Spirituali
Encyclopedia
The Spirituali were members of a reform movement
within the Roman Catholic Church
, which existed from the 1510s to the 1560s.
The ranks of the Spirituali included Cardinal Gasparo Contarini
(1483-1542), Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto
(1477-1547), Cardinal Reginald Pole (1500-1558), Italian poet Vittoria Colonna
, and her friend, the artist Michelangelo
(1475-1564). These "Italian evangelicals" proposed to reform the corruption of the Church through a spiritual
renewal and internalization of faith by each individual, viewing the intense study of scripture and justification by faith as means to that end. The Spirituali took many of their ideas from older Catholic texts, but certainly found inspiration in the Protestant Reformation
, especially Calvinism
, although they wanted peaceful internal reform, not a split. Had the movement become successful, the face of Europe would have changed, avoiding the excesses of the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation and perhaps changing the political and social reasons leading to the Thirty Years war.
Benedictine monk Benedetto Fontanini wrote the first version of the most notable expression of Spirituali doctrine, the Beneficio di Cristo (The Benefit of Christ's Death), in 1543, attempting to prove that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone Sola fide
, not through works or the Church; later the poet and humanist Marcantonio Flaminio
revised it. The group printed forty thousand copies of the book, which was soon declared heretical and placed on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum
.
Although Spirituali occupied positions of high power within the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and may have even held the sympathy of Pope Paul III, they failed to achieve much change, and more conservative "fundamentalist" zelanti
currents set the Church on a course of confrontation with the Protestants at the Council of Trent
(1545-1563), lumping them in with them. The Spirituali's lack of success stemmed from inadequate support by the Church hierarchy, and the movement was doomed when Cardinal Pole, who was the choice of Pope Paul III, lost the papal election in 1549-1550 by one vote, after which their position made them suspect to both Protestants and conservative Catholics, allowing them to be outmaneuvered and defeated. Cardinal Pole's archenemy Cardinal Carafa, who would later become Pope Paul IV
(r. 1555-1559), acted to suppress the Spirituali before and after attaining the papacy, and under him many went on trial before the Inquisition
, speedily exterminating the movement and ending all hope of a Protestant-like reform from within. Cardinal Pole fled to England, and Pope Paul IV tried unsuccessfully to have him brought back before the Catholic Inquisition.
within the Roman Catholic Church
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
, which existed from the 1510s to the 1560s.
The ranks of the Spirituali included Cardinal Gasparo Contarini
Gasparo Contarini
thumb|240px|Gasparo Contarini.Gasparo Contarini was an Italian diplomat and cardinal. He was one of the first proponents of the dialogue with Protestants, after the Reformation.-Biography:...
(1483-1542), Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto
Jacopo Sadoleto
Jacopo Sadoleto was Catholic Bishop and Cardinal, loyal to the Catholic Church.-Life:He was born at Modena in 1477, the son of a noted jurist, he acquired reputation as a neo-Latin poet, his best-known piece being one on the group of Laocoön. In Rome, he obtained the patronage of Cardinal Carafa...
(1477-1547), Cardinal Reginald Pole (1500-1558), Italian poet Vittoria Colonna
Vittoria Colonna
Vittoria Colonna , marchioness of Pescara, was an Italian noblewoman and poet.-Biography:The daughter of Fabrizio Colonna, grand constable of the kingdom of Naples, and of Agnese da Montefeltro, Vittoria Colonna was born at Marinoa fief of the Colonna family in the Alban Hills near Rome.Betrothed...
, and her friend, the artist Michelangelo
Michelangelo
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni , commonly known as Michelangelo, was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer who exerted an unparalleled influence on the development of Western art...
(1475-1564). These "Italian evangelicals" proposed to reform the corruption of the Church through a spiritual
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
renewal and internalization of faith by each individual, viewing the intense study of scripture and justification by faith as means to that end. The Spirituali took many of their ideas from older Catholic texts, but certainly found inspiration in the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
, especially Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
, although they wanted peaceful internal reform, not a split. Had the movement become successful, the face of Europe would have changed, avoiding the excesses of the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation and perhaps changing the political and social reasons leading to the Thirty Years war.
Benedictine monk Benedetto Fontanini wrote the first version of the most notable expression of Spirituali doctrine, the Beneficio di Cristo (The Benefit of Christ's Death), in 1543, attempting to prove that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone Sola fide
Sola fide
Sola fide , also historically known as the doctrine of justification by faith alone, is a Christian theological doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from Catholicism, Eastern Christianity, and some in the Restoration Movement.The doctrine of sola fide or "by faith alone"...
, not through works or the Church; later the poet and humanist Marcantonio Flaminio
Marcantonio Flaminio
Marcantonio Flaminio , also known as Marcus Antonius Flaminius, was an Italian humanist poet, known for his Neo-Latin works. During his life, he toured the courts and literary centers of Italy. He was also a supporter of the Reformed Church...
revised it. The group printed forty thousand copies of the book, which was soon declared heretical and placed on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum
Index Librorum Prohibitorum
The Index Librorum Prohibitorum was a list of publications prohibited by the Catholic Church. A first version was promulgated by Pope Paul IV in 1559, and a revised and somewhat relaxed form was authorized at the Council of Trent...
.
Although Spirituali occupied positions of high power within the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and may have even held the sympathy of Pope Paul III, they failed to achieve much change, and more conservative "fundamentalist" zelanti
Zelanti
In Roman Catholicism, the expression zelanti has been applied to conservative members of the clergy and their lay supporters since the thirteenth century. Its specific connotations have shifted with each reapplication of the label...
currents set the Church on a course of confrontation with the Protestants at the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
(1545-1563), lumping them in with them. The Spirituali's lack of success stemmed from inadequate support by the Church hierarchy, and the movement was doomed when Cardinal Pole, who was the choice of Pope Paul III, lost the papal election in 1549-1550 by one vote, after which their position made them suspect to both Protestants and conservative Catholics, allowing them to be outmaneuvered and defeated. Cardinal Pole's archenemy Cardinal Carafa, who would later become Pope Paul IV
Pope Paul IV
Pope Paul IV, C.R. , né Giovanni Pietro Carafa, was Pope from 23 May 1555 until his death.-Early life:Giovanni Pietro Carafa was born in Capriglia Irpina, near Avellino, into a prominent noble family of Naples...
(r. 1555-1559), acted to suppress the Spirituali before and after attaining the papacy, and under him many went on trial before the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
, speedily exterminating the movement and ending all hope of a Protestant-like reform from within. Cardinal Pole fled to England, and Pope Paul IV tried unsuccessfully to have him brought back before the Catholic Inquisition.