National News Gouw Marken

[Gouw Marken]

Markstad radio 2, at 7.27 a.m.

It was night, almost 4 in the morning, when Quintus II steppped out of the helicopter that brought him home from Kadikistan. The people of Markstad looked with big eyes at the steel monster and cheered as our leader appeared out of its stomach and it looked as if Jonas came out of the whale. The new prophet walked to a chariot that drove him into the city, to his palace, and there the new Jonas, coming out of the sea and the whale, started to call for change. ‘Redemption is what this country needs”, where his first words. ‘Redemption for the cleric, for the aristocrat, for the merchant, for the farmer and the worker, for the free and the non-free, for men and women, for child and elderly citizen, for everyone in this country. Listen Israël, listen people of the Lord: a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him! I call upon you, in this wilderness: build this country together, convert to what is right, farm and work, everyone, and pray! Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. A new social order, settled and wanted by God, a new society, that is what lies ahead of us”. The crowd cheered, applauded, people cried. The Prince-Bishop went into the palace. A new dawn for this nation came with him from the east.

Markstad Radio 1 morning news 8 a.m.

Today Quintus II has returned from Kadikistan. It was the first visit of a Prince-Bishop to another nation in hundreds of years. Kadikistan, friend in those troubled times of the recent past, has send an invitation to our leader. No one knew about his plans, and when he left the palace on horse days ago, nobody knew what he was up to. Some people of his home town said they saw him leave “in the air”.
It is only yesterday that we heard about our Prince-bishop speaking at the Party Congress closing ceremony at Ivar’s Tovarisch Square. He announced a ‘Markense Sociale Omwenteling’, with a reform in all the segments of this society for the better and the benefit of every citizen. It is yet to be clarified what this MSO will stand for. But changes will be made in our nation.

The journal, Markense Mededelingen, in the special evening edition:

We do not know what this MSO means. But achievements are made! It is an achievement Quintus II spoke as a leader, well balanced and belligerent. It is a achievement the crowd in Ivar listened to our First Priest. But it is maybe the biggest achievement that it was Marshall Nikolai Leninov who announced him and at the end called him Your Excellence is something no one ever achieved in Ivar. And international reactions will come soon. This time, Gouw Marken has taken the international stage. But a Markens proverb says: ‘The play is up as long as the curtain is up’*.

*Meaning: you can be silenced sooner as you may think.

 

[Gouw Marken]

Prince-Bishops addresses Eiffelandic parliament

For the interest of their readers, many newspapers have published te speech of Quintus II in [MENTION=18]Eiffelland[/MENTION], translated from German to Markens-Dutch.

Your Majesty,
Your Royal Highnesses,
Honourable members of this Parliament,

It is with emotions and gratitude I stand before you. Almost a year ago our nation saw the first signs of what would be a catastrophe. After a wet spring and early summer, our crops started to develop a yet almost unknown fungus. No one was able to top this process. We were all in shock: the pest had hit and in its path it brought famine, sickness, desperation. Darkness had reached us, and covered our counties one after another. We fought against it, and we were losing the battle. We prayed for help, and our prayers were heard: you, our friends from Eiffelland, came to help and you did it with all resources available, and more, you did it in faith and in brotherly love. ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Our gratitude will stand throughout times. Years from now, children in Gouw Marken will learn at school about Eiffellands kindness. We must remember, as St.-Paul wrote: 'God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so'. Our countries are more as ever united in friendship.

And now, Honourable Members, it is time to rebuild the country. Your universities are fighting the fungus andmaking progress. Your agricultural knowledge came into our counties together with the humanitarian aid you send us. We stand at the beginning of a new era.

As a token of our gratitude I will offer His Majesty a 12th century Bible, brought into Gouw Marken by Eifelandic monks. It is probably the most valuable piece of St.-Jansbergen Abbey, found on a ship together with other Gouw Marken antiques, sold by the abbey to buy food. The destination of this book was unknown. Saved from barbarians, who tried to gain from our misery. Now it is back home. We read in that Holy Scripture: ‘He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him’. We know who is who on the international stage.

