History
The Waldesian movement took it’s name from Valdus or Waldo who, around 1170, following a crisis of conscience, sold his possessions and spent the rest of his life preaching the Gospel to his fellow men. To help the non-clergy understand the New Testament he had it translated into the language which was commonly used at that time, Provencal. His ideas spread all over Europe. Waldo and his disciples, “the Poor of Lyon“, were declared heretics by the Roman Catholic Church, mostly because in their community lay people, including women, were allowed to preach. They were excommunicated by Pope Lucius III in 1184. Nevertheless, the “Poor of Lyons” continued to preach, but they were forced to lead underground lives because they were persecuted. Their main source of inspiration was the Sermon on the Mount. They advocated non-violence and refused to swear oaths, while also rejecting any compromise by the Church with those having political power.
The Waldensian movement grew from strength to strength during the Middle Ages, in spite of persecution. In the 18th century it was based in Lombardy, around Milan. Later it spread to Austria and Southern Germany, where it was strongly influenced by the followers of Jan Hus. Large communities also became established in the Piedmont valleys. Their preachers, called “barbes” (i.e. “uncles”, so as not to be confused with the Catholic “fathers”) travelled throughout Europe regularly visit the small underground groups of followers. o escape persecution, the Waldensian movement rapidly went underground. Women preachers were particularly vulnerable in a society in which women were expected to remain silent in public. Moreover, women who traveled without a man were regarded as highly suspect.
As the movement became increasingly clandestine to survive, the ministry of Waldensian women changed its focus to caring for the sick and elderly. Along with the males, the sorores also took vows of poverty and chastity. They often ministered to neighbors by practicing traditional herbal and botanical medicine. From early in the 16th-century Reformation, Waldensian preachers took an interest in the new movement and approached the Reformers. An extensive conversation took place in autumn 1530 between a barbe called Georges Morel and the Reformers Joannes Oecolampadius of Basel and Martin Bucer of Strasbourg. In later history, these conversations and debates became a moment when the Waldensians “decided to join” the emerging Reformed churches.
The Waldensian movement grew from strength to strength during the Middle Ages, in spite of persecution. In the 18th century it was based in Lombardy, around Milan. Later it spread to Austria and Southern Germany, where it was strongly influenced by the followers of Jan Hus. Large communities also became established in the Piedmont valleys. Their preachers, called “barbes” (i.e. “uncles”, so as not to be confused with the Catholic “fathers”) travelled throughout Europe regularly visit the small underground groups of followers. o escape persecution, the Waldensian movement rapidly went underground. Women preachers were particularly vulnerable in a society in which women were expected to remain silent in public. Moreover, women who traveled without a man were regarded as highly suspect.
As the movement became increasingly clandestine to survive, the ministry of Waldensian women changed its focus to caring for the sick and elderly. Along with the males, the sorores also took vows of poverty and chastity. They often ministered to neighbors by practicing traditional herbal and botanical medicine. From early in the 16th-century Reformation, Waldensian preachers took an interest in the new movement and approached the Reformers. An extensive conversation took place in autumn 1530 between a barbe called Georges Morel and the Reformers Joannes Oecolampadius of Basel and Martin Bucer of Strasbourg. In later history, these conversations and debates became a moment when the Waldensians “decided to join” the emerging Reformed churches.
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