Behind the Sacraments: The Untold Secrets of the Catholic Church
By Sophia Maddox | December 1, 2023
The Church's Chief Exorcist Is Very Busy
Welcome to a compelling journey into the shadows of history as we delve into the enigmatic world of the Catholic Church. Hopefully we can shed light on some of the chilling secrets and mysteries that have remained concealed within the heart of this ancient organization.
Our intention is not to cast judgment upon Catholics but rather to inform and captivate, unveiling lesser-known narratives that lurk beneath the surface. Whether you're a history enthusiast seeking to expand your knowledge or simply curious about the intriguing stories hidden within the Church's history, you've come to the right place.
Join us as we embark on a quest to uncover some of the most intriguing and unsettling secrets ever held by the Catholic Church. Read on to unveil the mysteries that lie within.
While exorcism might often be associated with horror movies and the distant past, it remains a practice within the Catholic Church today. Father Gabriele Amorth, the former chief exorcist of the Vatican, served in this role for an impressive 60 years and is estimated to have conducted around 160,000 exorcisms during his tenure. It's worth noting that the exorcism rite has not been limited to Father Amorth alone; various Popes have also performed exorcisms throughout history. In fact, in 2018, the Vatican hosted an annual workshop where 250 priests from around the world gathered for this purpose, as reported by the BBC.
Pope Alexander VI Was Into Very Weird Stuff
Pope Alexander VI was certainly an eccentric figure. He gained notoriety through his involvement in the 1501 event known as the Banquet of Chestnuts which isn’t as boring as it sounds. It's rumored that he persuaded 50 women to disrobe, and then chestnuts were scattered on the floor, compelling the women to scurry around on their hands and knees, resembling swine, as noted by historian Tony Perrotet. Adding to the peculiarity of the gathering, Pope Alexander VI allegedly offered rewards to the man who could bed the most women.
The Church Funded Schools That Took Indigenous Children From Their Families
The Canadian Indian residential school system comprised a network of boarding schools aimed at Indigenous communities. Children were frequently taken from their parental homes, sometimes through coercive means, and placed into these schools. According to the 2015 findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, over 4,000 students are estimated to have lost their lives due to the consequences of this system. Approximately 60% of these Canadian Indian residential schools were run by the Catholic Church, with financial support from federal and provincial governments. The commission determined that students perished as a result of inadequate facilities, disease, suicide, and mistreatment at the hands of those in charge of the schools.
They Spent The Crusades Hunting Muslims
The Crusades, spanning from 1095 to 1291, initially aimed to recapture Jerusalem from Islamic control but ultimately unfolded into a harrowing 300-year-long conflict. During this prolonged period of strife, it's estimated that approximately 1.7 million lives were tragically lost. However, the toll extended beyond Muslims, as it's believed that only one out of every 20 Crusaders managed to survive and witness the eventual capture of Jerusalem under the banner of the Catholic Church.
They Spent Hundreds Of Years Persecuting The Jewish People
During the Middle Ages, religious beliefs played a significant role in fostering antisemitism. Adversus Judaeos, a series of homilies by John Chrysostom in the fourth century, was aimed at members of the church of Antioch who continued to adhere to Jewish traditions. John Chrysostom criticized this practice, portraying Judaism and synagogues in a decidedly negative light through the use of hyperbole and other rhetorical devices.
For centuries, these teachings were largely overlooked until Jewish anti-Christian sentiments emerged in Muslim Andalusia during the 11th and 12th centuries. Historian William I. Brustein suggests that Chrysostom's sermons against Jews contributed to the growing belief that Jews collectively bore responsibility for the death of Jesus. This interpretation asserted that both the Jews present at Jesus' crucifixion and the Jewish people as a whole were culpable for deicide, or the killing of God. Over nearly two millennia of Christian-Jewish history, this charge of deicide has fueled hatred, violence, and persecution against Jews in both Europe and America.
In a significant moment of reconciliation, Pope John Paul II offered an apology in 1998 for the Catholic Church's failure to aid Jews during the Holocaust. He acknowledged that
Christian antisemitism may have facilitated Nazi persecution, referring to the Jewish community as "our elder brothers" in the faith. This gesture marked an important step towards healing historical wounds.
