It was common practice for The Pope, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and other Church officials to have people burned at the stake or otherwise tortured for simply wanting to read The Bible.
The only people allowed to read The Bible were the aforementioned Church officials. And they read it in Latin at that so the masses wouldn't understand.
And, of course, they fleeced the masses for every penny they earned to furnish their own lavish lifestlyes.
My only question was whether or not St. Nick one who ordered heretics burned and/or tortured.
He lived from 270–346. Get back to me when you can furnish proof that Catholics was burning anyone during that time period.