The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara
David I. Kertzer's The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara recounts the true story of a Jewish boy secretly baptized and seized by the Catholic Church in 1858 Italy. This gripping historical account reveals the tensions between religion and state, sparking global controversy and highlighting the plight of Jewish families under papal authority. A compelling examination of faith, power, and human rights in 19th-century Europe.
About This Book
The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara explores a pivotal historical event in 1858, when a young Jewish child was removed from his parents' home in Bologna due to a clandestine baptism performed by a servant.
David I. Kertzer, a noted historian, draws on extensive archival research to detail the circumstances surrounding the incident and its broader implications for Jewish-Catholic relations in Europe.
The book examines how the case drew attention from world leaders, including Pope Pius IX, and fueled debates on religious freedom and state authority during a time of political upheaval in Italy.
Through this narrative, Kertzer illuminates the challenges faced by Jewish communities under papal rule and the enduring impact of such events on interfaith dynamics.
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