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Subscribe to RSSA preview of the official video for the exhibition-event Lux in Arcana -- The Vatican Secret Archives reveals itself http://www.luxinarcana.org. Filmed inside the Vatican Secret Archives, it shows rooms and bunkers in the Archive of the Popes, together with some of the 100 original documents that will leave the Vatican City for the first time in history. 12 centuries of history, 400 years of life, 85 kilometres of shelving: the world's most famous Archive reveals itself in the extraordinary halls of Rome's Capitoline Museums. Conclaves, heresies, popes and emperors. Crusades, excommunications, ciphered letters. Manuscripts, codices, ancient parchments. An exceptional and once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn History through its sources. February-September 2012.
Galileo's retraction of his theories and the excommunication of Martin Luther are among the closely guarded documents that the Vatican has put on display to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the establishment of its archives at its current location in Rome.
The Holy See on Wednesday opened an exhibition of 100 documents -- a tiny fraction of its archives -- in Rome’s Capitoline Museums. The exhibit is entitled “Lux in Arcana: The Vatican Secret Archives Reveals itself.”
It is the first, and possibly the only time, the documents will be seen outside the Vatican walls, according to the exhibition’s website.
Britain’s Telegraph newspaper live-blogged the exhibit's opening on its website on Wednesday.
Some of the documents on display include:
- A letter from an English nobleman to Pope Clement VII in 1530 that demands that King Henry VIII be allowed to divorce Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn.
- An 1887 letter from a Native American chief written on a strip of bark that refers to the pope as the "Grand Master of Prayers."
- The astronomer Galileo’s retraction of his theories of the galaxy after his trial on heresy charges in 1633.
- Documents from the trials of the Knights Templar.
- The excommunication decree of reform leader Martin Luther.
- The abdication deed of Queen Christina of Sweden. Rumored to be a hermaphrodite, she gave up her throne in 1654 to convert to Catholicism and move to Rome.
The documents in the exhibition are only a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of documents in the pope’s archive, which also includes the popes' correspondence with such historical figures as Michelangelo, Voltaire, Mozart, Hitler and even Abraham Lincoln.
The Vatican archives are typically only seen by closely scrutinized researchers and scholars.
Business Insider contributed to this report.
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I wanna see all of them. As a Catholic I'm entitled to see EVERYTHING. What's to hide? You only hide things when you've done smothing wrong. I wanna see it ALL.
That's why the priests & Pope wear dresses,,, They don't want you to see ALL
Those Medieval thongs they have to wear aren't just thongs
Let me know when they release the scrolls announcing that Jesus married and fathered children!
Can you imagine, the beauty of the written word centuries ago. The information, the way of life examined. How wonderful it would be to go thru all the archives of the Vatican, touch and smell the history. I have allways thought that the "Church" had no right to hold back anything from the people of the World and I still believe that. They should release everything to scientists, history buffs and the like...it's only right.
Much of it was about control. Remember, these were the days when mass was said in Latin, and only priests could view the Bible directly. It wasn't until the King James version was translated, that people were, forget able, more like permited to see it directly.
And that might not be the end of it, because King James wasn't necessarily based on the oldest, or most original manuscript; and Codex Vanaticus (which was in the Vatican's hands for centuries before King James) actually differed from it in a multitude of ways. Not only had it differed, but there were places, where 9 so-called "correctors" set out to "correct" the text, to make it more "doctrinally correct" against changing standards as edicts from the ruling councils changed.
Among some of the changes, the only account for the ascension of Jesus in Vanaticus is in Acts (and Mark ends before the account with a decorative line signifying "the end"). But then early accounts, before the third century AD, suggested that Jesus was around for more then 40 days after the resurection, living to a ripe old age of 80 years old. Another change, was to "of that day and hour, knoweth no man, not even the angels of heaven, but God only" or something to the effect. Iraneus, in his book "against heresy's" mostly directed against the Gnostics, mentioned this matter as accepted doctrine at the time; placing it as the then official view, long before the 40 days latter, he ascended view, became the more recent doctrine, sanctioned as such... But Vanaticus contained the words "not even the son", suggesting God the father and God the son are not on an equal basis in terms of what is known.... Somewhere along the lines, after the date Vanaticus was written, the words "not even the son" got stricken from the text....
Needless to say, a lot really came down to control. Remember also that one of Martin Luther's quibles, was being unable to go to God directly, or the influence the church was placing in the way (probably wrt some of the above)....
