AUTO DA FE Meaning and
Definition
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Auto da fé is a term of Portuguese origin that translates to "act of faith" in English. It refers to a public ritualistic event that took place during the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition in the 15th and 16th centuries. An auto da fé was a ceremony where individuals accused of heresy or other crimes against the Catholic Church were publicly tried, judged, and often sentenced to severe punishments, including imprisonment, torture, or even execution.
This event usually took place in a central public location, such as a market square or a grand square in front of a church. It attracted large crowds of spectators who gathered to witness the spectacle and to reaffirm their faith in the Catholic Church. The proceedings of an auto da fé included a procession of penitents, religious ceremonies, and the presentation of the accused before church and civil authorities.
The purpose of these ceremonies was twofold - to publicly denounce and eliminate heresy within the community and to intimidate and deter potential dissenters. They served as a powerful tool for the Inquisition to exert control and maintain religious orthodoxy in society. The auto da fé was both a religious and political spectacle, aiming to instill fear, display the power of the Church, and generate a sense of unity and loyalty among the Catholic population.
Over time, the term "auto da fé" has also been used metaphorically to describe any public act of condemnation or punishment, particularly in regards to religious or ideological persecution.
