And how about that fun loving Pope Stephen VI

[BOSSHOG]

One of the most bizarre loose ends was the "cadaver synod" after the election in 896 of the insanely vengeful Stephen VI. He harbored so much anger at a Predecessor, Pope Formosus, that he had his corpse exhumed. Formosus decomposing body was dressed in Papal Vestments, propped on a throne and put on trial for crimes against church law. Unable to mount a defense, Formosus ghastly remains were convicted. The three fingers Formosus used to bless the faithful were hacked from his right hand. His body was dragged away and thrown in the Tiber River.

Top that jim dobson.

[larryepke]

1. Don't say that!

He might try!

[newportdadde]

2. I've never heard that story.

Damn...

[tanyev]

3. That's why the fundies are so mad!

They missed out on all that fun the Catholic Church had for centuries. They couldn't get away with that kind of stuff now. Unless....they took over the world themselves.....

[Jacobin]

4. Lovely!!

[Inland]

5. Glad my people merely owned slaves and slaughtered indians

But I understand it is smack around the popes time. Have big, big fun pointing out that there was a reason they called it The Dark Ages.

[BOSSHOG]

6. I'm not smacking around the Pope

I do find their history interesting. Its hard to pass judgement on what somebody did 1000+ years ago. I'm Catholic, but just barely. My Priest and my New Pope are doing all they can to push me out the door.

[jfalchion]

7. 9th century mores

Mores were a bit different in the 9th cent.

Read Manchester's A World Lit Only by Fire. The section on Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) is especially good.