Summis desiderantes affectibus

Summis desiderantes affectibus (Latin: "In our ardent desire " ), the text beginning and title is a papal bull, the so-called witches bull.

Author

The later author of the Malleus Henricus Institoris even wrote this letter and thus made ​​representations to Pope Innocent VIII, which was make out on December 5, 1484 by his firm, the rescript. He confirmed the only pope ever - in a document that within the church had very little importance - the existence of witchcraft. At the same time tried Innocent VIII a date and future valid ecclesial doctrine ( Canon episcopi ) to change.

Purpose and content

With the witches cop who subsequently printed in most editions of the Malleus and therefore became widely known, planned Institoris to justify the hitherto somewhat tedious witch hunt and simplify. The bull not gave the authority to reprimand, detention and punishment of suspected persons, but to the burning of witches.

Summary ( calendar entry ) by Hansen 1901: Pope Innocent VIII authorized the two working in Germany inquisitors Heinrich and Jacob Sprenger Institoris to take legal action against the sorcerers and witches. He explains the resistance that the same have since been found in circles of clerics and laymen in this activity, to be unjustified, since these criminals actually come under the competence of the inquisitors, and instructed the bishop of Strasbourg, which the inquisitors about opposing obstacles by imposing ecclesiastical censures to eliminate.