Some of you may think Gouw Marken has taken an unexpected turn. But no, Honoured Members, I can assure you nothing is changed. We stand alongside Eiffelland to defend the values we stand for. And we know some nations are after nothing more than hegemony in world economics. 'Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but in wardly they are ravenous wolves'. My brothers in Eiffelland, think about this. Be aware of these wolfs. They will face their punishment, as Isaiah says: ‘Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, For what he deserves will be done to him’. And further: ‘Thus I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud and abase the haughtiness of the ruthless'. And then, a new earth is born, an earth of equality, of wealth for every family, a world where 'the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them'.

Together we will find a way to rebuild this world. 'Therefore a strong people will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will revere you', Isaiah says. Amen.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

People's Commissariat for External Affairs

"While we respect the freedom of our Markenese friends, we do feel obliged to issue a kind warning as a gesture of friendship. The Eiffellandian influence in Gouw Marken are best kept contained lest it will bring corruption to the new road your fine nation has taken hand in hand with Kadikistan. Eiffelland, despite the fact that it has indeed supported you during troubled times, is not that different from the common foe we both share. Bourgogne like Eiffelland is an imperialist-capitalist monarchy. And like how Chagny continuously destabilizes the Gothic Sea as to reach there imperialist interests in the region so does Trier try to increase its influence in the Kalahari Sea by supporting rogue regimes like Justiza and organizing war games with the sole purpose to provoke and end the fragile peace. Eiffelland and Bourgogne are also known allies that will support eachother no matter what. It is almost certain that Chagny will abuse the friendship between Gouw Marken and Eiffelland to gain influence upon your nation and stray you from the brave stance you have taking against this evil nation that did not even do as much as wink a tear as your people starved."

Signed,
_X_
Col. Dimitri Leninov
People's Commissar for External Affairs
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

 

[Rheinbund]

Aussenministerium
Trier, Eiffelland

We think it would be better to let the people of Gouw Marken choose for themselves whom they want to call their friends. It should be very well possible for them to be friends with both the Kadikistani and the Eiffellandians; at least we won't rule that possibility out. It is a bit sad though that apparently Kadikistan can only make itself appealing by spreading bad stories about countries it considers its rivals.

Rudolph Kögler, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor

 

[Furlanìe]

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[FONT=&quot]Foreign ministry [/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Furzillo, Justiza[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]"The Republic of Justiza and Islands extends an official application for a meeting with a leader or rappresentative of Gouw Marken, we recognize our ignorance over the situation of your nation and would like to apologize for the inappropriate offer made some time ago.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]"[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]Minister of foreign affairs -[FONT=&quot]GiancarloCompagno[/FONT]

 

[Gouw Marken]

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[FONT="]Foreign ministry [/FONT] [COLOR=#000000][SIZE=2][B][FONT="]Furzillo, Justiza[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR] [FONT="]"The Republic of Justiza and Islands extends an official application for a meeting with a leader or rappresentative of Gouw Marken, we recognize our ignorance over the situation of your nation and would like to apologize for the inappropriate offer made some time ago.[/FONT][SIZE=2][FONT="]"[/FONT][/SIZE][/B][FONT="] [/FONT][/I][B][SIZE=4][FONT="][FONT="][SIZE=2][COLOR=#696969][I][FONT="] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT][/SIZE]Minister of foreign affairs -[/B][FONT="]GiancarloCompagno[/FONT]

[answer handed over through the embassy in Trier]
Paleis Ten Steene, Markstad, Gouw Marken

Our office has considered your request. We want to inform you that we have to politely decline your request at this moment.
We nevertheless are willing to look into the matter to facilitate diplomatic communication in the future.

Zeereerwaarde Heer Hugo van der Taelebosch,
griffier van de Prins-bisschop
(secretary of the Prince-Bishop)

 

[Gouw Marken]

Today in the paper ‘Markense Mededelingen’

Cooperation with Eiffelandic university of Trier will come to an end
At the agricultural department of Markstad university rumors were heard about ending the cooperation with Eiffellandic academic institutions. Scientists of both countries worked together to battle the fungus disease which caused so much troubles this last year. But this battle is over and now it is time to move forward and take matters in own hands, to be strengthened for the future, according to the dean. He stressed there is nothing wrong with the relationship between Eiffelandic and Markense universities. It is just time to move on.
The whole department of agriculture will be handed over to the new Markstad Catholic Technical University (KATUM). It is not yet known what financial resources KATUM has, but we would not be surprised if Kadiki money is supporting it.
This week Justiza announced the building of a new scientific laboratory. Eiffelland universities will participate. Could this be the reason of Gouw Marken to call the academic staff home? Academic staff that has learned and seen things and thus bringing with them a priceless scientific knowledge.
Journalist Christiaan Van der Zuydt

p. 3 - Justiza has offered a possibility to meeting between leaders. It is said this is declined by the griffier of the Prince-Bishop. A wasted opportunity?
p. 7 – Has the Propontine Empire become the new heaven wine? Our priests need wine for services in church, and lots of it came from Justiza, imported by Eiffelandic traders in Gouw Marken.
p. 10 – Folk music from Zandplaat Channel Coasts. Renewed attention.

