Sicut Dudum, forbidding the enslavement of the Guanche natives in Canary Islands by the Spanish, is promulgated by Pope Eugene IV.

Sicut Dudum: A Landmark Papal Prohibition Against Enslavement in the Canary Islands

The papal bull Sicut Dudum, meaning "Just as Long Ago" from Latin, was a significant decree issued by Pope Eugene IV from Florence on January 13, 1435. This pivotal document specifically forbade the enslavement of the native inhabitants of the Canary Islands, particularly those who had converted, or were in the process of converting, to Christianity. It stood as a crucial early intervention by the Holy See against the burgeoning slave trade impacting indigenous populations.

Contextualizing the Papal Intervention in the Canary Islands

To fully appreciate the importance of Sicut Dudum, it's essential to understand the historical backdrop. The early 15th century marked a period of intense European exploration and expansion, with the Canary Islands, strategically located off the northwest coast of Africa, becoming a focal point for burgeoning Portuguese and Castilian interests. These islands were inhabited by the indigenous Guanche people, who, despite their fierce resistance, were increasingly subjected to raids, exploitation, and enslavement by European traders and colonizers.

During this era, the concept of slavery was widespread, but its moral and theological justifications were often debated, especially concerning Christians. The Papacy, as a supreme moral and spiritual authority, frequently intervened in matters of international conduct and the treatment of newly encountered peoples.

The Preceding Decree: Creator Omnium

Sicut Dudum did not emerge in a vacuum. It was, in fact, intended to reinforce the principles laid out in an earlier papal bull, Creator Omnium, issued by the same Pope Eugene IV in 1434. Creator Omnium had already condemned the Portuguese slave raids in the Canary Islands, highlighting the spiritual and physical harm inflicted upon the islanders, some of whom were already Christian or catechumens. The issuance of Sicut Dudum within a year demonstrated the Papacy's ongoing concern and its determination to re-emphasize and strengthen the prohibition against these egregious practices, particularly concerning those within the fold of Christianity.

The Specifics and Significance of Sicut Dudum

The core of Sicut Dudum lay in its explicit prohibition: any person who had enslaved, bought, or assisted in the enslavement of the Christianized natives of the Canary Islands was ordered to release them within 15 days of the bull's promulgation. Failure to comply would result in automatic excommunication, a severe spiritual penalty that would exclude the individual from the sacraments and communion with the Church. This threat underscored the gravity with which Pope Eugene IV viewed the violation of these human rights, rooted in the Christian belief in the dignity of the human person and the brotherhood of all baptized individuals.

While Sicut Dudum is often cited as a significant early papal condemnation of slavery, it's crucial to note its specific scope. It primarily protected those who had converted or were converting to Christianity, reflecting the theological understanding of the time which held that Christians should not enslave other Christians. Nonetheless, it represented a vital step in challenging the unrestrained exploitation of indigenous populations during the age of exploration, serving as a moral precedent for future condemnations, such as Pope Paul III's Sublimis Deus in 1537, which more broadly affirmed the humanity and rights of all indigenous peoples, regardless of their conversion status.

The bull was issued during the Council of Florence (1431-1449), a major ecumenical council that, among other objectives, sought to address various ecclesiastical and temporal issues, providing a prominent platform for such a significant decree.


Frequently Asked Questions about Sicut Dudum

What is Sicut Dudum?
Sicut Dudum is a papal bull, a type of solemn decree issued by the Pope, promulgated by Pope Eugene IV on January 13, 1435, specifically forbidding the enslavement of native inhabitants of the Canary Islands who had converted or were converting to Christianity.
Who issued Sicut Dudum and when?
It was issued by Pope Eugene IV on January 13, 1435, during the Council of Florence.
What was the primary purpose of Sicut Dudum?
Its primary purpose was to prohibit the enslavement of Christianized or catechumen indigenous people of the Canary Islands and to reinforce a previous condemnation of Portuguese slave raids in the region.
How did Sicut Dudum relate to Creator Omnium?
Sicut Dudum was issued to reinforce and re-emphasize the prohibitions contained in Creator Omnium, an earlier bull from 1434 by the same Pope Eugene IV, which had initially condemned Portuguese slave raids in the Canary Islands.
Did Sicut Dudum end all forms of slavery?
No, Sicut Dudum did not universally condemn all forms of slavery. Its specific focus was on protecting newly Christianized indigenous people from enslavement, reflecting the prevailing theological understanding of the time that Christians should not enslave fellow Christians.
What was the historical context of the Canary Islands at this time?
In the early 15th century, the Canary Islands were a strategic location experiencing intense European exploration and colonization efforts, particularly by the Portuguese. The indigenous Guanche inhabitants were frequently subjected to violent raids and forced into slavery, prompting the papal interventions.