On this day in history, 17th December 1538, Pope Paul III announced that Henry VIII had been excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
The original bull of excommunication had been issued on 30th August 1535, but the excommunication had been suspended in the hope that Henry would mend his ways. The final straw for the Pope, though, was the King’s attack on religious shrines in England.
You can read more about it in my article Henry VIII is Excommunicated.
Took the Holy Father long enough to get around to it. The refusal to leave Anne, the treatment of the people after the Pilgrimage of Grace and the holy martyrs, plus the destruction of the monaastic lands and orders; I think the Pope was too patient and should have done it sooner.
BanditQueen:
I suppose the Pope was thinking of the people so he continued to give Henry chance after chance.I absolutely agree though.
More likely he had to take into account his prelates wealth as they received taxes from their positions.I’m sure it was a messy situation.