 

[Rheinbund]

Universität der Stadt Trier,
Trier Eiffelland

We are sad about the decision by the Universiteit van Markstad to end the cooperation with our university. We ourselves still see many opportunities and possibilities to continue our cooperation, even if the black fungus has been defeated. From our side, the door will remain open for further cooperation.

Prof. Dr. Ewald Habig, Rector Magnificus

Random Eiffellandian government official: "OK, so Kadikistan is supporting the new KATUM? Good that the cooperation was agricultural and not military."

 

[Gouw Marken]

Today in "De Werker"
Bourgogne keeps throwing “words of peace” at Serenierre. We know what those words mean. History has shown us Bourgogne is wolf in sheep clothes. It smiles this moment and it bites the other moment. Those words of peace are in fact provocations. We hope Serenierre keeps foot and doesn’t negotiate with Chagny . One doesn’t negotiate with the devil of greed and selfishness.
"Gouw Marken must arm itself against imperialist aggressors in the region", say People's Commissar for External Affairs Dimitri Leninov… we read in the Kadiki Pravda. Maybe it is time we do so, because whenever Serenierre bows for Chagny, the monster will look for another victim. And we will never surrender. But we cannot fight either….

Today in Markense Mededelingen
The Prince-Bishop has commented on the fact that the Church of Hellastorius is granted autocephaly. in Chistianity, there is only one Church, he said. He referred to the writings of St.-Paul, who explicit points out there can be one Catholic Church. And Catholic means “for everyone”. He called the news “a milestone in recent Church history”. Gouw Marken’s Catholic Dominican Church is leaded by the Prince-Bishops for centuries, who have had all jurisdiction and power in the northen “Marken”. The isolation and distance between Markstad and the other Christian countries have created a “de facto” autonomous Church. But never has a Prince-Bishop pretended to be ruler of all Christianity. He congratulated the Ecumenical an Hellastorian Patriarchs for keeping unity within their Orthodox Church. Is this a sign Quintus II wants to break out of the isolation of Church too?

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Grand Duchy of Bourgogne

The Grand Duchy finds these accusations laughable. We have done nothing but extend our hand in peace, only to have it bitten. Perhaps in Gouw Marken, peace is disdained and conflict celebrated. Perhaps 1 Peter 3:11 would be a verse by which the the National News of Gouw Marken can learn. The Grand Duchy is not the wolf, but the sheepdog; watching for the wolf in sheep's clothing.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

People's Commissariat for External Affairs

"We are profoundly happy to hear that our Markenese friends have taken our advice at heart and are currently discussing the possibility of a modern Armed Forces for Gouw Marken. Sadly we do not live in a stable time were military development is secondary, but rather in a time were we must be prepared for a seemingly inevitable Clash of Worlds. The free and sovereign Socialist World on the one hand and the oppressive and imperialist Capitalist World on the other. Indeed if Gouw Marken is to preserve its uniqueness and its independence it must be able to put technologically advanced weaponry into the defiant fists it so bravely clenches. Imperialist capitalism arrogantly mocks those who fail to back their words with the proper means and we know our Markenese friends well enough to know they share that insight. Conflict is brewing, the Free World must be ready. Gouw Marken must be ready."

