[metmom]

However, the Church always respected the civil law of the land, which indeed treated apostasy harshly.

What a cop out.

They could have set the standard and refused to participate; taken the moral high ground and shown that mercy triumphs over judgment.

What with the power the Catholic church had in those days, it could have put its foot down about treating others in such an unChristlike manner and that would have put an end to that *law of the land* pretty quickly.

They're complicit.

[annalex]

it could have put its foot down about treating others in such an unChristlike manner and that would have put an end to that *law of the land* pretty quickly.

Yes, that would be a fair criticism. The Church exists in time and is as a political entity, is not infallible. However, that does not diminish my desire to see a robust inquisition instituted today.

[caww]

What with the power the Catholic church had in those days, it could have put its foot down about treating others in such an unChristlike manner and that would have put an end to that *law of the land* pretty quickly.

True...sorta like "we the People" just kicked butt on Bo's law of the land.