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 94
That was the boy who was taken from him a few months ago as a result of a
governmental order , because he was baptized . I had also spoken with Mortara
in this connection about the opinion that had taken hold as a result of the
allegations ...
That was the boy who was taken from him a few months ago as a result of a
governmental order , because he was baptized . I had also spoken with Mortara
in this connection about the opinion that had taken hold as a result of the
allegations ...
Página 196
the cafe and pleaded with him to rush to his family ' s aid , the latter recounting
how he had convinced the Inquisitor to grant a delay and how he had taken the
Inquisitor ' s slip of paper and presented it to Marshal Lucidi . He also recalled his
...
the cafe and pleaded with him to rush to his family ' s aid , the latter recounting
how he had convinced the Inquisitor to grant a delay and how he had taken the
Inquisitor ' s slip of paper and presented it to Marshal Lucidi . He also recalled his
...
Página 203
The Magistrate then turned his attention to the question of the baptism itself , for if
there had been no valid baptism , the Inquisitor would have had no legal right to
order Edgardo taken from his parents . Anna Morisi took center stage .
The Magistrate then turned his attention to the question of the baptism itself , for if
there had been no valid baptism , the Inquisitor would have had no legal right to
order Edgardo taken from his parents . Anna Morisi took center stage .
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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 29 secciones no mostradas
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Términos y frases comunes
added Anna Antonelli appeared arrest arrived asked authorities baptism baptized become began believe Bolaffi Bologna called Carboni Cardinal Catechumens Catholic charge child Christian Church claim continued Count Cavour court defend Edgardo evidence fact 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 question recalled received religion remained reported responded returned Rome Rosa rule Secretary seemed sent servant story taken tell testimony thought told took turned wanted window woman wrote
Referencias a este libro
Holy War, Holy Peace: How Religion Can Bring Peace to the Middle East Marc Gopin Sin vista previa disponible - 2002 |