The Index of Forbidden Books

[Elben]

His Holiness sat in his cell reading through the latest collection of essays from the archbishop of Midweis. Beside it was a dossier compiled by a commission of theologians with excerpts of Kreisler's works, some of which were in the new book, some of which came from other sources. The excerpts were interspersed with the notations of the commission, pointing out certain passages and their implications.

Kreisler was not a cardinal. Given Bergenheim's place, he ought to have been by now, but the dossier gave ample reasons why the red hat had yet not been bestowed. Ioannes pushed the book aside and lifted out of the pile of folders another dossier, this one from the congregation of bishops about Kreisler himself, his career as a priest and bishop.

A fresh piece of paper was pulled out and the pope started drafting a missive to Archbishop Kreisler, inviting him to Herzogenrode.

 

[Bergenheim]

The invitation was almost lost in the mail, as the inexperienced young deacon charged with the duty didn't recognise the Papal seal, and presumed it to be some fancy spam mail.

Fortunately, the seal stood out enough to catch the eye of Father Hotzendorf, whose eyes bulged at the sight of it. "Krist Verletzt." he swore, using the archaic blasphemy for "christ's wounds". "Its a missive from the Vatican!"

The young Deacon blinked owlishly at the severe father now standing over him and his pile of unopened mail. "Its addressed to His Eminence." The deacon said stupidly. "His Reverence, you fool. Our archbishop is not a Cardinal...yet..." Hotzendorf began to lick his lips greedily. A summons from the Vatican? It could mean only two things. Either his superior was being promoted...or being tried for heresy. Either way, Hotzendorf might finally move up a rank or two, and claim the crozier, and the fat stipend that came with it.

"Well? Open it! Let's see!"
"I..but.."
"Come now, it could be a fake, after all. We were simply double-checking to make sure. I'll even show you the trick with the hot iron to re-seal the envelope if you're unsure..."

Fortunately for both men, the Archbishop himself chose that moment to enter their little office behind the vestibule. Midweis Cathedral wasn't quite what it used to be, and despite regular donation drives the actual working and living space for its diminished staff had shrunk to but a small corner of the 15th century gothic edifice. Kreisler's predecessor had even rented out the crypt-space as cheap temporary cold storage for some local businesses.

The Tiburan Faith, it was said, was everywhere in Bergenheim. And as such, everywhere it was poor. Since the Counter-Reformation and the abolition of tithing, the ever-more rich, ever-more secular mountain Republic had slowly turned away from investing in displays of faith, or indeed, paying for anything religious in general.

Kreisler didn't mind the penury. He lived comfortably enough on his stipend, and donated the rest. Though the success of his essays and his latest book ensured he had enough to live like an Archbishop of old if he wanted to.

Uwe Kreisler was an unprepossessing man, entering his early fifties, his grey hair neatly parted across his brow. He wore thick horn-rimmed glasses, and kept a trim, healthy figure for a man of his age, in stark contrast to Hotzendorf's own ballooning "friar belly". Yet despite his grey look and modest manner, he had a fierce intelligence behind his calm green eyes, and a sophisticated and deep faith that poured forth into his writings.

He'd been invited several times to debate atheists and other pseudo-intellectuals on BNTV, of course. He'd always refused, preferring to let his work speak for himself.

But now...

"What's this?" He took the letter from the deacon's hands, giving Hotzendorf a look of mild reproach. Gently opening the letter, he took forth the summons, reading the formal Latin and High Germanic words without much trouble. He was one of a dying breed, of highly educated churchmen who knew their classics. Kreisler even owned an original copy of I De Caelo et Mundo.

Yet despite everything, it was an incredible shock to finally not only be noticed by the Vatican, but to be summoned to its Germanic headquarters, by none other than the Holy Father himself...

Uwe closed his eyes for a moment. composing himself with the Spiritual Exercises taught by Loyola.

"Alright. It seems I am going on a trip. Hotzendorf, you will be giving the sermons while I am away. You should find plenty of material for them in my room. The password to my laptop is Albertus Magnus. You won't find anything too upsetting on there, but please don't delete my videogame save files." Kreisler smiled. "Every man, even I, has his vice, after all."

"Ah, Your Reverence...this is all rather sudden...shouldn't we make more preperations..."

"There is no need. I am already dressed, my coat is in the hall, and I have my wallet. The Holy Father bids I attend, and I shall do so."

 

[Elben]

Kreisler was ushered into the presence of the Holy Father by Archbishop Schonborn, who bowed in respect to the two senior prelates and then backed out of the room, closing the doors as he did so.

The two men were seated in the Red Room, the parlor of the abbey where the abbots had for centuries entertained their high profile guests, all manner of men from emperors and popes down to the local Eiffellian land magnates. It was richly appointed with fine furniture and works of art depicting scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints. Truly it was a display of the wealth of the abbey. And now it served as the pope's private audience chamber.

After the preliminary greetings and formalities, Ioannes spoke in their shared German language, his Elbener accent apparent. "My son, welcome to Herzogenrode. No doubt you're wondering why I called you here."

Before Kreisler could answer, the pope went on, "That will come in due course, but first, I would have your counsel on another matter. As you may know, the land of Justosia is emerging from its self-imposed isolation. It seems to be a land where heresy has run rampant. What kind of pastoral approach would you advise to convince its king and people to come to the Faith?"

The old Elbener looked at the Bergenheimer archbishop with keen attention, his body frail, but his eyes alert.

 

[Bergenheim]

Kreisler had been slightly delayed by the difficulty of navigating public transport from Bergenheim to Elbe, and then further delayed by the surprised security, that this mild mannered man without entourage and in plain civilian clothes could in fact have any legitimate business at Herzogenrode.

But, now he was here, and he seemed quite pleased to finally be speaking with the supreme spiritual authority of his faith. If he was critical of the displays of ostentation in this chamber, he made no sign of it. If he felt or thought should be done otherwise, he knew better than to make an issue of it.

He bowed low and kissed the pope's hand, though he refrained from kissing his slippers as required of old.

"It is a true honour to finally be here and in your presence, Holy Father." he said with sincerity. His own accent was absent, and he spoke his own German tongue as if he had learned it perfectly as a foreigner, with a received pronunciation. "If I had known that simply publishing a few books could have such an effect, I would have done it years ago." he smiled jovially.

He considered the pontiff's question carefully. "I would do nothing father." he said, perhaps surprising the pope.

"I believe that heresy only grows stronger when it has conflict to feed off of. The best course of action is to maintain our position, our composure. God will always be there. It is why I avoid debates- I will never convince anyone by challenging them, when they have their defences up. Best to wait, and let them come to you."

 

[Elben]

Ioannes did not look surprised. Neutral was his expression for now. It would not behoove him to display any feeling on way or the other yet.

"I understand your point. It is important, I agree, to keep in mind the old maxim that it is easier to catch a fly with honey. Justosia will require a delicate touch perhaps."

Turning to a table, the pope picked up a copy of Kreisler's latest book; he slowly flipped through the pages and then asked, "You do not want to provoke those who may have heretical positions. As a theologian though, your writings can often times have unintended consequences for readers, perhaps leading them away established dogma and doctrine. Do you feel it is at odds with your office of bishop tasked with the care of the souls of your flock?"