God's Tabernacle

The Roman Inquisition.

This is the highest-ranking Inquisition in the Catholicism world. It was established in 1542 by order of Pope Paul III and holds the highest position in the entire Catholicism world, having the power to supervise all Inquisition in the Catholicism world.

Unlike the Spain Inquisition, established in 1478 and directly under Queen Isabella, primarily used for the humane treatment of desert heretics Roman Inquisition directly managed by the Pope. In a sense, this also reflected the power struggle between the Holy See and secular monarchy. After all, the power to determine who was a heretic could never fall into the hands of the king, no matter how devout he was.

Pope Paul III appointed six cardinals to form a central court called the Sacred Roman Congregation of the Inquisition. This body required defendants who confessed to commit acts of public penance, including self-flogging, pilgrimage to the Holy Land, fines, and wearing clothing that indicated their status as convicted. In addition, those who committed serious crimes could have their property confiscated, be imprisoned, or even be burned at the stake.

However, that was a long time ago. Although the Roman Inquisition still exists today, it no longer wields such power. Nevertheless, it still retains one important power: to determine whether a doctrine is heretical.

"Your Honor, a new heresy has emerged. It was discovered in Spain." A priest dressed in black handed a document to Cardinal Domingo, who was in charge of the Roman Inquisition.

Frankly, the emergence of heresies has become quite common in recent years. Ever since Martin Luther began the Reformation and started adhering to "reliance solely on the Bible," half of Europe has become heretical. Because of this "reliance solely on the Bible," all sorts of ridiculous heresies have sprung up, and with the involvement of various ambitious individuals and charlatans, it would be abnormal if no new sects suspected of being heretical appeared one day.

"Lentini, don't rush to judgment. Whether they are heretics or not, we still need to investigate." The cardinal smiled and shook his head. This is the nature of this era; it requires such leniency towards those suspected of heresy. We need to examine them carefully to see if there's any need to save them before sending someone to persuade them. In the past, they would have simply arrested them, imprisoned them, and interrogated them. If the heretic remained unrepentant, there would be a much gentler, bloodless way to deal with them.

However, barbecue parties are obviously out of the question now, and even the label of "heretic" isn't so easily slapped on someone. Because if that label is attached, and people accept it, saying we're no longer Catholicism but Protestantism, and then run off with a flock of Catholicism followers... then where is His Holiness the Pope supposed to shear the sheep?

So you see, the France Church has become like that. As long as they still want to call themselves Catholicism, the Holy See really doesn't dare to call them heretics. To be honest, most heresies back then were far less serious than the France Church's heresies.

As Bishop Domingo spoke, he opened the document handed to him by Pastor Lentini. Domingo frowned at the few words on the cover and nearly dropped it. The words were written in large letters, "Revolutionary Theology."

But then Bishop Domingo suddenly wondered, could this "Revolutionary Theology" be related to the France Revolution? Could it be something concocted by those heretics within the France Church, whom no one dared to accuse of? But those France Church members had promised never to proselytize outside their dioceses. How could they go back on their word like this, so untrustworthy? Where was the most basic trust between people?

But what if it really was those France heretics who can't really be called heretics? Even if they break their promises and go back on their word, what can you do? Do you dare to declare them heretics? If they really dare to be so ungrateful, believe me, the Holy See Rome be labeled as heretics in no time!

So Bishop Domingo suppressed his disgust and continued flipping through the pages. Gradually, his hands began to tremble uncontrollably, so much so that the document rattled loudly. Unable to continue reading, Bishop Domingo placed the document on the table, clasped his hands together, and prayed to God: "God, this is truly, truly terrible blasphemy..."

After a while, Bishop Domingo regained his composure and continued reading the document. He finished reading it with a livid expression, put it down, and seeing Pastor Lentini standing beside him, narrowed his eyes and said, "Lentini, have you read this document?"

"Your Excellency, I have seen it," Lentini replied, bowing his head.

"What do you think of what's said here?" the bishop continued.

"I believe this is heresy, and the most evil heresy in history!" Reverend Lentini replied immediately.

