Catholic Theocracy

"The Catholic Faith, which always preserves the unfashionable virtue, is at this moment alone sustaining the independent intellect of man."

Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Catholic Theocracy is an authoritarian, culturally right, and economically centrist ideology inhabiting the upper center political compass. CathTheo seeks to have the values of the Catholic faith upheld as the law and to have a state very closely tied to the Catholic Church.

The head of state of Catholic Theocracy is the pope, elected by the College of Cardinals, an assembly of high-ranking clergy. The pope is elected for life, and either dies in office, or in extremely rare situations may resign. The cardinals are appointed by the popes, who thereby choose the electors of their successors. Voting is limited to cardinals under 80 years of age.

A Secretary for Relations with States, directly responsible for international relations, is appointed by the pope. The Catholic Theocracy's legal system is rooted in canon law. The Bishop of Rome, as the Supreme Pontiff, has the fullness of legislative, executive and judicial powers.

History

And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Jesus Christ

In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus establishes His Church on Peter, saying, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church." As a result, Peter is regarded as the first Pope, and through him, the Apostolic Succession is preserved to this day.

On 27th of February of the year 380 AD, the Edict of Thessalonica was issued by Emperor Theodosius I, making Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire, outlawing all other religions and legalising the prosecution of their followers.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, most of the Germanic tribes that previously practiced Arian Christianity adopted Chalcedonian Christianity to ally themselves with the religious figures of the regions they were invading, leading to most of the former Western Roman Empire becoming a Catholic theocracy loyal to the Vicar of Christ in Rome, while the Eastern Roman Empire evolved into an Orthodox Theocracy loyal to the Emperor of Byzantium after the schism of 1054 permanently split European Christianity.

The Catholic Church maintained various degrees of control across Western Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Perhaps the place where this rule was most dominant was in the Papal States - a territory in central Italy under the direct rule of the Papacy. In other parts of Catholic Europe, the control of the church varied depending on both place and time. On one hand, the church maintained a great deal of sway over secular rulers, and Catholicism was the official state religion of most Western European states until the Protestant Reformation, with the church able to enforce her laws in Ecclesiastical courts alongside state courts (such as in the Inquisition). On the other hand, the church often found itself in conflict with the various monarchies of Europe, most notably in the Investiture Controversy with the Holy Roman Emperors and the 'Babylonian Captivity' in France. The Papal States aside, assorted territories scattered across Europe were under the rule of prince-bishops, mostly located in the German territories. They were dissolved after being defeated in the Napoleonic Wars, with the German Confederation that replaced the HRE consisting of secular city-states and hereditary monarchies, leaving the Papal States the only full Catholic Theocracy in Europe. The Ecclesiastical courts were eventually dissolved outside of the Papal States due to the secularisation of law in Europe, with canonical law being phased out in favour of secular civil law.

The Papal states were dissolved in 1870 at the end of the Risorgimento after Rome was captured by Sardinian forces and Italy was unified, with the Pope being considered a " Prisoner in the Vatican" until the creation of the Vatican City in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty with Mussolini's Italy. The Vatican City controls less than a square kilometre of land. Despite the small size of the only remaining Catholic Theocracy, Catholicism still has a lot of power due to having more than 1 billion followers. Andorra is a partial example of a modern Catholic theocracy, with the Bishop of Urgell being its co-leader along with the French head of state (exact position depends on the time).

Beliefs

Church-State Unity

Catholic Theocracy believes that church and state are inseparable and that the Head of the Catholic Church (Pope) should also act as the Head of State.

Papal Primacy, Supremacy and Infallibility

Papal Primacy is a Roman Catholic doctrine. The doctrine asserts that the Pope has a unique and central role in matters of faith, morals, and governance. As such, the Pope's decisions and teachings are considered to be authoritative and binding for the entire Catholic Church.

Papal Supremacy is a Roman Catholic doctrine. The doctrine emphasises the Pope's authority as the supreme earthly head of the Church. According to it, the Pope has ultimate and supreme jurisdiction over all matters related to the Church, including matters of faith, discipline, and governance.

