The NSIR: Part 2

Who We Are, and What We Want to Do

Pope Paul VI receives the Noble Guard January 7, 1964. Prince Alessandro Odescalchi carries the flag.

In our last post on this topic, we covered what the NSIR's name itself means. Now, I would like to address our goals and what we want to see accomplished. These will be generally specific, in that they will all be things we actually want to see done. The overall mission of the salvation of souls and the conversion of all along with the defense of True Doctrine, obedience to the Papacy, and all that is overarching and understood; these are more things we would actually like to achieve. So without further ado, let's start with number one.

1.) The Establishment of Catholic Nation

Map of Europe, dating from the Maximilian Period of the Holy Roman Empire.

A nation is not just a state with fixed boundaries. A nation can be made up of a cultural group or ethnicity. This is what we mean by a nation. Though in subtext we would some day like to see the rise of a legitimate and authentic Catholic State to represent the temporal interests of Catholics in the world at large, what we aim for above that (and maybe more realistically) is an international community of Catholics brought together in their cultural heritage as Catholics, in spite of their temporal differences (race, language, state of origin, etc.). Why? For the same reason Israel came together and returned to their own ancestral homeland; we do not wish to be trod upon any longer. In an age where "tolerance" seems to be the watchword, we want what seems to be the same rights and abilities being afforded to everyone else. We want our own representation and so that the followers of our creed are left to practice as they wish in the security that community affords. From internet think-tanks, forums, and social networks to physical communities, radio stations, television, literature, and cultural appreciation societies; from legal counsel to a reliable defense against physical attack. Many other religions are being afforded special legal status in the public square. Why should not Catholicism be afforded the same?

2.) The Protection of Catholic People and Places

Swiss Guard

In recent years, vandalism of churches and holy places has risen at an alarming and disturbing rate. Clergy and laity alike have been assaulted and killed not just in uncivilized corners of the world, but in other countries as well, without so much as a twitch of a finger raised in their defense. Churches have also been vandalized. It's as if the attitude with Catholicism is that, "Oh, it's the Catholics; they deserve it." How long before these minor incidents explode into full-on riots? How long before we see another Massacre of the Latins in our time? Who wants to bet there won't be an ounce of defense for or sympathy concerning Catholics being killed in the streets and worse? This is a problem the NSIR wishes to rectify, by forming a private security group with the purpose of taking those Catholic men who meet our qualifications and turning them into a disciplined militia tasked with the defense of Churches, holy places, and Catholic peoples (laity and clergy alike) from undue and unjust violence. We intend to work in full cooperation with local and international authorities to maximize our effectiveness. I've spoken on this group before, and I urge you to check that editorial for some information on it before you jump to conclusions.

3.) The Healthy Growth of Catholic Cultural Communities

Corpus Christi Procession in Seville

There are many regions where Catholics are in fact a majority, though they might never realize it for how scattered they are. Or if they are concentrated, they have no focal point. The NSIR wants to help fix this by not only establishing its fraternity in dioceses and parishes all over the world, but by increasing the knowledge of Catholics of their own culture and faith. We wish to bolster their confidence through knowledge, and host events that will help not only the disadvantaged in communities but bring together congregations who otherwise might not know one another beyond those days they are bound to attend the Mass. These community-organizing campaigns will also entail re-awakening cultural and regional-specific devotions and inspiring a greater sense of piety and catholicity in parishes. In this way the NSIR transcends political function and actively assists in the Church's salvific ministry. Ultimately, we hope to see entire communities change for the better by strong Catholic influence.

4.) The Application of True Catholic Social Justice

Conques, Abbey Sainte-Foy; Christ in Judgement.

Too often the word, "Social Justice" in Catholic political circles has become synonymous with Marxist and Communist trends in the Catholic Church. Well, no more! The NSIR seeks to clear the good name of the meaning of Social Justice by actively working to propagate and apply the ideas of governance and economics as espoused by the Catholic Church in such documents as Rerum Novarum and Catholic thinkers such as G.K. Chesteron and numerous others! To say the Church has a wealth of teaching on the subject would be too great an understatement. We are neither Far Left nor Far Right; we are our own side, and seek to walk the middle narrow way along the path the Church has laid for us with peace toward all men of good will. Through legitimate political activism and demonstration in the immediate (protests, marches, etc.) and in the long-term (the establishment of communities of Catholics dedicated to living in communities structured around the ideas of Catholic Social Justice, etc.) we hope to show that the Catholic way has not been tried and found wanting but found difficult and therefore untried. It is said that those who lived in Islamic powers surrounding the Crusader-States often fled to the Franks, preferring their government to that of the Sultans, Emirs, and Caliphs. We hope to obtain similar results by the grace of God.

