On the Rise of Socialism

By A. DiNardo

PATRIARCHAL SEE 24 June 2020 (ORCNS) - A Patriarchal Encyclical of Rutherford I was released today. Entitled Eventus Socialismi, the encyclical dealt with the rise of socialism in the world. It extends a similar statement made in 2008. The complete text is below. 

Eventus Socialismi 

Esteemed Brethren and Dearest Sons in Christ,

The issue of socialism growing in strength within the United States of America largely over the past decade, and indeed the whole world and especially Europe over the past several decades requires the attention of Christ’s Church. It is Our duty to comment on this matter and to advise the faithful under Our Apostolic and pastoral care so that they may understand and behave according to the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition of the Apostolic Faith. To do otherwise would be a failure in Our duty to Christ and to those in Our charge and care.


Attempts at Division

The fractured appearance of the Apostolic Church makes those who promote socialism believe they are better able to divide and conquer. While Christians separate over many diverse issues, socialists and communists join together to spread their vile poison of words and deeds, which has been shown by Church scholars and Church leaders over and over to be contrary to the Sacred Scripture, and embed their poison so deeply that it is difficult to remove. Yet, the Word of God is clear. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against Christ’s Church. Though the Church of the true and living Faith handed down in unbroken succession from the Apostles has split into separate jurisdictions around the world, and though those provinces of authority often bicker and fight in a manner unbecoming of them, there is still but one Church and one Faith, united under one Baptism. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.

The enemies of the Church delight in these split provinces, but they cannot see the truth. They are lured by these divisions, but fail to see that the union of Christ’s Church is deeper than leadership, jurisdiction, or Rite, but is instead a product of the Baptism in Christ and the authority transmitted by the Holy Spirit in succession from the Apostles.


The Necessity of the Clergy and Faithful to Speak out Against Injustice

This fractured state, while We lament it, is taken as the fact of the situation for the time being. Humans, as they are, have failed to shepherd faithfully the Divine Institution which has been entrusted to them, and so we as Christians are in fractured factions. Remember, though, that these independent churches of the Apostolic Faith are all successors to the Apostles, and they are valid in their authority. So too are they valid in their duty to act and to speak when there are issues of great social concern. The issues at hand today in Europe, the United States of America, and the world relate to the rights of unborn children, to economics and justice, to human rights and dignity, and indeed to the very freedom of individuals demanded by our Lord. The Church, regardless of rite or jurisdiction, cannot and must not remain silent on these issues.


When Government Acts Against the Church and Her People

Various entities in government and outside the government have sought to silence the clergy in their outspoken criticism of the government policies; policies that are contrary to morality and Church precepts. The Church, however, must remember its higher calling and remain firm in the realisation of its duty, faithfully carrying out that duty of legitimate opposition to illegitimate policies that marginalise rather than acknowledge the individual dignity; that restrain liberty while at the same time, and in a hypocritical fashion, mocking the authority of rule and the rule of law; that forces the will of a determined minority upon the remainder of the population; and that harms individuals under a misguided or malicious veil of fairness. The Bishops inherit the authority of the Apostles, yet they inherit also the responsibilities pertaining to that office as well. Ordinary clergy share in the responsibility, and the faithful have the responsibility to oppose all that is unjust, so far as in their power lies. Acts against the Church and her leaders and people should not and must not deter those leaders and people from doing their Christian duty.


The Government as a Protector of Religious Freedom
At this point in time, the duty of opposition to any unjust government policy is perhaps at its most crucial need. States, historically founded upon Christian principles by leaders with deep Christian faith, have always safe-guarded religious freedom. Now the socialist and communist factions seek subjugation to the State. In the United States of America, they even seek to use the supposed and purported foundation of religious freedom and the mechanism for guarding it, the First Amendment to their Constitution, to limit religious freedom. In many cases this goes beyond limitation into outright marginalisation of Christians and restrictions on their rights and activities, particularly in favour of other religious groups. The end result of this is not the religious tolerance and equity touted by the socialists as their goal, but rather a Marxist-style of “class warfare” between religious groups. This has recently been expanded to include racial division and conflict. Under the veil of peace comes war. Under the cloak of freedom comes tyranny.

