Missionary Work

"Bishop Leonard, welcome. Your presence makes our humble office shine." In his office, Lucien welcomed Bishop Leonard.

Lucien said his office was simple, and that wasn't just modesty, because most of the time (and only a few times a year) Lucien didn't work there. So, Lucien naturally didn't care about the decor. In fact, at times, he could even use this relatively plain office to demonstrate his integrity.

Of course, all the people of France believed in the Bonaparte Family's integrity. Although the salaries of Bonaparte as president, Bonaparte, and Bonaparte were not low, they all donated their entire salaries to help the poor in France. Besides, all of France knew that the Bonaparte family was extremely skilled in business; they had plenty of money, so why would they need to be corrupt?

Just as a mayor in Xinxiang, the Lighthouse Country of the world, didn't take a salary and even contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to support various undertakings in Xinxiang, the Bonaparte Family not only didn't take salaries but also continuously contributed money to various charitable causes. Of course, like the mayor of Xinxiang, the Bonaparte Family's wealth multiplied many times over in the process. But all this money came from honest and legitimate means, not from corruption—after all, how much money can corruption make? As long as the policy direction is adjusted and economic preparations are made with foresight, one can earn countless amounts of money through legitimate means.

"Minister Bonaparte, it is an honor to meet you here. May God bless you," Bishop Leonard replied.

"Your Excellency, you should already know before you came that after the Olympic Games, we will be taking action against those Barbary Pirates to rescue the Catholicism they have kidnapped and sold into slavery. Your Excellency, as you know, these people have been living in North Africa for a long time, suffering a fate worse than death under the enslavement of those evil infidels. They have been longing for us to liberate them from the infidels' slavery, just as farmers long for clouds during a drought."

Upon hearing Lucien's exaggerated remarks, Bishop Leonard couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Indeed, over the past few centuries, beginning in the 16th century, Barbary Pirates captured approximately 800,000 to 1.25 million coastal inhabitants of Europe by attacking ships and coastal settlements, and then sold them into slavery. This audacious raiding reached its peak in the mid-17th century. Coastal villages in countries such as Spain and Italy were severely affected, and residents migrated inland, not returning to settle until the 19th century.

The France played a far less honorable role in these disasters. In fact, the Barbary Pirates' rampant activity was largely due to France support. The France opened their naval ports to these pirates for supplies, helped them sell their stolen goods, built and repaired their ships, sold them weapons, provided intelligence, and even vacated Catholic churches for pagans to pray in. Without the France, the Barbary Pirates' harm would never have been so great. Now, the France are jumping out to play the savior—this is truly... I have never seen such shamelessness!

Seemingly sensing Bishop Leonard's thoughts, Lucien continued, "When the tyrants of the Bourbon Dynasty ruled France, they not only failed to stop such atrocities, but were also corrupted by Mammon. For the sake of the profits plundered by pirates, they betrayed God and the vast majority of devout France people. They are utterly unworthy to call themselves Catholicism. I think the Holy See should seriously consider this matter and announce the excommunication of those exiled remnants of the Bourbon family."

"The Bourbon family are certainly no good, but aren't you still maintaining an alliance with Turkey?" Bishop Leonard thought to himself, but said aloud, "The Church is benevolent and just. We will launch an investigation into those Bourbon exiles, and we will only resort to such extreme measures when the evidence is conclusive."

Lucien expressed his understanding, and then said, "Although the support for the Barbary Pirates was the work of those tyrants, French Republic government has never done anything so contrary to its conscience, we still feel that we have a moral responsibility in this matter. Therefore, we hope to work with the Holy See to liberate God's people who are stranded in North Africa."

Yes, Bishop, you also know that these Christ in distress have lived in North Africa for a long time, and their families and businesses are all there. It would be irresponsible to hastily send them away from North Africa. Moreover, North Africa is Turkey territory. France does not wish to engage in territorial expansion and aggression. This would violate France principles.

So even if we liberate those poor Christian slaves, they will still remain in North Africa. However, these poor Christians, our poor brothers, have been in the hands of pagans for over a century. Although they still retain their devout faith in Jesus Christ, due to the lack of church guidance, they inevitably encounter doubts and even go astray in some matters. Therefore, we need to establish an orthodox church in North Africa to guide those who belong to God's sheep."

Bishop Leonard knew this was the key point. So he asked, "The Holy See is certainly willing to help these lost sheep. But what can the Holy See do in infidel lands?"

"We have reached an agreement with the Sultan that France will have the right to lease ports, mine minerals, and build railways attached to the mines in the former Barbary States. In the leased ports, as well as along the mines and railway lines, France will have the right to build new churches and station a certain number of troops."

Originally, our Church was eager to shoulder this responsibility, but France has always been honest and trustworthy. There was a secret clause in our agreement with the Holy See that our Church would not preach outside of France and its territories. Legally speaking, those places in North Africa are merely leased territory, not France territory. Therefore, our Church should not preach there. Thus, the responsibility of guiding those lost sheep back to the right path falls solely on the Holy See. The Holy See can ask us for anything it needs during its missionary work; if it encounters trouble from heretics, it can seek our support. Do you understand our sincerity, Bishop? This is the most important gift we can offer His Holiness the Pope."