Pope Pius XII Ignored The Holocaust
Pope Pius XII has faced enduring criticism for allegedly disregarding firsthand testimonies of mass executions carried out by the Nazis, primarily targeting Jewish individuals. However, in 2020, newly unearthed evidence from the Vatican has shed light on a different perspective. According to this evidence, in September 1942, the pope's assistant received a report detailing the persecution of Jews in Warsaw, albeit conflicting claims surround this account. Additionally, in August 1942, Ukrainian Archbishop Andrzej Szeptycki had informed the Vatican that Jews within the Lvov ghetto were already experiencing persecution, a month before the reported events in Warsaw.
The Cadaver Synod
In the year 897 AD, an unusual event unfolded within the Catholic Church when a deceased man was subjected to a trial known as the 'Cadaver Synod.' This posthumous trial centered on Pope Formosus, who had passed away seven months earlier and was accused of usurping the papacy. Pope Stephen VI, his successor, presided over this unconventional trial. The remains of Pope Formosus were exhumed, attired in ecclesiastical garments, and presented before the papal court for judgment. Remarkably, a deacon was appointed to serve as the voice of the deceased Pope during the proceedings.
The Dead Can Be Found Guilty
Ultimately, Pope Formosus was found guilty, and all his actions as Pope were declared null and void. His body was stripped of its regalia, dressed in rags, and subjected to the removal of his three benediction fingers. Finally, his remains were cast into the River Tiber, a historical location where the ancient Romans had disposed of their most infamous criminals for centuries.
Pope Boniface VIII Was Genuinely Evil
Pope Boniface VIII, who led the Catholic Church from 1294 to 1303, presents a deeply troubling historical figure. Numerous accounts detail his alleged misconduct involving women and children, leading to posthumous accusations of heresy and sodomy. His notoriety extended to being portrayed in Dante's 'Inferno,' consigned to a place in hell. Additionally, he authorized the destruction of the entire city of Palestrina, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 6,000 lives.
The Witch Hunts Of The 15th Century
In the year 1487, the infamous book 'Malleus Maleficarum,' commonly referred to as the 'Hammer of Witches,' surfaced in the wake of Pope Innocent VIII's proclamation acknowledging the existence of witches. This declaration marked the inception of a grim chapter in history, during which numerous women faced unjust persecution and execution on grounds of witchcraft. The estimated toll of casualties from this period ranges between 40,000 and 50,000, with women comprising the majority of victims. However, many believe that the actual figure could be considerably higher, considering that not all executions were conducted publicly.
The Witch Hunts Continue To This Day
The repercussions triggered by the publication persisted for an extended period, as demonstrated by significant events such as the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Historical accounts indicate that the last recorded execution linked to these trials took place in Poland in 1793. However, it is worth noting that even today, witch hunts continue to occur in specific regions, with certain African nations being notable examples.
They Destroyed The Knights Templar
Founded in 1118, the Catholic military order played pivotal roles in the Crusades and served the Church dutifully. Nevertheless, King Philip IV of France exerted immense pressure on the Church, primarily due to his substantial debts to the order. This led to a significant turning point in 1307 when Pope Clement V initiated a campaign against the Templars. By 1312, after obtaining a considerable number of heresy confessions, the order was officially disbanded, and several of its members faced execution through burning.
The Church Burned Joan Of Arc At The Stake Before Making Her Into A Saint
Joan of Arc, renowned for her military exploits against the English, found herself in conflict with the Catholic Church over her choice of attire. The Church, in time, subjected the 19-year-old to a trial encompassing more than 70 charges, including the transgression of wearing men's clothing. Tragically, in 1431, Joan of Arc was executed by burning at the stake. Yet, a few years later, she was posthumously acknowledged as a martyr, and in 1920, the very same Church that had once condemned her, canonized her as a saint.
