Join The Crusades
By: Angel Arce
Pope Urban II
"Although, O sons of God, you have promised more firmly than ever to keep the peace among
yourselves and to preserve the rights of the church, there remains still an important work for you to do.
Freshly quickened by the divine correction, you must apply the strength of your righteousness to another matter which concerns you as well as God. For your brothers who live in the east are in urgent need of your help, and you must give them the aid which has often been promised. For, as the most of you have heard, the Turks and Arabs (Muslims) have attacked them and have conquered the territory of Romania [the Greek empire]. They have occupied more and more of the lands of those Christians, and have overcome them in seven battles. They have killed and captured many, and have destroyed the churches and devastated the empire. If you permit them to continue the faithful of God will be much more widely attacked by them. On this account I, or rather the Lord, begs you as Christ's children to publish this everywhere and to persuade all people of whatever rank, foot-soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile {disgusting} race from the lands of our friends... Moreover, Christ commands it.”
All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the Muslims, shall have immediate remission (forgiveness) of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested. Oh what a disgrace if such a despised and base race, which worships demons, should conquer a people which has the faith of omnipotent (all-powerful) God and is made glorious with the name of Christ!....”