The Church, ever-concerned with the salvation of man, must work for the condition of man on earth to aid in their efforts of attainment of salvation. Often governments historically have traditionally been a whole-hearted and enthusiastic participant in this effort. Socialism has crept in silently over time, and now it is seeking to dominate. Good and faithful Christians must oppose the plans of any person in the government that seeks this socialist or communist domination. Such an outcome would result in the limitation of personal freedom, and hence a subjugation of individual work on salvation of all people to the present and temporal needs of the State and secular society. Secularism, which goes hand-in-hand with socialism and communism, is the enemy of Christianity and the enemy of human dignity, rights, and freedom. The civil governments must be restored to their previous condition of preserving Christian principles, religious and individual freedom, and the dignity of all humans.


Socialism and Communism are Incompatible with Christianity

No Christian may be a socialist. No Christian may be a Communist. This has been consistently supported by the leaders of the true Church around the world.

Socialism and communism are at odds with Christianity. Both prohibit personal liberty, subjugating all people to the present and temporal needs of the State, with a focus purely on the present and the temporal.

Communism further is a Godless society. In socialism and communism, the individual is replaced by the State, and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is replaced with the concept of nationalism, i.e., effective worship of the State. Such notions clearly are incompatible with Christian principles and must be avoided and opposed wherever they are encountered.

At times the faithful have been forced into subjugation at the hands of socialists and communists, and may even be forced or deluded into active participation, becoming pawns and puppets of the socialist regimes. We must always pray for such persons, as they are under the influence, often innocently, of the Devil’s tool of disharmony on the earth, socialism.

This same fate of subjugation may await the faithful within Europe, the United States, and other countries if the socialist factions in government continue in office. Such is the duty of the faithful, for they must aid in preventing their own fate from being that of many Christians in socialist and communist nations around the world.


The Culture of Death
The modern culture of death has been treated by many great leaders of the Church and by many great theologians. A society that does not value human life has subscribed to the culture of death. A society that does not protect unborn children and permits abortion, the outright murder of unborn children, has subscribed to the culture of death. This is incompatible with Christian principles, and no true Christian may subscribe to it. The faithful should pray for guidance and strength in opposing these horrors of the modern world. We cannot comprehend how societies of such historic greatness can permit the legal murder of unborn children.

The dogma and doctrine that must be accepted and followed by Christians is that of Christ’s Church, as handed down in unbroken succession from the Apostles, they themselves deriving their true and just authority from Jesus Christ Himself, receiving the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. All doctrines of man, made by man for various often selfish and nefarious reasons, must be rejected. Often these dogmae and doctrines appear on the surface to be benign and perhaps even helpful. The veneer of kindness often masks a deep and dark purpose underneath. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Such is the duty of Christians to remain vigilant against them.


Societies that Turn Away from our Lord and Saviour

Societies that turn away from our Lord and Saviour are doomed to at least a temporary negative fate, if not outright annihilation. We need only turn to the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany to see the destruction wrought upon the people of a nation due to governments that were without God. They were without the love and charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and their societies were destroyed.

We do not wish this fate visited upon the nations of the world, especially the Christian nations founded by the grace of God to uphold God and provide dignity and freedom for all. Yet, this is the fate that awaits these nations if socialist factions succeed in their machinations. Using inclusive language and veiling themselves with flags and notions of freedom, they sneak their way in as a thief in the night and slowly take over government and society, creating a culture of fear so that none dare oppose them. What is worse is that the people, fooled by their lies, have helped to put them into power through campaign efforts and elections. Let us not go the foolish ways of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union, for We do not wish the people of the Christian world to suffer at the hand of God for their national disobedience.


The Truth of Christian Values

By the grace of God, we the people of God have been given the Church. She is the Bride of Christ, instituted by Him and born out of His death and passion, and glorious resurrection and ascension. She is universal, and she exists to save all mankind. The values of Christ and His Church are paramount among all value systems. Morality is not relative or a matter of personal choice. It is a matter of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, as well as the teaching authority of the universal Church. Socialists seek to replace our value system with one of their own, which values not the dignity and freedom of man, but merely their own interests here and now. They care not for the salvation of man, but only for temporal interests of power. We urge all those in Our care to keep the faith and to keep Christ’s values in their hearts above all other value systems. All other value systems must be measured against that of Christ.