I believe the printing press came about at the same time the king james version was printed. Bibles, up to that time were hand written and very costly and rare to accuire. Latin was at that time a more universal language among the europeans
The Sovereign of England/Great Britain is also head of the Anglican Church. As such I imagine James had an interest in having a bible with his view in mind.
Was Geraldo there?
Interesting that the so-called "third secret" which was said to be revealed to the kids at Fatima, during the claimed visitation by Mother Mary isn't among the documents presented... Or some other matters which might be more consequential to the church today...
I mean, take the so-called retraction from Gailaio; we all know that after he was on trial for heresy, he probably gave any retraction of his theories under diress, or in some way to try to relieve whatever sentence would have been applied to him (or his family?) as part of the punishment portion of the trial....
But here's the thing, Galieio wasn't proven wrong. And the geo-centric model of the universe isn't about to be re-adopted, retraction or none; following discoveries from modern day telescopes such as the Hubble, or what we know today (which is much greater then it was in Galileo's day) wrt modern day astro-physics. Even the Vatican has in more recent days backed away from some of it's, shall I say creationist views of a 5,000 year old Earth, following a literal interpretation of Genesis....
Which is kind of ironic in a way. Because the book this literal interpretation was taken from, also forms part of the Jewish holy book; and the Jews in particular wouldn't quite argue the same creationist view out of what ultimitely was their own text. Nor do Jews tend to have all the same hang ups wrt science that creationists have had. Actually I've heard from some, from more then 1 sect of Judaism, who were rather surprised by the whole matter, and scratched their heads thinking "but that was our own text, and we don't take that literal an interpretation :O Were do some get these ideas, really?"
Even god didn't know about these records, ink still wet.
They should combine Vatican Secrets with Victoria's Secrets & go into another business other than religion
One secret they couldn't keep was that Man created God --- The cat's been out of the bag for quite awhile
Sadly modern Christianity has more to do with Paul than with Jesus. If you read the teachings of Jesus and then read the Paulinian letters there are many contradictions. The churches I have visited spend much more time quoting Paul than following the the teachings Jesus told his disciples to practice. The church of Rome, like much of the modern Evangelical movement, is more about control of the masses than freedom in Christ.
I agree. Also, you might find the following interesting.
Why should the Vatican reveal anything they wish not to?
The hate filled detractors among us will just want to rewrite what is revealed so as to suit their intentions........such has been done with many an archive.
The U.S. History is a prime example.
Amen to that
let it be revealed when they come up with a name for what the fathers are doing to young boys and simply moving them to another diocese.
We are now in end times. As it is stated the abomination of the religious right shall-rise up with lies and deceit but only in America ,for God has forsaken the rest of the world. Republicans shall sit on the throne of thorns and rule with the staff of the almighty, punishment and death shall come to all non believers mainly the "Gay," but in the ninth hour the "Gays" who are the chosen saviors will smite the right with a mighty blow to the head. The light from above will shine on the masses who are asses and will show them of their stupidity. After the fire & smoke has cleared we shall come forth from our hidding places & will embrace each other in love and acceptance, for no man is an island as we are many in our diversity and it is said all of our hearts and eyes shall be opened.
End Times? For the End Timers maybe... They missed the Rupture by several thousand years
David...sell it elsewhere...Libby
...and that's why folks I find there's no point in reading the bible. Just deciphering these scriptures makes you crazy, they're incomplete, unclear, and tampered with- so what's the point?? It's more like every man for himself on the road to salvation for me- that or finding your way based on a map made by blind demons.
We all believe strongly in our faiths- but let's be honest, NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE- all we can do is believe in our beliefs- let's all be good people and hope for the best.
I would like to say that all the accusations about priest abuses are about money. Why? Because all the dads that have abused their kids)which outnumber priests by about 1000-1) don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.
@ac/1213193
you are sick. Aren't you rehashing an old ass South Park cartoon?
Grow up.
Maybe the "Church" should go by what Jesus said, " For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad,"
If something is the truth and it has to do with God then there is no reason to hide it.
But then then Jesus said " call no one your Father upon the earth." I guess the "Church" hasn't read that one either.
Sometimes I think the "Church" speaks for the "Church" and not for God.
Martin was really bothered by the excomm, wasn't he? As for Galileo, I'm sure he did it with a smile. Just like the church to excommunicate someone they don't agree with. Sounds like President Obama.
What do you mean by President Obama?
