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1184 - Leonists / Waldenses

The sect called the Poor of Lyons, or the Leonists, arose neither in the time of Pope Sylvester L, nor had it for its founder either Claudius of Turin or Agobard of Lyons ; it dates from the twelfth century. The spiritual father of this sect is Peter Waldus, a rich merchant of Lyons ; and from him its adherents are called Waldenses. Terrified by the sudden death of a friend, Waldus renounced the pleasures of the world, and made the study of the Scriptures (which he caused to be translated by two clergymen) his principal occupation.

Subsequently he with some companions started forth as preachers of penance. The Archbishop of Lyons forbade their preaching. The new preachers of penance appealed to Pope Alexander III., but were not listened to; neither did they obtain a hearing from his successor Lucius III., who even excommunicated them as heretics in 1184. After their attempts with Innocent III. in 1212 had also failed, the Waldenses organized themselves into a sect, and to their former errors added others that were new j1 that is, they adopted many errors of the Cathari, with whom they now united.

By their affectation of piety, their attacks on the clergy, and other means of a like description, these sectarians found followers, who were united not so much by their agreement in doctrine as by their hatred to the Church. The sect spread in southern France, particularly in Provence and in Dauphine; it made its way also into Lombardy in the valley of the Cottian Alps; it also sought to obtain followers in Germany. In order to escape persecution, they outwardly conformed to Catholic usages, frequented the churches, and even received the Holy Eucharist.

In consequence of their uniting with the Hussites, they adopted many of the errors of these latter. In the sixteenth century they joined the Protestants, whose system of teaching they then made their own. As such, they still exist in Piedmont. In the seventeenth century their writings were greatly interpolated, in order to give them the appearance of being forerunners of Luther.