On the Unity of Christians

The Church, being universal and embracing all people of the world, craves unity. This unity is unity of doctrine and faith above all else. Christians, though possessing many diverse forms of worship within the Apostolic Faith and tradition, are still unified by one Baptism and that Apostolic Faith. The Holy Spirit flows through the Church as surely today as it did on the first Pentecost.

Socialists by their very nature seek to break apart Christian unity, tempting us to focus on our differences and ignore our unifying foundation. This foundation is strong; far stronger than they are. They cannot break or destroy it. They can only hope for us to ignore it. By so doing, they hope to weaken us so that we fight ourselves instead of them, leaving them free to pursue their goal of absolute power. We, dearest brethren, must be vigilant and constantly guard against this. We must not allow ourselves to be pitted against each other, but rather must focus on opposing socialism and communism in our society today.


Method of Opposition

Spiritual weapons are the weapons that must be used. The bomber and the assassin are the tools of the anarchist. Anarchism is chaos and hence the opposite of order, and its lack of order fails to guarantee freedom and dignity. It fails to consider anything in the future, but only the present. Anarchism is as offensive to Christianity as socialism and communism are. Therefore, the tools of the anarchist must not be used.

The faithful must pray for the conversion of the socialists and communists, and of all those who know not Christ. For those professed Christians who still persist in following the ills of socialism and communism, we must all pray for their return to the faith and for their abandonment of their philosophies contrary to the Church and to human freedom and dignity.


Victory over Socialism

Socialists in Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States have gained tremendous power in the past decade or more. Now they occupy many seats of power in government. They seem determined to destroy society as she historically is and was meant to be, and instead re-invent her as a socialist regime, focused only on power and ignoring the needs and rights of the people. This must be opposed by the faithful. It is our duty. For the Bishops, it is our Apostolic duty. This is a duty in which we cannot fail. God will help us; this you should all remember. We shall reiterate that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against Christ’s Church and His people.

We must further pray that Bishops, clergy, and people of other provinces respond in a similar manner as We have admonished you, dear brethren, to respond. This is an era of a crossroads. Will the Christian people remain free, or will they become mired in a socialist hell on earth? We must fight for the former and fight against the latter.


Conclusion 

In conclusion, We pray that each of you will reflect duly upon these words, maintain the doctrine of the true faith as handed down from the Apostles, and oppose legitimately to the best of your abilities these threats against freedom that we now face in the world. To my Esteemed Brethren the Bishops and Ordinary Clergy of the Imperial Patriarchate, I charge you to admonish your flocks in these matters, keep the faith, and promulgate it throughout the world. Remember that Ecclesia Patria Nostra, the Church is our country first and foremost. Seeing the light of Christ, it is impossible that the heathen, the fallen, and the enemies of Christ’s Church can stand against it. Never give up the fight for justice on earth, trusting in the justice of eternity, and always keep the faith. The enemies of the church, including the socialists and communists that form the primary topic of this letter, may win spotted victories, and even large victories, but they shall not have the final victory. Remember this always as you live your Christian vocation and await the reward of everlasting life. We pray health and happiness to you all and impart Our Apostolic Blessing on each of you.

Ego Archipater R.

"We are at War!" English Translation of Encyclical "Siamo in Guerra" Released.

By Jean DuBois

PATRIARCHAL SEE 18 June 2020 (ORCNS) -- In response to requests, the Patriarchal Curia released an English language version of the patriarchal encyclical entitled Siamo in Guerra. Originally written by His Holy Eminence in Italian, the encyclical was promulgated on 24 April of this year. 

Siamo in Guerra

To all the Christian Faithful around the World:

Carissimi:

     We are truly at war, and this war is not against a virus, but it is the gates of hell against the Holy Church and against the ancient traditions of free society. In truth, this war is one of the most important wars in the history of the world, as we fight for the continuation of the freedom of the church over the world and for the continuation of our civilisation. We cannot doubt that this current fight is very difficult and will continue to be very difficult in the near future. How long it will remain, We do not know, and we cannot know. We do not need to think about this. We should only think of the final victory, a victory only possible through our Lord. Truly, dearest sons and daughters, you are soldiers in the Army of Christ. In this struggle, flags of nations are worth nothing, except only the sacred flag of our Lord and of the Holy Church.