Signed,
_X_
Col. Dimitri Leninov
People's Commissar for External Affairs
Democratic Republic of Kadikistan

 

[Saaremaa]

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Ministreachd an Cùisean nan Dùthchannan Cèin
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
​

To: His Emminence, Quintus II, Prince-Bishop of Gouw Marken
From: MR Aodhan V Mac Phearsain, High King of Cumbria and the North, Mormaer of Caledonia, Lord of all Loago

Your Grace,

With hope in the future I write to you to warn you about the chain of events that his happening in Gouw Marken which might set the country either to a path of destruction or a path of prosperity. Indeed, the country of Gouw Marken presents itself as a bastion of Christian Meekness and Humbleness that leads it's life and the life of it's people on the way towards Christ, as it did since it's creation. We, the King of Cumbria, it's government, it's nobles and it's folk are coming towards you as your brothers, as Cumbria, the southern part of our Kingdom was too once a monastic state, created on the aftermath of a most catholic crusade against the northern druids in the 10th century. We also do not want to present ourselves as bringers of bad news, but what happened this winter in Gouw Marken brought forth a whole new pace in which life flows, as the old structures are still keeping themselves to the tradition, novelty and change are knocking on the door.

This type of change is very dangerous as in those times, one can easily slip away from the right path. Your most Catholic Holiness should observe that you are not alone in this world and that there are many nations that are living in this new modern world but also trying and succeeding in living according to the teaches of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ. It is true that the Democratic Republic of Kadikistan was the most active state in helping you get over the winter's famine. We, in Cumbria cannot but feel ashamed of our lack of involvement, as we had our own grave problems, especially with snow storms that blocked the whole of Caledonia and with agitations in Loago, especially anti-Christian attacks by pagan fanatics. But Kadikistan was not the only one who was involved in helping you. There were more nations that joined, namely the Kingdom of Eiffelland and the Cymraeg Republic.

We, in Cumbria-Caledonia, are doing whatever is necessary now to repay our mistakes and sins and will organize, like we said to help the people of Gouw Marken. As we have said in our previous communiques, we are supervising a fund to help you get over the past trials that God made you go through. Donations to this fund are coming from the Government of Cumbria, the Government of Eiffelland, the Government of the Cymru Republic and also a large number of private donations. The Cumbrian share to this fund might go up towards 50,000,000,000 Cumbric Bonns. We are also going to help your people not only with money but also with general consumer goods. The Cumbrian industry is specialized in this category.

From a geopolitical point of view, it must be understood that the acceptance of our donation also comes together with our friendship. Compared to what the socialist nations are giving you, we are helping the people directly with our goods, for we are more diversified and we are many. A friend of the Eastern Scanian nations of Cumbria, Cymru, Ivernia, is also a friend of the nations of Pelasgia, Mehldorf, Justizia, Eiffelland and last but not least, Bourgogne. Whereas a friend of Kadikistan is a friend only to the Republic of Serenierre. We humbly ask your holiness to look at the actions of Kadikistan in the last year and see how they are terrorizing the people in Cymru, Cumbria and Mehldorf by supporting terrorist groups. We also humbly ask you not to be lured into their games, as they are Godless: the Kadiki state is a vile supporter of atheism and represses any kind of Christian thought. We ask you to see the help of Kadikistan for what it is - the forbidden fruit that threw Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden.

For organizing the fund and sending the donations, The Most Revered and Right Honorable, Lord Archbishop of Naoned Erwan Le Briss would like to visit Markstadt and meet with His Holiness, the Prince-Bishop Quintus II.

Signed
With loyalty only to God
On behalf of the Folk
MR Aodhan V Mac Phearsain
High King of Cumbria and the North, Mormaer of Caledonia, Lord of all Loago​

 

[Gouw Marken]

Anti-Bourgogne sentiment grows day after day

An event in Meersdal is one of many,mostly around those areas were Kadiki humanitarian help was distributed. It was on national radio. Someone is addressing a crowd.
Bourgogne, the heretic nation, that plot of lust, greed and orgies with the devil, has spoken! (boo I the crowd) Bourgogne, that smiles in your face while its hands are in your pockets (cheers in the crowd), has put forward a warning (again boo in the crowd). Bourgogne, that stood there and did nothing as our children died (anger in the crowd), has pointed the finger at us! Bourgogne, we warn you (silence, the speaker looks around and points overseas and then he shouts): never –not in the past, not today, not tomorrow- … never will we fear you (crowd cheers). Never will we serve you and never will we listen to you (more cheers)! We forsake the devil and his works! (speaker now puts arms in the air) We forsake the devil! We forsake Gomorra! (reporter now says a flag is set afire, then we hear some more shouting and cheering) May Chagny be punished with eternal fire! May (…) Broadcasting interrupted.

