The Office of the Inquisition for Faithful Doctrine, often referred to simply as the Inquisition, is one of four organizational spheres of the High Church of Messiah-as-Emperox. Today it serves as the High Church's internal affairs bureau, human resources management and financial auditor, ensuring that members of the clergy adhere to officially accepted teachings and practices in the performing of their duties.
Origins[]
It came into existence during the Ascension of the High Church in 2217 but little of its function before the scream is known. There are conflicting records as to its purpose, its scope, and its influence within the High Church itself.
History[]
During the reign of Empress Aquila Alejandra Ari. The mandate was widened to include observing the piety of Nobles, given operational independence and wide-reaching discretionary powers to do so. However in practice, the office was tightly controlled by the Empress either personally or through hand picked loyalists. During this time the Inquisition's efforts were principally directed not against the unvirtuous but against the Empress political opponents. It also operated as a political commissariat within the church, ensuring the personal obedience of the clergy to the Empress as she curtailed the Church's authority and dealing harshly with any perceived critics of her policy.
Following the fall of the Blood Eagle in 2955 and the restoration of the Council of Exarchs authority over the Theocratic structure, the Inquisition found itself turned upon. Leaders were removed, Power structures dissolved, and access to resources cut off. Since then the Inquisition was brought under the Council's authority and has retained only investigative powers.