ames. In Italy
they were confounded with the orthodox Patarins and Arnaldists of
Milan; which explains the frequent use of the word Patareni in the
constitutions of Frederic II, and other documents.

The Arnaldists or Arnoldists and the Speronistae, were the disciples
of Arnold of Brescia, and the heretical Bishop Sperone. Although the
chief center of the Cathari in France was Toulouse and not Albi, they
were called _Albigeois_ (Albigenses), and _Tisserands_ (Texerants),
because many were weavers by trade; _Arians_, because of their denial
of Christ's divinity; _Paulicians_, which was corrupted into
_Poplicani, Publicani, Piphes_ and _Piples_ (Flanders); _Bulgarians_
(_Bulgari_), from their origin, which became in the mouths of the
people of _Bugari, Bulgri_, and _Bugres_. In fact about 1200, nearly
all the heretics of western Europe were considered Cathari.

Catharism was chiefly a negative heresy; it denied the doctrines,
hierarchy and worship of the Catholic Church, as well as the
essential rights of the State.

These neo-Manicheans denied that the Roman Church represented the
Church of Christ. The Popes were not the successors of St. Peter, but
rather the successors of Constantine. St. Peter never came to Rome.
The relics which were venerated in the Constantinian basilica, were
the bones of someone who died in the third century; they were not
relics of the Prince of the Apostles. Constantine unfortunately
sanctioned this fraud, by conferring upon the Roman pontiff an
immense domain, together with the prestige that accompanies temporal
authority.[1] How could anyone recognize under the insignia, the
purple mantle, and the crown of the successors of St. Sylvester, a
disciple of Jesus Christ? Christ had no place where to lay His head,
whereas the Popes lived in a palace! Christ rebuked worldly dominion,
while the Popes claimed it! What had the Roman curia with its thirst
for riches and honors in common with the gospel of Christ? What were
these archbishops, primates, cardinals, archdeacons, monks, canons,
Dominicans, and Friars Minor but the Pharisees of old! The priests
placed heavy burdens upon the faithful people, and they themselves
did not touch them with the tips of their fingers; they received
tithes from the fields and flocks; they ran after the heritage of
widows; all practices which Christ condemned in the Pharisees.

[1] The Middle Ages believed firmly in the donation of Constantine.
It was, however que