     The forces of the devil in the world used the situation of the virus to establish a great confusion among the people of the world. Many people were afraid, and this fear was the instrument of the devil. The diabolical agents have exploited the situation to remove freedom, not only of the people, but also of the Holy Church. People were robbed and continue to be robbed of their dignity, their freedom, in a more forceful and more complete way than that of the Soviets, and also than that of the Nazis. Yes, it is a good work to save lives, but this situation is not in fact a choice of lives versus money, but lives versus lives. But the agents of the devil have caused many people to think that the real reason is to save lives. Those agents have used this to change the entirety of life, to change businesses, to change the whole of society, and also to change the rights of the Holy Church and the religious freedom of the people. The real reason, the only reason for the actions of most governments of the world is radically to change the true heart of the people and of society. They want society to abandon Christ and to abandon the ancient and sacred traditions in favour of a new socio-fascist world.

     In these days, the people are under the hands of the modernist states. Governments have forced companies to close, but for what crime? For none at all. Governments have chosen winners and losers in an arbitrary way. Governments have also forced a large section of the people under house arrest, but also for what crime? For no crime. It is a work still accomplished in a stronger and more complete way than the that of the Soviets, and also than that Enof the Nazis. Governments, I blame you for the diabolical crime. You do not care about the people under your protection.

     The protection of the people is a sacred charge under God, but governments have failed. The modernists against God, under the banner of saving a number of human lives from this new virus, in truth few in comparison with the population of the world, have endangered hundreds of millions of people in all places around the world – in danger of hunger, danger of deprivation, danger of health problems, danger of bankruptcy, lack of ability to provide for their families. How many of these are supposed to die to save others? Governments cannot say that these lives are worth more than those lives, for governments and government officials are not God. But now they play God. In truth these modernist states want to be God, and they want people to genuflect humbly to the civill government and only to the civil government. This is at the heart of this battle, this war. We cannot let governments replace God with themselves.

     The time is now! We must win for the glory of God! Now is the time when Christians must rise up against the modern forces of the devil! They are not new forces, but they are the same forces of all times in the history of the world. Our valiant ancestors fought against the same forces. Now it is our turn!

Ego Archipater R.

Social Justice, Right to Life - Archfather gives Corpus Christi Allocution

Jean DuBois

PATRIARCHAL SEE 10 June 2020 (ORCNS) - The Archfather gave his annual Corpus Christi Allocution today. His Holy Eminence spoke of issues of social justice and the right to life, referring to the Holy Church as the original and only truly authentic instrument of social justice today. The Archfather gives five regular allocutions, or formal speeches, each year on Easter, Corpus Christi, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, Christmas, and Ash Wednesday, as well as others as situations warrant. They are always addressed by tradition "From the Florentine Household to the Christian Faithful around the world, and to the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham." The video and transcript of the allocution are below.

TRANSCRIPT

FROM the Florentine household to the Christian faithful around the world, and the members of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham, grace, peace, and Our Apostolic Blessing on this wonderful Feast of Corpus Christi in the year of our Lord 2020. This day in the liturgical calendar finds the world descended further into chaos and turmoil and division and upheaval. But any student of history will know that this is not unusual, this is not new, this is quite common, and perhaps is even the standard state of things in the world. Today we hear so often talked about this concept of social justice, and it is indeed a fine thing to seek justice authentic justice for all. Yet this term is so often misused and abused by individuals and organisations for political and other agendas. In fact, that abuse is often such that it harms the very people that they claim to be trying to help. And thus we submit that the only authentic and indeed the original institution of social justice is the Church of Christ.

That social justice of the church is rooted in the church’s social doctrine, which derives from moral theology. Christ came into the world, performed miracles, taught the truth, suffered, was crucified, buried, descended into hell, rose from the dead, walked the earth as the risen Lord, and then gloriously ascended into heaven not for one group of people, but for all people and all time. It is for this reason that the church is the only authentic institution of social justice in the world. All that we do indeed flows from the altar of God, whereupon takes place that same true and living Sacrifice.

