INQUISITION

What is the inquisition?

There are three Inquisitions:

1. Papal Inquisition (1231 - c.1300)

   Up until 1231 it was the duty of the bishops to identify and put an end to heresy (false teachings). In 1231 Pope Gregory IX appointed a number of Inquisitors whose task was to search for heretics, hear them, judge them, and sentence them to different types of punishment. In some cases they were handed over to the state for punishment. At that time, crimes against the faith, which threatened the good of the Christian community, were regarded as crimes against the state. First of all the heretic was exhorted to give up his heresy, and many did. Only those who refused, or fell back into heresy were handed over to the state. We must look on these events in the light of those times, and not in the light of the 20th century. Abuses did occur.

2. Spanish Inquisition (1481-1834)

   It was set up by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Pope Sixtus IV approved it, but when he discovered that it was controlled by the civil authorities, and that abuses were occurring, he withdrew his approval and protested the abuses. There is an inclination today, by some, to overstate the abuses.

3. The Roman Inquisition

   It began in 1542 and was least active.