Dark Calling: Crusade
From LanceaSanctum
Developed through discussion within The Diocesan Dialectic and written by Bishop J.W. Ghoren, of the Diocese of Delaware.
Step 1: Inquisition
Once Heresy is suspected, it must be rooted out. For this, Inquisitors are indispensable, for such is their very purpose. If the diocese has no inquisitor, one should be Annointed from among the Sanctified in the diocese with the mettle to undertake the role. For more information on the process and practice of Inquisition, please consult Inquisition in the Low Countries, the seminal work on the topic, by H.E. Cardinal de Bethune.
Reasons for Crusade
Crusades are not called lightly, and while many actions might merit that a Kindred be branded a heretic or Apostate, not all such woeful creatures need be shown their hellish fate. When investigating crimes against the Church, inquisitors generally pay closest attention to the violations below, which even in these genteel modern nights can warrant a Hunt.
Blatant or Extreme Heresy
When a Kindred of standing within the Church begins to preach perversions of Longinian dogma, passing them of in any way as the doctrine of the LS, he or she has lapsed into heresy. In one whose words nobody hears, such is simply misguided foolishness that must be brought to heel. It is when false versions of the faith, especially those hostile to other branches of or individuals within the Church, that the offending preachers must be cut down, that all others may see the folly of their false path.
Open Apostasy
Kindred come and go from Covenants all the time, and the Church understands that just as we convert Kindred, so we must let Kindred seek answers elsewhere when we have failed to provide them. However, sometimes one takes the act of leaving the Church and makes it into a public abandonment of and often political statement against the LS. This is apostasy, and is unacceptable from any member of the LS. If an LS prince declares that the Church's teachings are wrong and that he shall now be known as an Acolyte or Dragon; if a Bishop, to whom members of our Church look for guidance, abandons his conscious Purpose to the wiles of the Beast; if a Theban Scholar should declare that he'd learned our "magic" and should now take it to the Invictus or Carthians; all these would be Apostates worthy only of death or eternal torpor.
Other Actions Warranting Crusade
The descriptions of behavior above are admittedly a bit nebulous, but this is because they must be. In the modern world, every idiot who turns from the Path cannot be Crusaded upon. The caveat to notice in both wrongs above is that the more visible and thus harmful to the Church a heresy or apostasy is, the more wrong it is. The worst of the worst tend to progress naturally to the specific actions against the church below, each of which is a veritable Crusade trigger.
- Murder of a Notable member of the Church
- Destruction of Church property or resources
- Betrayal of a member of the LS Clergy
- Open, unrepentant Betrayal of LS thology or philosophy
Step 2: Declaration of Heresy or Apostasy
Before Crusade can be called, it must be verified that the subject is an unrepentant Heretic, Apostate or open enemy of the church. Once a properly appointed Inquisitor has made such a determination in consultation with his empowering cleric (almost always a Bishop or greater), such cleric is then expected to make a pronouncement of the same, declaring the heretic or apostate's crimes before the congregation and insodoing providing one final chance for repentance (as we must always ask for repentance until we are totally convinced they won't, and then once more).
The form of such declarations varies from Diocese to Diocese, and from declaration to declaration. Some aspects of this process are addressed further below.
Declarations within the Diocese
A heretic within a diocese, who is not the leader of that diocese, naturally is the responsibility of the Bishop empowered to lead the congregation in question. It falls to that Bishop, therefore, to make the determination and declaration of heresy or apostasy. Very frequently, these declarations are accompanied by the Call for Crusade, though as many do not take that step, while others provide "time triggers," offering some last window of repentance for the heretic or apostate before the weight of Crusade is called.
The declaration itself should include several parts:
- a date effective, for both the declaration itself and for any Crusade initated thereby.
- a description - however brief - of the nature of the apostasy, heresy or other egregious crimes against the Lancea Sanctum.
- a notation of the extent of the declaration, ie. the borders of the Diocese, Archdiocese or See wherein it is called.
- terms for repentance, if one chance beyond the last has not yet been given.
Examples of recent Declarations of Heresy and Apostasy can be found in Appendix 1.
Declarations to the Sanctified at Large
Declarations that reach beyond a single diocese come in three forms.
First, the Bishop of a diocese who is declaring a heresy may address said declaration to the Church as a whole for the purposes of:
- notifying nearby clergy of the threat.
- gathering their support in opposing the threat.
- soliciting their aid for the prosecution of any Crusade against the threat.
Secondly, when the Bishop of a diocese him- or herself has fallen to Heresy or become an Apostate, the eradication of such a threat to orthodoxy always requires the concerted attention and efforts of others in the region. If a Bishop is suspected, he should be investigated by those Bishops near him with the means to do so, and the matter be brought before a Synod. That body then takes authority over the heresy, and makes any of its findings known publicly.
