Religion & Philosophy

Pope Eugene IV's Decree on Guanche Enslavement

Pope Eugene IV issued the bull 'Sicut Dudum', which prohibited the enslavement of Guanche natives in the Canary Islands who had converted or were converting to Christianity. This decree aimed to protect the indigenous population from exploitation by Spanish settlers, emphasizing their newfound faith's significance. The bull represented a response to the burgeoning plantation economy in the islands and the treatment of the indigenous people, reinforcing the Church's position on ethical treatment and conversion.

Continue Reading