And so today in the world when people talk of justice and equality, such conversations are ultimately fruitless and meaningless without a respect for life. Indeed the world today has abandoned as a whole its respect for life. No person, no organisation, no nation has any right to demand justice for any individual or group of people if it does not first respect life. No nation, no people may demand justice while the curse of abortion continues to exist. We cannot talk about the rights of man when we have the wholesale slaughter of millions of people around the world each year in the form of abortion.

The right to life is the most fundamental and foundational right that exists. When we talk about other rights, they assume one thing – and that is that you are alive to exercise that right. And therefore again the right to life is the most fundamental right on earth that we can discuss. So until that becomes the centre of the argument, of the debate, the centre of the discussion, everything else is meaningless and can not exist in any authentic way leading to a true solution. This is what the Church of Christ teaches, and this is the framework of authentic social justice that must take place in the world if we as Christians are to try to make the world a better place, as we should; if we are to try to help our fellow man, as we should; if we are to see those suffering and see them as our brothers, as we should. None of that can in fact take place or have any true meaning if it does not flow from the altar of God, if it is not centred on a foundation of a right to life. That is the first discussion that must be had today in society.

It is the Body of Christ that we celebrates this day in the liturgical calendar that unites humanity. It is the Body of Christ that leads to authentic social justice among mankind. Now, go into the world to build this respect for life among your fellow man so that we may try to help establish the kingdom of God here on earth.

And now prepare yourself for God's blessing.

Et benedictio Dei omnipotensis, Patris, + et Filii, + et Spiritus + Sancti, descendat super vos et maneat semper. R. Amen.

People of the Patriarchate Serve in Pandemic

By Jean Du Bois

Mgr. Douglas, Chancellor of the Court of St. Mary of
Walsingham, gives a drive-though blessing during
the global pandemic.

PATRIARCHAL SEE 7 June 2020 (ORCNS) - The people of the Imperial Patriarchate (Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church) continue to provide health and humanitarian service during the global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The Imperial Patriarchate and its diverse organisations have served in various ways since the epidemic began. At the center of those efforts is the Imperial Patriarchate's uniformed humanitarian service, the Walsingham Guard. Also, as changes were imposed around the world by civil authorities, even at times in violation of the rights of the Church, the Imperial Patriarchate's mission-based system proved resilient and effective, being quickly adopted also by countless other churches around the world.

Walsingham Guard members participate in preparation
exercises before the pandemic, such as the emergency
action local drill shown here. 

The health and humanitarian service of members of the Imperial Patriarchate and its various organisations have included direct medical care and leadership, care of the elderly and vulnerable populations, food distribution, Covid-19 test processing, and more. The Curia has also been involved for months in international high-level policy work pertaining not only to the health situation, but especially to the resulting significant humanitarian crisis.

Lt. Col. the Rev. G. Mackey, an
officer of the Walsingham Guard,
is among those serving during

the pandemic. 

Even during this challenging time, the Imperial Patriarchate continues to follow its mandate of mission, service, and charity. It remains a living continuation of its patrimony that spans from Europe and the British Isles to the New World. As successors to Leo X and Custodians of the Apostolic See of St. Mark at Aquileia, the Imperial Patriarchate's work during this global crisis stands as a continuation of the countless acts of service during its 2000 year history. The Archfather stated, "Our people over the past two thousand years have endured many things and always risen to the challenge, never shirking in their duty, never giving in to difficulty or threat. Those who serve today during this global humanitarian crisis through the Imperial Patriarchate and our wonderful organisations have lived up to their legacy. We cannot help but be extremely proud of them. They stand as a shining example to everyone."

For more information on the Imperial Patriarchate, please visit: http://www.anglicanritecatholicchurch.org/
as well as: http://www.regno.org/

For more information on the Walsingham Guard, please visit: http://www.anglicanritecatholicchurch.org/ps/smw/guard.html
and: http://www.anglicanritecatholicchurch.org/ps/smw/naval_guard.html

El Barón de Merrone

BUENOS AIRES 6 June 2020 (ORCNS) - El señor ALEJANDRO HERNÁN FERNÁNDEZ, nació en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina el 15 de mayo de 1975. Desciende en 4to grado cognaticio de doña Michaela Merrone, su tatarabuela, según documentación presentada y que obra en resguardo del Instituto Heráldico de Buenos Aires. 

