Antonianism
Encyclopedia
Antonianism was a syncretic Christian
movement formed in the Kingdom of Kongo
between 1704 and 1706 as a development within the Roman Catholic Church in Kongo. Its founder was a young charismatic named Beatriz Kimpa Vita
who said she was possessed by Saint Anthony of Padua. Beatriz became known for healing and other miracles.
Roman Catholicism
had been introduced to Sub-Saharan Africa
in the 15th century and had attracted a wide following in Kongo. Beatriz claimed Anthony had told her through a vision to create a new Kongolese Catholicism, and she incorporated various native practices and traditions into her movement. The major differences between Roman Catholicism and Antonianism were the rejection of the cross, as it was seen as being responsible for Christ's death, as well as the rejection of baptism, confession and prayer. Among her beliefs were that Jesus
was a black man and that the Kongo
was the real home of Christianity. She also held that heaven was for Africans. Beatriz also made polygamy legal in her movement.
European Christian missionaries charged her with heresy
and at their request King Pedro IV
of Kongo had her arrested in 1706. She was convicted and burned at the stake. The movement of Antonianism
did not immediately die when she did and in 1708 twenty thousand Antonians marched on King Pedro IV, who eventually defeated them and restored his kingdom.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
movement formed in the Kingdom of Kongo
Kingdom of Kongo
The Kingdom of Kongo was an African kingdom located in west central Africa in what are now northern Angola, Cabinda, the Republic of the Congo, and the western portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
between 1704 and 1706 as a development within the Roman Catholic Church in Kongo. Its founder was a young charismatic named Beatriz Kimpa Vita
Kimpa Vita
Beatriz Kimpa Vita , was a Congolese prophet and leader of her own Christian movement, known as Antonianism. Her teaching grew out of the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church in Kongo.-Early life:...
who said she was possessed by Saint Anthony of Padua. Beatriz became known for healing and other miracles.
Roman Catholicism
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
had been introduced to Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
in the 15th century and had attracted a wide following in Kongo. Beatriz claimed Anthony had told her through a vision to create a new Kongolese Catholicism, and she incorporated various native practices and traditions into her movement. The major differences between Roman Catholicism and Antonianism were the rejection of the cross, as it was seen as being responsible for Christ's death, as well as the rejection of baptism, confession and prayer. Among her beliefs were that Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
was a black man and that the Kongo
Kingdom of Kongo
The Kingdom of Kongo was an African kingdom located in west central Africa in what are now northern Angola, Cabinda, the Republic of the Congo, and the western portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
was the real home of Christianity. She also held that heaven was for Africans. Beatriz also made polygamy legal in her movement.
European Christian missionaries charged her with heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
and at their request King Pedro IV
Pedro IV
Pedro IV may refer to:* Peter IV of Aragon * Pedro IV of Kongo * Pedro I of Brazil...
of Kongo had her arrested in 1706. She was convicted and burned at the stake. The movement of Antonianism
Antonianism
Antonianism was a syncretic Christian movement formed in the Kingdom of Kongo between 1704 and 1706 as a development within the Roman Catholic Church in Kongo. Its founder was a young charismatic named Beatriz Kimpa Vita who said she was possessed by Saint Anthony of Padua...
did not immediately die when she did and in 1708 twenty thousand Antonians marched on King Pedro IV, who eventually defeated them and restored his kingdom.