History of Spain's Roman Catholic Church
The history of Spain's Roman Catholic church is inextricably linked with the nation's government and politics. The Church's power rose and fell throughout the centuries depending on its political rulers.
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Roman Rule
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Rome began to assimilate the disorganized Celtic and Iberian tribes of Spain into the Roman Empire in 218 B.C., but did not formally recognize Spaniards as Roman citizens until 73 A.D. Roman Spain converted to Christianity during the 4th century A.D., according to the Library of Iberian Resources Online, or LIBRO.
Visigoth and Muslim Rule
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Non-Catholic Visigoths invaded and ruled over Spain by the 4th century. In 587 the Visigoth king converted to Catholicism. The country remained spiritually united until the Visigoth kingdom collapsed and Muslim invaders conquered the land. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that early Caliphs were tolerant of the Catholic faith, but later rulers intently persecuted Christians. The Catholics slowly regained power until completely vanquishing the Moors in 1492.
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Protestant Reformation
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Europe's religious unity was fragmented during the Protestant Reformation. Northern nations such as Germany and Poland became Protestant, while Italy and Spain remained committed to the Roman Catholic faith. The Catholic Encyclopedia indicates that many great Spanish spiritual writers and theologians emerged during the early part of this era.
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