S.E. el barón Alejandro Hernán Fernández de Merrone es empresario y lleva adelante la Gerencial General de una compañía importadora de productos médicos descartables. Graduado como Técnico en Marketing por la Universidad del Salvador es también Técnico en Administración de Empresas. Entre sus membresías sociales se encuentra ser socio del Ferrari Club Argentino. 

El 25 de mayo de 2020 la Real Casa de Etruria restituye sus derechos y le concede ex novo el Título Nobiliario de Barón de Merrone en la Nobleza del Reino Imperial de Italia en el Sacro Romano Imperio. 

Su Escudo de Armas fue expedido y registrado en el Armorial del Patriarcado Imperial Anglo-Italiano en memoria de San Esteban del Sacro Romano Imperio Germánico y que está conformado de la siguiente manera: partido: en el primer cuartel las históricas armas de la Casa de Médici en honor a la Soberanía de la Casa Real de Etruria a la cual pertenece; en el segundo cuartel refiere al blasón histórico de la familia Merrone según lo establecido por el Diccionario Histórico de Escudos de las familias nobles y notables de Italia del autor Giovanni B. di Crolallanza.

Archfather Predicts Riots: An In-Depth Interview

By Jean DuBois

PATRIARCHAL SEE 3 June 2020 (ORCNS) - The ORCNS interviewed HHE Don Rutherford I, 5th Florentine Archfather about the current riots and protests in the Unites States, as well as lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Several months ago, the Archfather predicted the high likelihood of armed riots if the pandemic global lockdown and related economic problems such as business failures and unemployment continued. Here is that interview: 

ORCNS: Thank you for meeting with us, Your Holy Eminence. Let's get to the main question. I understand several months ago that you predicted a high likelihood of armed riots in the context of the coronavirus pandemic measures. What led you to that conclusion?

Archfather Rutherford: Yes, that is correct. If the pandemic lockdown measures and subsequent economic turmoil, including threats to businesses, extremely high unemployment, and other uncertainties, continued for very long, I believed the conditions were ripe for a significant armed event. 

ORCNS: The riots are happening in the USA. Was your prediction limited to the US? 

AR: Not at all. I was speaking about the entire global situation. With the right conditions, it could happen anywhere. 

ORCNS: Did you believe it was a foregone conclusion that there would be an armed uprising?

AR: No, I did not. There were plenty of opportunities to reduce the likelihood -- many of which I'm afraid were missed. There were also peaceful protests against lockdown procedures and economic hardship in various countries around the world. 

ORCNS: So what do you think triggered the current riots in the US? 

AR: First, let me point out that there are two things going on. First, there are lawless, violent riots. Second, there are peaceful protests against injustice. The two are obviously not the same. Let me focus on the first one, that is, the lawless, violent riots. The US situation, with the coronavirus lockdown and economic shutdown, created a delicate and precarious situation. All that was needed was a trigger, and that happened to come in the form of the unfortunate, brutal, and unjustified killing of a black man at the hands of a white police officer who played judge, jury, and executioner. The racial component further opens long-standing wounds. So, while there have been legal, peaceful protests against excessive use of police force and institutional racism, the tragic situation of a man's brutal murder was exploited as a prompt for violent riots -- which, I might add, have been primarily directed against innocent people. 

ORCNS: But the lockdowns are ending and businesses are opening, right? Why didn't that prevent this outcome? 

AR: Yes, but the effects of those lockdowns are continuing, and even more effects are happening as things start to catch up with society. In short, it takes time to stop the downward momentum and then reverse the trend. Restarting the economy on a societal or personal level is not at all like flipping a magic switch that makes everything better again instantly. 

ORCNS: Do you think the US has a police violence problem? 

AR: Unfortunately yes -- and so do many countries around the world. The militarisation of US police after the September 11 attacks seems to have created a greater culture of violence and domination among police as a whole. The power balance is tilted almost entirely in the direction of the police, and so they must exhibit far more tolerance and be willing to take far more from the public before retaliating. When they do push back, responses must be proportional and not out of anger. That is the responsibility that comes with their power. Right now there is too much of an "us vs them" mentality between the general public and the police. That is extremely counterproductive. Police certainly have a right to self-defence and a responsibility to uphold the law, but it must be done soberly and proportionately. Good officers know that. 

ORCNS: What about institutional racism? 

