Surpressed Traditions in Church History

Historian Hubert Wolf presents ten traditions in church history which have been forgotten and surpressed. The Vatican relies on the long and inalterable tradition of today’s teachings and rules, which give the Pope and the bishops an incredible range of power. Laypeople have nothing to say, all the more if they are female. Since allegedly it has always been like this, reforms are considered sacrilegious. It is high time for a fresh look into history: popes were once members of boards that controlled them, women could forgive sins, laymen had something to say, bishops were elected. For a long time, the Catholic Church has been a broad stream with many anabranches – which were eventually canalized by 19th century centralism. Additionally, traditions were invented that even historians believe in until today. Hubert Wolf reveals ten traditions that have been forgotten and suppressed – thence deriving ideas for a reform for the Church of tomorrow.

Note: Wolf, Hubert, Krypta. Unterdrückte Traditionen der Kirchengeschichte, München: C.H. Beck, 2nd edition 2015 (Paperback edition 2016).

Also published in: Schriftenreihe der Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, vol. 1594, Bonn 2015.