Adeptus Ministorum

From Warhammer 40k

The Adeptus Ministorum, or also called the Ecclesiarchy as it is more commonly known, is one of the biggest organizations in the Imperium. They are the upholders of the Imperial Cult, which is founded on the worship of the Emperor. Through its Preachers, Confessors, Missionaries and Cardinals, the Ecclesiarchy controls the veneration of the masses, giving their homage an organized focus. The Ecclesiarchy is run by a man known as the Ecclesiarch, who is the supreme teacher of morals and religious belief in the Imperium, and a High Lord of Terra.

The Imperial Creed practiced by the Ecclesiarchy and its followers is the only official religion of the Imperium. Throughout the million worlds of the Imperium, there are many differing interpretations and sects of the Imperial cult which vary in their specific beliefs. With the exception of the obviously heretical, most interpretations are tolerated. However any extreme deviance from the strictures of the cult is considered heresy and is dealt with most severely.

The military arm of the Ecclesiarchy is the Sisters of Battle, dedicated to rooting out all forms of heresy from the Imperium and mankind. As this jurisdiction overlaps with that of the Inquisition, troops of the Sisters of Battle also often work together with Inquisitors, especially Ordo Hereticus to achieve their goals. They will, however, often see radical inquisitors as little more than heretics and actively oppose their activities. Further to this, individual Ministorum Witch-Finders also act throughout the galaxy.Predominantly of a Thorian philosophy, they act with powers similar to the Inquisition, and the two's juristiction often clashes. Unlike the Sisters of Battle, however, the two are rarely found collaborating.

Source (witch-finder): Eisenhorn trilogy. Arnuat Tantalid.

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