Finally, heresies that become widespread across several dioceses, either with the consent of or beyond the control of their Bishops, require the attention of the church as a whole. As such, any declaration of widespread heresy must come either from a body recognized as holding authority for such purposes, as is the Curia Cruentus, or from a properly-constituted Synod. Again, any findings of such body on wide-spread heresy virtually require that notice and warning be given to all Sanctified.
Allowing for Repentence
We have already touched upon the matter of repentance, but should belabor the matter a moment longer, for it is of great importance. The Testament tells us that all Damned serve a Purpose within Creation and as such, we must take utmost care when considering any action that would result in the end or ruin of another's Requiem. Except for the most brutal, outrageous and unrepentant transgressors, ALL Damned must be offered the chance to repent their heresy or apostasy before they are Crusaded against. We must take every care to rehabilitate even those who have become utterly abominable in our eyes. Only when we cannot, and have tried even beyond our acceptance of that fact, is the choice of Crusade truly clear and just.
Step 3: The Call for Crusade
Whether or not it accompanies a Declaration of Heresy or Apostasy, a Call for Crusade is its own matter entirely, bound up in matters of authority and limitation dependent upon not only diocese but domain as well.
Authority
The least authority within the church that has traditionally been required for a Call of Crusade is that of Bishop. Bishops, as the preeminent predators of their dioceses, hold complete power over spiritual matters, and as such need only consult their peers and betters if they want or need support for the Crusade's completion. However, Crusade cannot be called lightly, and any Bishop who over-used the Ritae would soon find himself with no real authority, or else taken from his office entirely. Even Bishops require justification, a matter discussed further below, and a thing which most often is found in the Report of Heresy given by a duly appointed Inquisitor.
Thinking beyond the church, it would be a foolish Bishop who called for a Crusade that the Prince of his Domain had no intention of supporting, or was against. The Traditions mandate that the Right of Destruction belongs to the holder of the Domain, and any Bishop seeking a Crusade should therefore try to garner the support of the Praxis holder. With that support, the Bishop can prosecute the Crusade with impunity and not fear retribution or ostracism by the powers-that-be within the domain.
If a righteous Crusade is required, and the Prince of the domain in question is not supportive, or is the target, then great care must be taken to keep the matter of the Crusade private, within the Sanctified. In such a case, it is all but required that outside support be sought, as operating against a Praxis holder has numerous inherent dangers. It is ideal that all upon whom Crusade is called know that such is their fate, but if such openness would make the Crusade impossible to complete, then secrecy must be employed. We are, after all, creatures of darkness.
Justification
As noted above, the three accepted reasons for Crusade are:
- that an individual or group has lapsed from the true faith into open heresy that threatens damage to the faith of others (lone or contained groups of crackpots can simply be ejected from the body of the faithful).
- that an individual or group has become Apostate in a fashion damaging to the church (every idiot who abandons his faith is not an apostate worthy of Crusade).
- that an individual or group has made itself a persistent enemy of the Church, doing harm to its members or resources.
A Bishop calling for Crusade, though not required to, would be wise to share his justifications with all who would listen, that all know why the Crusade is being called, and so that all may learn from the mistakes and failings of the target.
(I would note here that this scholar has previously found the state of Draugr to be tantamount to Apostasy and worthy of Crusade. Becoming Draugr requires a total abandonment of the very tools we require to pursue our Purpose - reason and self-control. As such, Draugr, in the opinion of this Scholar-Bishop, have no destination but Hell, and they should not be made to wait to get there.)
Limitations and Boundaries
The scope of any Crusade is limited by the authority of the cleric(s) calling for it, as per the ninth canon. Therefore, a Crusade called in Albuquerque is effective within the purview of whatever Bishop holds authority over that city, and not beyond. If other Bishops then choose to extend the Crusade to within their own dioceses, the Crusade is in effect there as well.
As noted above, though it is wise for the cleric calling for Crusade to obtain the support of the temporal authority in the area, no secular approval is required for a Crusade. A Crusade called by an Archbishop(non-prince) or Cardinal therefore extends to all dioceses/domains within his or her archdiocese/see. Bishops within that area may choose not to participate, but would be foolish to attempt to impede the progress of the Ritus.
In the case of wide-spread heresies that require large Crusades, a Synod or the Curia is required for any meaningful Call. In that case, the Call is effective in every Diocese represented by the Synod, and any that agree, or by every Diocese in agreement with the Curia.
The only limitation on the Crusaders themselves is that the Traditions must always apply. The Masquerade must be upheld, Domain must be respected, and not even those Condemned by Crusade are deserving of the amaranth. Once a Damned is the target of a Crusade, his or her unlife is forfeit, for they have already forsaken the true path beyond the capacity of the church to seek their repentance. If a heretic or apostate can be captured or put into torpor, all the better, but the nature of Crusade makes Final Death an acceptable end for those against whom it is called.
A "Blank" Declaration of Crusade
While any call for Crusade is the result of specific circumstances, there are certain things that are traditionally part of the call. As such, a model of such declarations is included here.
