The First Ecumenical Council of Liang

[Stellaris]

Stellarisien Papal Communication

To: All Christian churches of Taijitu
From: His holiness Pope Leo XIV of the Holy Theocracy of Stellaris, The Bishop of Liang, Vicar of Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme pontiff of the universal church, Primate of Stellaris, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Liang, Sovereign of the Holy Theocracy of Stellaris, Servant of the Servants of God.

In a time when the church is divided so deeply I invite you to help heal past wounds. As Christ prayed in the garden of Gethsemane for unity amongst his followers so we must follow his wish. We propose an ecumenical council to be held in St. Peters Basilica, Liang. A large delegation of the Stellarisien church will be present, and all other Christian churches wishing to particapate can opt to send as many or as few representatives as they wish. The aim of the meeting is to discuss theological issues and those of authority in the church. Ultimately the aim is for a full communion and joining together of all particapating churches into one universal christian church. All churches are invited, however as the theme will be that of becoming one, those churches without catholic leanings may struggle to join. If no other churches take up the offer of a council then it will simply progress as the first Vatican Stellarisien council and internal issues will be discussed.

[Myroria]

From the office of the Bishopal Apartment,

The Bishop of Pelagis is interested in this council and will go himself, along with the Bishop of Novrith and the Bishop of Quarrovth.

[Stellaris]

To: The office of the Bishopal Apartment
From: The Holy Theocracy of Stellaris

Many thanks for your presence. A delegation of friars are waiting to greet you at the airport.

In the cavernous space that was St. Peters Basilica hundreds of Stellarisien clergymen were seated. At the centre sat Pope Leo himself, wearing the triple papal tiara, nearby the two other church leaders of Stellaris, the Archbishop of Fratsia and the Archbishop of Rabul were seated. In the main hall were no less than eighty Stellarisien bishops, twenty major academic theologians, forty Archdeacons and members of various other religious orders. The Archbishops of other, newly established churches were also present, the Arcbishop of Algerianbania, The Archbishop of Takasia and the Archbishop of Gallipoli-China, sat close to the pope, while the Archdeacon of Tagirstan filled the shoes of the Archbishop of that nation, who could not be present. All these men were native Stellarisiens but were fluent in many languages and cultures, hopeful of spreading the word. They had come, after all, to see and partake in the making of history.

[Stellaris]

As the council waited for the Myrorians and any other delegations to arrive they heard a disturbance outside. The great doors were opened and the Pope, followed by the college of cardinals, stepped out. In the evening dusk they found 2,000 Stellarisien soldiers standing guard in the square. They had cleared the protesters and would remain until the end of the council. Above, several helicopter gunships hovered, keeping the skies safe. The pope blessed his flock and went back inside.

[Myroria]

A tall, ivory colored car with a golden cross as a hood ornament pulled to a stop in front of the Basilica and out stepped the 39 year old, newly christened, Linus II. Two guards dressed in ivory open coats, each with a sidearm and dagger on their belt, also stepped out. The Bishop of Pelagis stepped inside the Basilica.

[Algerianbania]

To: The Holy Theocracy of Stellaris
From: Secretary of Religion, Joseph Hampington, The Holy Empire of Algerianbania

We, the Holy Empire of Algerianbania, shall send the Bishop of Nikin and the Lord Patron to attend this wonderful conference.

[Stellaris]

To: Secretary of Religion, Joseph Hampington, The Holy Empire of Algerianbania
From: The Holy Theocracy of Stellaris

Many thanks for your reply. With luck we will be able to unite your main church and the newly established Stellarisien church in your great nation.

Pope Leo rose from his throne and ambled slowly towards Linus.
"My brother." He greeted. He opened his arms to embrace his christian brother. "Please." He said. "Take your place." He indicated a set of chairs for the Myrorian delegation at the front next to the Archbishop of Fratsia. The second highest churchmen in the Stellarisien church.
"We are just waiting for an Algerianbanian delegation and then we can begin."

[Stellaris]

OOC: Where are you Algerianbania? Please do turn up! 

[Algerianbania]

ooc: It is a wonderful thing called school. I value my education.   

The Lord Patron, the leader of the Church of Algerianbania, knelt in front of the make-shift alter in his hotel room. After bowing low to the ground before a small bronze panda, rearing towards the sky, ready to strike down all foe in its way. That panda had no name. It was just a panda, which represented the country of Algerianbania. Some said that the Holy Father was saved from wolves by a panda when he was a boy. It was for this reason that all who were going into battle or in a situation where they need protection asked the Holy Father to send the panda to them. He was also sent for political reasons, as he represent the country.

The Lord Patron rose and began to speak,"May you Holy Father send you protector to help me. Send your guardian and savor to me, as I shall need his strength and courage in the fight ahead." The man kissed the panda on the forehead, and then kissed another large statue, in the center of the altar. This was the Holy Father, the one and only god, who sent spirits to help his subjects succeed on life.

Leaving the room, the Lord Patron entered a limo, which already held the Bishop of Nikin. They conversed on the way to the basilica, both anxious to not make huge fools of themselves for not following Christianity. Once the limo arrived at its destination, a herald stepped out, opened the large doors, and announced the arrival of Algerianbanian delegates. The Lord Patron and his companion stepped out of the vehicle and walked hastily into the building.

[Stellaris]

Leo nodded stoically at their arrival.
"Let us take mass." After mass he resumed the meeting.
"Well Lord Patron, I hear that some of your practices are not entirely Christian, am I correct?"

[Stellaris]

Leo turned to the bishop of Pelagis.
"What are your opinions on priestly celibacy? And on homosexuality?

[Myroria]

"Priests should be as pure as possible, but I see not why homosexuals don't deserve the same treatment as all of God's children."

[Stellaris]

"It is a sin!" Leo protested. "To commit such an unnatural act, one which will not perpetuate the race. These people should be allowed to receive eucharist but marriage or ordination of them would be a perversion of the sacraments."

[Algerianbania]

The Bishop of Nikin spoke, "Is it no more of a sin to slay infidels when your bible clear states, "Thou shall not kill." You claim that infidels are not people, but I find that if breath, eats, fucks, and talks like you and me, then it is human. A man loving a man is no different from a this. If you could point out where in the bible its say that a man can't love a man you tell me. You people have very different ways of translating the bible and it disgusts me to the my holy co-" The Lord Patron at the moment shut him up by tapping him on the head, and giving him a cold look.

[Stellaris]

"You" Leo proclaimed. "Are an imbecile. You do not listen do you? We have never said that we wish to kill gays! Indeed we are happy for them to receive Eucharist. But priests must be celibate so both homosexuals and heterosexuals who are sexually active cannot be ordained. We refuse to marry gays because the wedding is a sacrament reserved for those who can create children in the holy family. We cannot bless two men who publicly acknowledge that they commit such acts in union. Is there anyone holy in the bible who was gay? No!"