Whatever the God communicated with the Pope was considered God's order. The Holy War that the Pope had started was in the name of the God. The Oracles, the Pope, and the Supreme Court were all on equal standing and the Oracles doubted the authenticity of the orders from God as claimed by the Pope.
As a result, the Oracles did not lend their strength according to the Pope's plans in the Holy War. It was the Supreme Court that sent out many armies instead. That included blood knights and wardens. The Supreme Court did not deploy too many Black Deacons and Adjudicators. The black high priests that were part of the vanguard did not hold important positions in the Supreme Court.
The red Bishops were not surprised by the deaths of the black high priests, but were by the appearance of the demon army. It would not have been strange if it was just a few hundred demons because it was still possible that they might have been summoned by some daring mages.
