Question

Why was the index of prohibited books implemented from the year 1558?

Answer 1

Print and popular religious literature stimulated many distinctive individual interpretations of faith even among the little educated working people.

1.In the sixteenth century, Menocchio, a miller in Italy began reading books that were available in his locality. He reinterpreted the message of the bible and formulated a view of god and creation that enraged the Roman Catholic Church.

2.When the Roman Church began its inquisition to repress heretical ideas, Menocchio was hauled up twice and ultimately executed.

3.The Roman Church, troubled by the effects of popular readings and questioning of faith, imposed severe controls over the publishers and booksellers and began to maintain an Index of Prohibited Books from 1558.