Papal Infallibility is a Roman Catholic doctrine. The doctrine defines the Pope's pronouncements on matters of faith and morals as being free from error and protected by the Holy Spirit from teaching falsehoods. For a papal pronouncement to be considered infallible, certain criteria must be met, including the Pope speaking ex cathedra (from the chair of Peter) and making a definitive and binding statement concerning faith or morals for the entire Church.

Catholic Social Teaching

Flag of Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a body of Catholic doctrine that emphasises the inherent dignity of each person and calls for the common good within society. It addresses critical social issues such as oppression, wealth distribution, and the role of the state, and critiques modern ideologies from both the left and right that conflict with these values. At its core is Human Dignity, the belief that every person is made in the image of God and thus holds intrinsic worth. This principle underlies CST's emphasis on Dignity of Work, advocating for labor practices that respect workers' rights and contributions, seeing work as a means for individuals to grow and contribute to society.

CST also includes a Preferential Option for the Poor, prioritising care and justice for marginalised individuals, including the impoverished, disabled, elderly, and oppressed. This principle underscores the Church’s call to address social inequality, with a responsibility to protect and uplift those most in need. Solidarity further strengthens this vision by encouraging unity and mutual support across all groups, recognising that every person’s well-being is interconnected.

Subsidiarity is another key principle, advocating that matters should be handled at the most local level possible, only involving larger organisations when necessary. This respects the autonomy of communities while promoting a balanced governance structure. Linked to this is Communitarianism, which stresses the importance of social bonds and responsibilities, guiding societies to prioritise relationships and collective welfare over radical individualism.

Stewardship calls for caring for God's creation, promoting sustainable practices and a responsible relationship with the environment. The principle of Christian Corporatism aligns with CST by endorsing social and economic policies that balance the interests of workers, employers, and the community, fostering cooperation over competition. Altogether, these principles of CST offer a comprehensive framework for building a just society that respects human dignity, promotes the common good, and cares for the most vulnerable.

Theological Traditions

Augustinianism

Augustianism was one of the earliest branches of Christian theology and philosophy. Its creator is Augustine of Hippo.

Augustinian contributions to Catholic theology are, among others:

• Six days of creation as metaphor, not an actual amount of time. According to Augustine, God has created everything at once, and the six days describe the spiritual, not physical, way.
• Original Sin being an act of either foolishness followed by pride or the pride coming first. The tree was a symbol, and original sin was a manifestation of human self-centredness and lack of respect for the world as created by God.
• Christian Anthropology describing soul and body as created in perfect unity. Yet, since the fall of humanity, body and soul fight each other - the body representing physical force and the soul being the spiritual one. The soul is superior to body and therefore is suitable to govern it.
• Ecclesiology describing the Church as containing two dimensions - visible and invisible. The visible dimension, including hierarchy and the sacraments) was a (partial and imperfect) reflection of invisible souls (of those being part of the Church).

Charismatic

Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is a syncretic Catholic denomination which combines Catholicism with Evangelical Christianity. The movement began in 1967, when a group of Catholics attended a Protestant worship ceremony. They claimed to have been "baptised in the Holy Spirit".

Main traits of CCR are emphasis on: "personal relationship with Jesus", emotional experience and receiving "gifts of the Holy Spirit". CCR is also highly influenced by Pentecostalism.

Jansenism

Jansenism was a strongly determinist current of Catholic thought widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries, mainly in France and to a lesser extent in Italy and developed by the Dutch theologian Jansenius. It contrasts sharply with Molinism due to Molinism's strong emphasis on free will and due to Jansenius' belief in double predestination; this current was sometimes accused of being heterodox if not downright crypto-Calvinist and heretical, and eventually there was official condemnation by Pope Innocent X in 1653. This current was also supported by the philosopher Blaise Pascal.

