by David Trzcinski
"Sometimes he gave me blows with a whip, and then he kissed the spot where he had beaten me"
-Catherine Cadiere
The history of witchcraft through the ages encompasses a huge range of diverse issues which surround the witchcraft delusion. Obviously, the witchcraft craze was not only confined to Europe, emerging at various times throughout the United States of America and Asia.
The notion of witchcraft was derived from the combination of several pagan religions. From the eighth century on, witchcraft began to be classified as heresy and sorcery associated with harmful witchcraft.
In 1233, the papal Inquisition was further strengthened by the Dominicans who were appointed directly by Pope Gregory IX. Some examples of the inquisitorial method employed in the investigations of heretics are as follows:
(i) The accused was presumed guilty until he/she had proven their innocence (which was rare in many cases)
(ii) Suspicion or gossip was sufficient indication of guilt to hail a person before the Inquisition.
(ii) No witnesses were allowed to testify on behalf of the accused
By 1486, arguably the most important book for witch hunters had arisen. The Malleus Maleficarum was completed by two authors (Sprenger (1436-95) and Kramer (1430-1505)) and was divided into three parts:
(1) A discussion concerning the need for administrators to deal with the enormity of witchcraft.
(2) Detailed solutions to the evils which may be encountered by witch hunters.
(3) The means to initiate legal action against witches, secure a conviction and pass sentence.
The witchcraft delusion came to an end in Europe during the late 19th century. Almost 200,000 people are believedto have died during the witchcraft delusion in Europe over 150 years.
Many infamous stories arose from the Inquisition years between the 13th century to the 19th century. One such example is the legal battle between Catherine Cadiere and Father Jean-Baptiste Girard, S.J. After stories began circulating around western Europe about the sexual liaisons of Father Girard and the charlatan actions of Catherine Cadiere (claiming herself to be saint by smearing menstrual blood over her face), both were taken to court.
With twelve votes for the priest to be burnt
at the stake and 12 votes for Catherine to be hanged, the deciding vote came
from President Lebret, who passed to the motion to return the priest to the
church, and Catherine to be returned home to her mother. This proved to be an
unpopular motion by many.