William Cappon’s Reviews > The Building of Christendom > Status Update

The clergy of Rome, the faithful of the Church, must accept as Pope this man who had in all probability martyred his predecessor, who had promised to embrace heresy to gain the Papacy -- and collected seven hundred pounds of gold in the bargain...In all the history of the See of Peter there is no darker moment than this, the Year of Our Lord 538, with Rome in the hands of Theodora's minions while she waited in Constantinople for the fulfillment of the remainder of the promise of Pope Vigilius.

The Holy Spirit hovered close, on wings of fire...Did Vigilius then ask for martyrdom, knowing how many sins are washed away when a man sheds his blood for Christ?

Vigilius took pen in hand, and wrote the words:

"Far be this from me, Lady Augusta; formerly I spoke wrongly and foolishly; but now I assuredly refuse to restore a man who is a heretic and under anathema. Though unworthy, I am vicar of Blessed Peter the Apostle, as were my predecessors, the most holy Agapitus and Silverius, who condemned him." - Pope Vigilius to Empress Theodora, 538

The Papacy cannot be captured by the enemies of the Faith.