Quote:
Originally posted by RACooper
I'm sorry Beryana but that is not what I said - what I said is the Church wouldn't carry out death sentances - they'd judge, sentance, and hand over the condemned; just not actually do the killing themselves... kinda an interesting way to keep their theological hands clean of violating a Commandment huh?
It was all tied into the edicts from the Early Middle Ages prohibiting clergy from taking up arms or taking a life - basically in an effort to A) adhere to/reinforce the spiritual role of and theological teachings of the clergy; B) to firmly establish secular and clerical authorities and realms of power; C) PR issues, it's hard to preach peace and obedience to God when you have cases like Irish monastaries going to war against each other with monks killing/maiming monks just was bad press...
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Um, technically the Catholic Church did NOT put anyone to death - though, actually, the death penalty IS allowed under the 10 Commandments according to the Catechism. I will take back my reference to your post, however.
Basically the Inquisition was set up like a judge and jury. The Catholic Church was the jury and the secular tribunal was the judge. Neither actually carries out the sentence (all e's by the way). The judge and jury hear the case, the jury pronounces the verdict and makes a recommendation for sentence but it is actually the judge that determines if that sentence is strict enough.
I have to disagree with your assessment of how all this was about PR and keeping the clergy out of the military - however I need to get to sleep so I can TEACH the Catechism tomorrow.
Sarah