Other news

Prince-bishop Quintus II said to be addressing the nation soon about political reforms.

Cumbrian Lord Archbishop of Naoned Erwan Le Briss has intentions to visit Markstad.

Summer crops and harvest with very good results, due to good weather conditions. Reforms in agriculture will start this year. Dairy cattle still down to all-time low. Markstad is willing to buy milk powder in Eiffelland and distribute it for free with the help of the Guild of Cheesemakers. The merchants of the Guild will be compensated financially.

 

[Gouw Marken]

[voice] This is a special radio broadcast, we're Thursday 11th of august. Please stand for the national anthem
[national anthem

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]
[voice] Gentleman, patricians and farmers, our sovereign Quintus II addresses the nation.

[voice of the prince-bishop, a fragile voice]

It has almost been a year since our county was put into desperation and sorrow. At this time,a time to rejoice in the crops and all the land is giving us, there was no joy. The fields gave nothing to the farmers, the harvest was contaminated with fungus and was found rotten on the land or in the barns.

Three countries came to our rescue. Three countries with different backgrounds helped our starving people. Some did nothing. So be it. The people of Gouw Marken will never forget. Later on, Markstad was presented several offers, going from international help funds to loans of propositions from capitalist companies to invest on our country. We have, after consideration, to decline all of them. The first, because it came too late. Food from Eiffelland, Cymru and Kadikistan was already saving our children, and we had buried those who were reached to late. The second, because our children have not to pay twice the price of their lives, now to survive and in the future to live. And the third because all foreign capitalist investment would rumble the base of our society: the guilds, the farmers, the abbeys and the aristocrats. Our corporate society has to be protected for the future.

It has been a year. The fields are yellow, the grain is of the best quality in decades. The rebuilding of our society has started. We will fight again and again, for our future. Therefore we have announced reforms. Firstly reforms in agriculture. But also reforms in healthcare, in education, in economics and in politics –as well intern as extern- are necessary to face the future.
Gouw Marken will survive again, the free state for centuries will live, the free people will live, met ‘s Heren wil! (if the Lord wants it to be)

[National anthem without lyrics]

 

[Gouw Marken]

Headlines

- Markense Omwenteling: a revolution on a desk? What will the Prince-Bishop change? How will he work? Why is it so quiet?
- Airport Langmoeren – a tiny village out in the open-, also known as Markstad Airport, built with Kadiki money, to be officially opened soon.
- Supplies for winter sufficient, but agricultural revolution has to be processed and implemented without hesitation

Opinions

Justinian Capitalist Imperialist claws reach for the north as the government of Mehldorf granted a piece of land to this nation “a safe heaven for Justinians trading in the north”. If they were liberators and not oppressors, they wouldn’t need a safe place. They would be at home amongst friends. The north must be aware for this monster spreading towards us!
Journalist Jan Seelmans in the paper ‘De Werker’

Today some pieces of metal were found on the coast of Zandhoven, on the east coast. They are believed to be fragments of the Atlas Air flight from Drottningsfors to St. Wilhelmsstadt that crashed crashed in Gothic Sea. The pieces were immediately seized and the beach was closed for local fishermen. No further information was revealed.
Journalist Christiaan Van der Zuydt in the paper ‘Markense Mededelingen’

 

[Gouw Marken]

Rural Reform of All-Saints-Day

Today, a new system has been presented by thee Prince-Bishop. It involves a radical change in rural society. The ruler of Gouw Marken spoke on the radio, unfolding his plans.

The status of “lijfeigene”, a farmer belonging to the county where he lives, will disappear. No more slave-like men and women in Gouw Marken. They are free to go wherever they want to. A change in society that is said to be a generous token of goodwill towards Kadikistan, the political umbrella of Gouw Marken in the world stage.

All the land of the aristocrats and abbeys is returned to the Prince-Bishop, the first ruler of the country. It will be given into the hands of local agricultural committees. These committees are to increase production by implementing new agricultural knowledge, introducing new crops and rebuilding rural society.

Those committees can work based on two principles. Or the land will be (partly) divided and be cultivated by independent farmers, keeping some of it for public services and purposes under the guidance of the committee. Or the whole of the land can be cultivated by a cooperative of farmers, all working together. Basically, the last system looks like the old one of lijfeigenen working for their masters. The aristocracy or clergy was responsible for the well-being of their farmers, now the farmers will be responsible for it themselves.

