+++The Reformation+++

The Ecclesiarchy Reborn

Although Vandire's Reign of Blood ended with the death of the High Lord, the Age of Apostasy was to continue for many centuries. Much of the Imperium was still wracked by warp storms and all manner of small empires and kingdoms were being carved by Imperial Commanders and Cardinals. The Sebastian Thor had begun his pilgrimage to Earth. However, with no Council of High Lords and no Ecclesiarch there was little hope that the rest of the Imperium could be swiftly restored to its former power.

The Space Marine Chapter Masters and the Fabricator General of the Adeptus Mechanicus set about resurrecting what remained of the High Lords of Terra. The copious notes of Vandire's scribes provided damning evidence against many of those who had profited from the Reign of Blood, and Hedriatix was adamant that all those implicated would face a trail for their conduct, sooner or later. Many of the organisations were encouraged to purge their own ranks, such as the Navigators and Chartist Captains, Imperial Commanders were promoted from within the ranks of those who had opposed Vandire, while other High Lords were vindicated by their peers and duly kept their seats in the Council. However, there was still no Ecclesiarch.

The Trial of Sebastian Thor

Messages were sent to Sebastian Thor, requesting that he journey immediately to Earth. His reply was simple, explaining that he had more work to carry out in the northern reaches before he could continue his journey to Terra. A fast transport ship was sent to collect Thor, but again he refused the invitation, insisting that he was not yet ready. Exasperated, the High Lords issued a decree declaring Thor a traitor and demanding he stand trail on Terra for various seditious activities against the appointed officials of the Emperor. Thor was taken into custody without violence, commanding his followers to stay their hands and let the Emperor protect his messenger.

The galleries of the huge courtroom were filled with thousands of Thor's supporters, watching the proceedings with tense anticipation. The poor and wealthy alike travelled from all across the Imperium to witness the trail of the Imperium's latest saviour. The Judicium Terran became a focal point for the faithful and the end of long pilgrimages. Many of those who set out arrived months or even years after the trial had finished, but were determined to complete their journeys and show their support for Thor.

The prosecution of Thor was vigorously pursued by certain members of the High Lords, their pride affronted by Thor's dismissive refusals. However, for every charge, there was clear and concise evidence of Thor's innocence. He had not incited the people to smash the temples of the Ministorum, there were documented accounts of his sermons decrying such behaviour. He had not fought against the soldiers of the Imperium, and many of those who had been sent against him were now numbered amongst his most loyal followers. Finally, after two months, the trial came to its end. The High Lords consulted each other for three days, debating what to do with this charismatic young man.

It was Captain-General Excelsor of the Adeptus Custodes who delivered their verdict. After explaining that Thor was found innocent of all charges brought against him, Excelsor explanined the dire need of the Imperium for a new Ecclesiarch. Since Thor had been proved totally innocent of even the most petty crime, he was an obvious candidate to fill the post in such a time of spiritual need. The crowds roared their approval, thanking the Emperor in his divine wisdom for sending Thor to deliver them. Speaking quietly, Thor declined the offer and the Council erupted into chaos. While the other High Lords ranted at one another and at Thor's impudence, and the watching supporters gasped in despair and disbelief, Excelsor took Thor aside and spoke to him. Although no one truly knows what the Captain-General said to Thor, it is widely believed to have been, " You will leave Terra as an Ecclesiarch, or you will not leave Terra at all..."

As the fell silent once more,Thor announced that he would take on the mantle of Ecclesiarch, but only on certain conditions. He was to have the full backing of the High Lords whenever he needed it. He would make changes to the organisation of the Ecclesiarchy and they would trust him in his actions. He also wanted to continue as he had been, moving across the Imperium, preaching to the people directly. It was as an orator that the Emperor had guided him, and with his sermons and prayers he would unite the Imperium under the Emperor once more. Naturally, the High Lords agreed Thor I was the 292nd Ecclesiarch.

The Reformation

There were a number of important changes to the Adeptus Ministorum after the Reign of Blood and throughout the Age of Apostasy. Many of them were at the instigation of Sebastian Thor himself. Although Thor strongly disapproved of the way the Ecclesiarchy had been previously run, he was enough of a statesman to realise that radical changes in the Faith were not what was required. There was enough instability already and what the populace was crying out for was solid leadership. Although many of Thor's ideas were never fully realised during his lifetime, the foundations he laid down during his time as Ecclesiarch continue to hold the Adeptus Ministorum together to this day.

The first change executed by Thor was the formation of the Synod Ministra on Ophelia VII. Although the Holy Synod remains on Terra and Cardinals from all over the Imperium are free to gather there and discuss the issues concerning the Ecclesiarchy, the Synod Ministra acts as a secondary governing body further from Terra. This has a two-fold effect. Firstly, the Synod Ministra relays and disseminates the dictates of the Ecclesiarch and the Holy Synod, enforcing the laws of the Ecclesiarchy. Secondly, it provides a defence against the manipulation of the Ecclesiarchy by other organisations or even a single individual within the ranks of the Ministorum itself. Never again will a High Lord or Ecclesiarch have total power over the Adeptus Ministorum.

In a similar vein, each of the dioceses was broken down into smaller areas. Again, this had two effects. Each Cardinal had less personal power and controlled fewer men and resources. Secondly, with more Cardinals within the Holy Synod there would be more opposition to radical changes and plans and so further diluted the power held by any one individual.

Other transformations were at the order of the High Lords of Terra. The most important of these was the Decree Passive 0001288/M36. Amongst other prohibitions on military activity, the Decree Passive forbade the Ecclesiarchy from controlling any 'Men under arm'. Sebastian Thor was ordered to disband the Frateris Templars of Vandire and any armies and fleets assembled by other members of the Ministorum while separated from Terra. This was duly done, but for one exception. Seeing that some military force would be needed, and not wishing the Ecclesiarchy to be totally subservient to the will of the Adeptus Terra and the Imperial Guard, Sebastian Thor kept the one army he was allowed under the Decree Passive. Due to the archaic wording of the law, the Daughters of the Emperor did not break the ban.

Incorporating the sect fully into the Ecclesiarchy was difficult, but eventually they were renamed the Orders Militant of the Adepta Sororitas. Although the High Lords were uncomforable with this development, they had no legal standing to oppose Thor and his argument that the Adepta Sororitas would regulate the Ecclesiarchy as much as enforce its will did not fall on deaf ears.

Even with these major changes, there were hundreds of other details to be seen to: the Schola Progenium needed organising again, the tithes would have to flow into Ministorum vaults once more, there were shrines to be refurbished and temples to be rebuilt. However, after spending a wearisome decade on Terra, Thor departed the Ecclesiarchal palace and left the bulk of the work to the Arch-Deacons and Cardinals. He journeyed all across the Imperium for the next eighty years, quelling heresy and apostasy wherever he came across it.

At the age of 112 Sebastian Thor returned to Terra. He was to live for another six months before finally the Emperor claimed his soul. A massive wing was built onto the Mausoleum of Remembrance to contain his sarcophagus. The week after his death was declared a period of mouning and over seventy million pilgrims filed past his tomb within the first year. Huge murals commemorating his life and works adorn the three-mile long passageway leading up to his burial chamber, and the people of the Imperium still travel to Terra to gaze upon the face of the Emperor's most faithful servant.