The Church and the Death Penalty -- Modern & Historical

8 October 2019 (ORCNS) - The death penalty is certainly a controversial topic in Catholicism today. Unlike some issues, though, there is actually plenty of room for disagreement. Good Catholics may hold divergent views on this topic as long as they are well-grounded in doctrine and theology, with a love of humanity in the model of Christ. As Pope St. John Paul II expressed, there is little if any actual need for the death penalty today. However, this was not always the practice of the Church during the different circumstances that existed in the past. Though obviously no element of the Church today imposes a death sentence, it was a different matter in earlier periods of Church history.

Reigning from the late 1800s to just after the turn of the 20th century, Pope Leo XIII stated that the church possessed the right to impose the death penalty and that it was just to impose it for offenses such as spreading heresies, for the damage to the soul is by far greater than anything a murderer could ever do. However, Leo also made it clear that the Church in her mercy, following the example of Christ, does not actually impose such a penalty or promote it being imposed. That was just over 100 years in the past, which, in the span of Church history, is not that long ago. Even with Leo's justification of the death penalty as a right of the Church, it was clear that its ultimate purpose was for the good of souls, and it was further made very clear that the Holy Church is merciful and would not and should not actually impose such a penalty or promote it being imposed.

Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor

Earlier in church history came an institution that enemies of the church, Protestants, and indeed modern society have all continually slandered. Truly, the Spanish Inquisition is the subject of much "fake news," both centuries ago and still to this day. If one actually considers the reality of what the Grand Inquisitor Tomás de Torquemada actually did, it paints a different picture. He was in fact known as a man of great piety and caring for others, and he softened the whole interrogation method so that it was quite mild by the standards of the day. And, the conditions of interrogation were highly controlled and limited, unlike those of the civil state. As Blessed Fulton Sheen pointed out some years ago, the church has vices, but at any given time in history, the church's vices are far better and far better meaning than those of the civil state. 

In the case of the Inquisition, the death sentence was only ever imposed for repeat offenders. When they were at the stake, they were given the chance to repent. If they did, they were immediately strangled. That seems certainly harsh to modern ears, but at the time the point was to prevent them from being able to sin again, thereby helping to ensure their salvation. Only if they did not repent were they then burned at the stake – but even that had its spiritual purpose. The hope of those at that time was that the flames would give them a picture of the flames of hell, thereby prompting a last-minute repentance before actual moment of death. Of course, this seems surely thoroughly odd to most modern ears, but it is not right to judge another age by the standards of this age. The Church, of course, promotes salvation and repentance exclusively through non-violent means now. 

Throughout the Church is history, even when a death sentence was involved, whether related to the Church or criminal proceedings of the civil state, the Church was far more interested in the condition of souls and in mercy than in the laws of man. Today that same sentiment remains, following the example of Christ.

Argentinean Bishop of the Patriarchal Household - Obispo de la Casa Patriarcal en Argentina

BUENOS AIRES 7 October 2019 (ORCNS) - Su Excelencia Monseñor Alejandro Paulo Rodrigues, Obispo de San Fernando en Buenos Aires, fue nombrado Obispo titular de la Casa Patriarcal por Su Alteza Imperial y Real Don Rutherford, Archipríncipe de San Esteban más temprano de este año. El Obispo tiene un ministerio activo con sede en Buenos Aires, Argentina, al servicio de los pobres y los necesitados. A continuación se presentan fotografías de una ordenación a las órdenes menores de varios de sus seminaristas.

His Excellency Monsignor Alejandro Paulo Rodrigues, Bishop of San Fernando in Buenos Aires, was named a titular bishop of the Patriarchal Household by His Imperial and Royal Highness Don Rutherford, Archprince of St. Stephen earlier this year. The Bishop has an active ministry based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, serving the poor and those in need. Below are photographs from an earlier ordination to the Minor Orders of several of his seminarians.

Mons. Rodrigues

Archprince-Bishop Speaks About World War I at Gandhi 150th Birthday Celebration

3 October 2019 (ORCNS) - The second of October, the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels in the Catholic liturgical calendar, is also the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence. This year marks the 150th birthday celebration of the Indian civil rights leader. At an event held at the University of Minnesota Crookston, Cardinal-Count Don Rutherford I, Archprince-Bishop and Imperial Patriarch gave an invited speech on the application of Gandhi's principle of nonviolence to analyse the origins and potential alternative outcomes of the Great War (otherwise known as World War I) had nonviolent approaches been used. The live recording of the speech is provided below.

The Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate and the Discovery of the New World

Servant of God Isabella the Catholic

The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus under charter from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, whether or not others from outside the Americas may have arrived first, was ultimately responsible for the eventual trade and interaction between Europe and the Americas. It quickly became an oceanic version of the Silk Road, allowing for the trade of goods, the flow of money, and the exchange of ideas. 