AR: This is a problem not just in judicial matters. However, in police situations, studies suggest that there is bias against black people, and perhaps most telling is that the bias is shown not just by white officers, but also black officers. 

ORCNS: You mentioned good police officers just a minute ago. Do you believe there are good police officers in the USA?

AR: Of course there are. I hope most of them are. They need to rise up themselves and stand in solidarity against police brutality. They must work to remove those who are a disgrace to their uniform and those who get on power trips. When police get on arrogant power binges, people suffer, often with long-lasting or permanent consequences -- with little or no repercussion to the officer. 

ORCNS: You were trained in statistics at Harvard and Georgia Tech, and your work at Harvard also involved social justice. Has that background helped you gain any insight into these problems? 

AR: Yes it has. Black people in the US have a much higher arrest and conviction rate than white people, and that essentially tracks also with the poverty level in US society by ethnic group. It is a systemic and entrenched problem. Even if you eliminate institutional racism in police departments and the courts, the problem goes much deeper than that. And, of course, it does not only impact black people, but several other ethnic groups as well. Fixing the problem requires much more than simply training police in how to handle bias. And the problem goes well beyond police matters as well. 

ORCNS: And you were involved in statistical work in the coronavirus pandemic as well, correct? 

AR: Yes. Public health policy is driven by statistics. It is not so much the nature of the disease per se, but the likelihood of getting it and/or dying from it that really matters. Drawing on experience, my early calculations suggested infection and death rates much more like what other studies are now showing, unlike the "doom and gloom" predictions that were going on at the same time and led to a lot of the government responses we saw (and experienced) around the world. However, I was not at all the only person who came to similar conclusions from calculations. There were a good number of us saying the same thing. Unfortunately statistics were abused by the media, contributing greatly to societal panic around the world. 

ORCNS: So, what do you think is the ultimate solution to the riots, racial problems, and so on? 

AR: I wish I had a simple answer. First, society today does not respect life. Life is the most basic human right, and it is a necessary condition for all other rights since exercising those rights require one thing -- that you are alive. We cannot really begin to solve the problems of other rights until society learns to respect life. 

ORCNS: Do you have any parting advice? 

AR: Yes. I pray that all people take a moment to look inwardly and examine their own condition before judging others and before judging society. I pray that society will learn to respect life, for that is where healing and progress must begin. Define yourself by what you are for, not by what you are against. 

Patriarchal Letter on Coronavirus Vaccine, Medical Ethics

PATRIARCHAL SEE 24 May 2020 (ORCNS) - The Florentine Archfather released a Patriarchal Letter entitled "Faith Must Guide" that dealt with the issues of potential forced vaccination by governments and/or employers in the context of vaccines for the novel coronavirus currently being developed. His Holy Eminence stated that, although vaccines are generally the domain of medical and professionals and scientists, the Church can and must make determinations pertaining to medical ethics and public health ethics. The Archfather further stated that "...it is absolutely illicit for any state to mandate a vaccine for an adult person without free, individual consent, and for a child without the free consent of the parents." 

The Patriarchal Letter also addressed the presence of a wide variety of conspiracy theories that cause considerable confusion and sew the seeds of doubt since it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. However, based on reliable reports in mainstream media, the broad issue of forced micro-chipping was also covered.

The letter also reiterated the exploitation of the public health situation for increased state control and the suppression of individual religious freedoms and the rights of the Church.

The complete text of the Patriarchal Letter is given below:

_____________________________________

Faith Must Guide

To the Christian Faithful around the World:

Faith must guide decisions of states regarding public health, as faith must guide all things. The state has reasonable right to impose some restrictions in the interest of public health, but only to a point, for it is not the final arbiter and ultimate authority on matters of health. Neither is the medical community the ultimate arbiter, but rather it is God who controls life. 

Recent discussions and movements pertaining to a potential Covid-19 vaccine, the possibility of the use of aborted fetal tissue in vaccine development, and the potential for governments and/or employers to require such a vaccine have raised this question once again, and it is Our sacred right and duty to address it with clarity, humility, and pastoral concern as a shepherd of the Lord. The efficacy of a vaccine is, within the bounds of ethical practices that are consistent with the authentic faith, the primary domain of medical professionals and scientists. However, the ethical framework of such efforts, as well as any state or organisational attempts at imposition of a vaccine all fall completely and entirely within the jurisdiction of Holy Mother the Church.

