This week in Christian history: Catholic Church declares first woman 'doctor;' Peace of Augsburg signed

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, September 25, 2022

Peace of Augsburg agreed upon — Sept. 25, 1555

Representatives of the German estates at the Augsburg conference discuss the possibilities of a religious peace. | Wikimedia Commons

This week marks the anniversary of a historic agreement between the Roman Catholic Church and German Protestants, which allowed a level of tolerance for the new religious movement.

The agreement stemmed from the Diet of Augsburg, which permitted German princes to choose if they wanted to adhere to a Protestant statement of faith known as the Augsburg Confession.

"His Imperial Majesty, and We, and the electors, princes, and estates of the Holy Empire will not make war upon any estate of the empire on account of the Augsburg Confession and the doctrine, religion, and faith of the same, nor injure nor do violence to those estates that hold it, nor force them, against their conscience, knowledge, and will, to abandon the religion, faith, church usages, ordinances, and ceremonies of the Augsburg Confession," read the agreement.

"Nor shall We, through mandate or in any other way, trouble or disparage them, but shall let them quietly and peacefully enjoy their religion, faith, church usages, ordinances, and ceremonies, as well as their possessions, real and personal property, lands, people, dominions, governments, honors, and rights."