Jesus, Prophet of Islam - The Islamic Bulletin

Later Unitarians in Christianity 161

lies in order to protect their common interest, although this was
probably not how they perceived their respective reactions to the
conclusions of Servetus at the time. None of this was fully grasped
by the young Servetus.
Servetus had every hope in the leaders of the Reformation, for
he was convinced that Roman Catholicism was not the religion of
Jesus. His studies had shattered his belief in the doctrine of Trinity
and resulted in his believing that there was only One God and that
Jesus was one of His Prophets. His convictions were strengthened
after hewitnessedthecoronationof Charles V of Spain by the Pope.
In 1527 AD, Charles V had invaded and sacked Rome. At first,
he had imprisoned the Pope, but then realised the expedieney of
havingthe Pope as an ally. A captive Popewouldhardlyinfluence
the people in the way he wanted, so he restored sorne measure of
freedom to him. To demonstrate the good terms they were now on,
Charles V decided to have a coronation at the hands of the Pope.
Strictly speaking, this was not necessary.It was like having a church
weddingafter a civil ceremony. The king' spredecessors - whodid
not wish to be subject to the authority of the Church in any way ­
had discontinued this practice, but Charles V felt that he was now
powerful enough, and the Pope weak enough, for him to revive it.
The coronation ceremony was not held in Rome, but in Bolo­
gna, since, according to one of the doctrines of the Church, 'where
the Pope is, there is Rome.' Servetus witnessed the gorgeous spec­
tacle and it filled him with revulsion for the Catholic Church. When
describing the event, he wrote:

With these very eyes 1 saw him (the Pope) borne with

pomp on the shoulders of princes, making with his hand

the sign of the cross, and adored in the open streets by

all the people kneeling to such a point that those who

were able to kiss his feet or slippers counted themselves

more fortunate than the rest and declared that they had

obtained many indulgences, and that on this account

the infernal pains would be remitted for many years.

Oh vilest of all beasts, most brazen of harlots! 1

Thus Servetus's hopes were directed towards the leaders of the

Reformation. He felt sure that if he could bring the error of the

doctrine of Trinity to their notice, then they would abandon their

belief in this dogma. This misconception was to cost him his life.