TRIVIA: THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH’S REJECTION OF IMAGES BEFORE

Quirino Grandstand, Manila, Jan 8, 2013—Manila’s foremost public stage is being prepared meticulously for the Black Nazarene’s ceremonial kiss ritual on the statue they called ‘pahalik’. Devotees in long queue are awaiting the regular ceremony being observed by Catholics in Manila enduring under scorching climate.

Though it is obviously a form of worship but then Catholics were brainwashed to reject it as such and instead regarded it as simply veneration for Christ.

This Quiapo Church custom as an integral of idol worship was rejected by other iconoclastic Catholics before as dictated by the emperor.

Resultantly a church having an emperor as ruler, they tried to challenge imperial authority regarding theological matters and failed. Imperial authority was over the church as dictator.

In addition to its theological aspects, the iconoclastic movement seriously affected Byzantine art. Furthermore, the movement weakened the position of the empire by fomenting internal quarrels and splitting with the papacy, which began to abandon its Byzantine allegiance and seek alliance with the Franks. Despite its victory in the theological sphere, the Eastern church was not successful in its challenge of imperial authority, even with John of Damascus's assertion that the emperor had no right to interfere in matters of faith.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The eastern church was the only church that failed against imperial authority but they cannot deny the fact that iconoclasm was enforced in the Catholic church for 56 years.

Both the introduction of iconoclasm (against images*) and its condemnation at the councils of 787 and 843 were ultimately the result of imperial rather than ecclesiastical decisions, because the councils met only on imperial orders. Consequently, the authority of the emperor in both the spiritual and the secular spheres, and his control of the church, emerged from the controversy perceptibly strengthened.

Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

As the record says, iconoclasm or a doctrine against image use was ratified during the council of 787 but then condemned after 56 years. There was a time when Catholics embraced iconoclasm as an imperial decree. IT WAS BY THIS CONTROVERSY THAT THE AUTHORITY OF THE EMPEROR OVER THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REGARDING SPIRITUAL AND NON-SPIRITUAL MATTERS WAS STRENGHTENED.

Fact of the matter is, prior to it, iconoclasm was likewise enforced. There would be divisiveness of course as the papacy was against it but then imperial authority over the church was a reality, iconoclasm was over the Catholic church.

In 726 and 730 Emperor Leo III, the Isaurian, promulgated a decree forbidding the veneration of images. This decision was condemned by the pope, but the iconoclastic doctrine was rigorously enforced at Constantinople (present-day İstanbul) by Leo and even more by his son and successor Constantine V, who had the worship of images condemned as idolatry at the church council held in the suburban palace of Hieria in 754.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION OF THIS?

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS HEADED BY EMPERORS BEFORE AGAINST THEIR CLAIM THAT THE POPE HEADS OVER.

At the head of the Roman Catholic Church is the pope, who is the bishop of Rome. He has final authority in all matters.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

AND THAT AT SOME TIMES, ICONOCLASM PERVADED INSIDE THE CHURCH AND AS PROVEN THEY REJECTED IDOL VENERATION!

DENNIS Y BUTIC