Waldensians

An imagined statue of Peter Waldo at a protestant mural

The Waldensians were a pre-protestant Christian sect founded in the 12th century by the French ascetic, Peter Waldo which continues as a protestant denomination to this day, primarily in Italy and South America.

Originating in the late 12th century, they advocated for a return to biblical simplicity and poverty. They criticized corruption in the Roman Catholic Church and sought to live by the teachings of Jesus by translating the Bible into their mother-tongues.

Their movement spread across Europe, facing severe persecution from the Catholics for their rejection of traditional practices and emphasis on scripture. Despite this, they maintained their faith and dispersed throughout various regions, especially the Italian alps.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Waldensians experienced intense persecution during the Protestant Reformation, but they eventually gained recognition and protection. Their adherence to Protestant beliefs aligned them with reformers, leading to greater acceptance and even support from the English republican leader, Oliver Cromwell.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Waldensians actively participated in the ecumenical movement, seeking unity with other Christian denominations. They focused on social justice, education, and humanitarian work, integrating their historical principles with modern values and contributing to global Protestant dialogues.

Pope Francis recently apologised to a Waldensian church in northern Italy for the brutal massacres by Catholic crusaders that were carried out on the exact site he visited.