Chief among the goals of the Most Catholic Monarchy of Spain and of the Papacy was to bring the Catholic Faith to the peoples of the New World. The results of the interaction of Europe with the New World may not have been perfect, but truly the same can be said about interactions between people in Europe, as well as those that existed in the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans - and even those that take place around the world to this day. Though its consequences are still being debated to this day, it is indisputable that the voyages of Columbus and subsequent voyages of discovery changed the world forever. They helped to solidify the Renaissance and its establishment of the modern era and supported the launch  into the Baroque and ever-new eras of growth, discovery, and advancement.

Ferdinand the Catholic

The Imperial Patriarchate, as heir to the Burgundian House of Arles and the Spanish Houses of Ivrea and Barcelona in Imperial Italy, maintains a special historical link to the discovery of the New World. Isabella of Castile y León was of the House of Trastámara, an illegitimate but recognised branch of the House of Ivrea. The House of Ivrea was ultimately of ancient Burgundian origin and ruled parts of Italy and provided several Kings of Italy in the Holy Roman Empire. It was also descended from the House of Arles in Burgundy, which provided rulers of various parts of Italy, and Kings of Italy and Vice-Kings of Italy and the Holy Roman Empire. Bosone of Arles, King of Lower Burgundy and Vice-King of Italy, one of the founding fathers of the heritage of the Imperial Patriarchate, was an important figure in that line. From Italy and Burgundy, they went to Spain and ruled as Kings of Castile y León an

Christopher Columbus

d Emperors of All Spain.

The marriage of Isabella with Ferdinand of Aragón once again united the Spanish territories. Ferdinand, as King of Aragón, was descended via a female line from the House of Barcelona line of Kings of Aragón, which also had been Counts of Gévaudan in Occitania in modern-day France. James I, King of Aragón sold the title to King St. Louis IX of France, and the shortly thereafter the title passed to the Bishops of Mende, who ruled as Count-Bishops until the title went into abeyance at the French Revolution. The title of Count of Gévaudan today is held by the head of the Merovingian House of David-Toulouse-Gévaudan, while the title of Count of Sainte Animie, which is located in Gévaudan, is held by the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarch.

The successors of the Burgundian House of Arles and the Spanish Houses of Ivrea and Barcelona in Imperial Italy continue today as the Imperial Patriarchate, perpetuating faith and heritage in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the New World. Centuries earlier, the successors of the Houses of Ivrea, Arles, and Barcelona in Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, launched the expedition of discovery that found the New World and ultimately led to the New World being opened up to Europe. Pope Leo X, principal founder of the heritage of the Imperial Patriarchate, was a keen supporter of the early age of discovery. It was the beginning of a new global network that continues to expand today. Indeed, thanks to their legacy, the global ministry of the Imperial Patriarchate spans not only its historic European territory, but also North and South America.

The Most Honourable Legion of the Eagle – Over Two Thousand Years of History

PATRIARCHAL SEE 19 Sept. 2019 (ORCNS) - The seniormost of the religious and the dynastic orders of the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate is the Most Honourable Legion of the Eagle. With roots in a Roman Legion founded by Julius Caesar, the Legion of today enjoys over 2000 years of rich history. This year, 2019, the Legion celebrates the 2060th anniversary of the first reestablishment of the Legion by Caesar Augustus. The Most Honourable Legion of the Eagle was again re-established under the blessing of Pope St. John Paul II as a noble company by the Etrurian household and a group of Papal knights as a successor to the ancient Roman Legion of the Eagle. Its second re-establishment took place in 1996 on the 900th anniversary of the First Crusade. The modern Legion is the original and sole legitimate successor to the Roman "Legion of the Eagle" (Legio IX Hispana) as a Christian Order.

Chapel of Pope St. John Paul II in the Basilica of
St. Peter, Vatican during a visit of the Archprince-Bishop
of St. Stephen, Sovereign of the Legion of the Eagle.

The original "Legion of the Eagle" was a military unit of the Roman Empire tasked with defending the Empire against the barbarians and refers to the Legio IX Hispana (Spanish Legion), which was founded by Julius Caesar and re-activated by Caesar Augustus. It served mainly in

Julius Caesar
Founder of the original
Legion of the Eagle, the
IX Spanish Legion

Spain, Britain, and Germany. Their principal headquarters became York, and their mascot was the eagle. They earned their name, Hispana (Hispanic), during the Cantabrian Wars in Spain. Its Spanish home is León, its Germanic home is Speyer in the historic Duchy of Franconia, and its Italian home is Aquilea in the historic sovereign Patriarchate of Aquilea in Imperial Italy. The patron saint of the Legion is Saint Patrick, the British Roman best known as Apostle to the Irish.

Caesar Augustus

Through the gift of Emperor Constantine the Great, the Roman Church became heir and successor to the Roman Empire. The Christian knights defended the Church, in part through the Crusades against the infidels. The Most Honourable Legion of the Eagle is under the patronage of the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate (Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church) and the leadership of the Etrurian Royal Household. Membership is limited to 10 Companions of Honour, in addition to the Companions of Justice (hereditary), and no more than 15 Supernumerary Companions (ad honorem). Companions are generally required to be Catholic and of noble lineage and to have rendered significant service at a high level to the Church or to humanity in general. Companions in all categories are considered honourary cousins to the Archprince-Bishop of St. Stephen. 

