Can you please explain this quote?

"The monarchy of Rome, as it is now, is a pestilence to Christendom."
-Erasmus

5 answers

The monarchy of Rome = the rulers of Italy in Erasmus's time

a pestilence to Christendom = a huge threat to the whole of Christianity
First you need to know that Erasmus wrote this about 1500. He was a liberal Catholic priest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderius_Erasmus

Look up the word "pestilence" and see if you can figure out the meaning of this quote.

Remember that the seat of the Catholic church was Rome.
Apparently your quote left out some key words.

" His letters, too, contain caustic indictments. In one, Erasmus says that “the monarchy of the Popes at Rome, as it is now, is a pestilence to Christendom, but I do not know if it is expedient to touch this sore openly.”

http://freethoughtalmanac.com/?p=3603
Ok. Thank you both!
You're welcome.