Pope Leo's army

what would the ramifications of in 450 AD, pope Leo I, after having "convinced" Attila not to sack Rome, decides the the western empire can no longer be trusted to protect his spiritual flock. Therefore he decides that the clergy will protect the Christians both spiritually and worldly. Pope Leo then write a letter to the high ranking clergy members that all, clergy men, hereafter, is responsible to defend themselves and those of the Christian faith against the Invading Pagans and heretics. Clergy men are to promptly begin to locate a retired professional soldier to train them in the use of arms, as well as begin to buy/make the needed equipment. They would spend three hours each day, and would not be a professional army as a body of men that can aid in the defense of besieged cities. what other steps would be needed for the Church to be able to protect the citizens from raiders and/or invaders and how could they make it feasible, or would the church have to alter the plan somewhat, and if so how
 
There are all kinds of scriptural and doghmatic ptrobvlems with that, starting with "he who lives by the sword" and "turn the other cheek" down to the exemption of ordained clergy from municipal and imperial service. I don't think Leo could or would go against established precedent quite so badly.

What might happen is for him to establish either a kind of militia order for the faithful, or instruct certain members of the lower orders to be trained in the use of arms. In contemporary Egypt, monks and church funeral staff were well known for their physical approach to settling doctrinal disputes. That is still a far cry from an actual army, but closer than anything bishops had IOTL. THe main problem with that is that there is still a temporal power that will look at such things with extreme disfavour. I don't think it will fly.
 
Top