Modernism

Modernism is a heretical movement that seeks a break with Catholic traditions and a revolutionary change in the Church, sometimes seeing the Second Vatican Council as a liberalising and positive force in discontinuity with respect to the deplored past or other times seeing it as too moderate and substantially conservative. A group of Catholic thinkers with markedly progressive tendencies and which emphasises the "spirit of the council" is the Bologna school, which is based in the homonymous Italian city. Modernism was firmly condemned by Pope Saint Pius X as "the synthesis of all errors", and until the Second Vatican Council, an anti-modernist oath was imposed on all priests.

Scholasticism

Scholasticism was the main school of thought of medieval Catholicism, with a strongly Aristotelian approach. Scholasticism is, in turn, divided into many smaller currents.

Thomism

Thomism is a current of scholasticism developed by the Italian theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas was among the first in the West to open up to the ideas of Averroes and became, with the name of Doctor Angelicus, a doctor of the Church and a pillar of Christian and Western philosophy for centuries. The Dominicans, the order to which Thomas himself belonged, have historically been and remain very traditionalist and linked to Thomism as opposed to heterodox currents.

Nominalism

WIP

Ockhamism

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Neo-Scholasticism

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Scotism

Blessed Duns Scotus was a medieval Scottish theologian belonging to the Franciscan order who supported positions such as theological voluntarism and compatibilism.

Scotus influenced Scotistic realism.

Traditionalism

Flag of Traditionalist Catholicism

Traditionalism is the set of beliefs, practices, customs, traditions, liturgical forms, devotions, and presentations of Catholic teaching that existed in the Catholic Church before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In particular, attachment to the Tridentine Mass, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass. Many traditional Catholics tend to strongly oppose liberal and leftist ideals.

Sedevacantism

Sedevacantism is an extremist and heretical branch of Traditional Catholicism that believes the Catholic Church has been dormant since the death of Pope Pius XII, and all popes following him led the Church into heresy. The sedevacantists broke away for a series of issues from the main traditionalist group, the SSPX of the French Marcel Lefebvre (which recognises the legitimacy of all post-conciliar popes and has somewhat relaxed relations with Rome), to found the small SSPV, widespread in the USA and Canada. It's a minority position within Traditional Catholicism and is considered heretical by the Church and many other Traditionalists as well.

Regional

Fawkesianism

Guy Fawkes was a terrorist who, in 1605, acted on behalf of a greater Gunpowder Plot that was led by Robert Catesby to depose the Anglican James I of England and restore Catholicism in England, starting by blowing up the House of Lords. The plot failed with Guy Fawkes being executed, while Catesby was killed during his last stand.

Hebrew Catholicism

Hebrew Catholicism describes either ethnic Jews who converted to Catholicism or non-Jewish believers who syncretize Mosaic traditions with Catholic doctrine.

Marianismo

Marianismo is term used to describe ideal of femininity, strongly connected to devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Its popular in Hispanic countries, especially Mexico.

Maronite Church

The Maronite Church is part of the Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Rome. Its members, known as Maronites, are ethnoreligious group native to Levant region.

Neo-Guelphism

Neo-Guelphism was political movement in the XIX century in Italy. It aimed to unite the Italian states into a confederation ruled by the Pope.

The movement was mainly popular among Catholic intellectuals, including journalists, businessmen and aristocrats.

Polish Inquisitor

Polish Inquisitor is Polish youtuber and Catholic apologist. WIP

Orders and and Institutions

Clerics Regular of Saint Paul

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Military Orders

For centuries, the Catholic Church has had a wide variety of military orders which in the past were dedicated to the Holy Wars but which currently carry out other types of activities.

Famous military orders still alive include the Teutonic Knights and the Hospitallers, while the Templar Order was perpetually disbanded in 1312 and his last grand master Jacques de Molay was burned at the stake due to pressure from Philip the Fair on Pope Clement and accusations of Satanism and other sins. Despite the ban, the phenomenon of Neo-Templarism has developed both among secular Masonic and esoteric groups who claim that the order has survived in secret (and proclaim themselves its successors) and among Catholics who have founded organizations such as the international Knights Templar and ask for the recognition of the Holy See for the revival of the order, often asserting that historically it was destroyed due of the French monarchy's interest in its vast riches rather than what they see as false accusations from the King.