Unto the Damned of [X Diocese, X Region, or "the Lancea Sanctum"],
By the power vested in my office by the Ninth Canon, and in accordance with the Apostolic traditions of our church, this night I Call for the aid of my Brethren in removing a threat to our continued faithful purpose.
Let it be known, on this, the [##] day of [Month], in the Year of Our Lord, [YEAR], that within the [Diocese, Archdiocese or See] of [Wherever], the [individual/group] known as [name] are hereby declared to be ["Heretical," "engaging in Heresy/Apostasy," "Apostate," etc.].
[His/Her/Their] crimes have sullied the faith of our brethren, and endangered our Holy Mission by threatening to lead others from the True Path. Those crimes are as follows: [list all crimes].
Therefore, be it known, that on this night I call for the Righetous Rite of Crusade upon [whoever]. This Crusade shall extend unto [delineate boundaries] and shall meet completion upon [terms of completion].
All Sanctified within this area are expected to aid in the removal of this threat. All are expected, insodoing, to uphold the Traditions and any Laws of the Domain. The body of [whoever], or a clear indication of its demise, shall be brought to me.
Given by my hand,
[Title and Name of Cleric]
[Diocese, Archdiocese or See under aegis of Crusade]
Step 4: Ending the Crusade
Prosecution of a Crusade can take weeks, months, years or decades. Or it could take mere nights or hours. At some time, however, in one way or another, all Crusades come to an end. After they do, it is customary for the cleric who called for the Rite to announce its completion and result to all who originally received the call.
The Ends of Heresy and Apostasy
By Repentance
The Ideal but rarest of ends for Crusade, one option - that sought prior to Crusade and ever extended unto the moment of death for all Kindred - is Repentance. As it is not the place of Sanctified, be they simple believers or clerics, to pass judgment upon the soul, we must pay heed to those who would repent. The will to make amends and admit wrong is powerful, but difficult to summon for many of our kind. When they do wield that power, the Crusade must be considered.
Of course, we must always question closely those who refuse repentance until the hordes are upon them via Crusade. Is their penitance real? Do they forswear their Heresy, or will they make amends for their Apostasy? What assurances can they give? And how can their true intention be made clear? It would not do to allow a "repentant" heretic to continue spreading his verbal filth more carefully in secret. We must be immensely careful in believing the penitence of those who have let their crimes go so far... but we must always, at least, honor the request of consideration. For the truly repentant do deserve our mercy.
If the cleric who declared Crusade believes and accepts the repentance of the Rite's target, the Crusade is ended, and all Sanctified may rejoice. Truly the ideal end to a Crusade, repentance offers all brethren a chance to mend fences and move forward together. Re-education, regular confession and heavy penance are due to the repentant, but he may be a brother once again.
By Torpor or Capture
The preferred means of bringing down an unrepentant target of Crusade is through capture, whether by stake or by a torpor-inducing beating. Whenever it is possible for a target of Crusade to be taken undead, he or she should, to preserve their opportunity for Judgment on the Last Day. Capture also offers the opportunity of future chances for redemption, through bi-centurial or other checks upon the torpid Heretic or Apostate. Bringing in a bound, staked or torpid target of Crusade certainly reflects excellently on the individual or coterie who did so.
By Final Death
Unfortunately, some Kindred will never "come peacefully" or "go quietly." For these, and especially diablerists, within the traditional context of Crusade, Final Death is an appropriate terminus. Such an action should always the last resort in any Crusade, for the Requiem of no Kindred should be ended without serious ponderance.
However, as we are told in the Testament, it does not bear upon the soul of a Crusader to end the unlife of an unrepentant Heretic, Apostate or other open enemy of the Lance. Final Death is a permanent end to problematic Requia, and an appropriate end of Crusade - indeed, it is the threat of Final Death that leads some to repent once Crusade has been called. Such individuals, however, should be watched very closely for the sincerity of their repentance.
Final Declaration/Recognition of Crusaders
After the target of a Crusade has been taken down or led to repentence, it is incumbent upon the cleric who called for Crusade to make known the outcome of the Apostolica. Such a Final Declaration should be given or provided to all Kindred to whom the Declaration of Crusade was issued. The Declaration generally includes a description of the Crusade's target and his/her crimes, the date the Crusade began, and the manner of its end. If the Kindred Crusaded upon is to be held in torpor, the duration of his sentence or the regularity of the checks upon him is sometimes detailed.
Finally, it is customary for the Final Declaration to provide recognition to those Crusaders who bear responsibility for ending the Heresy or Apostasy. This recognition frequently goes a long way within the Covenant, for awhile, and is but a small way of making sure that the Righteous Kindred who participated and risked their own unlives are given their due. The ultimate due, often paid by the target of Crusade, is an unfortunate but, sadly, sometimes necessary means to purifying the Lancea and its message.
Appendix 1: Past Calls for Crusade
The Crusade to Bring Down Suren-Gal
The Crusade upon Isaac Sheol, Draugr
The Crusade Upon "Husk," Heretic of New Haven
The Crusade upon Belial's Brood in New York City
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