The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-21

INV NV wv WA0h NAo AASh1AN9AAh 0TUcTo
were organized in the thirteenth century
they were likewise made subject immedi-
ately TO the Pope. Such was the situation
when the Spanish Inquisition was founded.
cOHVsrsos Jewish or Hebrew converts to
Christianity or their DESCENDANTS were
numerous in the orders. After a long and
bitter struggle Plus ~. In 1881 gave the
Inquisition jurisdiction over the mendicant
orders in Spain, and although the Jesuits
continued to resist for almost a century.
they also, in 1890, were placed at the mercy
of the Holy once. The completeness u
the domination ultimately assumed by ths
InquisitiOn over all the religious orders is
illustrated by its Intervention in a matter
which would appear wholly beyond any
possible definition Of its jurisdiction. The
internecine strife between the different
bodies had long been an international
scandal. The old hatred between Francis
cans and Dominicans was infiamed to white
heat by the quarrel over the Immaculate
Conception. The immense success Of the
Jesuits brought upon them the ~virulent
enmity OF the older communities. These
mutual ~antagonisms found free expression
in the press, the pulpit and the PROFESSIONAL
chair. The Inquisition in Spain undertook
20 bring about peace and concord. or at
least to restrain the utterance Of the mutual
wrath Of the fathers. In this direction il
was obliged to acknowledge itself unsuc-
ceesful. The Inquisition rooted out Juda-
ism, virtually expelled the Moriscos, and
preserved Spain from the missionary zeal
Of Proteetantism. but il failed ignomin-
iously when it undertook to restrain the
expression of aversion and contempt mutt
ually entertained by Dominican and Fran
ciscan. Jesuit and Carmelite.
There was in Spain only one class Of per-
sons over whom the Inquisition was sup.
posed to nave no jurisdiction. We say sup
posed, because Boniface VIII, at the close
OF the thirteenth century, had decreed that,
when a Bishop was suspected Of heresy the
inquisitor could not prosecute. Neverthe-
less in Spain, where the conUersos h'd
attained 80 many lofty positions in the
Church and where all Of Jewish blood
we're regarded with suspicion, the question
of the immunity of Bishops might at any mo-
ment become of practical importance.
Dr.. Lea points put in a footnote that toward
the end of the fifteenth century no fewer
then seven leading Spanish Bishops were OF
Jewish descent. The influence and power
Of the Spanish Inquisition would mani
testify be increased IL it should be empowered
to prosecute Bishops, and Torquemads, the
Inquisitor General. seems to have applied
for such power in 1887. intimatinE that there
were suspects among the Bishops. He
failed in obtaining the desired jurisdiction
over the Spanish e~piscopate, but he at least
struck terror by accusing them to the Holy
See, where their condemnation would he
followed by that of their ancestors, and
large coniscations would result. Two Bish-
OBS Of Jewish descent were selected for
attack, one Of whom had acquired the high
position Of President Of the Council Of Cas-
tile, while the other belonged to one Of the
most influential Castilian families intemar-
ried with the noblest blood of the kingdom.
Half a century was to elapse before the
Inuuisition was concerned in another charge
Of heresy levelled against the episcopal
order. As the Lutheran revolt grew more
threatening, however, and the dread Of its
extending to Spain increased, a certain tenn
porary jurisdiction over Bishops was con-
ferred on Cardinal Manrique by Clement
VII. in 1891, but the delegation of authority
was personal and expired with the Cardinal.
The subsequent attempt Of the Inquisition
to prosecute for heresy Archbishop Car
RAMA Of Toledo became a European scandal.
Carranza was committed to prison a Wig
orous man Of so and left it to die a broken
old man Of 70. There were many subse-
quent attempts on the part of the Inquisi-
ton to subject Bishops to their jurisdiction,
but its competence was disputed until in
1915 the Holy Office successfully asserted
its competence to sit in judgment on a Me1i'
can preIate. 1t was no accident that in
the Spanish revolution OF 1890 this prelate
was made amember of the provisional junta,
which caused Fernando VII. to decree the
extinction Of the Holy ONCE.
III.
How did the tribunals Of the Spanish
Inquisition obtain knowledge of offences
coming within their jurisdiction? One Of
the most efficient methods by which ito
jurisdiction was brought home to the con-
sciences Of the people was the publication
O. so-called Edicts Of Faith. By A. d. 800
the efficacy of this instrumeptality had been
discovered, and the Inquisitor-General in
ordering yearly visitations Of districts
specifies that on arriving at every town or
village the local inquisitors shall issue an
edict s%ummoning those who nov any
thing Of heresy TO come forward and reveal
it. The simplest and Oldest formula which
DR.. Lea has met with begins by recitinS
that for some time no visitation or inquest
has been made in many places Of the Prov
ince to be visited, whereby numerous
crimes against the faith had remained un-
punished. Seeing this complaint to he
iIIatiiad the adict Ia addressed IN every one