Introduction
Waldenses, members of a Christian movement that originated in 12th-century France, the devotees of which sought to follow Christ in poverty and simplicity. The movement is sometimes viewed as an early forerunner of the Reformation for its rejection of various Catholic tenets. In modern times the name has been applied to members of a Protestant church (centered on the Franco-Italian border) that formed when remnants of the earlier movement became Swiss Protestant reformers. Waldensians and Methodists are objectively a ‘minority’ in Italian society. However, this term risks giving the false impression that Waldensians and Methodists are merely another small community that is focused on preserving its identity and history. It is likely that Waldo and his followers were influenced by some of these movements, although it is not clear how much. It would be too coincidental to see such common themes arising apart from any influence whatever.
In fact, Waldensians and Methodists are convinced that their history and testimony represent an important value for a multicultural and multireligious society. Furthermore, at least in the past, the term ‘minority’ has been used to justify limiting the civil rights and religious freedom of Italian Protestants. For these reasons, Waldensians and Methodists today define themselves as a “component” in a society that, as stated in the Italian Constitution, makes no “distinction of race, sex, or religion.” The Waldensians, also known as Waldenses, Vallenses, Valdesi, or Vaudois, are adherents of a church tradition that began as an ascetic movement within Western Christianity before the Reformation.
Originally known as the Poor of Lyon in the late twelfth century, the movement spread to the Cottian Alps in what is today France and Italy. The founding of the Waldensians is attributed to Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant who gave away his property around 1173, preaching apostolic poverty as the way to perfection. Waldensian teachings came into conflict with the Catholic Church and by 1215 the Waldensians were declared heretical, not because they preached apostolic poverty, which the Franciscans also preached, but because they were not willing to recognize the prerogatives of local bishops over the content of their preaching, nor to recognize standards about who was fit to preach. Congregations continue to be active in Europe (particularly in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy), South America, and North America.
In fact, Waldensians and Methodists are convinced that their history and testimony represent an important value for a multicultural and multireligious society. Furthermore, at least in the past, the term ‘minority’ has been used to justify limiting the civil rights and religious freedom of Italian Protestants. For these reasons, Waldensians and Methodists today define themselves as a “component” in a society that, as stated in the Italian Constitution, makes no “distinction of race, sex, or religion.” The Waldensians, also known as Waldenses, Vallenses, Valdesi, or Vaudois, are adherents of a church tradition that began as an ascetic movement within Western Christianity before the Reformation.
Originally known as the Poor of Lyon in the late twelfth century, the movement spread to the Cottian Alps in what is today France and Italy. The founding of the Waldensians is attributed to Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant who gave away his property around 1173, preaching apostolic poverty as the way to perfection. Waldensian teachings came into conflict with the Catholic Church and by 1215 the Waldensians were declared heretical, not because they preached apostolic poverty, which the Franciscans also preached, but because they were not willing to recognize the prerogatives of local bishops over the content of their preaching, nor to recognize standards about who was fit to preach. Congregations continue to be active in Europe (particularly in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy), South America, and North America.
© 2025 Sons of Old Germany |