Father Joseph Di Noia, the Undersecretary of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, admits in a television series starting tonight that the use of torture and public burnings were "mistakes."
But the American-born cleric argues that these methods of suppressing heresy were explicable in the context of the times, when people believed passionately in heaven and hell.
Father Di Noia claims, though, that the atrocities were legally justified.
The Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, is of course the modern-day Inquisition, and the current Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, a.k.a. Joseph Ratzinger, was the Prefect of the Congregation from 1981 until he was made Pope in 2005. In 1983, he issued a letter saying that Freemasons were in a state of "grave sin." One can only imagine that in more Enlightened days (back when the Pope had an army), he'd be staying up nights thinking of new ways to torture us. One can only pray that today's anti-Masonic movement (oddly, mostly Protestants) doesn't get any ideas from the Inquisition.
On the Catholic.com website there is a section called Catholic Answers. Boy, do they have an answer: "No account of foolishness, misguided zeal, or cruelty by Catholics can undo the divine foundation of the Church, though, admittedly, these things are stumbling blocks to Catholics and non-Catholics alike."
This piece defends the Inquisition saying "we didn't kill as many as they say we did," and the launches into an attack on the beliefs of 12th century Cathars, saying they weren't "Bible Christians." Come on, didn't you cause them enough grief already?!
The previous Pope, John Paul II, formally apologized for burning and murdering and torturing people from roughly 400 A.D well into the 1800's.
Well, isn't that special?
Pope Benedict | Inquisition | Joseph di Noia
Source: January 31, 2006 London Telegraph-News
I am very saddened by the lack of responsibility some organizations adhere to, even to this day. Revisionist history, or the history of apologists is saddening because it doesn't give people the informaiton they need to grow. Roman-Catholicism is a wonderful faith, but there are some things about its past that should be looked at hard, re-evaluated and perhaps discussed in greater detail. Last time I checked, Christ never told anyone to torture anyone and, even if it was somehow legal back then, it doesn't make it right. Such a defense only goes to show that there are some institutions can get caught up with "being right for the sake of being right" and not growing from mistakes of history. It's a shame.
ReplyDeleteWell...we didnt kill as many as they say we did!!! You can use that to justify Hitler too. The Catholic Church of those times can be ranked as just as "evil" as Adolf Hitler and the whole Nazi Regime. JUST ONE TO DIE FOR HIS OR HER BELIEFS IS TOO MANY!!!
ReplyDeleteAbosolutely irresponsible comments!!!
F. Roy Dean Schlipp
Gentle Fellow of the Sublime Craft
Are you trying to imply The Inquisition wasn't legally justified?
ReplyDeleteLet's see some proof, Mister.
THERE IS NO LEGAL JUSTIFICATION FOR MASS MURDER FOR "ANY" REASON.
ReplyDeleteF. Roy Dean Schlipp
So God said it and I believed it and thousands were saved.
ReplyDeleteAny God that you have to kill for is a false god and a blaspheous obscenity written on the "arse" of Satan. How's that for "God said it...I believe it"?
ReplyDelete