The trial on matters of faith of Nicolau Eimeric, O. P., against saint Vicent Ferrer, O. P.

Abstract

On the trial on matters of faith led by inquisitor Nicolau Eimeric between 1391/2 and 1394 against Vicent Ferrer, O. P, the future collaborator of the soon to be Pope Benedict XIII, there are only references in the accusations made in 1399 and during the Pisa Council (1408) against Benedict XIII in wich they call him a supporter of heretics reproaching him the case of Vicent Ferrer, condemned by Eimeric because he had preached that Judas would be saved. Despite the inquisitorial action, Ferrer was protected by Pope Luna, who, just after being elected, burned the process instructed by the inquisitor. The witness of cardinal Giffoni (1399) is published here along with the ten statements on the trial opened by Eimeric against Ferrer and ended by the pope, statements which were obtained in 1408, when the Council of Pisa opened a trial against Benedict XIII, accusing him, among other things, of being a proponent of heresy. The documentation is in the Vatican Archives. In a second moment, the author studies the situation of the three personalities and their mutual relations. Benedict XIII defended Vicent Ferrer, and stopped him. Pope Luna’s policy was distinguished at the beginning of his pontifi cate by his desire not to create divisions within his obedience, when his legitimacy had not yet been thoroughly attacked by his main allies. In the long run, Vicent Ferrer would abandon him.