Anti-Catholic Professor...

Pope Paul III

The anthropology professor mentioned last time, replied that the letter by Pope Gregory XVI was written in a later time frame than referenced by his assertion that Catholicism taught that “indigenous people are less than human.”

“Thank you for the mail, and thank you for the references.  You realize of course that the bull (1839) was much later than the historical context we were talking about… Here is a more time-appropriate document: Paul 3rd bull Sublimus Dei.”

To my pleasant surprise, Paull III’s letter explicitly demonstrates that the Church did not teach the inhumanity of indigenous people:

“Hence, Christ… said “Go ye and teach all nations.” He said all, without exception, for all are capable of receiving the doctirnes of the faith.”

The Pope then declares:

“the Indians [of Peru] are truly men… the said Indians and all other people who may later be discovered by Christians, are by no means to be deprived of their liberty or the possession of their property, even though they be outside the faith of Jesus Christ; and that they may and should freely and legitimately, enjoy their liberty and possession of their property, nor should they be in any way enslaved…”

My emailed reply: “It is certainly a curious matter that the document you sent, rather than supporting your assertion, is further evidence that Catholic teaching was clearly not that of indigenous peoples being "less than human."  

Dr. Decoster has not replied and my hope and prayer is that the Holy Spirit is at work in his mind and heart.  The point of this story is that evangelization need not involve knocking on doors… or heads.