Bolgia+3+--+Simoniacs

WELCOME to the EIGHTH CIRCLE of HELL…BOLGIA 3, THE SIMONIACS…

Summary:

Dante already knows that the third bolgia punishes Simoniacs, those who bought or sold church pardons or offices. He condemns the [|evil] of these sinners before he and his guide, [|Virgil], even view the area. Within, they see the sinners [|stuck headfirst] in [|pits]with only their feet sticking out. These souls squirm in the pits, and flames encircle their feet. Dante notices that one soul burning among [|flames] is redder than any of the others, and he goes to talk to him. It is [|Pope Nicholas III], and he first mistakes Dante for Boniface. After Dante corrects him, the former pope tells Dante that he was guilty of simony and he mourns his [|doom]. However, he notes that worse sinners than he still remain on Earth and await even worse fates. Nicholas tells Dante that he anticipates damnation (for simony) of [|Boniface VIII] and [|Pope Clement V], other corrupt popes. Dante shows Nicholas no pity, saying that his sentence is suitable for his [|weighty] sin. He then speaks out against all corrupt clergy, calling them idolaters and a [|burden] on humankind. Virgil approves of Dante’s reaction and helps Dante up over the ridge to the fourth bolgia.

//n. // 1. The buying or selling of ecclesiastical [|pardons], offices, or emoluments. [Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin , after Magus, a [|sorcerer] who tried to buy spiritual powers from the Apostle Peter (Acts 8:9-24).] 2.(Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) //Christianity// the practice, now usually regarded as a sin, of buying or selling spiritual or [|Church] benefits such as pardons, relics, etc., or preferments 3. the practice or defense of t he selling of church relies, preferments, etc. — s**imoniac, simonist, //n.//** ||
 * simony