Look, all. Monarchy is most assuredly not "idolized" by monarchists, and monarchs are not "idolized" by monarchists (at least, not any that I have met, or Catholic ones.) It would be foolish and pure folly to do so. Look how wretched King Henry VIII was, leaving the Holy Catholic Church because the Pope wouldn't accede to the whims of his love life. There are other examples, too.
However, monarchy is most assuredly the best form of government, and the one most in line with Catholic principles, which is why Pius VI pronounced it "the best of all governments." When we advocate monarchy, we don't do so out of some foolish thought that we'll be the ones wearing the fine robes, carrying a sword, and being proclaimed "King Eric," or "King RoyalCello" or what have you. We don't do so just because we like pomp and ceremony and think that "Your Majesty" is very poetic (it is, but that's another story.) No, we advocate monarchy because we are looking for an authentic restoration of Catholic Culture.
Monarchy is not a "side attraction," a mere curiousity in the minds of a few trads that's developed into an unhealthy fixation. Rather, it is, objectively speaking, the best form of government, and it is that which is most in line with Catholic social principles, which is why we advocate it. The "evil Middle Ages," otherwise known as the "Ages of faith" were the most Catholic of all eras. Virtually everyone in Europe was Catholic. In this environment, the government which naturally developed was the Catholic confessional state, with a Catholic monarch, his power tempered by Catholic nobles on one side, and the Holy Church on the other. This is what we wish to restore, if it is possible, and this is why we advocate monarchy. Monarchy as an institution is very Catholic, and this can be seen amply reflected in the poor, sad shreds of the British Monarchy. While it is only a shadow of its former glory, it is nonetheless a venerable institution, a venerable office, regardless of the actions of some of the officeholders. Just as the typical "Republican" can respect and honor the office of the Presidency and the "White House," while loathing President Clinton with all his heart, he would never dream of saying "let us abolish the presidency." Every bucket has a few bad apples. We are men, not angels, and we have original sin. There have been Catholic monarchs of England, and there have been protestants. However, in the grand scheme of things, the foundation was and is a Catholic one, and the occupation of the office by heretics is merely a "modern abberation," if you will, a little deviation from the long-term Catholic character of the establishment.
As with everything, and certainly, we trads should understand this, in light of the modernism in the Catholic hierarchy today, "True obedience" is the rule. If the King taxes you, you pay him. If he orders your sons to fight in a just war, they fight in a just war. If he says "Do this" and it is reasonable, you do it. If he says "Abjure your faith and become a protestant heretic like myself" you disobey, and if circumstances permit it, tell him to stuff it. If he would then martyr you for this, you go joyfully to your execution, saying, with St. Thomas More and the holy martyrs of the English "reformation," "I die the King's most loyal servant, but God's first."
