Pilgrimage from the Alps to the Tiber

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28294

Title

Pilgrimage from the Alps to the Tiber

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Rev. J.A. Wylie chronicles a pilgrimage through Italy, exposing the alleged moral, economic, and political decay caused by Papal rule. Blending travelogue with sharp theological critique, the work argues that Romanism stifles trade, justice, and liberty, transforming a once-great civilization into a landscape of sterility and tyranny.

Summary up to 500 words

In "Pilgrimage from the Alps to the Tiber," Rev. J. A. Wylie documents his 1851 journey from the Cottian Alps to Rome, aiming to witness firsthand the effects of Papal governance. Wylie contends that the Papacy acts as a "moral cancer" upon Europe, systematically destroying industry, knowledge, and freedom. He describes the economic ruin of the Campagna Romana, where vast fertile lands are locked away by ecclesiastical corporations, leading to widespread beggary and famine for the local population. The author contrasts this with the vitality of Protestant nations, arguing that the Church's refusal to engage in useful arts and its suppression of civil law create a society of idleness and crime. Wylie details the lack of civil codes, the corruption of the judicial system, and the harsh treatment of political prisoners in the Papal States. He notes that there is no civil code in the Papal States, and citizens possess no rights save as Church members. The judicial system is described as a mockery, with justice bought and sold, and tribunals like the Rota and Signatura serving as instruments of despotism rather than fairness. The author highlights the estimated 30,000 political prisoners and the horrible conditions within the Pope's prisons, guarded by the *sbirri* and spies. Through vivid descriptions of ruined cities, silent cathedrals, and the suffering of the people, Wylie presents a polemic asserting that the fall of great nations is a slow process rooted in the early corruptions of the Gospel and the rise of ecclesiastical despotism. He argues that the destiny of modern Europe was sealed centuries ago when the Bishop of Rome became head of the universal Church, implanting an evil principle that eventually overthrew monarchies. The work serves as both a travel narrative and a severe indictment of the Roman Catholic Church's influence on Italian society, warning that if the Papacy were to regain dominance in Protestant nations, it would lead to a return of moors, swamps, and beggary, extinguishing liberty and civilization. Wylie concludes that the only path to regeneration is determined defiance against the papal system.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Travel