We all know that many people didn’t have access to the sacraments during COVID, when bishops around the world generally shut things down. But this wasn’t the first time something like that happened.
A lot of us have heard of Pope Innocent III — he’s usually remembered as one of the most powerful popes ever and for his major role in the Crusades. But what most people don’t realize is that he also got into a huge clash with England that led to a major interdict.
An interdict is basically a ban that cuts off a whole region from things like Mass, the sacraments, and church burials. It’s like putting a community in spiritual lockdown to pressure its rulers. Innocent III did exactly that to England for six years because he got into a serious feud with King John.
The whole thing started when King John refused to accept Stephen Langton, the pope’s pick for Archbishop of Canterbury. In response, Innocent III placed England and Wales under what’s called the Papal Interdict of 1208. Starting on March 23, 1208, churches were shut, sacraments were off-limits, and even churchyards couldn’t be used for burials. The interdict dragged on until July 2, 1214, when it was finally lifted.
Reason & Theology
We all know that many people didn’t have access to the sacraments during COVID, when bishops around the world generally shut things down. But this wasn’t the first time something like that happened.
A lot of us have heard of Pope Innocent III — he’s usually remembered as one of the most powerful popes ever and for his major role in the Crusades. But what most people don’t realize is that he also got into a huge clash with England that led to a major interdict.
An interdict is basically a ban that cuts off a whole region from things like Mass, the sacraments, and church burials. It’s like putting a community in spiritual lockdown to pressure its rulers. Innocent III did exactly that to England for six years because he got into a serious feud with King John.
The whole thing started when King John refused to accept Stephen Langton, the pope’s pick for Archbishop of Canterbury. In response, Innocent III placed England and Wales under what’s called the Papal Interdict of 1208. Starting on March 23, 1208, churches were shut, sacraments were off-limits, and even churchyards couldn’t be used for burials. The interdict dragged on until July 2, 1214, when it was finally lifted.
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