Excommunication Quote by Jan Hus
““Further, it is evident that if pope or other superior command the priest not to preach, who is disposed to do so (as has been said), or the rich not to give alms, the inferior ought not to obey. Wherefore, depending on this command of the Lord, I have not obeyed Pope Alexander's command in regard to not preaching and hence will humbly bear excommunication,1 confident that I will secure to myself the benediction of my God.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: De Ecclesiastica Potestate, 1415
Hus argues that obedience to higher authority must be weighed against divine conscience; he defies papal orders to preach.
In simple terms: Follow conscience over unjust commands.
Key Takeaway
Stand firm in personal conviction despite institutional pressure.
Themes
faith
conscience
authority
reform
obedience
Mood
defiant
thoughtful
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- preaching despite excommunication
- religious reform movements
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
theology
personal conscience
ecclesiastical conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits should obedience have?
- How do personal beliefs clash with authority?
A Different Perspective
May provoke conflict with established institutions.
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![“Thus it is that Pope Innocent III states [De Consuetudine] that, it is necessary to obey the Pope in all things as long as he, himself, does not go against the universal customs of the Church, but should he go against the universal customs of the Church, 'he need not be followed' . . .” quote by Pope Innocent I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/36f/pope-innocent-i-87387_all-things_thus-it-is-that-pope-innocent-iii-states_1261278.jpg)
![“This [Magna Carta] has been forced from the King. It constitutes an insult to the Holy See, a serious weakening of the royal power, a disgrace to the English nation, a danger to all Christendom, since this civil war obstructs the crusade. Therefore?we condemn the charter and forbid the King to…” quote by Pope Innocent III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ca8/pope-innocent-iii-32111_charter_this-magna-carta-has-been-forced-from-th_924819.jpg)
![“The [abortion] excommunication affects all those who commit this crime with knowledge of the penalty attached, and thus includes those accomplices without which the crime would not have been committed.” quote by Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a40/pope-john-paul-ii-485_abortion_the-abortion-excommunication-affects-all_1431568.jpg)