Let Us first state that We generally believe the concept of vaccines to be positive and overall beneficial. The question here relates specifically to who ethically should and can make the decision regarding whether or not to receive a particular vaccination. Furthermore, regarding the coronavirus vaccines being developed, there is a further concern of the rapid nature of development of said vaccines, which could result in a vaccine rendered problematic. There is also a marked lack of knowledge about the novel coronavirus itself, for much of what was thought to be absolutely true by some scientists several months ago and was used as justification for widespread severe and oppressive government measures against the public has now been revised dramatically. The lack of concrete knowledge is a serious question that must be addressed by the medical and scientific community before any vaccine is released for public use.

To address the issue of vaccine composition, the faithful, as well as governments, must resist the temptation to use aborted fetal tissue in vaccines and vaccine development. This point is not new and is quite clear and absolute.

Next is the movement afoot that promotes the idea that governments ought to mandate that all persons receive a coronavirus vaccine and/or that employers make receiving such vaccination a condition of employment. We are bound by Our duty to point out that such a totalitarian approach by a government requiring a medical procedure – any medical procedure – whether or not it is against the will of the individual, violates the very sanctity of the individual. The human body is a gift from God, placed in the care of the individual. It is for the individual to determine what medical procedures to receive, but only those, naturally, consistent with the laws of God. In the case of children, the law of God is quite clear that it is the parents who are responsible for the care of the body. The state may not mandate anything pertaining to the body except such things that are consistent with the law of God and for which the law of God provides that the state may mandate. It is absolutely illicit for any state to mandate a vaccine for an adult person without free, individual consent, and for a child without the free consent of the parents.

Similarly, it is illicit for any company or organisation to mandate that an employee receive a vaccine or undergo any other medical procedure as a condition of employment, for to do so places the individual’s right to work in the peril. We have spoken on this right of work and threats against it during this pandemic in Our encyclical Intentio Est. Furthermore, such requirements on the part of employers would violate the essential sanctity of medical and health privacy of the individual.

Additionally, We must state in the interest of clarity that We are aware of a plethora of conspiracy theories surrounding the coronavirus vaccine. Conspiracy theories often arise in cases of highly limited public information, with people filling in the gaps with often erroneous material. It is often difficult to separate the truthful content in conspiracy theories from the fanciful and even potentially dangerous content. The faithful are, therefore, cautioned against making decisions precipitously based on conspiracy theories. 

However, one topic of overlap between such theories and reports in mainstream media that bears comment is that of forced micro-chipping. Some companies apparently have considered making micro-chipping a condition of employment. Apparently some laws are being considered in some locations to prevent such a condition of employment. Conspiracy theories often suggest that microchips will be introduced by vaccines, including any potential new vaccine for the novel coronavirus. It is neither Our intention nor Our desire to engage in the debate of such conspiracy theories whatsoever. From a standpoint of Christian ethics, the sole issue is that of any potential for forced micro-chipping. We state that it is entirely and absolutely illicit for any state to mandate micro-chipping or the introduction of any substance, object, or device into the human body or for an employer to make a similar mandate as a condition of employment.

What is patently clear to Us is that the pandemic of the novel coronavirus around the world has resulted in a series of acts by governments and organisations to take outrageously dramatic amounts of control over their populations and employees, even to the point of restricting the freedom of religion and the rights of Holy Mother the Church. We have spoken of this not only in Our encyclical Intentio Est, but also in Our encyclicals Orbis Est and Siamo in Guerra, Our ban of 11 April of this year, and Our Patriarchal Letters Religion is Essential and The Collective Choice of Global Lockdown. There is a cultural war afoot around the world with the forces of the Holy Church of Christ on one side and those who stand against all that is sacred that the Church teaches and represents on the other. This pandemic has been exploited to restrict individual freedom, even of the most sacrosanct decisions. It has been exploited to promote the state over God and government over the Church. Indeed the very issue of public health has been exploited to attempt to bolster a cultural revolution already underway that seeks to change the very fabric of society and the nature of religion. We must, therefore, remain vigilant. Although we must reasonably protect our bodies, it is not ultimately the body that we serve, but Almighty God.

Ego Archipater R.