Antonianism

Antonianism was a syncretic Christian movement formed in the Kingdom of Kongo between 1704 and 1706 as a development within the Roman Catholic Church in Kongo. Its founder was a young charismatic named Kimpa Vita, baptized Beatriz, who said she spoke for Saint Anthony of Padua.Peter N. Stearns and William Leonard Langer. "The Encyclopedia of World History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern, Chronologically Arranged", 2001. Page 394.]

Roman Catholicism had been introduced to Sub-Saharan Africa in the 15th century and had attracted a wide following in Kongo. Beatriz claimed Anthony had told her through a vision to create a new Kongolese Catholicism, and she incorporated various native practices and traditions into her movement. The major differences between Roman Catolicism and Antonianism were the rejection of the cross, as it was seen as being responsible for Christ's death, as well as the rejection of baptism, confession and prayer. Beatriz also made polygamy legal in her movement. The movement was somewhat slowed with the death of Beatriz, who was executed for heresy under Kongolese law in 1706.

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