WALDENSIAN HERETICS
Beliefs
What was regarded as the
principal
heresy of the Waldensians was their contempt for
ecclesiastical power. The leaders of the group believed and
taught that they were not subject to the authority of the
Pope, Roman Pontiff or to any prelates of the Roman
Church, and therefore could not be excommunicated. They
declared that followers should not obey any of the leaders of
the Roman Church when commanded to abandon or abjure the
Waldensians.
They also preached that all oaths,
whether in justice or otherwise, were forbidden by God and
should be considered illicit and sinful. This belief was
interpreted from the words of the Holy Gospel and of St
James the apostle against swearing. At the time, the Holy
Church believed that the swearing of oaths was necessary for
the purpose of declaring the truth in justice, and did not
take the Waldensians' attitude lightly. Interestingly, the
Waldensians reserved the right to swear an oath to avoid
death to themselves or for another member of the group, or to
avoid revealing the secrets of the group. To the cynical
mind, this may appear a little too convenient, but the
Waldensians thought it an inexpiable crime and sin
against the Holy Ghost to betray a member of their group.
Along the same lines, the Waldensians also believed
that since all judgement was forbidden by God, then all
judges violated this prohibition. They did not accept or
consider valid the canonical sanctions and the decretals
and constitutions of the supreme pontiffs. Nor did they
agree with the regulations concerning fasts and the
celebration of feast days which were such a prominent
feature of medieval life.
The clergy of the Roman
Church believed that the power to absolve confessions and
impose penances was held only by priests or clerics
ordained by a bishop of the Roman Church. Thus they held in
particular contempt, the Waldensian idea that their members
had power from God alone, just as the apostles had from
Christ.
The structure of the Waldensian church was
organised into three ranks; deacons, priests and
bishops, who could be of either gender. The power of these
three orders came not from the Roman Church, but from
themselves. The three doctrines were not made known to all
believers, but were kept secret amongst the three ranks which
were known as "perfects".
The leaders of the group
taught that the miracles of the saints were not true, that
prayers should not be made to them, and that their feasts
should not be celebrated except for Sundays and the feast of
the Blessed Virgin Mary. They would also preach on the
Gospels, Epistles and other sacred writings which were
somewhat distorted by their interpretation.