Symbolism plays an important role in the Catholic Faith. These symbols help us to encounter, engage, and learn about our Faith. Nowhere is this greater than in the Holy Mass. Religious societies and orders also make much of symbolism, some of which are rooted deeply in antiquity. The insignia is known for its two-tone gold and silver design. Gold is used to represent the eternal light of Christ, and silver is used to represent purity and Evangelism (Psalm 11.7 "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.")

Top Left: Greater Eagle badge
Bottom Left: Bullion star of the Legion
Right: Cordon with Lesser Eagle badge

The greater badge consists of a gold eagle, symbolic of the divine nature of Christ, pendant from a gold filigree and a lapis lazuli stone (known for its Marian symbolism). It is worn suspended from a royal blue neck ribbon. The lesser badge is worn suspended from a royal blue sash and consists of a blue cross with a gold eagle upon a red stone, together representing a stylised form of the aquila and standard of a Roman Legion. Companions of Justice also have a collar for wear with the church habit consisting of similar badge worn suspended from two gold chains upon a red ribbon with royal blue borders.

Eagle miniature badge, a combination
of the Greater & Lesser Eagle badges,
is the standard form of the insignia
typically worn by Companions.

The star badge of the Legion (depicted above) is gold of eight point, with a central starburst of twelve points, coming from the twelve stars in Marian symbology. The five stars represent the five wounds of Christ. This symbolism is continued in the 5-pointed version of the star worn on the Legion's church cape. The motto is "Honor Virtutis Praemium," which translates as "Honor is the prize for virtue." 

ARRCC Chaplain Participates in Emergency Response Drills at Airport

LEXINGTON, SC. 19 Sept. 2019 (ORCNS) - Walsingham Guard Commandant of the Regiment of Chaplains, Mgr. Abbot Anthony Giunta, TOR Mar, PhD, JCD recently participated in a series of emergency services exercises. The drills were designed to help first responders hone there skills for dealing with critical incidents such as a plane crash. The event was held at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina, USA, and was staged as a friendly test between the emergency services of Richland and Lexington counties. Participants included representatives of police departments, fire departments, emergency medical services, the Red Cross, and chaplain services. Abbot Anthony, a Franciscan with the Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church, also serves as a chaplain with the Irmo fire district in Columbia, South Carolina, as well as with police and hospitals.

Allocution of the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarch on the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

PATRIARCHAL SEE 8 September 2019 (ORCNS) - Patriarchal Allocution on the Feast of the Nativity of the of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Don Rutherford I.

FROM the Florentine Household to the Christian faithful around the world and to the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and our Apostolic Blessing on this Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the year of our Lord 2019. First, we turn our attention to the Caribbean, the scene of the destruction of the recent hurricane. This is a region quite dear to me, but that notwithstanding, it is always difficult to see such human suffering. We therefore suggest that those who are able consider contributions to appropriate charitable and humanitarian organisations to attend to the needs of those in the affected regions.

Within the Imperial Patriarchate, We are again pleased with the growth of operations and, of course, thanks to the diligent efforts of those involved, the recent grant of special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Since the outreach mission of the Imperial Patriarchate is quite in line with so much of the mission of the Economic and Social Council, We believe this is an excellent match that will help to further our work around the world.

We also congratulate Our various officials who have received special recognition and accolades this year. It is always a pleasure to see good people recognised for their diligent work.

Let us pray as well for those who are discerning vocations and are currently studying for vocations that God may guide them on the right path.

Additionally, on this feast and celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, having been immaculately conceived, we are reminded of her voluntary act. She was not required to accept the Holy Spirit and to give birth to Christ, but She did. It was through that voluntary act that Christ came into the world. We likewise have the option to choose or not to choose in our faith, and one of the most important areas is in the striving towards Christian unity. We do not need to think that any sense of Christian unity in a complete form will necessarily happen in our lifetime. Yet, we nevertheless should strive for it or for any part of it that we may obtain. We do good work when we find areas of overlap with our Christian brethren. We do good work when we find opportunities for cooperation without compromise. These are better options than simply saying “they” are “them” and “we” are “us.”

We can work towards unity. We can work towards cooperation – voluntarily – or we can voluntarily seek to stay apart. The latter in most cases is so often the result of some sort of sanctimonious arrogance and is quite unfortunate to see, but nevertheless underscores the fallen state of mankind. Let us therefore on this feast of the Nativity of Mary look to her example and extend a hand in brotherhood to all.

May God bless each of you on this very special feast of Mary and as we enter into the new liturgical year, which, for the Imperial Patriarchate, has been designated the Liturgical Year of Christian Unity.