The Kidnapping of Edgardo MortaraBologna, 1858: A police posse, acting on the orders of a Catholic inquisitor, invades the home of a Jewish merchant, Momolo Mortara, wrenches his crying six-year-old son from his arms, and rushes him off in a carriage bound for Rome. His mother is so distraught that she collapses and has to be taken to a neighbor's house, but her weeping can be heard across the city. With this terrifying scene--one that would haunt this family forever--David I. Kertzer begins his fascinating investigation of the dramatic kidnapping, and shows how the deep-rooted antisemitism of the Catholic Church would eventually contribute to the collapse of its temporal power in Italy. As Edgardo's parents desperately search for a way to get their son back, they learn why he--out of all their eight children--was taken. Years earlier, the family's Catholic serving girl, fearful that the infant might die of an illness, had secretly baptized him (or so she claimed). Edgardo recovered, but when the story reached the Bologna Inquisitor, the result was his order for Edgardo to be seized and sent to a special monastery where Jews were converted into good Catholics. His justification in Church teachings: No Christian child could be raised by Jewish parents. The case of Edgardo Mortara became an international cause célèbre. Although such kidnappings were not uncommon in Jewish communities across Europe, this time the political climate had changed. As news of the family's plight spread to Britain, where the Rothschilds got involved, to France, where it mobilized Napoleon III, and even to America, public opinion turned against the Vatican. The fate of this one boy came to symbolize the entire revolutionary campaign of Mazzini and Garibaldi to end the dominance of the Catholic Church and establish a modern, secular Italian state. A riveting story which has been remarkably ignored by modern historians--The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara will prompt intense interest and discussion as it lays bare attitudes of the Catholic Church that would have such enormous consequences in the twentieth century. |
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Página 150
In November 1785 , the Archbishop of Ferrara received a report that a woman of
the city's ghetto , Regina Bianchini , had been secretly baptized many years
before . This was a rather delicate case for the Archbishop , because Regina was
the ...
In November 1785 , the Archbishop of Ferrara received a report that a woman of
the city's ghetto , Regina Bianchini , had been secretly baptized many years
before . This was a rather delicate case for the Archbishop , because Regina was
the ...
Página 207
Regina asked her what the problem was with the Mortaras ' baby , for she had
heard him screaming all night long . Anna told her what she heard the doctors
say : the boy had something they called the “ sacred flame ” and would surely die
.
Regina asked her what the problem was with the Mortaras ' baby , for she had
heard him screaming all night long . Anna told her what she heard the doctors
say : the boy had something they called the “ sacred flame ” and would surely die
.
Página 211
On Carboni's prompting , Regina admitted that she did know a girl who had
worked as a servant for the Mortaras , a girl from San Giovanni in Persiceto , but
she didn't recall her name . Hadn't you ever talked with her , Carboni asked ,
about ...
On Carboni's prompting , Regina admitted that she did know a girl who had
worked as a servant for the Mortaras , a girl from San Giovanni in Persiceto , but
she didn't recall her name . Hadn't you ever talked with her , Carboni asked ,
about ...
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LibraryThing Review
Crítica de los usuarios - SheldonDeVane - LibraryThingIf you only have time to read one chapter, make it the first one "The Knock at the Door." If you have time to read another chapter, make it the Epilogue at the end. Hopefully, you will feel inspired to read all the chapters in the middle. Leer comentario completo
LibraryThing Review
Crítica de los usuarios - mbmackay - LibraryThingTrue story of the Catholic Inquisition in Italy in 1858 taking a 6 yr old boy from his Jewish family because the illiterate maid had secretly baptised him when he was sick! Stunning story told in great detail. Read Feb 2007 Leer comentario completo
Contenido
The Knock at the Door | 3 |
Jews in the Land of the Popes | 13 |
Defending the Faith | 23 |
Derechos de autor | |
Otras 27 secciones no mostradas
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Términos y frases comunes
added already Anna Antonelli appeared Archbishop arrived asked Austrian authorities baptism baptized become began Bologna called Carboni Cardinal Catechumens Catholic century child Christian Church claim continued Count Cavour court Edgardo Europe fact faith Father Feletti finally forces French ghetto give given hand happened head heard Holy Holy Office hope Inquisitor Italian Italy Jewish Jews later leave letter lived looked Magistrate March Marianna matter Momolo months Morisi Mortara mother moved never once papal parents Pius police Pope Pope's prepared priest protest question received religion remained reported responded returned Rome Rosa rule Secretary sent servant soon story taken tell thought told took troops turned Vatican wanted window woman wrote young
Referencias a este libro
Holy War, Holy Peace: How Religion Can Bring Peace to the Middle East Marc Gopin Sin vista previa disponible - 2002 |