It also seems that "most of the world" is oblivious to offense when it abounds aplenty too.
Because most of the world doesn't invent offense where there is none
Relevance to the particular phrase? Nobody says "Heiliges Römisches Imperium" you know. His Imperial Highness invoked the Reich in terms of the European Union. And eighteen years after that, Jose Manuel Barroso called the EU an "empire". Invented offense when none exists?
How would you say "Empire" in German?
That's a simple fact. "Imperium" is Latin. I see no reason at all for you to bring that word into the discussion.
Anyone who speaks of the Holy Roman Empire (whether directly or by metaphor) in the German language will inevitably have to utter the word "Reich". You'll have to live with it, Olog. Attempting to gin up offense at any use of the word "Reich" just makes you look ridiculous.
Good day.