Luigi Lippomano, His Vicars, and the Reform of Verona from the Pulpit

摘要

LUIGI Lippomano was a deeply worried man. He had heard that Lutherannideas were being debated openly in Verona—even in such inappropriatenplaces as “the piazzas, the workshops, the taverns, and even thenwomen’s washrooms.”n2nAs bishop of Verona, responsible for the city’snspiritual health, he feared that he would see the city reduced to outrightnheresy. He felt increasingly stymied, watching his flock “become morencorrupted every day” from inappropriate books and conversation, the “idlenchatter of a few gossips.” And so, at a certain point, he had had enough.n“How can I ... stay silent,” he asked, “cross my hands, close my eyes, shutnmy ears, and act like a mute dog that cannot growl?”n3nThe result of hisnfrustration and fury was a series of publications seeking to block thenperceived threat of Protestant infiltration.