It happens to be conservatives who are excommunicating their own. Even Ronald Reagan's advisers tell you that
One moderate republican Senator from Maine just left because of your right wing radical take over
They demonize their own for not being uber-christian & you aren't fooling anyone with your lame reversal of history
I think you all are crazy. Regardless of what you believe, The historical records owned by the RCC are priceless.
The behavior of some does not discount the good of many. I am sure there are just as many pedophiles in teaching, the varied police departments, university professors, farmers, etc, as there are priest by percentage. So do we discount the good they all provide as well? And what noble deed has everyone else done for the benefit of humanity? Who among you has provided a hot meal to the homeless? Clothing to a child you don't know? A safe home for battered women? Has the church abused power? sure, history has documented it. Have you? likely. If there is one line in the bible that everyone of you should know it is this, " Let he without sin cast the first stone"
Thanks for writing this, I agree. I am Catholic and at times it is so hard not to feel persecuted by other Christians and social groups in general! I appreciate your take on this! Glad to see that there are people out there leading with thought not just hate!
A lot of people take exception to the "Secret" in the "Secret Vatican Archives". There is nothing secret in there. Only forgotten, willfully ignored, lost. Seriously, researchers have had access for years. The Vatican is also a sovereign nation. They are not required to give up anything. The items in that archive belong to Catholics. I like the chances of those items being preserved right were they are. After all, for all the whining and bitching, there has been a Basillica on that hill for almost 1700 years. If you think the White House, the Smithsonian, or some other American Landmark will be around that long you are delusional. I have to laugh at the Evagnelical turds on here with their usual Catholic baiting. A bunch of white trash sola scriptura morons who never ask the question FROM WHENCE AND HOW was the faith propagated for 1500 years before fat, sensuous Luther came along? Oh well, at least you got Bob JOnes University and some nice shiney prosperity ministries on the Television. Good luck with that.
I am not catholic and could not agree more!
When will these charlatans become humanitarians and let loose the many other hidden documents and confess that this and all preceding HSs perpetuated a deceit-filled demagoguery for more than 1700 years to protect itself and fill its coffers?
I had to stop going to RCC church when they threaten to sell off my nice clean organs for cheap and I am not even dying yet!
The Bible is a "book" you take any good you can derive from it and use it in everyday life and the bad, you flush down the toylet with the rest of the @!$%#!
Cool!
Who cares. The catholic church is such a pit of hypocrites. I can't believe any one still chooses to be catholic after the years many of the priests spent molesting children while theirsecrets were kept safe from the world and they never suffered any legal consequences until years later. Many of the priests, bishops and on up chain smoking drunks who screw children - they're just low life pedophiles. As for the Vatican and all their wealth - if they were truly good christians they could sell it all to feed, house, and educate the poor as well as providing medical attention and clothing for them around the world and still be well off. But no, they just sit on all their priceless stolen artifacts and count their money while controling as many people as possible with their christian bs - they make me puke.
Will, I don't know your source material, but you've got alot of things backwords in your statement... I urge you to check your sources, the best source for understanding Catholic teaching is in fact the Catecism of the Catholic Church. It can be bought in most catholic bookstores.
In fact, (and this may surprise you) Catholic Church teaching does not contradict the bible, it DEFINES IT!
Good day,
signed:
Nurek Tarator
Thanks for writing this, I agree. I am Catholic and at times it is so hard not to feel persecuted by other Christians and social groups in general! I appreciate your take on this! Glad to see that there are people out there leading with thought not just hate!
Priceless no doubt; fragile- most definitely. I wonder if someone remembered to install a fantastic state of the art, self-activating fire fight system- not just a fire alarm. In the evbent of spontaneous combustion, the malfunction of the air-conditioning system -GOD FORBID- there could be an incalculable loss.
Better to spend money to save what history has created- whether we agree with the contents or not. Share it with the world- it is the heritage of all mankind, only protected by the Catholic Church.
Install the fire fighting system
Clive Ocnacuwenga
I'm a LRC (Lapsed Roman Catholic) who finds it hard to believe that the Catholic Church still teaches the medieval nonsense it does (read: the existence of purgatory, the concept of original sin, the use of holy water, infant baptisms, this whole business of sainthood and saint worship, the seven sacraments, etc.)
I will say, however, that there are some wonderful words in the New Testament dealing with how man should live life. I'm also hoping that Christ said them but whomever did was right on.
The Old Testament...a colossal fairy tale with very little physical evidence to back it up. Much the same as Gone with the Wind. Oh sure, there was a Civil War and Atlanta was burned alright. But Tara and Rhett Butler never did exist. end of story.