medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dear Tom,
Not knowing the circumstances here, I can only speculate, but the crux of the matter may not
have been protecting an "icon" by enclosing it in a walled structure, but the implicit
recognition of the image as miracle-working without the permission or ratification of the
bishop. It might be considered on a par with popular veneration of locally acclaimed saints
without episcopal ratification.
Cheers,
Jim Bugslag
On 14 Feb 2008 at 5:56, Luongo, F. Thomas wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and
> culture
>
>
>
> In his book "Pro remedio animae," Immagini sacre e pratiche
> devozionali in Italia centrale, Michele Bacci cites a late
> 14th-century account in the episcopal archives in Lucca of the cult of
> a miracle-producing image of the Blessed Virgin at one of the gates of
> the city. A Luccan citizen is reported to have paid for the erection
> of a structure (domum muratam) to protect the image "in ignorance of
> the law." The same man also had an altar erected nearby for the
> celebration of mass and the divine office without having received the
> requisite license from the bishop.
>
> Can anyone help me to understand what law exactly is referred to here?
> It seems almost common sense that erection of an altar would require
> episcopal permission, and I would expect that a structure like the one
> here would have required permission from civic authorities. But the
> passage implies (at least, that's how I read it) that that the
> erection of the "domum muratum" was in violation of canon law.
>
> What law would have governed the erection of a structure to protect
> the icon? Does anyone know where I might find references to laws
> regarding icons in public places (streets, street-corners,
> city-gates)? Was there canon law that would have regulated the
> erection and veneration of such images?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Tom Luongo
>
> **********************************************************************
> To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
> to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it
> to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the
> message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order
> to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
> [log in to unmask] For further information,
> visit our web site:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
>
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|