General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Roman Church admits the Pope’s Guilt: Joseph Ratzinger to Evade Justice and Hide out in the Vatican [View all]caseymoz
(5,763 posts)They just changed its name. The word "Inquisition" sounded too negative. I can't think why.
Back when he was still known as Cardinal Ratzinger (or Cardinal Rat) Pope Benny was the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the previous name for that outfit was Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition, AKA the Roman Inquisition or The Holy Inquisition.
Compared to what it was in previous centuries, the Inquisition is rather toothless. Except it can and has defrocked and excommunicated many Catholic scholars and clergy who haven't towed the Vatican's line. It looks for ideological purity.
People who think the Church has changed from the middle ages are wrong. It hasn't. It's just painted over the rust and rot. If it had the same control today as it had in the Middle Ages-- and its trying to get it back-- it would behave the very same way.