Atoning for killing : the practice of penance and the perception of bloodshed among the early medieval Irish, fifth to ninth century
From the introduction of Christianity into Ireland in the fifth century to the arrival of the Vikings in the ninth, the attitudes of the Irish Church towards bloodshed and violence changed considerably. The moral code of pacifism and non-violence, especially towards other Christians, advocated by the Christian Churches came into direct confrontation with the violent necessities of secular life when the Roman Empire adopted the new faith as its state religion. Further difficulties arose when the Roman Empire gave way to Germanic kingdoms, and when the Christian faith began to make its way out to lands unconquered by Rome, such as Ireland; challenged by cultures in which honour and violence were part of the social fabric, and by the idea that victory in battle demonstrated divine favour, the Church had to both integrate itself into these new lands and try to draw them closer to the Christian ideal. Penance for the sins committed in life could be undertaken, but it was an arduous and humiliating process, such that many did not seek redemption until near death, an attitude which did not rest easy with the Church. The monastic system of penance, fixed in term and confessed in private, became available to the laity
Burke, David
Atoning for killing : the practice of penance and the perception of bloodshed among the early medieval Irish, fifth to ninth century. From the introduction of Christianity into Ireland in the fifth century to the arrival of the Vikings in the ninth, the attitudes of the Irish Church towards bloodshed and violence changed considerably. The moral code of pacifism and non-violence, especially towards other Christians, advocated by the Christian Churches came into direct confrontation with the violent necessities of secular life when the Roman Empire adopted the new faith as its state religion. Further difficulties arose when the Roman Empire gave way to Germanic kingdoms, and when the Christian faith began to make its way out to lands unconquered by Rome, such as Ireland; challenged by cultures in which honour and violence were part of the social fabric, and by the idea that victory in battle demonstrated divine favour, the Church had to both integrate itself into these new lands and try to draw them closer to the Christian ideal. Penance for the sins committed in life could be undertaken, but it was an arduous and humiliating process, such that many did not seek redemption until near death, an attitude which did not rest easy with the Church. The monastic system of penance, fixed in term and confessed in private, became available to the laity
killing practice perception bloodshed among early_medieval irish introduction christianity ireland arrival vikings ninth attitude irish church towards bloodshed violence change considerably moral code non violence especially towards christians advocate christian churches come direct confrontation violent necessity secular life roman_empire adopt new faith state religion difficulty arise roman_empire give_way germanic kingdom christian_faith begin make_way land rome ireland challenge culture honour violence part social fabric idea victory battle demonstrate divine favour church integrate new land try draw close christian ideal sin committed life could undertake process many seek redemption near death attitude rest easy church monastic system fixed term private become_available laity