# Catholicisation

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Conversion into Catholicism, and the expanding Catholic influence

Not to be confused with [Catholic missions](/source/Catholic_missions).

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**Catholicisation** ([American English](/source/American_English_language): **Catholicization**) refers mainly to the conversion of adherents of other religions to [Catholicism](/source/Catholicism), and the system of expanding Catholic influence in politics. Catholicisation was a policy of the [Holy See](/source/Holy_See) through the [Papal States](/source/Papal_States), the [Holy Roman Empire](/source/Holy_Roman_Empire) and the [Habsburg monarchy](/source/Habsburg_monarchy). Sometimes this process is referred to as **re-Catholicisation,** although in many cases Catholicised people had never been Catholics before.[1]

The term is also used[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] for the communion of [Eastern Christian](/source/Eastern_Christianity) churches into the Catholic Church; the [Eastern Catholic Churches](/source/Eastern_Catholic_Churches) that follow the [Byzantine](/source/Byzantine_Rite), [Alexandrian](/source/Alexandrian_Rite), [Armenian](/source/Armenian_Rite), [East Syrian](/source/East_Syrian_Rite) and [West Syrian Rites](/source/West_Syrian_Rite), as opposed to the [Latin Church](/source/Latin_Church).

## Catholic doctrine

Christian denominations in [Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth](/source/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth) before (1573) and after (1750) the campaign of Catholicisation[*[image reference needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

See also: [Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples](/source/Congregation_for_the_Evangelisation_of_Peoples)

The [Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples](/source/Congregation_for_the_Evangelization_of_Peoples) ([Latin](/source/Latin_language): *Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione*), formerly Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith ([Latin](/source/Latin_language): *Sacra Congregatio de Propaganda Fide*) is the congregation of the [Roman Curia](/source/Roman_Curia) responsible for missionary work and related activities.

[In 1439 in Florence](/source/Council_of_Florence), the Declaration of Union was adopted, according to which "the Roman Church firmly believes that [nobody, who does not belong to the Catholic Church](/source/Extra_Ecclesiam_nulla_salus), not only unbelievers, but Judeans (Jews), nor heretics, nor schismatics, cannot enter the [kingdom of heaven](/source/Kingdom_of_Heaven_(Gospel_of_Matthew)), but all will go to the [eternal fire](/source/Hell), which is saved for devils and their angels, if they not before death turn to that church".[2] The [Council of Trent](/source/Council_of_Trent) (1545–63) had the mission to gain, apart from "stray" Protestants, also the numerous schismatics from the Catholic Church in [southeastern Europe](/source/Southeastern_Europe).[2]

## Catholicisation and Uniatism

Main article: [Eastern Catholic Churches](/source/Eastern_Catholic_Churches)

This section should include a summary of Eastern Catholic Churches. See Wikipedia:Summary style for information on how to incorporate it into this article's main text. (July 2018)

### Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth

Main articles: [Union of Brest](/source/Union_of_Brest), [Union of Uzhhorod](/source/Union_of_Uzhhorod), and [Persecution of Eastern Orthodox Christians](/source/Persecution_of_Eastern_Orthodox_Christians)

During the period from the 16th to the 18th century, in eastern regions of [Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth](/source/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth) and [Kingdom of Hungary](/source/Kingdom_of_Hungary_(1526%E2%80%931867)) several successive campaigns of Catholicisation were undertaken in order to convert local [Eastern Orthodox Christians](/source/Eastern_Orthodox_Christians) into Catholicism.[3][4][5]

### Serbs

Catholic priest Sidonije Šolc converting Serbian Orthodox Christians to Catholicism, in [Bosanska Dubica](/source/Bosanska_Dubica) (August 1941)

Main article: [Catholic clergy involvement with the Ustaše](/source/Catholic_clergy_involvement_with_the_Usta%C5%A1e)