The Orders are open even to laymen who, however, take religious vows and monastic ideals such as chastity and obedience.

Opus Dei

Opus Dei is a personal prelature of the Catholic Church. The order is mainly focused on helping people reach sanctity by their day-to-day actions, by uniting spiritual life with professional, social, and family life through a diverse number of activities. It has received a lot of criticism for its supposed cult-like practices, even being called a sect by some, although the order has denied these claims. The order also had a certain involvement in the late years of Franco's Dictatorship.

Order of Friars Minor

The Order of Friars Minor, commonly known as Franciscan Order, centred around Saint Francis of Assisi, is a catholic order that strongly supports pacifism, poverty and natural mysticism.

Historically, they had a certain "rivalry" with the Benedictines, strongly linked to Thomism, favouring instead a Neoplatonic approach.

Over time, particularly after the death of the founder Francis, the radical current of the "spiritual Franciscans" or "fraticelli" developed within the order and opposed the wealth of the Church and any change in the rule of absolute poverty of the order, eventually meeting papal condemnation. The persecution of the "fraticelli" inspired Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose.

Some spiritual Franciscans were taken under the protective wing of the reformist Pope Celestine V, and although they cannot be called Celestines as they are a branch of the Benedictine order, they adopted a similar hermitic lifestyle.

The Franciscan spiritual tradition was also appreciated in Protestant circles and consequently the Order of Lutheran Franciscans and, among Anglicans, the Society of Saint Francis were founded. The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans is open to members of various denominations, including Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, Methodists, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Reformed Christians and others.

Order of Preachers

The Order of Preachers, commonly known as Dominican Order, is an order founded in 1216 by St. Dominic de Guzman; however, Benedictine spirituality already existed since 529, initiated by Saint Benedict of Norcia.

Dominicans were historically charged by the Pope with protecting orthodoxy and were therefore placed at the helm of the tribunal of the Holy Inquisition, including the well-known Spanish Inquisition.

Today the Dominicans widespread in many countries, including France, Belgium and Italy.

How to Draw

Flag of Catholic Theocracy

1. Draw a ball.
2. Fill the left half with yellow and the right half with white.
3. Draw the Vatican coat of arms.
   1. In the middle of the white side, draw two old keys in a saltire. Their posts should be facing up.
   2. Colour the left key yellow and the right key grey.
   3. Draw a red ribbon interlacing the keys at the middle and going through the bows.
   4. Draw the papal tiara on top of the keys.
      1. Draw three yellow tiaras curved up. (Make sure they touch each other.)
      2. Outline a semicircle on the top tiara.
      3. Draw a yellow globus cruciger at the top of the outline.
   5. Draw a white ribbon from the bottom left end of the papal tiara shaped like an inverted S. (Make sure part of it goes under the collar)
   6. Do the same thing with the bottom right end of the tiara but make it in a regular S shape.
   7. On the ribbons, draw three yellow crosses. (one at the start of the ribbon, one at the throat of the key, and one at the end)
   8. Colour the ends of the ribbons yellow.
4. Draw a mitre (half-oval) on the ball's head.
5. Fill it with white.
6. Draw a cream colored inverted T across it
7. You are done!

Relationships

Fratres (Brothers)

