High level priests spontaneously turning into heretics

[mr2600]

I'm playing as HRE. Late era campaign. I am excommunicated.

Even with no heretics in my land. High level priests will just turn to heretics. As this a feature or bug? Is it a consequence of being excommunicated?

It's frustrating because I spend a long time leveling up my priests and then to have them turn spontaneously.

[gazastripclub]

During excommunication yeah that would be expected in Stainless Steel. Happens less often under normal conditions still though, and for Muslim factions too. Very obnoxious! Part of that is probably a decimal in the thousandths place on the % change, and the rest due to limitations to the scope of M2TW itself.

[Jurand of Cracow]

It seems to quite historical to me. If you're exocommunicated, your bishops follow you and defy the pope. The consequence is they get heretic.

[Duck of Death]

I find this sometimes happens in clumps... 3-4 priests will turn heretic in 6-8 turns.
Excommunication can cause it, so can poor religious traits on your King, even low religious % in an area can all contribute to it.

Tip... (if you didn't already know) Only use assassins or Cardinals to get rid of them. Try it with a bishop or priest and its likely they can get turned as well. Cardinals cant be turned.

[LuckyPistol]

If you're excommunicated as HRE shouldn't you get an anti-pope?

[Duck of Death]

Usually, but not just HRE...
Any catholic nation can get an anti-Pope if excommunicated.

[LuckyPistol]

Doesn't he help with keeping your priests from turning to heresy? Or is he just there to nerf the Inquisitors?

[Gronndar]

What about the trait Open Minded? Odd habits etc. That also makes priests more suspectible to heresy, turning into heretics. They get that trait if they end turn next to a heretic.