The Council of Trent had the mission to gain both Protestants, and Orthodox Christians in [southeastern Europe](/source/Southeastern_Europe).[2] The [Serbian Orthodox Church](/source/Serbian_Orthodox_Church) became targeted, the strongest pressure during the term of Pope [Clement VIII](/source/Clement_VIII) (1592–1605), who used the difficult position of the Orthodox in the Ottoman Empire and conditioned the Serbian Patriarch to Uniatize in return for support against the Turks.[2]

Serbian Orthodox Christians and [Bogomils](/source/Bogomilism) were targeted for Catholicisation by clergy from [Republic of Ragusa](/source/Republic_of_Ragusa).[6]

Since the many migrations of Serbs into the [Habsburg monarchy](/source/Habsburg_monarchy) beginning in the 16th century, there were efforts to Catholicise the community. The Orthodox [Eparchy of Marča](/source/Eparchy_of_Mar%C4%8Da) became the Catholic [Eparchy of Križevci](/source/Eparchy_of_Kri%C5%BEevci_(Eastern_Catholic)) after waves of Uniatisation in the 17th and 18th centuries.[7] Notable individuals active in the Catholicisation of Serbs in the 17th century include [Martin Dobrović](/source/Martin_Dobrovi%C4%87), [Benedikt Vinković](/source/Benedikt_Vinkovi%C4%87), [Petar Petretić](/source/Petar_Petreti%C4%87), [Rafael Levaković](/source/Rafael_Levakovi%C4%87) and [Ivan Paskvali](/source/Ivan_Paskvali).[7][8][9] The Catholic bishops Vinković and Petretić wrote numerous inaccurate texts meant to incite hatred against Serbs and Orthodox Christians, some of which included advice on how to Catholicise the Serbs.[10]

During [World War II](/source/World_War_II_in_Yugoslavia), the Axis [Ustashe](/source/Ustashe) led the campaign of [Genocide of Serbs in the Independent State of Croatia](/source/Genocide_of_Serbs_in_the_Independent_State_of_Croatia). An estimated 300,000 were converted to Catholicism, most temporarily.

## Re-Catholicisation during Counter-Reformation

Main article: [Counter-Reformation](/source/Counter-Reformation)

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (April 2020)

## See also

- [Inquisition](/source/Inquisition)

- [Proselytism](/source/Proselytism)

### Christianisation by the papacy

- [Christianisation of Poland](/source/Christianization_of_Poland)

- [Christianisation of Bohemia](/source/Christianization_of_Bohemia)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Wilson2009_1-0)** Peter Hamish Wilson (2009). [*The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy*](https://books.google.com/books?id=XgtpAl8HzjcC&pg=PA357). Harvard University Press. p. 357. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-674-03634-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-674-03634-5).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEVuković2004424_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEVuković2004424_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEVuković2004424_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEVuković2004424_2-3) [Vuković 2004](#CITEREFVuković2004), p. 424.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELitwin198757–83_3-0)** [Litwin 1987](#CITEREFLitwin1987), p. 57–83.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTETóth2002587-606_4-0)** [Tóth 2002](#CITEREFTóth2002), p. 587-606.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKornél201133-56_5-0)** [Kornél 2011](#CITEREFKornél2011), p. 33-56.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Irena Ipšić, 2013, Vlasništvo nad nekretninama crkvenih i samostanskih ustanova na orebićkome području u 19. stoljeću,[https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=155415](https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=155415) #page=235

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kasic1967_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kasic1967_7-1) Kašić, Dušan Lj (1967). [*Srbi i pravoslavlje u Slavoniji i sjevernoj Hrvatskoj*](https://books.google.com/books?id=7oNIAAAAMAAJ). Savez udruženja pravosl. sveštenstva SR Hrvatske. p. 49.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Kolarić, Juraj (2002). [*Povijest kršćanstva u Hrvata: Katolička crkva*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ThQsAQAAMAAJ). Hrvatski studiji Sveučilišta u Zagrebu. p. 77. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-953-6682-45-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-953-6682-45-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Dimitrijević, Vladimir (2002). [*Pravoslavna crkva i rimokatolicizam: (od dogmatike do asketike)*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ugeQAAAAMAAJ). LIO. p. 337. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788683697045](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788683697045).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Gavrilović, Slavko (1993). [*Iz istorije Srba u Hrvatskoj, Slavoniji i Ugarskoj: XV-XIX vek*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5oJpAAAAMAAJ). Filip Višnjić. p. 30. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9788673631264](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9788673631264).

