Talk:Antipope Honorius II

POV problems
As it stands in May 2021, the article is nothing but a cut-and-paste from the old first edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1908 (The later second edition, called "The New Catholic Encyclopedia", is more than a half-century old). It reflects, therefore, the official viewpoint of the Roman Catholic Church (which can change from time to time). No effort is made to be balanced, through reference to other historians, especially more modern ones (I added a couple of citations).

(1) The text is partisan in nature, seeking to justify the winner of the struggle over the papacy in 1061, Alexander II. It pays no attention to the career of Cadalus (born c. 1010) before 1061, focusing only on the events of 1061 to 1063. The article calls him "the ambitious prelate of Parma, Cadalous", and "the imperial agent, Benzo, Bishop of Alba, a clever but unscrupulous man". It is therefore incomplete and unjust in its treatment of the life of the subject of the article.

(2) The text makes no mention of the decree of 1059 of Pope Nicholas II, which sought to deprive the nobles of Rome, the priests of the city (except the cardinals), the people of Rome, and the Emperor of their traditional prerogatives in the election of a pope--in the name of "reform". Nicholas' own election earlier in 1059 was uncanonical, there already being a properly elected pope sitting on the papal throne, and Nicholas' taking of the papal throne after an election outside Rome contrived by Archdeacon Hildebrand irregular and violent. The nobles of Rome who appealed to the Emperor were in a struggle to maintain their rights, and they were supported by considerable numbers of clergy who did not want to be "reformed". This is the context of the schism of Honorius II. See H. Milman, Vols III-IV, pp. 320-342.s

(3) Nothing is said as to who the "reformers" were (Archdeacon Hildebrand was their instigator and leader), and what their goals were. Cadalus and his party opposed them, and it is desirable that something be said.

--Vicedomino (talk) 20:46, 9 May 2021 (UTC)


 * Fixed. --Vicedomino (talk) 17:36, 19 May 2021 (UTC)