Gunnland
FTR
Cardinal Stewart had sat with his head in his hands, massaging his temples, feeling a headache coming on. His reward for avoiding the sin of self-murder? Hearing the Eiffellandians openly defy the Church and her sacred doctrine. He swayed wearily as he stood.
"Cardinal Strelecki, I am surprised at your boldness. Not that you defy the laws of God, but that you tell us so with pride. As for the..." He waved dismissively. The velociraptor with frozen eyes and a beak nose was done playing politics. "...frontier faction I have thus far supported, I am no less shocked at your own ignorance of the Church and her laws. A cardinal under penalty of communication latae sententiae acts illicitly but validly. Nothing we can do can stop the cardinal from electing pope or, God forbid, being elected pope. He would not be the first pope in hell, I am afraid."
He sat, gathering himself in his red robes, but still speaking. "There was a time, you all know, when I would have submitted myself as a compromise candidate. But now I am greatly dismayed. The laws of the Church seem not to be known, understood, and respected here. I hope Brother Meyer will set matters straight, and show some leadership. Otherwise I shall be forced, henceforth, to actively abstain in the voting, until a more suitable compromise candidate emerges."
"Cardinal Strelecki, I am surprised at your boldness. Not that you defy the laws of God, but that you tell us so with pride. As for the..." He waved dismissively. The velociraptor with frozen eyes and a beak nose was done playing politics. "...frontier faction I have thus far supported, I am no less shocked at your own ignorance of the Church and her laws. A cardinal under penalty of communication latae sententiae acts illicitly but validly. Nothing we can do can stop the cardinal from electing pope or, God forbid, being elected pope. He would not be the first pope in hell, I am afraid."
He sat, gathering himself in his red robes, but still speaking. "There was a time, you all know, when I would have submitted myself as a compromise candidate. But now I am greatly dismayed. The laws of the Church seem not to be known, understood, and respected here. I hope Brother Meyer will set matters straight, and show some leadership. Otherwise I shall be forced, henceforth, to actively abstain in the voting, until a more suitable compromise candidate emerges."