• Christian Theocracy - We can't have Catholicism without Christianity.
• Distributism - A friend of Leo XIII is a friend of mine.
• Christian Democracy - Another good friend, you are great for defending Catholic values in liberal democracies, even if some of you are protestants.
• Pope Francis Thought - Your use of modern social media like Twitter to spread love and Jesus Christ to teach others about the Catholic faith was nice. But your attempt to shift away from Catholic traditions and rituals, too socially liberal views and push for Ecumenicism got on the nerves of my more traditionally minded followers... That being said, I also think you did your best to enforce the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
• Integralism - A truly Catholic system of government! As Pope Pius IX stated, the religious neutrality of the civil power cannot be embraced as an ideal situation.
• Elective Monarchism - The system used for choosing the new Pope is electoral. But there's still only ~200 eligible voters at any given point.
• Pan-Latinism & Pan-Hispanism - The whole Romance/Neo-Latin World is loyal to the Church of Rome. Except Romania, but he hardly counts.
• Pan-Celtism - 26 + 6 = 1
• Scientocracy - Georges Lemaître, Gregor Mendel, Nicholas Steno, Erich Wasmann, Copernicus, all of them were brilliant scientists who followed the word of God. Galileo didn't even discover heliocentrism; all he did was criticise the Pope. It's truly one of the worst pieces of misinformation in the modern day... Still, it was pretty embarrassing to have banned heliocentrism back in 1616, but it’s a good thing we gradually corrected it.
• Patchwork - Me in the modern day. I have a billion followers and phenomenal power over them, but an itty-bitty living space. I still miss the bigger Papal States.
• Mercantilism - Just a little help with construction and art.
• National Democracy and PiS - My friends in Poland.
• Francoism - Avenge the victims of Red Terror and Josémaria Escrivá is a canonic saint ... but you're far too harsh. Why did you suppress the circulation of Mit Brennender Sorge, though? Also, you shot some priests who disagreed with you.
• Person Dignity Theory - Like the above, actually. Preferable to communism and follows me, but still quite too violent.
• Reactionary Modernism - I appreciate the support, but I beg of you to go outside sometimes
• Traditionalism - “The Church has no fear of the truth. She has always been, and will always be, the guardian of Tradition.” — Pius XII
• Taiwan DPPism - Taiwan is the Real China! Unlike those Commie Heretics!

Mixtum (Mixed)

• Castroism - One of the better commies. I can still do diplomatic relations unlike them
• Capitalism - You became a reprehensible system when you commit abuses against the working class and care more about money than morality and religion...
• HREism - Charlemagne and Otto I were crowned as the defenders of Christendom, but so many of you, like Barbarossa, just weren't content with that; you wanted your clerical power too.
• Anglican Theocracy - The least bad Protestant who eventually stopped antagonising me and started treating us as equals. But we were enemies before, especially when Ireland was under your boot. Also, you have invalid orders. Why did you let the protestants change your rite of ordination?!
• Orthodox Theocracy - We work together more often than not now, even if he is a schismatic. You have some heterodox theology, too. To preserve forever in his Church the unity and doctrine of this faith, Christ chose one of his apostles, Peter, whom he appointed the Prince of his Apostles, his Vicar on earth, and impregnable foundation and head of his Church. Surpassing all others with every dignity of extraordinary authority, power and jurisdiction, he was to feed the Lord’s flock, strengthen his brothers, rule and govern the universal Church.
• State Oriental Orthodoxy - Separated from us earlier on the 5th Century. The Council of Chalcedon was a valid council. Come back in communion with Rome.
• Crusadism - In the past we have worked together but now I am more ecumenical and the justification of war through the doctrine of Holy War has essentially been abandoned, so now we can say we are completely peaceful, pro-religious freedom and pro love of neighbour, against religious wars and discrimination.
• Bonapartism - Thank you for restoring me in France, but did you have to invade the Papal States? Also, did you just crown yourself? You can't do that! However, I am forever grateful to Napoleon III for protecting me from those godless Piedmontese. It is a shame that Bismarck forced him to withdraw his garrison.
• Fascism - You may have restored me in Italy, but I will never accept your godless Hegelian modernism!
• Catholic Nazism - You may call yourself a Catholic, but I condemn the hateful doctrines of totalitarianism.
• Ho Chi Minh Thought - Another stupid commie. But 6% of Vietnams population are Catholics which is pretty high for a commie nation.

