What is the Index Librorum Prohibitorum?
Q: What is the Index Librorum Prohibitorum?
A: The Index Librorum Prohibitorum (English: List of Prohibited Books) was a list of books banned by the Catholic Church because they were thought to be heretical, anti-clerical or lascivious.
Q: When and where was it first published?
A: The first version of the Index was published in Catholic Netherlands (1529); Venice (1543) and Paris (1551).
Q: Who was responsible for updating the list?
A: From 1571 to 1917, the Sacred Congregation of the Index was in charge of updating the list.
Q: What was its purpose?
A: The aim of the list was to protect the belief and morals of the faithful by preventing them from reading heretical and immoral books.
Q: How did authorities enforce it?
A: Enforcing the Index was done through Inquisition, which included burning at stake those who violated it.
Q: Are there any examples of works that were on this list?
A: Examples include works by astronomers such as Johannes Kepler's Epitome astronomiae Copernicanae, which was on the Index from 1621 to 1835, and by philosophers like Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Even editions and translations of Bible not been approved by Church could be banned.
Q: When did Pope Paul VI abolish this index ?
A: Pope Paul VI abolished this index on 14 June 1966.