William Tyndale was executed for translating the Bible
The Church condemned the English scholar William Tyndale to death by burning him at the stake due to his translation of the Bible into English, a work that greatly enhanced its accessibility to the general population. The Catholic Church vehemently opposed the dissemination of a vernacular Bible to laypeople, ultimately resulting in the execution of both Tyndale and the copies of his translated works.
John Wycliffe was burned 43 years posthumously
A significant figure in the Protestant movement, John Wycliffe advocated for the Catholic Church to relinquish its wealth and holdings. He was also instrumental in the initial English translation of the Bible. However, in 1415, 31 years after his death, Wycliffe was posthumously declared a heretic. His writings were systematically burned over a 12-year period, and his exhumed remains were subsequently cremated.
Jan Hus Was Put To Death For Speaking Against The Church
Jan Hus, a Czech theologian and philosopher, held the belief that the Church was tainted by the actions of its human leaders. His ideas, however, met with strong opposition from the Catholic Church. Consequently, in 1415, Hus was arrested, accused of heresy, and eventually put to death by burning at the stake.
You Could Pay Off Your Sins
The concept of indulgence has a longstanding history within the Church. But what exactly does it encompass? Indulgences worked as commutation for money of part of the temporal penalty due for sin. Essentially the church accepted a cash payment or “donation” in order to give the parishioner the satisfaction of penance. Indulgences were allegedly granted on papal authority and made available through accredited agents.
The Church Once Accepted Indulgences For Sins That Hadn't Happened Yet
In the era of Pope Leo X (1513-1521), a common practice involved individuals making payments to secure the forgiveness of their sins. In some particularly extreme instances, indulgences were even sold for sins that had not yet been committed. This contributed significantly to motivating Martin Luther to launch the Protestant Reformation.
The Church Hid Abuse For Years
Over the years, the Catholic Church has been embroiled in numerous cases of sexual abuse, some of which involved minors and were concealed. It was not until 2019 that Pope Francis publicly acknowledged these abuses and voiced his opposition to them within the Church. Even in regions with a lesser Catholic presence, like the United States, reports from 2011 suggested an alarming count of approximately 17,200 victims who had suffered from such abuses.
Heinous Catholics Are Taken To The Apostolic Penitentiary
The Apostolic Penitentiary, a clandestine tribunal, is responsible for investigating what are deemed "heinous" transgressions committed by individuals. Established in 1179, it remained shrouded in secrecy until 2009.
The Pope Is The Only Person Who Can Save You From The Apostolic Penitentiary
Only the Pope possesses the authority to grant absolution to individuals brought before this tribunal. Instances of sins that fall under its jurisdiction encompass acts such as attempting to assassinate the Pope or a priest revealing the sin or identity of a person who has confessed to them, among others. The Pope serves as the head of this tribunal, holding the title of Major Penitentiary. In this role, he has the discretion to either grant absolution or allow the automatic excommunication to stand
The Third Secrets of Fatima Remain A Mystery
The enigmatic Third Secret of Fatima is thought to be a concealed document held within the Archives. Back in 1917, three Portuguese children received prophecies, with one of them being witnessed by a multitude of people. The alleged secrecy surrounding this Third Secret gave rise to speculations that its contents pertained to topics such as a nuclear catastrophe or a natural disaster, among others. Even after the disclosure of its contents in 2000, speculation and conjecture surrounding the Secret remained largely unabated.
The Vatican Bank Received Tax Payments From Hitler
The Vatican Bank, officially known as the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), has found itself entangled in various controversies. Among these, one of the most contentious issues is its historical dealings with Adolf Hitler's regime. Notably, historian Gerald Posner highlights that the Vatican received annual Church Tax payments from Hitler. These payments, amounting to a substantial sum, were channeled to the IOR, thus eluding scrutiny by Western banks. The IOR served as a repository for billions of dollars, the specifics of which have remained undisclosed to the public.
Galileo Was Branded A Heretic For Correctly Theorizing That The Earth Revolves Around The Sun
Galileo Galilei presented the theory that the Earth revolves around the sun, with the sun serving as the center of the universe. However, he faced charges of heresy, ultimately recanting his ideas and enduring imprisonment until his death.
