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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Jul 166 min read

The Cathari​—Were They Christian Martyrs?

The Historical Context of the Cathari


The story of the Cathari is set against the backdrop of the 11th and 12th centuries in Europe, a period marked by significant social, economic, and religious changes. The rapid growth of trade led to the development of new towns and cities, fostering an environment ripe for new ideas, including religious dissent. This period also saw widespread corruption within the Roman Catholic Church, which sparked various movements seeking to return to what they viewed as true Christianity.



Religious Dissent in Medieval Europe


Social and Economic Changes


The 11th century brought about substantial changes in Europe. As trade flourished, towns and cities grew, creating new social and economic structures. This urbanization provided fertile ground for new religious ideas and movements. Languedoc, in particular, became a hub of cultural and intellectual activity, characterized by a remarkably tolerant and advanced civilization. The region's prosperity and openness to new ideas made it a focal point for religious dissent.


Criticism of the Clergy


During this period, the morals and practices of the clergy were increasingly called into question. The Revue d’histoire et de philosophie religieuses notes that in the 12th century, as in the previous century, the clergy's opulence, venality, and immorality were heavily criticized. The wealth and power of the church, along with its collusion with secular authorities, drew significant criticism.



The Rise of Itinerant Preachers


Pope Innocent III's Acknowledgment


Even Pope Innocent III recognized the corruption within the church as a major factor contributing to the rise of dissident, itinerant preachers. He lamented that priests were neglecting to teach the people, leaving them spiritually starved. Despite acknowledging the need for better spiritual education, Innocent III banned Bible reading for the laity, claiming that the depths of divine Scripture were beyond the understanding of the simple and illiterate.


The Founding of the Dominicans


To counteract the influence of itinerant preachers, Pope Innocent III approved the founding of the Order of Friars Preachers, or Dominicans. These friars were tasked with defending Catholic orthodoxy against the "heretics" in southern France. Unlike the opulent Catholic clergy, the Dominicans lived a more austere lifestyle and traveled to preach and counteract the teachings of the Cathari and Waldenses.



Who Were the Cathari?


Origins and Beliefs


The word "cathar" comes from the Greek word "ka·tha·rosʹ," meaning "pure." Catharism, which spread from the 11th to the 14th centuries, was particularly prevalent in Lombardy, northern Italy, and Languedoc. The Cathari's beliefs were a mix of Eastern dualism and Gnosticism. They believed in two opposing principles: one good, governing all that was spiritual, and one evil, responsible for the material world, including the human body. They held that Satan created the material world, which was destined for destruction.


Classes and Practices


The Cathari were divided into two classes: the perfect and the believers. The perfect were initiated through a rite called "consolamentum," which involved spiritual baptism by the laying on of hands. This rite was believed to release the initiate from Satan's rule, purify them from sin, and impart the holy spirit. The perfect took vows of abstinence, chastity, and poverty, and if married, they had to leave their partners.


Believers, while accepting Cathar teachings, did not adopt the ascetic lifestyle of the perfect. They participated in a ritual called "melioramentum," where they sought forgiveness and a blessing from the perfect. To lead normal lives, believers entered into a "convenenza," an agreement for deathbed administration of the consolamentum.



Attitude Toward the Bible


Allegorical Interpretation


The Cathari extensively quoted the Bible but viewed it primarily as a source of allegories and fables. They believed that much of the Hebrew Scriptures came from the Devil and used parts of the Greek Scriptures to support their dualistic philosophy. For instance, in the Lord’s Prayer, they prayed for "our supersubstantial bread" instead of "our daily bread," reflecting their disdain for the material world.


Doctrinal Contradictions


Many Cathar beliefs directly contradicted the Bible. They believed in the immortality of the soul and reincarnation, which are contrary to Scriptures such as Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 and Ezekiel 18:4, 20. They also based their teachings on apocryphal texts. Despite these contradictions, the Cathari's translation of parts of the Scriptures into the vernacular made the Bible more accessible during the Middle Ages.



The Cathari and Christianity


Misinterpretation of Christianity


The Cathari considered themselves the rightful successors of the apostles and called themselves "Christians," often adding "true" or "good" to emphasize their claim. However, many of their beliefs were foreign to Christianity. They recognized Jesus as the Son of God but rejected His incarnation and atoning sacrifice. They believed Jesus only appeared to have a fleshly body and viewed all matter as evil, contrary to the teaching that Jesus came in the flesh (2 John 7).


Asceticism and Salvation


The Cathari replaced Christian morality with compulsory asceticism, rejecting the saving power of Christ’s death. They believed salvation depended on the consolamentum, rather than on Jesus' ransom sacrifice. This view aligned them more with Eastern ascetic traditions and Gnosticism than with biblical Christianity.



The Albigensian Crusade


Pope Innocent III’s Reaction


The growing influence of the Cathari and their criticism of the Catholic Church led Pope Innocent III to launch the Albigensian Crusade in 1209. This crusade aimed to eradicate the Cathari and other heretical groups in Languedoc. The crusaders, led by Catholic prelates and monks, embarked on a campaign of conquest marked by extreme violence and bloodshed.



The Massacre of Béziers


The massacre of Béziers in 1209 was one of the most notorious events of the Albigensian Crusade. When crusaders asked how to distinguish between Catholics and heretics, Arnold Amalric, the papal legate, reportedly replied, "Slay them all; God will recognize His own." The result was the slaughter of at least 20,000 people. This event marked the beginning of a brutal campaign that would devastate Languedoc.



The Inquisition and the End of Catharism


Establishment of the Inquisition


In 1231, Pope Gregory IX established the papal Inquisition to support the armed struggle against heresy. The Inquisition used denouncements, duress, and systematic torture to eradicate the Cathari. Inquisition judges, mainly Dominican and Franciscan friars, were accountable only to the pope, and death by burning was the standard punishment for heresy.


The Fall of Montségur


The surrender of Montségur in 1244 marked the end of organized Cathar resistance. About 200 men and women were burned at the stake in a mass execution. Over the following decades, the Inquisition relentlessly pursued and eliminated the remaining Cathari, with the last reported execution occurring in 1330.



The Waldenses and Their Distinction


The Waldenses


The Waldenses, often confused with the Cathari, emerged as a distinct movement in the late 12th century. Pierre Valdès, or Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant from Lyons, financed translations of the Bible into the local vernacular and dedicated himself to preaching the Gospel. The Waldenses rejected many Roman Catholic doctrines and emphasized a return to the beliefs and practices of early Christianity.


Distinguishing Beliefs


Unlike the dualistic teachings of the Cathari, the Waldenses focused on biblical teachings and rejected practices such as purgatory, prayers for the dead, and the worship of Mary and the saints. They also opposed the adoration of the crucifix, indulgences, and infant baptism. The Waldenses emphasized the authority of the Bible and sought to live according to its teachings.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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