Slavery and the Catholic Church (Jesus Christ, tradition, sex, faith)

[Quiddity]

What Does the Church Teach About Slavery?
11/2/2005


If we are to tackle the issue of slavery, we first need to be clear on what we mean by slavery and the real story of the Catholic Church’s position on it. The modern notion of slavery is a condition of involuntary servitude in which people are regarded as property (“chattel”) of another, without basic human rights. Slavery under this definition is intrinsically evil, since no person is to be regarded or treated as a mere thing or object. European expansion into the New World and Africa is credited for institutionalizing this “chattel” slavery. In 1435, Pope Eugene IV, in his papal bull Sicut Dudum, condemned the enslavement of peoples in the newly colonized Canary Islands and commanded:


“All and each of the faithful of each sex, within the space of fifteen days of the publication of these letters in the place where they live, that they restore to their earlier liberty all and each person of either sex who were once residents of the Canary Islands … who have been made subject to slavery. These people are to be totally and perpetually free and are to be let go without the exaction or reception of any money.”

One hundred years later, Pope Paul III, in his declaration Sublimus Dei, stated that “the said Indians and all other people who may later be discovered by Christians, are by no means to be deprived of their liberty or the possession of their property, even though they be outside the faith of Jesus Christ; and that they may and should, freely and legitimately, enjoy their liberty and the possession of their property; nor should they be in any way enslaved; should the contrary happen, it shall be null and have no effect” (p. 1).

Continued...http://www.cuf.org/news/newsdetail.asp?newID=81

[Terrywoodenpic]

I had no Idea the Catholic tradition aginst slavery was so strong.
I recommend all non -Catholics to read the LINK.

Thanks for the post Victor.

Terry_______________________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

[phatcatholic]

i've collected several articles on the Church and Slavery at this link:
http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/343

all very informative indeed

pax christi,
phatcatholic

[Quiddity]

Originally Posted by phatcatholic

i've collected several articles on the Church and Slavery at this link:
http://www.phatmass.com/directory/index.php/cat_id/343

all very informative indeed

pax christi,
phatcatholic

Wow, very helpful thanks.

``Victor

[Quiddity]

I watched a movie called "Pride" and I felt compelled to bump this thread.