 'forced by nature' and called upon the Churches not to condemn, but to try to understand. On the other hand the Church is clear: it excludes gay people from marriage.

The old pope has by doing this tried to open a discussion he has stuggled with himself as he called being gay back in 1994 'a desease apparently without cure and spreading as flu'. Its occuring in his writing to open advent seems to be a personal effort to give a place to everyone at the Christmass table of the Holy Church.

 

[Papal States]

Holy See 'surprised' by Partido Socialista Christao

The Secretary has released a first statement about the PSC running in elections in South-Lusitania. The Holy See has to evalute the situation, but has stressed at the moment clerics cannot be involved in politics in the nation.
Marcus-Clemens II has pointed out in Pacem in terris that we must be aware of 'the economical dependence' of societies run by 'ruthless developers', but most observers agree over the combination of socialism and catolicism to be one bridge too far. The pope has named 'bringing education, social aid and medical innovations' as wealthfare programs, but has never mentioned a political program as the major task of the church.
The people's republic of Lusitania has not been recognised by the Holy See nor the Papal States and relations are not existend. The Kingdom is a recognised country and the so called 'South-Lusitania' is seen as a part of the Kingdom.

It will be out of question this matter will influence strongly the position of Dominici towards socialism-communism.

 

[Lusitania]

Partido Socialista Cristão

The official position of the PSC regarding the 'Welfare State' is that, nowadays, it is insufficient. Moreover, in a traditionally poor region like Southern Lusitania, where aristocratic landlords held all the capital and property leaving the peasants landless and poor, a planned economy is needed to mitigate this gap between the poor and the rich.
We believe that, through the egalitarian message of Jesus Christ, we can contribute to a more equal society, based on values like sharing and solidarity, and caring for the poor, at the same time avoiding the evils of left totalitarism. Capitalism and Fascism are the ways of Satan, and we want to break with the traditional domination these two un-Christian ideologies enforced over the Church and we ask you to think about this.

Father Amadeu Simões,
President of the PSC

 

[Papal States]

Dominici – Patriarch Bartholomew of the Talemantros Orthodox Church to visit the Holy See. It well be the first visit of an orthodox leader to the capital of Catholicism and it expresses the renewed relations between the churches.

Wazistan – Christian ruler quits United Front. The Holy See considers working together with Islamic parties is always as difficult, when those parties are directly influenced by clerics. There is a risk of loosing the very own direction of politics inspired by Christianity.

Dominici - The Congregation for the Faith wants to invite leading members of the Partido Socialista Cristao of South-Lusitania to Dominici. Nothing more is known at the moment.

 

[Papal States]

Not yet a decision about the Lusitanian PSC

The Holy See has not yet spoken for or against the PSC, as the investigation is still continuing. A invitation to the founding members to defend their case in Dominici has stayed unanswered. Most observers nevertheless expect the PSC-experiment to be formally rejected by the Pope the coming weeks.

A source within the Holy See administration has said ‘it is very unrealistic the PSC will be recognised by the Secretary. Most people in Dominici do not like communism. The Church has had too many bad experiences with communist inspired ideologies. If a party in South-Lusitania gets official approval from the Church, it is likely to be the Farmers and Fishermen Party’.

This last political party is closer to the Catholic ideal of a corporative society, where all casts are represented in a national assembly, be it of course most ideal in a total Catholic nation.


Christmass celebrated in Dominici

Pope celebrates masses at night and 10.30 on Christmas day; blessing ‘Urbis et orbis’ was at 12.30. The pope prayed for ‘the light of Christ to shine upon all people in this world, to inspire them and to lead them and to bring peace and prosperity for everyone’.

26th of December is St.Stephan’s Day, first martyr. A special celebration was held to remember all martyrs. The pope refers to people suffering today because of their Catholic faith. He especially mentions Dai Vliet ‘where the church is seen as a representation of colonial oppression, an image reinforced by the current government to create a climate hostile towards the Gospel’.


New Archbishop for Paris

Jean-Jacques Duchaîne, 61, appointed Archbishop of Paris and Primate of Catholic Church in Belmont. Duchaîne was born in Paris, became priest in 1974, and studied philosophy in Dominici afterwards. He received the title of Doctor in the Pilosophy in 1980, when he was already working as a lector at the Dominici University. He combined this with working as advisor for several ethical commissions at the Holy See.

 

[Serenierre]

Catholic League of Belmont

His Holiness could not have chosen a better person to be the head of the Catholic Church in Belmont.

But we would like to bring His Holiness' attention to a potentially problematic situation developing due to the engagement of Prince Nicolas, Heir to the Belmontien Throne, and Princess Iselin of Arendaal due to their status as second cousins. We would like His Holiness to oversee the matter and decide on the situation's legality.

Jean-Louis Marz
Director of the CLB​

OOC: Franken made me aware of this and I thought it could offer RP fodder.

 

[Papal States]

Marcus-Clemens II legalises Royal Wedding intentions

The Secretary of the Holy Officice has made public His Holiness has decided to grant permission to His Higness Prince Nicolas and Her Higness Princess Iselin to be united in holy matrymony.

The bishops of both the diocese of origin of the Prince and the Princess have to announce the wedding wil happen 'cum dispensatione impedimenti consanguinitatis' given by His Holiness in Dominici 28 December 2009.

Nevertheless, even without any public announcement, the wedding can proceed as the decision is made by the Pope himself, and with or without more actions, the 'nihil obstat' -nothing can prevent- is and stays legal.

The Pope "hopes and is sure the Royal couple will be united in a truely catholic matrymony, bringing the Christian values to the eyes of their people. May Belmont and Aarendaal put another rose on their beautifull crown of faith and prosperity".

Marcus-Clemens II sends together with this permission, his blessing to the Prince and Princess and the two Royal Houses.

 

[Lusitania]

Dominici - The Congregation for the Faith wants to invite leading members of the Partido Socialista Cristao of South-Lusitania to Dominici. Nothing more is known at the moment.

ooc: I didn't see this, can I still answer?

 

[Papal States]

Pope announces 'collecta' for 2010

Marcus-Clemens II has specified the special collections to be held in all catholic churches, chapels and appendixes for this year:
- January: for the Papal Works
- February: for the Special Fund of the Holy See
- March: for the Catholic Media and press
- April: for developpement projects (chosen by the ecclesiastical provinces)
- May: for the Work of Catholic Education and Universities
- June: for the Work of Vocations
- July/August: can be chosen by the local bishops
- September: "St.-Peters pfennig", for the infrastructure of the Holy See
- October: for the Missions and Missionary Works
- November: Catholic Works in the Holy Land
- December: for the poor in the own ecclesiastical province

The collected money of April, July, August and December is to be handled by the local churches. All other collection results have to be transferred to the Holy See by the bishops.

The days of Easter and Christmass are free of collections for special works, this money comes entirely to the local parish.

Collections within the churches by non-catholic organisations as well as political inspired organisations (even if they are Catholic), are strongly forbidden.

The Pope has the right to review this list or announce a supplementary collection due to special circumstances.

 

[Socialist Commonwealth]

Commissariate for Foreign Affairs

We wish to remind the representatives of Catholic Faith in Carentania that, as usual, the transfer of goods of Carentanian origin, even as part of church donations, as well as currency, no matter the source, without permit is considered an illegal trade transaction and punishable by law within the Workers' Republic.

 

[Papal States]

Secretary of the Holy See

The normal procedures and legislation within each nation are to be followed by the local bishops or their representatives. If the transfer is regrettably not allowed they know what is to be done.
May we say to conclude that a society that doesn't allow people to do with what is rightfull theirs, is a society without the basic freedoms.