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Vol. 76 (1991): Our Past

Articles

The Stopnica register of converts in the 17th-19th centuries

  • Waldemar Kowalski
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.1991.76.193-294  [Google Scholar]
Published: 1991-12-30

Abstract

The published register includes 169 people who joined the Roman Catholic Church between 1655 and 1863 thanks to the Franciscans - Reformed monks from the monastery in Stopnica, a small town in western Lesser Poland. The source contributes to research on the final stage of the Reformation in this area, and also confirms that part of the monastic healing of souls that was particularly important for the Brothers. Just over 40 conversions took place in the first three decades. The converts at that time were mainly the local nobility and their dependents, most of them followers of Calvinism, and also a few Orthodox, Lutherans and Socinians. From the end of the 17th century, plebeians of various professions and nationalities, including German-speaking ones, dominated and the group of former Lutherans was growing. The relatively small number of Jews increased noticeably only at the end of the 18th century. Acts of accepting the new faith usually took the form of solemn ceremonies, which resulted from the importance of conversion to the Church, attachment to celebration and trust in its values. The law prohibiting repeated baptism was observed, regardless of the confession during which it was made. The source also shows how the theologians' pertinent insights were adapted into teaching. The part of the source concerning facts that took place before October 19, 1677, was prepared in the form of an extensive list. The detailed narration makes this part similar to chronicles and diaries from those times. From the above date, this list continued as an ordinary church book, so it consists of entries from different hands, which was a common practice of Franciscan orders in Poland.

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