The clergy and the abbeys receive a fair part of the land to be cultivated by themselves or workers they can hire. They also receive a compensation of 10% of the crops of the lands that will be taken away from them. They will be excluded from paying taxes for the coming 10 years as well, a period that can be extended. The local priest, mostly provided by a clergyman or an abbey to the local societies, has to be paid and compensated now by the committee.

It is the wish and the strong advice of the Prince-Bishop that these committees can rely on the knowledge and leadership of the local aristocracy, the abbeys and the farmers and craftsmen.
The cities will not be forced to pay compensations to those who flee the rural area and are out of a job. Only those who can prove they will get work, can be granted permission to live in the city. This measure will prevent a exodus of lijfeigenen to the cities and a shortage of rural workers.

This historical reform has the intention of uniting strong and old traditions and necessary adaptation of the country to modern times.

It is clear this All-Saints-Day rural reform is only the basis for more of this historical changes in the future.

Other news
- With tensions rising on the international stage, Gouw Marken is unprotected. It is whispered Marksstad will ask for protection of its new airfield and the strategic gateway to the Gothic Sea. A Kadiki military outpost in Gouw Marken?
- Will Gouw Marken talk again to Justina and will both countries establish diplomatic relationships? A unknown source has talked about intentions of Markstad of revitalizing the relationship between both countries.
- First snow in Nordic counties announces coming winter.
- Exposition in city of Dambrug shows collection of paintings belonging to the Earl of Opbronhem de Schietcate.

 

[Gouw Marken]

As Kadikistan will protect its demographic growth, the same question is raised in our country. The challenge is also there for Gouw Marken to start a program to boost the birth rate.
The national food shortage of last winter has taken down the population with a nationwide 15%, especially in some rural areas it has been a disaster with population loss up to 40%. Several measures are taken to assure a more specialised birth care. All nuns have gotten the duty and permission to take care of midwifery in a region they are responsible for. A special follow-up care for children up to three years will be created in those institutions. All children will, within now and 7 years, attend kindergarten from 3 up to 6 years. They will receive one meal a day for free.
Corporative farms and the guild of the dairy traders are summoned to have a hygienic and modernised work environment. They are obliged, as a special tax, to deliver 5% of their production to the nunneries responsible for kindergarten.
The training of midwifes will be given in the nunneries. If birth is not going well, a doctor -if available within 25 minutes walking- has to be called as soon as the midwife thinks it is necessary. The costs of this medical care will be at charge of the nunneries. They receive an allowance from the county to cut back those costs. If something goes wrong, the first issue is to save the child, not the mother.
Abortion will be punished severely, in this world and in eternity. All who participates in those practices, will be excluded from getting any of the sacraments and has to be denied absolution. Priests giving absolution for this sin will lose their parish or office. Birth control, whatever it be, is a mortal sin. Interacting with people concerning birth control is a crime and will be punished.
The problem of demographic growth and the problem of the former unfree farmers who are now as free man coming to the cities, has asked for a strong and decisive solution. In some areas of the country, new cities will be build, in a modern concept, to house these people. A first series of cities will be built in the neighbourhood of the national airport. If one is employed at the airport, he and his family can be granted permission to live in one of these cities. The houses will be with all modern comfort and 5 or more bedrooms. After 10 years of living in the new ‘growing cities’, every family should have 4 or more children.
As a symbolic token, prince-bishop Quintus shall be godfather of every twelfth child born in one family. It will bear the name Quintus (for a boy) or Quinta (for a girl).

Other news:
- Burgundian imperialists already reach out for our economic growth due to the Kadiki gift of our national airport. Our road leads not south, but east. Long live the star in the east! [in journal De Werker of last week].
- Problems with jews seems to be overtaking national issues in some countries. Lucky for us we do not have jews, and if there are any in Gouw Marken, we advise them to keep quiet and get baptised. If you deal with them, make sure the calculus is correct [Katholiek Weekblad, a catholic weekly mostly read by the upper class].

 

[Gouw Marken]

A brief overview

Easter 1956 – Quintus II held an Easter sermon in which he preached about the resurrection as a token of vitality, unity and judgement. A Church must be the token in this world of the one and indivisible God. As thus, the Church must be one and indivisibly. Only in union with Christ the resurrection will be granted to all. So must the Church be one and united to be token of the resurrection in this world.

