Sun Jun 29, 2003 1:11 pm
Lord High Inquisitor Tomias Gestahl purposely did not announce his intention to speak at the Chapel of St. Iona on the Sabbath this day. He was well aware that the attendance would have been every bit as large as it had been two weeks before, if he had, but he wanted to see how large the congregation would be without the announcement.
He was pleased with what he saw. Certainly there were not as many as the first time he spoke...but he was pleased that so many attended the mass. It was clear that more citizens wished salvation and were faithful servants of the Divine Majesty, than were not.
When Willem Eine finished the day’s scriptures and announced Inquisitor Gestahl would be speaking, the elated congregation was not afraid to show their gratitude. It made the High Inquisitor smile. He moved to the pulpit and rested his palms flat against the cool, angled hardwood.
“People of Myrken Wood and followers of the One True Faith, I come before you again to speak further on the unease of some of our non-human brethren. I have received word that some still fear this inquisitorial process because of the blood that flows through their veins. It brings sadness to my heart that any could think--merely because one may not be human--that they would be excommunicated from this most Holy of calls!
“An explanation was requested of me from more than one of ye faithful. I will do my best to set to ease the hearts of those who feel that they may become unduly accused.
“I am a scholar. I am a professor. I am a theologian. I have studied with great meticulosity the trials of man. I have been part of a great many debates and discussions and matters of illumination when it comes to the corruption of the soul and the seduction by demons and devils.
“Some have asked me, ‘what of magic and herb?’ ‘What of healers and readers of the stars?’ Great minds have asked just those very questions. They have been poured over and labored upon by the greatest minds on this world. Therefore, when I share the answers to these questions, I share the findings from the Diet of Sullibon, ratified by the Pontifexus and word of the Divine Majesty.
“There are some things in nature which have certain hidden powers. The reasons for which they have these powers, man does not know; for example, the lodestone, which attracts steel and many other such things. Accepting that there are things in this world that have such powers, men and women who bring about changes in the bodies of others sometimes make use of certain things, which exceed our knowledge. This is without any aid of deviltry. And because these remedies are mysterious, we must not therefore automatically ascribe them to the power of the Underworld, as we should ascribe evil spells wrought by witches. Hence, it is plain that those who perform works of healing may well perform them by means of such good influences, and this has no connection at all with any evil power.
“Demons and devils can bring about an effect of magic without the cooperation of any witch or warlock. Bodily ills and ailments are certainly not invisible; they are evident to the senses. They can be brought about by devils. Many things that a demon can accomplish do not require a manifestation by means of witchery. Rather, the devil makes use of a witch, not because he has need of such an agent, but rather because he is seeking the perdition of the witch.
“It is that seduction of soul and disfigurement of being that we intend to smother. Can this said stray from the Creator’s aspirations of our souls be limited to just those of humans? No. Does that mean, however, that nonhumans are then, by nature, more susceptible to the guile of demonry? No. The devil have no care whether their instrument be man, woman, elf, dwarf, or anything else with beating heart. It is the damnation that it wishes to savor.
“There is no nature of evil predisposed upon the nonhuman. To believe that this most Holy of bodies would think that there would be such, is to err quite gravely. Think not, when you see one who is different than yourself, that he or she must be gripped with depravity. It is the ails that are caused through malicious corruption of soul that are blighting these lands. It is that which we wish to stave. Not the well being of innocents. It is that charge that we will fulfill.”
Gestahl paused and looked over the congregation for a moment. He nodded once and then continued.
“Lord Father, bless the people of Myrken Wood and bring to them a salvation and a freedom from wickedness. Good day to you all.”
Lord High Inquisitor Tomias Gestahl stepped back from the pulpit, allowing Father Eine to close the day's services with the completion of the rites.