## Sources

**Books**

- Caffiero, Marina; Cochrane, Lydia G. (2012). [*Forced Baptisms: Histories of Jews, Christians, and Converts in Papal Rome*](https://books.google.com/books?id=WAch17-SogIC). University of California Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-520-25451-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-520-25451-0).

- Ó hAnnracháin, Tadhg (2015). [*Catholic Europe, 1592-1648: Centre and Peripheries*](https://books.google.com/books?id=IRppCgAAQBAJ). Oxford University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-927272-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-927272-3).

- Paris, Edmond (1988). [*Convert-- or die!: Catholic persecution in Yugoslavia during World War II*](https://books.google.com/books?id=wL3YAAAAMAAJ). Chick Publications. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780937958353](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780937958353).

- Skinner, Barbara (2009). [*The Western Front of the Eastern Church: Uniate and Orthodox Conflict in 18th-century Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=hcgpuB5CSLwC). Northern Illinois University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-87580-407-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87580-407-1).

**Journals**

- Atlagić, M. (2008). ["Katoličenje Srba na Kosovu i Metohiji u XVII vijeku"](http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0353-9008/2008/0353-90080825137A.pdf) (PDF). *Baština* (25): 137–147.

- Bourdeaux, M., 1974. The Uniate churches in Czechoslovakia. Religion in Communist Lands, 2(2), pp. 4–6.

- Forster, M.R., The Thirty Years' War and the Failure of Catholicization. The Counter-Reformation: The Essential Readings, pp. 163–97.

- Ionescu, D., 1991. Roumania: The Orthodox-Uniate Conflict. Report on Eastern Europe, 2(31).

- Kornél, Nagy (2011). "The Catholicization of Transylvanian Armenians (1685-1715): Integrative or Disintegrative Model?". [*Integrating Minorities: Traditional Communities and Modernization*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ztgwoGq1OYQC). Cluj-Napoca: Editura ISPMN. pp. 33–56. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9786069274491](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9786069274491).

- Litwin, Henryk (1987). ["Catholicization among the Ruthenian Nobility and Assimilation Processes' in the Ukraine during the Years 1569-1648"](http://rcin.org.pl/Content/30516/WA303_48794_1987-55_APH_03_o.pdf) (PDF). *Acta Poloniae Historica*. **55**: 57–83. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0001-6829](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0001-6829).

- Sadkowski, K. (1998). "From Ethnic Borderland to Catholic Fatherland: The Church, Christian Orthodox, and State Administration in the Chelm Region, 1918-1939". *Slavic Review*. **57** (4): 813–839. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/2501048](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F2501048). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [2501048](https://www.jstor.org/stable/2501048). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [163300416](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:163300416).

- Tóth, István György (2002). ["Počiatky rekatolizácie na východnom Slovensku (The Beginning of re-Catholicization in Eastern Slovakia)"](https://books.google.com/books?id=LngMAQAAMAAJ). *Historický časopis*. **50** (4): 587–606.

- Vuković, Slobodan V. (2004). ["Uloga Vatikana u razbijanju Jugoslavije"](https://doi.org/10.5937%2Fsocpreg0403423V). *Sociološki Pregled*. **38** (3): 423–443. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5937/socpreg0403423V](https://doi.org/10.5937%2Fsocpreg0403423V).

**Conference papers**

- Cuming, G. J., ed. (2008). [*The Mission of the Church and the Propagation of the Faith: Papers read at the Seventh Summer Meeting and the Eighth Winter Meeting of the Ecclesiastical History Society*](https://books.google.com/books?id=4IcpPwAACAAJ). Cambridge University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-10179-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-10179-0).

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Catholicisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicisation) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicisation?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.