June 1956 – Feast of the Holy Heart – Quintus pleaded to enhance the local traditions, the religious way of life and to renew those traditions in the light of the Gospel and the one and true church. A tradition has always be the token of faith and thus tradition is not to put above the faith.

July 1956 - Prince-Bishop Quintus II summoned all abbots and deans of Gouw Marken to Markstad for a local synod. Officially the talks were about the Church and the ‘communio in this world’. But it is known Quintus II took a powerful lead in those talks and pleaded for a unification with Orthodox Churches around the world. The Church in Gouw Marken is a Catholic Church, but the long distance what was known as the Holy See had made it hard to maintain relationships with the centre of Catholicism. There were never quarrels between Markstad and the Holy See; but the lack of a strong leader made it difficult for a Prince-Bishop to obey what wasn’t there. Quintus II wanted the Church in Gouw Marken to be part of the world Church. He wanted as well to work strongly for unification and the first steps were set.

August 15th 1956 – Quintus II officially gets permission from all regional ecclesiastic leaders, the aristocracy and the cities to officially start talks with the Archbishop of Propontis. Thes talks were held behind closed doors. Quintus II was not there, his personal secretary replaced him, together with 5 abbots and 5 deans.

All Saints Day 1956 – Quintus II officially announces the return of the Catholic Church in Gouw Marken to the “One, holy, apostolic and catholic Church”. At Christmas Day the transition to the Orthodox Church will be official. This process has to be done with respect for the traditions in Gouw Marken.

Christus-Rex 1956: The Abbots of Gouw Marken came together to ‘officially’ elect the Catholicos of Markstad. He will be called Prince-Bishop in unformal way. Quintus II was re-elected and therefor the only man in history to be elected twice bishop of Markstad and leader of Gouw Marken.

Christmas Day 1956 – Quintus II became Catholicos-Patriarch of All Marken in the North, the Bishop of Markstad and Metropolitan bishop of the North (making it possible to have his jurisdiction growing in the future, outside Gouw Marken, in the Northern part of Europe).

The whole process has clearly shown the power of Quintus II, how he has everything in control, and now he is able to settle his religious influence in the whole northern hemisphere. No one in Gouw Marken can raise his voice against him; the religious, political and moral leader. Soon all peoples around our nation will see the enlightment of our leader. Even Kadikistan knows who it is dealing with, and our Prince-Bishop knows it too. Our two countries are made to stand side-a-side in history! [comment in the pro-Kadiki newspaper ‘De Werker’]
[MENTION=1774]Pelasgia[/MENTION] - I had to take this up to stay in line with what happens in your posts

 

[Gouw Marken]

Headlines in ‘De Werker’ – the newspaper for all free farmers and workers

Quintus II attends Synod in Propontis after passing away of Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII. Special services were held all over Gouw Marken to pray for the late patriarch and to pray for the success of the Synod. May Quintus bring his visionary politics to the south!

Bourgogne still does not recognise its guilt into many war crimes in Ivernia. Thousands and thousands of people are brutally vandalised and put into despair by this nation that only wants more wealth and more power for the happy few. We say strongly ‘Stop’ and we, the united farmers and workers, will make sure Bourgognes imperialism stops at our borders.

No jew will enter Gouw Marken unless he stops being a jew and converts to the true Orthodox Church, says aristocratic fraction in the National Assemble. Let us not be tricked into the pitfall of a divided nation resulting in civil war.

The life story of Colonel Dimitri Leninov, People's Commissar for External Affairs of Kadikistan. A hero of our time and a man who will be remembered for ages to come.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Grand Duchy of Bourgogne

The Grand Duchy would like specific instances as to these accusations of war crimes. The Grand Duchy has taken care to avoid as much collateral damage as possible. We have avoided air attacks against populated areas. Lowport was largely evacuated and we have strained over intelligence reports to avoid civilian casualties. Not only has care been taken to provide healthcare and support to those liberated. We furthermore note, that if so concerned with the worker, Gouw Marken should concern itself not more with the robbery of Milesian industry by [MENTION=83]Kadikistan[/MENTION]. The worker is now forced into great poverty at gunpoint by Kadikistan. It seems that the capitalists are no longer the imperialists.