Heretici (Heretics)

• Henricanism - Heretic! Mary Tudor was right! Bloody Mary go brrrr.
• Cromwellism - Puritanism lacked any redeeming qualities that Anglicanism might've had. Ireland still bears the scars.
• Protestant Theocracy - I may not be as antagonistic toward you as in the 17th century, but our doctrines are inherently incompatible since you reject the papal authority.
• Theodemocracy - You are not even Christian.
• Jewish Theocracy - I might've aided your escape in WW2, but I will not recant my contempt for your religious beliefs. Please stop calling me an antisemite for saying that!
• Islamic Theocracy - Even though I'm no longer deus vulting you, the Vatican does not even recognise or hold formal relations with Saudi Arabia. Ignore I prayed with you once
• State Atheism - Kid toucher, you call me, but it's the godless school teachers and Protestant televangelists that molest a thousand times more than I ever did.
• Satanic Theocracy - Crux sancta sit mihi lux, Non draco sit mihi dux, Vade retro satana, Numquam suade mihi vana, Sunt mala quae libas, Ipse venena bibas.
• Secular Satanism - Go outside, touch grass.
• LGBT+ - Your actions are intrinsically disordered. Your orientation alone is not sinful, though.) It needs to be reoriented accordingly, which means you have to resist your temptations. You shouldn't be allowed anywhere near clerical positions.
• Anarcho-Syndicalism - Blasphemer, you must burn for destroying the houses of God!
  • It will be done, your holiness. *burns ansynd*

• Jacobinism - I will never forgive you for defacing Notre Dame and promoting "supreme being" idolatry.
• Kleptocracy - On top of commandment #7, the HRE attempted to weaken me via simony, and corruption inside me (which I got rid of) caused them to show up.
• Pagan Theocracy - I will tie you to that tree you worship and burn you alive! Thanks to him for inspiring my aesthetics though
• Esoteric Fascism - Heaven above, what is wrong with your brain?!
• Nazism - There is no other way about this, Hitler hated Christ. Why else would he subjugate the church, not just for political control but to promote genuine heresy? Pope Pius XI's encyclical "Mit Brennender Sorge" GO BRRRRRRR
• Marxism-Leninism - I won't forgive you for imprisoning Cardinal Slipyj. Burn in hell.
• Christian Socialism - "Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms; no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist." - Pope Pius XI
• Liberalism - I condemn you in many encyclicals.
• Neoreactionaryism - What's so bad about living in a Cathedral?
• Freemasonry - Bloody masons! Never shall you enter heaven with your blasphemy!
• Eugenicism - Absolute abomination. While I am perfectly fine with the teaching of genetics and evolution, you advocate the idea of playing God!
• State Shinto - Amakusa Shiro's struggle will not be forgotten.
• Anonymous - Stop misusing the Guy Fawkes mask for your godless and lawless goals. He wanted to undo the Anglican heresy, not hack unrelated websites.
• Existentialist Anarchism - Damn you Sartre, Dies irae dies illa!
• Turkish Idealism - 1981 never forgive! Although I did forgive the ex-assassin specifically because he regretted it.
• Italian Monarchism - 1871 never forget!
• American Model - Literally a Heresy!
• Maoism & Dengism - Fake China and Commie Heretics! However the latter is less Anti-Religion so I might change my mind one day but still.
• Juche - Why do you send people for prison because they worship the truth?
• Kaysone Phomvihane Thought - Not as Anti-Religion but is still very christophobic to the point where you persecute them for no reason.
• Nguemaism - You literally obliterated everything Franco built. I have no words.

Further Information

Literature

• On the Pope by Joseph De Maistre
• Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity, 08.04.2024

Videos

• Church History: Complete Documentary AD 33 to Present

Wikipedia

• Vatican City
• Holy See
• Papal States
• Catholicism
  • Latin Church
  • Eastern Catholic Churches
• Pope
• Conclave
• Cardinal
• Catholic Social Teaching
• Counter-Reformation
• Science and the Catholic Church
• Holy orders in the Catholic Church
• Prince-bishop
• Inquisition

Websites

• Catholic Answers
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Gallery

Comics

• 
  Credit: K-Tech, Source

Portraits and Artwork

• 
  "Christianity compass" by Evenosky
• 
  Credit: Based And Jedpilled
• 
  "Theocracies compass" By Spade
• 
  Traditionalist Catholicism by GeneralStudios