Tiernan: Respect (June 2006, Little Rock)
Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.
-Seneca
I sit as Judith tells me the missives that have reached me and I take interest at the lack of respect in some of the communiques.
I sit, thinking of the legacy I will leave before the end of a century. I leave sins that are of the last two centuries as stewards...the oldest three coming to an accord. The youngest beyond reproach and returned to my eyes from the last twenty years.
Still there are lessons that must be taught to the flock before I rest. Lessons that I have taught my sins.
Judith...compose this and send it to the Faithful over the forum. It is time they read my words again...I will be civil in that fair warning will be fairly given...
My servant complies, a hint of fear and equal desire in her movements. All is as it should be.
Yes your Eminence...
To my Brothers and Sisters in Longinus,
I oft peruse the debates on this channel, though I am loathe to engage in them using this medium. Of late the ideal of the Curia has been brought up...
The Curia or some form of it has existed as those of the clergy have risen in rank. It never has ruled the Lancea Sanctum, but has been a guiding hand regarding our faith, doctrine, and predatory role. It has been the tool by which the whole of the Sanctified declares that which is Heresy and Anathema.
I am an elder predator. The words of the Monachus have fallen on these ears. I exalt my role as God wishes. I do not skirt the Ninth Canon. I exemplify it.
Even when an elder predator falters he can show wisdom... Cardinal Gialotti himself admitted to his mistake of breach of ancient law and sought council. Carlo realized his bloodlust and years were weighing upon him. Why did he not ask his faithful Paladins not to hold his body?
He did not want you to be targeted for his mind and Beast needing sleep. He wanted you to continue your role unburdened by the responsibility of his self-admitted rash act. He wanted peace between the Estates even if his ire for the Savages and Suren-Gal burned deep.
He told me his intentions and made his preparations. I said I would remain silent until his safety was assured.
To those who served him, honor his wishes and consider the wisdom of his act. Do not seek battles when our foes have seen the error of their ways. I speak of Suren-Gal...
What of Suren-Gal?
Suren-Gal realized that his edict threatened the Faith of the Lance. Suren-Gal recanted. And yet we watch him as he is in Tampa as I write this missive, those of the Curia ready for any treachery, ready to call the Holy Spear to strike at a dissembling viper if necessary.
The Curia is what the Monachus intended with the Ninth Canon. If he did not seek a guiding hand, then why were there Bishops? Then why did he found his Monastery and ask for those to learn at his feet?
"Guiding hands" are another term for teachers. In many ways this is what the Monachus was. He was not above any of us, but he was the scribe for God's will...The words of Longinus, given His purpose, manifested by learned skill and Divine Will.
By sniping, biting, and attacking the Curia, you spit on those who have given canonization to those who have given much, even their Requiems, for the faith as Black Saints...for we anoint them as such.
By sniping, biting, and attacking the Curia, you spit on those who came before you, who were once a part of it's ranks, sleeping as He intended, names lost to the Fog...ready for His call for Purpose when they rise.
By sniping, biting, and attacking the Curia, you spit on our most revered teacher, the Monachus, by sullying his intent.
No matter how you may claim you respect a member of it, by attacking it, you attack me, as I am a member of it's ranks.
I have already proven God's Will in the ritae of Recontre once this year to one on this point. The one I faced bears the scar of the battle forever as reminder, and he stands as the exalted predator of his flock still...
But I am the superior Predator. I am the wiser predator.
The Wisest Predator shall rule.
If you wag your tongue, tap these modern keys, or pen a missive that belies nothing less than respect for the Curia in its tone, then you betray the sacrifice that many have made and continue to make for God's Purpose for the Damned.
I encourage debate, discussion, and even polite disagreement on interpretations of the Canons and even the Curia. Debate is a flowering of learning in many ways. I enjoy it most in person as I find this type of "debate" droll and lacking spirit....
...but I will NOT suffer a lack of respect.
If any Sanctified continues to do so...then I would be profoundly grateful for the opportunity to defeat such a person. And the next who speaks out without the proper respect will bear more than a scar...
I will start with the body part that conveyed the disrespect.
You will be left as a wailing testament to the sensation of pain, a herald to the wages of impolite spindle, an unliving monument to the price paid for angering a wiser and superior predator...
Me.
Ipse Sanctus.
Sum Sanctus.
In the Name of God Almighty and Longinus,
His Eminence Tiernan Cardinal Callaghan
Exemplar of Little Rock
Cardinal-Prince of the Curia Cruentas
Legionnaire
Scholar and Defender of the Faith