The Spaniard Quietist Miguel De Molinos

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Molinos once
said: "The true quietists are always quiet, serene and eve-minded in Graces and
in extraordinary favors as also in the most rigorous and bitter torments. No
news causes them to rejoice, no event saddens them". Was Miguel de Molinos
trying to be consistent way with his mystical teachings of total passivity?, or
was he really guilty as charged? Was Molinos a victim of the jealousy of the
Jesuits? Was his fall caused by "the machinations of a corrupt clergy who saw
that they would loose their living if his plain and simple method of devotion
were generally adopted"? Did he ever had any other options than recant
admitting his culpability? Was martyrdom his only other option?

II. Protagonists

Molinos was a man of noble character and a "brilliant and widely
cultured mind". His reputation of director of consciences and spiritual guide
granted him the admiration and esteem of all kinds of people among whom was
Cardinal Benedict Odescalchi who later became pope ...

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with
Molinos he claimed "Veramente siamo engannati".

III. The Conflict

The teachings of Molinos were not knew for the Church. In Spain the
mystic Juan Falconí (1596-1638), had a large number of followers during his
lifetime. Another group, the "Alumbrados" influenced many people in Cadiz and
Seville in the late 1500's. They taught that vocal prayer, and thinking in the
humanity of Jesus or in his passion must be avoided. In 1623 the Inquisition
condemned them as heretics. It is clear that both, Falconí and the Alumbrados,
influenced Molinos' thought.
Molinos' doctrines about mysticism were world wide appreciated and
practiced. It is said that in Naples he had "more that ...

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