The ''Cadaver Synod''

By Crusader1307

Religion can create strange atmospheres in relation to Culture and it’s Beliefs. But in the year 897 AD, a very bizarre ‘’Legal Trial’’ was held in Rome by The Catholic Church. The ‘’Trial’’ was against one Pope Formosus. The Pope (who was seen as an ‘’Anti-Pope’’), had been accused of illegally ascending to His Position thru the political machinations of The Era (eg: schism). When Pope Formosus died in 896 AD, He was buried with full Honors. But His replacement, Pope Stephen VI (seen as the ‘’legitimate’’ Heir), quickly seized upon the fact that to ‘’legitimize’’ His ‘’Reign’’, He needed to put the ‘’Usurper’’ on Trial. So, 7 months after His ‘’death’’, Pope Formosus was exhumed and ‘’re-installed’’ on His Throne – to face  a lengthy Charge of Heresy and Treason.

A full Congregation of Cardinals was called into ‘’session’’. In the ‘’Trial’’, Pope Stephen VI outlined the various elements of corruption used to install the former Pope. The entire affair lasted several weeks and was NOT popular within the confines of Rome. Found Guilty, Formosus was ceremoniously stripped of His Mitre and other trapping of Office. His decomposing corpse was dumped (at first) into what was known as The ‘’Foreigner’s Cemetery’’ (a burial ground for ‘’non-Roman’’ Persons). Within weeks, the former Pope was exhumed by Stephen’s supporters and unceremoniously dumped into The Tibor River. Later, His ’’remains’’ were recovered and properly venerated by ‘’His’’ Supporters. As for Our ‘’over zealous’’ Pope? His ‘’Cadaver Synod’’ (as stated) did NOT go well. Disposed and imprisoned (at the risk of wide scale riots within Rome), Pope Stephen VI was sentenced to Prison. He was strangled by ‘’unknown’’ Prisoners in 899 AD.