If some days, you find yourself thinking the world has gone berserk, remember the plight of Pope Formosus. When all you read involves corrupt politicians, creeping fascism and bigotry, remind yourself that things have been worse.
Have you heard of the Cadaver Synod?
Neither had I until recently, and it’s quite a tale. The early Catholic Church in Rome saw much violence between factions and numerous popes lasted only a short time. Poisonings were popular. The central issue revolved around the papal power to elect the Holy Roman Emperor.
As powerful families liked to dictate events, popes often found themselves in the firing line and made enemies without even trying. This explains what happened to Pope Formosus, who became a bystander of his own demise.
After Formosus served as pope for nearly five years, he died in 896 AD and was replaced by Pope Stephen VI who persisted in holding a thirty-year-old grudge against him. This was a man who couldn’t let go. Know the type? Part of the squabble had been about which wealthy son would become the Holy Roman Emperor. Family power derived from electing the pope so there was a lot to lose. These families ruled over European states and kingdoms via the Catholic Church.
Pope Formosus had crowned Arnulf of Carinthia, which angered the future Pope Stephen VI. Thirty years…
