Entry #4 - Rest in Peace?

    Welcome back! Glad to see you here again. Let's start on a strange but very real trial of Pope Formosus. Imagine being in your final resting place, only to be dug back out after a year to be put on trial. Thats right, you get dug out and sat before people on a thrown to be punished for things that happened before you passed. On January 897AD, Pope Stephen VI ordered for Pope Formosus' body to be exhumed for many offenses against the Church, including perjury. Of course, Pope Stephen VI was seeking revenge against Formosus for things that he did not approve of while Formosus was still alive. 

    Since Pope Formosus couldn't speak for himself, he did have a deacon who stood beside the corpse during trial, speaking on his behalf. Pope Stephen VI, playing the role of prosecutor and judge, found Pope Formosus guilty of all charges. As punishment, Pope Stephen VI ordered for the former Pope to be stripped of his papal vestments and the amputation of his 3 fingers on his right hand, in which he had used to bless people during his time as a Pope. Not only that, but his corpse was also to be dragged through the streets and dumped into the Tiber River. Monks pulled the corpse out and buried the pope in a common grave.

    Soon after his absurd and cruel trial against Pope Formosus, he was removed from office for attempting to violently overrule the government and was imprisoned, then strangled.

What are your thoughts on this trial?  Pulling someone from their resting place to be charged for things that may or may not have happened isn't the best time. Not a fair trial for sure, Pope Formosus didn't get to defend himself or get a say. Hope to see you again!! Until next time, Bye!