Gerardo Segarelli
Gerard or Gherardo or Gherardo Segalelli or Segadelli (circa 1240 - 18 July 1300) was the founder of the Apostolic Brothers (in Latin Apostolici). It was burned at the stake in the year 1300. Biography
He was born near Parma. In his youth he requested the admission of a Franciscan monastery in Parma, but apparently he was denied because it exhibited symptoms of a dementia. However, he remained around the monastery for a time, often visiting the convent and church to sit or kneel before the altar. Influenced perhaps by a representation on the altar of the twelve apostles, Segalelli grew his hair and beard, he took off his shoes and only wore a white robe, imitating the early Christians.
After selling his possessions in 1260, he went to the Parma market and distributed his profits. Segalelli wandered through the streets calling people to repentance (penitentiam agite), announcing that the kingdom of heaven was near and asking for sustenance in the name of Christ.
He continued this activity for three years until one "Robert" - who had been raised by the Franciscans - joined him; before the end of that year, some thirty more people had joined them. Segalelli began to preach in other cities and the number of his followers grew, coming from the poor. After some initial evasiveness he agreed to be elected leader. The group walked the streets singing hymns, preaching to those who listened, eating what people gave them and sharing it with the poor.
The movement spread not only throughout Lombardy, but also to Germany, France, Spain and England. Some Apostles were slandered at a council in Würzburg and issued a decree prohibiting them from preaching and asking and warning people to refrain from giving them food or water. Other Apostles were proscribed in England on a council at Chichester in 1289; it is not certain whether these sects connect directly to Segalelli's, however, there are many analogies between them.
At a later time, in 1300, the followers of the Apostles are in Spain, where a certain Richard of Alexandria preached with great success, especially in Galicia. In 1320, Pierre de Lugo - a follower of Richard - was taken before the Inquisition in Toulouse.
It was in Lombardy where the disciples of Segalelli were more successful and began to attract the enemies. The bishop of Parma was informed in 1280 that Segalelli was directing invectives against the Church so he had him captured immediately. After the examination the authorities came to the conclusion that he was a poor insane visionary and they released him.
In 1286, however, probably pressed by the Inquisition, the bishop forbade him to enter the city. It seems that Segarelli broke the ban in 1294, returning clandestinely to his hometown. He was taken back to the bishop, abjured and sentenced to life imprisonment, while four of his followers were burned alive. It is not clear why, but in 1300 he was again interrogated by the great inquisitor of Parma: found guilty of falling back on previously abjured errors, this time he was burned at the stake. Fuentess
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