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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 November 2024
It is generally recognised that the conflict between Alexander VI and Savonarola was political rather than canonical; that political reasons more than zeal for the welfare of the Church and the salvation of souls dictated every move made by Alexander in his dealings with the Friar; and, furthermore, that the Pope’s mind had been poisoned by the false accusations and slanders of Savonarola’s implacable enemies. Both men were strong characters. They clashed, and the general opinion obtains that Savonarola flatly disobeyed the commands of the Supreme Pontiff. Savonarola has been pilloried by some writers as the unique example of grave disobedience to the Vicar of Christ, since no one except heresiarchs ever dared to flout Papal commands as he did yet die in communion with the Holy See. But others are convinced that the Friar did not disobey, and therefore he neither incurred nor deserved censure. We shall examine the question as briefly, yet as fully, as possible, and shall confine ourselves strictly to the query: Did Savonarola disobey the Pope?
1 Cf. Villari, La Storia di Girolamo Savonarola e de Suoi Tempi, Vol. I, Appendice xlii–xliv (Firenze, 1910).
2 Archivio Storico Italiano. Nuova Serie. Toma xviii, p. 10, cf. IL Vero Savonarola e il Savonarola di L. Pastor. By Professor Luotto (Firenze, 1900, pp. 442–443), and the long note, pp. 442–444, especially.
3 Nardi, Istorie della cittá di Firenze, Vol I, p. 73 (Firenze, 1888). Landucci, Diario Fiorentino, p. 97 (Firenze, 1893); cf. Marchese, Sunto Storico, P. 172, sqq.
4 The text of the brief is given in Villari, op. cit., Vol. I, Append., pp. cxliv–vii.
5 ‘Volomus insuper et praesentium tenore, in virtute sanctae obedientiae districti praescipiendo, sub excommunicationis late sententiae paena … quatenus praesentibus literis nullo modo … contradicere, sive impedimentum praestare audeat aut praesumat.’
6 Villlari, op. cit., Doc. xxiv, Appendice, pp. cvii–cix.
7 Interea vero dum hac causa coram praefato vicario dis-cutitur ab omni declamandi in populo et publice legendi offico per praesentes litteras praefatum hieronimum suspensum esse decernimus.
8 Luotto gives the Brief in full, op. cit., pp. 606-608, and a translation is given in the volume by the late Father J. L. O' Neil, O. P., Was Savonarola Excommunicated? pp. 38–41.
9 Father O'Neil gives the translation of Savonarola's reply in full, op. cit., pp.22–37. Father Lucas, S. J., in his bio-graphically study of Savonarola (London, Sands and Co., second edition), gives portion of this reply with a running commentary upon them. It is regrettable that he should state: ‘This letter … is not among thewritings of Fra Girolamo which have been declared to be free from dogmatic or moral error’ (p.189). The statement would lead an ordinary readr to infer that some writings of Savonarola had been declared to be infected with ‘dogmatic or moral error.’ The truth is none of Savonarola's writings have been declared to be infected with error, either dogmatic or moral. Cf. Etude sur Jérome Savonarole, by Pére Bayonne, O. P. (Paris, 1879), pp. 276–298: Quarto centenario (Fierenze, 1898), pp. 87–89, 110–111, 114–15, 351–354. The life of St. Philip Neri, by Cardinal Capecelatro, English translation, second edition, pp. 269–272.
10 Cf. O'Neil, op. cit., pp. 31–33.
11 Cf. O'Neil,op. cit., p. 40. This Brief was first published by Luotto. Op. cit., Appendice, Doc. I, pp. 605–606.
12 Nuovi documenti e Studi intorno a Girolamo Savonarola, per cura di Alessandro Gherardi, IIa, Edizione (Firenze, 1887), pp. 140–142.
13 II Papa reta assai bene satisfacto circha alle cose di fra jernimo, ibid., p.143.
14 Arch. Stor. Italiano. Nuova Serie. Tome. xviii, pp. 2, 6, sqq.
15 Cf. O'Neil, op. cit., pp. 41–45.
16 Op. cit., pp. 194–195.
17 Op. cit., p. 10, note.
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