Marsilius of Padua Defensor Pacis Defender of the

Christ himself came into the world not to dominate men, nor to judge them

When he was brought before Pontius Pilate…and accused of having called himself king of

Slides: 5

Marsilius of Padua Defensor Pacis [Defender of the Peace], early 14 c We now wish…to adduce the truths of the holy Scripture…which explicitly command or counsel that neither the Roman bishop called pope, nor any other bishop or priest, or deacon, has or ought to have any rulership or coercive judgment or jurisdiction over any priest or non-priest, ruler, community, group, or individual of whatever condition….

Christ himself came into the world not to dominate men, nor to judge them [coercively]…not to wield temporal rule, but rather to be subject as regards the…present life; and moreover, he wanted to and did exclude himself, his apostles and disciples, and their successors, the bishops or priests, from all coercive authority or worldly rule, both by his example and by his word of counsel of command….

When he was brought before Pontius Pilate…and accused of having called himself king of the Jews, …[his] reply included these words…’My kingdom is not of this world, ’ that is, I have not come to reign by temporal rule or dominion, in the way…worldly kings reign…. This, then, is the kingdom concerning which he came to teach and order, a kingdom which consists in the…acts of faith and the other theological virtues; ….

Avignon Pope’s Residence