The Church – The State – The Burning of Heretics

From time to time, heretics where put to death under the civil law to which they were amenable. The imperial successors of constantine justly considered that they were obliged to have a care for the material welfare of the Church here on earth. It must be clearly born in mind that these herectical bodies were not merely exponents of erroneous religious and intellectual belief, but they were the avowed enemies of the law and order, red-hot anarchists who would stop at nothing to gain their ends. For instance, In 660A.D. arose the Paulicans, a Manichean sect, who rejected the old testament, the sacraments and priesthood. Soon it was realized that this body was politically aimed at revolution and red anarchy. The herectics also operated with two weapons: Terrorism and Secret Murder. In 1199, the Patarini followers, Ermanno of Parma and Gottardo of Marsi, foully assasinated S. Peter Parenzo, the governor of Orvieto. On 6th April, 1252, S. Peter of Verona was struck down by an axe of Carino, a manichean, whilst returning from Como to Milan. These herectics employed a system that was a simultaneous attack on both church and state.

The state authorities burning a heretic

The crimes of heretics never escaped the notice of authorities. The heretic Mani, was crucified by Brahm I, and his disciples were relentlessly pursued. The pagan Emperor Diocletian, in 287A.D., sent the leaders of manichees to the stake. Valentinian I and his son Gratian passed laws against Manichees. Theodosius I condemned them to death and Valentinian II sent them to exile. In 1022, a number of Manichees were burned alive by order of Robert I.

First heretic, Simon Magus

The Church, during its first twelve centuries, was loath to deal with heretics save by argument and persuasion; obstinate heretics were excluded from her communion. According to Montague Summers, “S. Augustine, S. John Chrysostom, S. Isidore of Seville and a number of other Doctors and Fathers held that for no cause whatsoever should the Church shed blood.” In 384, Maximus condemned Priscillian, Bishop of Avila, who was found guilty of heresy and sorcery. S. Martin’s indignation was such that for a long while he refused to hold communion with those who had been in any way responsible for the execution. Pope Siricius excommunicated Bishop Felix of Trier for his part in the deed. Pope Pelagius I, merely relegated the recalcitrant bishop, Paulinus of Fossombrone, to a monastery for rejecting his authority and stirring up schism and revolt. Saint Caesarius of Arles held that those who obstinately persevere in overt paganism, should first be remonstrated and reprimanded, if possible be persuaded of their errors; but if they persist certain corporal chastisements should be given; and in extreme cases a course of domestic discipline, the cutting of the hair close as a mark of indignity and confinement within doors under restraint, may be adopted. Felix of Urgel, a prelate, only suffered a short detention in Rome for the heresy of Adoptionism. Gothescalch, a monk of Fulda, obstinately maintained that Christ did not die for all mankind. He was sentenced to flogging and imprisonment, at that time, these were punishments common in monasteries for various infractions of the rule. It is either a silly jest or culpable ignorance to assume that the Church burnt heretics.

Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, Pray for Us.