Chapter 9 Crusades, Military Orders, and the Inquisitions

Criticism “The Crusaders were a motley of thieves, rapists, robbers, and murderers, whose sins had been forgiven by the pope in advance of the Crusade…The brutal truth is that the Crusades were military campaigns of the Catholic Church to gain control of Jerusalem…and to punish the Jews as the alleged Christ killers on the road to and from Jerusalem.” (Pastor John Haggee Countdown to Jerusalem p. 114)

Part I The Crusades

The Word “Crusade” Series of eight military expeditions ( ) Crux: Cross given by the pope or his legates

The Fall of the Holy Land Palestine, Egypt, and Asia Minor were controlled by the Muslims Fatimite Muslims and Turks persecuted the Christians

Fatimite Muslims Descendants of Muhammad's daughter (Fatima) Messiah will come to lead the Muslims back to the reality of the first believers of Islam (Mahdi) Not strictly orthodox?

Battle of Manzikert Catalyst for two- hundred years of crusades Turks took over 2/3 of Christian lands Attacked Constantinople

The Council of Clermont Pope Urban II To gain support from Westerners for the Eastern Christians

The Crusades Began… With Pope Urban II proclaiming an organized attack in defense of Christian Europe

Islam: Religion of War? Islam abode; War abode Anyone outside Islam is an infidel Verse 9:123 - "Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you."

Christian Pilgrimages Led to realization of Muslim threat Christians were robbed, beaten, or killed Pope Gregory VII wanted to aid pilgrims, but was distracted by Lay Investiture controversy

Goal of the Crusades To fend off Muslim/Turkish expansion Free the Holy Land

Motivation for the Crusades Religion Those who fought for Christianity would be rewarded by God Religious indulgences Reduced taxes and debts Protection of families

Indulgence The extra-sacramental remission of the temporal punishment due to sin that has already been forgiven Granted after the sinner confessed and received absolution

Preaching the Crusades Pope Urban II asked sinners to repent their sins by joining the Crusades “All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant then through the power if God with which I am invested.”

Blessed Peter the Hermit Called for a crusade after having a vision of Jesus Harassed and beaten Strong Impact?

St. Bernard of Clairvaux Inspired thousands to join Second Crusade Crusaders: “criminals and sinners, ravishers, and the sacrilegious” Departures made West and East Happy

The First Crusade ( ) Widely popular Supported financially and politically by the Church (Not supported by the Kings) Goal: To Save Christianity

The Jewish Communities Communities attacked by armies Jews blamed for the “death” of Christ Crusaders were after money

Modern Ideas about the Jews and the Crusades Mixed Jews – persecution Christians – seek forgiveness

Blessed Pope John Paul II “We humbly ask for forgiveness for the part that each of us with his or her behaviors has played in such evils thus contributing to disrupting the face of the Church. At the same time, as we confess our sins, let us forgive the faults committed by others towards us.” (March 2000)

Criticism in the Middle Ages: St. Francis of Assisi Went to Holy Land to convert the Sultan Captured, beaten, and tortured Established dialogue with the Sultan?

Successive Crusades Inspired by the First Crusade Unorganized Appeared as a mass migration

The Second Crusade Sponsored by King Louis and Emperor Conrad To Capture city of Damascus Failed Western Christians thought it was due to their sins

The Third Crusade Richard the Lionheart, Emperor Frederick, King Philip Against the Turks Waged to capture the True Cross

The Fourth Crusade To regain Jerusalem Ended with the sacking of Constantinople

The Children’s Crusade (1212) Children inspired by crusaders Goal was to attack the Turks Many sold into slavery or killed

The Outcome of the Crusades Kept Islam/Turks from expanding for 400 years Opened new lands and cultures Christianity held steady/moved forward

PART II The Military Orders

Military Orders Created to protect the Holy Land and pilgrims Emphasized dedication, discipline, and monastic organization Bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

The Knights Templar Oldest of military orders Founded by Frenchmen Protected pilgrims Rule written by St. Bernard

The Knights Templar Rule: Based on Cistercian Rule: “In this order, knighthood blossomed forth a new life; warriors, whose sole aim in life was once was to rob, plunder, and to kill, have now bound themselves by solemn vow to defend the poor of the Church.”

The Knights Templar Well known for banking Safeguarded money coming in from east Destroyed by King Philip

The Knights Hospitalers Devoted to caring for sick pilgrims Medical corps for injured crusaders Knights of Malta (today)

The Teutonic Knights German Modeled themselves after the Knights Hospitalers Aided in fight against Slavs and Tartars Leader converted to the Lutheran Church

PART III The Inquisition

Inquisition A special ecclesiastical institution for combating or suppressing heresy

The Inquisition Darkest era in the Catholic Church Christian Emperors- duty was to defend the Orthodoxy of the Church

Christian Emperors Duty was to defend the Orthodoxy of the Church “Office” was Divine appointed agent of Heaven

The Church vs. The Emperors Unlike the Emperors – the Church did not think that heretics should be treated with harsh penalties This view changed during the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages the Catholic Church… Became the dominant faith in Europe Became intermingled with European life Became foundation for law and civil authority

The Origins of the Inquisition Was a response to Albigensianism NOT a response to those who refused to become Catholic

Albigensianism Soul = good Body = evil Dedicated to the Gospels Practiced fasting Embraced poverty War, physical pleasure, matter = evil

Albigensianism: Jesus Christ… Never took on a human body Did not die on the Cross Redemption did not achieve the remission of sin

Albigensianists Were hostile towards the Church Rejected the Mass, Sacraments, Church Hierarchy Were unaccountable to authority (religious and civil)

The Albigensian Threat Follower killed a legate of the pope Pope Innocent III called a crusade against them The French King and German Emperor applied capital punishment to them

Pope Gregory IX Grew anxious over use of civil authority in Church matters Did not speak out = wanted Kings to like him Established the Inquisition Appointed the Dominicans and Franciscans to serve as judges

The Inquisitors (Judges) Examined doctrinal and moral conduct of suspected individuals Worked in context of the civil system with papal authority

The Dominicans and Franciscans Chosen to be Judges Because of theological training And would be less likely to be influenced by the secular world

The Inquisitor Promoted and Protected…. The Faith The Salvation of souls The suppression of heresy

The Inquisitor … Had to restrain self from using passion and anger Had to face hostility fearlessly

Process for the Inquisition Long/complex Began with “Grace Period” Those who chose not to confess were tried False witnesses punished

Boni Viri Laymen, priests, and deacons called to be expert witnesses: 1. Reason why the heresy or crime was committed 2. The punishment that was needed

The Final Verdict Announced with solemn ceremony Charges read again to allow accused chance to confess Guilty was handed over to the civil authorities

The Spanish Inquisition Coincided with the capturing of Spain by the Muslims Used as a tool to unify Spain Ran by civil authority

The Holy See… Gave Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand judicial authority concerning matters of the Faith

The Spanish Inquisition Responded to… Jews/ Muslims who had falsely converted to Catholicism The practice of invalid Masses by false converts

Spanish Inquisition Received special permission (Pope Sixtus IV) Used torture when evidence of sacrilege were found

The Spanish Inquisition Decreased violence against the Jews Guilty could appeal to Rome Threat of legal action could not apply to non- converts

After the Inquisition … Jews/Muslims told to convert or leave

The Church’s Views Today… Coercion condemned by Vatican II Pope John Paul II asked for the “accurate reenactment of the Inquisition” before coming to any conclusions.