5.) The Defense of the Church in the Public Square

The Church often finds herself under attack in today's day and age, often without any legal weight on its side - unlike its opponents. The NSIR seeks to remedy that by bringing together the best and the brightest to defend the Church in the public square and the legal courts. No more will those proponents of the Church be silent or ham-stringed, or confined to their internet lobbies; we shall boldly step fourth to defend the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church whenever she is unjustly accused or warred upon.

6.) The Creation of Reliable Secular Partners for the Catholic Church

Seal for the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition (Spain)

Perhaps the most controversial, we wish a return of reliable and strong secular cooperators with the Church. She was best able to manage and protect herself when she had one, particularly in the form of the Holy Roman Empire and the Holy Inquisitions. For the physical protection and propagation of the Church, the NSIR shall exist. For the doctrinal purity of the Church, a valid inquisition will be set up with the full consent and cooperation of the Papacy, as was the first. It will be constructed not so much with the goal of burning heretics, but as a system of "courts" designed to review parishes, pastors, media, literature, and institutions claiming to be Catholic for their doctrinal uprightness. The Inquisitions will exist to guide and advise pastoral leaders in making sure that the fullness of faith is taught from the pulpit and those most qualified are given positions of teaching. Made up of qualified lawyers and individuals who make their chief principal area of study Catholicism and its teachings to their most orthodox adherence (among others qualified for other tasks to be announced), it will also provide legal counsel for the Church in internal disputes. It will help to investigate and prosecute sex offenders within the Church, financial corruption, and other acts of mismanagement that bring scandal and harm upon the faithful. It will also work to rectify these wrongs to the fullest extent that the law provides. In essence, it will exist to directly help the Church and its members achieve salvation and bring it to others by maintaining pure doctrine and a pure Church to bring it. The Church sorely lacks this today and has suffered for it. We believe it is necessary if the Church will curtail the scandals that have damaged it in recent centuries. Rest assured, the model for the Imperial Inquisition is largely in flux right now, as are its full scope of authority. It is an idea that, at this time, remains to be discussed with those who bear the authority to legitimize it.

As for the NSIR itself? Through its other activities it will also see to the growth and health of the Catholic Church through its programs, campaigns, and the living witness of its members; the Inquisition would only be a small part of its institutions. It will put all its energy toward cooperation with the Church so that it might best accomplish its mission.

7.) The Upholding of Catholic History and the Heritage of its Children

Re-enactment of 16th-century military drills conducted by the Knights. Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta, Malta, 8 May 2005.

There is much glory in the past of the Catholic Church and many traditions present in ethnic groups that stem from Catholicism's influence upon it that are either forgotten, suppressed, or simply lose significance in the wake of the pervasive and vulgar secular culture of the day. The NSIR seeks to rectify this in two ways: by telling all of the victories, triumphs, and good deeds of the Church and making them real and visible for the people of today. In doing so we also wish to return Catholic values to those who have forgotten them - mostly Catholics themselves! We will uphold the great achievements and contributions of Catholics in all cultures, even if it is simply that it brought Catholicism to a people previously ignorant of it. Artistic, scientific, philosophical, administrative, architectural, legal, military; great Catholics canonized and not have contributed immeasurably to the world and deserve to have their contributions made known to the world so that they can inspire another generation of great Catholics to action and realize that their faith - their heritage - is a pearl of great price that should not be carelessly cast to the swine. This will include a glorification and appreciation for those stories and artworks and individuals who influence the faith or display its virtues and values - knowingly or unknowingly.

8.) The Expansion of Catholic Education

After a rather depressing incident (among others) the need for strong, authentic Catholic formation of

Charlemagne at the Palace School

the young is becoming more and more apparent. Catholics need good, affordable, reliable schools to send their children along with effective home-school programs to in addition to strong catechism in their own parishes on Sundays and in youth programs throughout the week. As such, the NSIR makes supporting such endeavors through publicity, funding, and legal privilege a priority. In the future, the NSIR hopes to fund and operate its own institutions. Non-Catholics would not be disbarred from attending these institutions, it is pertinent to remember, as long as they can be content with the Catholic environment.

Closing

I believe that covers everything for now. Of course, immediate and short-term goals are bound to change on the day-to-day, but I think this is a strong starting point for helping others to understand where we want to go with this and what we plan to do. Do you have suggestions? Is there anything we missed or didn't clarify? Please, comment and tell us. I hope this clears things up, and helps people get an idea of what we want to accomplish and see come to fruition.

Two-Headed Phoenix. Found this completely by chance. It's very close to what I'd like for our own symbol.