No One Expects the Spanish Inquisition

The Inquisitions shouldn’t necessarily be condemned, argues Roman Catholic theologian Georges Cottier. Rather, historical context should be reviewed before saying “that such and such an act should not have been committed,” he said. Cottier will chair a symposium at the Vatican this fall to examine the Roman, Spanish and Middle Age Inquisitions in order to provide the Pope “with enough information to see if there is a need to apologize” for such acts as torture or the burning of Protestants at the stake. (AFP) ...Indeed, we must examine whether the Inquisitors came from broken homes and inner city squalor, which might help us understand them better.