"You're right. But God is still merciful. I need to discuss this matter with His Holiness the Pope and several other cardinals. Until then, this matter must be kept secret. Understand?"

"I understand, Your Excellency Cardinal."

Bishop Domingo nodded, got up, took the document, went out, and went directly to the Palace of the Popes to pay his respects to Pope Pius VI.

In the original history, Pope Pius VI was imprisoned by the France for repeatedly rebelling, and due to his advanced age, he died in captivity in 1799. However, in this timeline, because the France won more decisively, Pope Pius VI did not dare to rebel immediately, thus avoiding his fate and surviving until this time.

Upon meeting the Pope and explaining his purpose, Bishop Domingo handed the document to Pope Pius VI. After reviewing it, Pope Pius VI asked, "This is clearly a cursed heresy! Hmm, you came to me because you're worried this is something from the French Diocese?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am concerned that these matters may be related to France. Perhaps we should send a letter to inquire?" Cardinal Domingo asked.

"No need," His Holiness the Pope replied. "This document is certainly related to the France, but it was definitely not produced by the French Diocese. At least, the French Diocese wouldn't admit that such doctrine came from them. Hmm, do you understand what we mean?"

Cardinal Domingo pondered for a moment and then understood the Pope's meaning. Some of the statements in this "Revolutionary Theology" were far too extreme, reeking of Jacobin, or even more so, the far-left Enragés of the Jacobin. According to such doctrine, almost every member of the France upper class today should be on the guillotine. Although, on a global scale, their place on the guillotine would be relatively late.

"Your Holiness, do you mean these things were created by the remnants of the Enragés?"

"Possibly, but not necessarily," Pope Pius VI said. "Perhaps it was the France who put it together to cause trouble. Those damned France are masters of causing trouble! Let's send someone to make a copy of this document and deliver it to the France, telling them we've discovered this heresy, and see their reaction."

Soon, the document from the Holy See was sent to the France Church. It was then quickly delivered to Fouché, the Minister of Police.

Fouché knew that if this version of "Revolutionary Theology" were to spread in France, it would be absolutely detrimental to the stability and unity of the France. This revolutionary spirit did indeed originate in France, and many of its viewpoints even came from Fouché himself. But now he was unwilling to see such a revolution occur in France again. From this perspective, Fouché was now definitely counter-revolutionary. Moreover, he knew that no one in the Bonaparte family was not counter-revolutionary.

However, Fouché also knew that this thing posed little threat to France at present. The France had seen similar theories before and experienced life back then, a life incomparable to today's. Therefore, Fouché wasn't worried at all about these things becoming popular in France. These things would only circulate outside of France, and that, at least for now, wasn't a bad thing for the France.

As for Lucien, he knew more about this matter. He knew that a group of people, including the remnants of France radicals, had purchased large amounts of land in Louisiana, intending to establish a so-called "God's Tabernacle" in the New World Louisiana, on the land they had purchased—a region that would adopt democracy and public ownership.

The three Bonaparte brothers all believed that this organization could restrain the United States and pose a serious threat to Spain, making it highly commendable. Although Spain was an ally of France, that didn't mean there were no conflicts between them. Besides, even without conflicts, isn't it normal to betray an ally?

France had long coveted Spain's vast territories in the Americas. With the "God's Tabernacle" and "Revolutionary Theology," Spain would surely wreak havoc across the Americas, providing the France with numerous opportunities.

For example, war inevitably leads to a surge in arms sales. The France could sell weapons to Spain while simultaneously allowing the liberators of the Americas to purchase civilian weapons through the "God's Tabernacle" in Louisiana, since the "God's Tabernacle" was also a France citizen with legal status.

On the other hand, the France could also take the opportunity to penetrate into the Americas, including South America. The economic structure of the Americas, especially South America, is quite distorted. They do not have an independent economy; their economy is entirely dependent on the Europe economy. The so-called "liberators" could not change this. Therefore, the France had every opportunity to transform the entire South America from Spain territory into nominally independent territory, but in reality, it belonged to France.